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Time Business News
5 hours ago
- Business
- Time Business News
Avoiding Dual Taxation: Why Renouncing Citizenship Makes Financial Sense
Introduction: When Patriotism Costs Too Much In an era of intensified global tax enforcement, increasing automatic data sharing, and expanding fiscal compliance obligations, more high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), digital nomads, entrepreneurs, and offshore investors are taking an unprecedented step: renouncing their citizenship. While citizenship was once considered untouchable, it is now seen by many as a financial liability, particularly when it triggers dual taxation across borders. This press release from Amicus International Consulting examines why citizenship renunciation has become a financial strategy in 2025, particularly for individuals burdened by overlapping tax obligations from both their country of origin and their country of residence. It highlights which countries create the most punitive tax structures, explains the legal steps involved in renunciation, and showcases real-world case studies of individuals who chose sovereignty over taxation. What Is Dual Taxation? Dual taxation refers to a situation in which an individual is taxed on the same income, assets, or capital gains by two or more countries. This typically arises when: A person holds citizenship in one country but resides or earns income in another but Both countries have the authority to tax global income Tax treaties fail to eliminate redundancy or apply only partial credits While tax treaties exist to mitigate these issues, they are often complex, ineffective, or filled with exemptions that still leave citizens overexposed to global tax burdens. Section I: The U.S. Tax Trap—Why Americans Lead in Renunciation The United States remains the only developed country that imposes citizenship-based taxation, meaning all U.S. citizens are required to file and potentially pay taxes on their worldwide income, regardless of their place of residence. U.S. Citizens Abroad Must: File annual IRS tax returns (Form 1040) Submit FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Reports) if foreign accounts exceed $10,000 (Foreign Bank Account Reports) if foreign accounts exceed $10,000 Report foreign investments via FATCA (Form 8938) (Form 8938) Face double reporting with foreign financial institutions forced to comply under FATCA Record-Breaking Renunciations In 2024, the U.S. saw over 10,500 individuals officially give up their citizenship—a number driven not by politics but by tax exhaustion. Many cited the high cost of compliance, punitive exit taxes, and the global reach of U.S. taxation as unsustainable. The Cost of Holding U.S. Citizenship Abroad Annual Cost Category Average Expense Tax prep/compliance (basic) $3,000–$10,000+ FATCA-related legal advisory $5,000–$20,000 Penalties for non-disclosure Up to $100,000+ Time spent on reporting 40–80 hours/year Section II: Other Nations Where Dual Taxation Hurts the Most While the U.S. is the most well-known offender, other countries also create dual taxation traps, including: 1. France Taxes on global income if you are a French tax resident, even if you hold another passport. An exit tax applies to unrealized gains if you relocate. Some double-tax treaties don't cover certain investment vehicles. 2. South Africa Worldwide income is taxed unless you sever residency-based taxation via financial emigration. via financial emigration. High-income earners working abroad are still required to declare foreign income. 3. India Resident but not ordinarily resident (RNOR) status still requires disclosure of foreign assets. Double taxation persists in real estate and capital gains. 4. Canada Taxes global income for residents, even non-citizens on long-term visas. Severing ties requires proof of permanent departure, and exit taxes may apply. Who Suffers the Most? Dual taxation disproportionately affects: Retired expats living abroad on pensions or trusts living abroad on pensions or trusts Remote workers earning globally distributed income earning globally distributed income Crypto traders holding tokens in offshore jurisdictions holding tokens in offshore jurisdictions Entrepreneurs managing cross-border companies managing cross-border companies Multinational executives paid in multiple jurisdictions Section III: Renouncing Citizenship as a Financial Exit Strategy Legal Basis Renunciation is permitted under international law, and nearly every country offers a formal process. In the U.S., it involves: Appearing at a U.S. consulate Signing Form DS-4080 (Oath of Renunciation) Submitting Form DS-4079 Paying a $2,350 processing fee Completing IRS Form 8854 to mark tax exit The Exit Tax: The Final Toll The U.S. imposes an exit tax on certain renunciants if: Their average annual income tax liability exceeds ~$190,000 (indexed annually) Their net worth is $2 million+ They fail to certify 5 years of tax compliance What's taxed? Your entire global portfolio is considered sold the day before renunciation, and capital gains taxes are applied—even if no asset was sold. Other Countries With Exit Taxes: Country Exit Tax Description France Unrealized capital gains on shares and securities Canada Departure tax on worldwide property Spain Exit tax on unrealized gains above thresholds Section IV: Countries That Welcome Former Citizens With No Tax Strings The goal after renunciation is to resettle in a country that: Does not tax non-resident citizens Has a