Resource Search

For income earned in 2025 and tax returns filed in 2026, this tax planning reference guide provides information on the tax rate schedules, exemptions, and contributions to savings plans. Check with your advisors to see if you need to make any adjustments regarding your tax efficiency, wealth planning, retirement planning, philanthropic strategics, and business and estate planning.

To clarify the inherited IRA distribution requirements that were first laid out in the 2019 SECURE Act, the IRS issued proposed regulations in 2021 that impacted IRA beneficiaries. While investors and wealth owners may perceive the taxes they’ll incur as unfavorable due to the requirement of minimum distributions, the new regulations may benefit investors by enabling them to spread income over multiple years. This paper, with a case study, examines the tax consequences of different withdrawal strategies.

With the U.S. election results in 2024 setting the stage for significant changes in tax legislation, the administration is expected to prioritize extending the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) and potentially repealing parts of the Inflation Reduction Act, which may lead to adjustments in corporate taxes and individual tax provisions. As we navigate these changes, it is important for individuals and businesses to stay informed and proactive in their planning approach.

State legislatures faced a growing number of budget shortfalls to begin fiscal year 2025 as lower tax collections and a slowing economy curtailed the pandemic-era revenue boom. However, tax increases were rarely in the discussion. Budgets were balanced, and some states still have managed to cut taxes. Regardless of what occurs in statehouses, taxpayers need to prepare for both unforeseen economic changes and the potential for federal tax reform to trickle down to the states.

At some point on your family journey and through the key life stages, you may take a step back and realize the wealth and legacy you’ve created are going to live on for generations. As you begin to reflect, you can look to the legacy and estate planning guide in this Digest as a starting point. You’ll also find helpful checklists, thoughtful questions, and perspectives to prepare for the generational transition—including how to talk with your heirs about their inheritance.

In this special report, Northern Trust experts provide policy analysis for each potential United States election result—as well as steps that can be taken to prepare for all outcomes. Read the report for insights into planning for Divided Government, Unified Democratic, Unified Republican, and Delayed or Contested results. Along with having a goals-based framework approach for wealth planning, it allows investors and wealth advisors to evaluate tradeoffs and uncover new opportunities to take action with confidence in any environment.