What OBBBA means for your 2025 taxes
In July 2025, President Trump signed into law Public Law 119-21, commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) of 2025. Among the provisions passed into law is…
SALT Deduction Changes: How the $40,000 Cap Impacts High-Income Feds
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) made two changes to the state and local taxes deduction included as an itemized deduction on IRS Form 1040 Schedule A.…
Individuals Have Until April 15,2026 to Recharacterize 2025 Roth IRA Contributions
Through the years, individuals have contributed to the different types of Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs). These different types of IRAs include deductible and nondeductible traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs. In…
Understanding the “Five-Year Rule” with Respect to Roth TSP In-Plan Conversions
A recent STWS column, TSP Announces Start of Roth TSP In-Plan Conversions (https://stwserve.com/tsp-announces-start-of-roth-tsp-in-plan-conversions/) presents information regarding the start of Roth TSP in-plan conversions on January 28, 2026. This column discusses…
Understanding the Vitally Important IRS Form 5498
IRS Form 5498 (IRA Contribution Information) is vitally important for individuals who own any type of Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA). The Form 5498 is completed by every IRA custodian meaning…
Employees Born Between April 2,1959 and January 1,1965 and Receiving Social Security Benefits Should Be Aware of the Earnings Test
Social Security benefits are designed to replace a portion of the earnings an individual (and in some cases , the individual’s family) loses because of the individual’s retirement, disability, or…
SECURE Act 2.0 and The Thrift Savings Plan
To help individuals save for their retirement, Congress passed the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2022 (SECURE Act 2.0). SECURE Act 2.0 was signed into law…
What Are the Consequences of Making Excess Contributions to the TSP?
In accordance with the Internal Revenue Code, the IRS limits the amount that employees can contribute via payroll deductions to their qualified retirement plans. Qualified retirement plans include 401(k), 403(b)…
The FEDZONE Vault: What Federal Employees Should Know About the Coordination of the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, TriCare and Medicare
A 42-page PDF from the FEDZONE Vault by Ed Zurndorfer: "What Federal Employees Should Know About the Coordination of the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, TriCare and Medicare"
Financial-to-Do List Considerations for Employees at the Start of the 2026 Leave Year
At most federal agencies, January 11,2026 is the beginning of the 2026 leave year. Many employees and retirees would agree that the 2025 leave year was in fact a tumultuous…