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Retirement tax guides
These guides explain why January's deposit shrinks, how the two-year lookback works, and what to do before anyone touches the IRA. Start with the free Medicare income check: two questions, no account.
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Why did my Social Security check go down in January?
Medicare withheld more from the deposit. 2026 Part B is $202.90. First-tier extra: $1,148.40 per person if 2024 MAGI cleared the line.
What you get free vs $99/year
Two questions on /check/, or a $99/year household board. No convert-$X. No monthly tiers.
Core concepts (IRMAA & MAGI)
What is IRMAA? The two-year lookback
Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount: cliffs, CMS thresholds, why 2024 prices 2026.
Which return year sets Medicare IRMAA?
Premium year and tax-return year are different calendars. 2024 sets 2026. A 2026 conversion maps to 2028.
What is MAGI for Medicare?
AGI (line 11) + tax-exempt interest (line 2a). What counts and what doesn't.
Why $1 over costs $1,148.40
Cliffs, not brackets. The full first tier for twelve months, not a $1 surcharge.
Will a Roth conversion raise my Medicare premium?
Only if it crosses a line, two years later. All five 2026 thresholds.
Life events & edge cases
SSA-44: lower premiums after a life event
Retirement, death, divorce: when SSA can use a newer tax year.
Widow line: $218,000 to $109,000
Same MAGI, different filing status, different cliff.
Other 2026 rules
How is Social Security taxed in 2026?
Provisional income, the 50% and 85% bands, and the tax torpedo.
The new $6,000 senior tax deduction, explained
Who qualifies in 2026, the 6% phase-out, and how it changes withdrawal math.
What age do required withdrawals start, 73 or 75?
The birth-year rule, how your first RMD is calculated, and why untouched IRAs create tax waves.
RMD deadline: what clears by December 31?
December 31 is the public clock for most RMDs. Custodians need time before that date. Questions to ask, not a withdrawal amount.
Roth conversion: what clears by December 31?
December 31 is the public date for a same-year conversion. Custodians can close earlier. Questions to ask, not a dollar amount.
QCD deadline: what clears by December 31?
A QCD is a direct IRA-to-charity transfer. December 31 is the public clock. Custodians can close earlier. Questions to ask, not whether to give.
1099-NEC deadline: what is due by January 31?
January 31 is the public clock for Form 1099-NEC to contractors. A CPA or software can close earlier. Questions to ask, not a filing service.
January 15 estimated tax: the fourth 2026 payment
January 15, 2027 is the fourth estimated tax date for freelancers and 1099 contractors. Safe harbor, self-employment tax, and how to pay. Not a payment amount.
Free January 15 payment worksheet
A fill-in worksheet for the fourth 2026 estimated tax payment. Safe harbor, self-employment tax lines, and the February 1 file-and-pay option. About 10 minutes.
How much to set aside for 1099 taxes in 2026?
Self-employment tax is 15.3% of 92.35% of net profit. Income tax depends on the bracket. A labeled example, not a payment.
How much should freelancers set aside for quarterly taxes?
Four equal 2026 installments, on uneven IRS payment periods. The second period is April and May. A labeled split, not a payment.
Why this site (vs generic IRMAA calculators). We show the Medicare cost of income, not "convert $X." Two questions for the January moment. $99/year for one household board. Built so you can text a spouse before anyone touches the IRA.
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