territorial tax system Offers residency or citizenship with low fiscal exposure Ideal Post-Renunciation Destinations: 1. Panama Territorial taxation Friendly Nations Visa available No tax on offshore income 2. UAE No personal income tax Strong business infrastructure Welcomes HNWIs and family offices 3. Paraguay Residency for $5,000 bank deposit No tax on foreign income Simple documentation 4. Vanuatu Zero personal income tax Citizenship by investment in under 60 days No reporting to CRS or FATCA 5. Saint Kitts and Nevis Passport issued in 90 days No global income tax Full confidentiality for offshore holdings Section V: Case Studies in Strategic Renunciation Case Study 1: Crypto Wealth and Caribbean Reinvention An early Bitcoin investor based in California relocated to the UAE in 2022. After consulting Amicus, he renounced U.S. citizenship in 2024 and acquired Saint Kitts citizenship. By 2025, he was fully non-resident, held no tax obligations to the U.S., and legally realized token gains via offshore trusts. Case Study 2: The Consultant Who Outgrew the IRS A Canadian-American strategy consultant living in Germany found herself filing returns in three countries—each claiming taxing rights. After renouncing U.S. citizenship in Frankfurt, she streamlined her tax exposure and relocated to Portugal under the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) program. Her annual tax advisory bill dropped by 75%. Case Study 3: Dual Taxed and Denied An Indian national working remotely in Dubai continued facing tax scrutiny from Indian authorities over U.S. stock dividends. After giving up Indian citizenship and securing Grenadian CBI status, he legally shifted his financial center of gravity and opened new offshore accounts without fear of dual reporting or seizure. Section VI: Common Misconceptions Misconception Reality 'I'll become stateless' Most people secure second citizenship before renouncing 'Renunciation eliminates past taxes' You must still file and pay prior obligations before exit 'My bank will block me' New citizenship often expands financial options, not shrinks them 'It's illegal to avoid tax' Legal tax minimization via renunciation is 100% compliant with law Section VII: The Role of Amicus International Consulting Amicus provides expert legal and financial advisory for those seeking to escape dual taxation through legal channels: U.S. citizenship renunciation support Second citizenship planning and acquisition Asset protection pre-exit via offshore trusts Exit tax mitigation Banking passport solutions CRS/FATCA detachment strategies We do not engage in tax evasion. All services are structured around legal transparency, cross-jurisdictional protection, and long-term asset security. Why Timing Matters Renunciation isn't a quick fix—it's a strategic transition that must be executed with precision. Acting in the wrong tax year, renouncing before securing alternative banking, or failing to comply with prior reporting can trigger audits, fines, or even international asset freezes. Conclusion: The Price of Freedom—or the Cost of Staying? In 2025, citizenship is no longer a static identity—it is a financial choice. For many, staying tied to countries with expansive, outdated, or punitive tax systems is simply too costly. By legally renouncing citizenship and choosing a more efficient jurisdiction, individuals are reclaiming control over their wealth, privacy, and global mobility. If dual taxation is draining your financial freedom, renunciation may be the smartest investment you'll ever make. 📞 Contact InformationPhone: +1 (604) 200-5402Email: info@ Website:

Los Angeles Times
8 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
California man selling Stan Lee signed memorabilia sentenced to prison for $1.2-million tax fraud
A Riverside County man was sentenced Thursday to more than a year in prison for tax fraud after selling memorabilia signed by comic book legend and Spider-Man co-creator Stan Lee, according to authorities. Mac Martin Anderson, a 59-year-old Corona resident, was sentenced to a year and one day in federal prison after allegedly getting more than $1.2 million in proceeds that he never reported to the IRS, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California. Anderson was also ordered to pay $482,833 in restitution. Anderson pleaded guilty in March to two counts of willfully subscribing to a false tax return, according to authorities. Between 2015 and 2028, Anderson had a personal relationship with Lee and sold Marvel items that had Lee's autograph to dealers, brokers and fans. Anderson got an income of about $1.236 million from selling the memorabilia between 2015 and 2018 and admitted that the tax that was due was about $482,833, according to the release. Lee helped spearhead Marvel Comics' transformation in the 1960s into a powerhouse brand. He helped introduce Spider-Man to Marvel in August 1962. He was later credited as associate producer on movies starring Marvel characters including Iron Man, X-Men and Captain America, in addition to Spider-Man.


Forbes
11 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Taxpayer Advocate Calls 2025 Filing Season A Success But Waves Warning Flag On Cuts
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 07: Erin M. Collins, National Taxpayer Advocate, Taxpayer Advocate Service testify's at the House Committee on Oversight and Reform on October 07, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by) Getty Images In her introductory remarks to her Annual Report to Congress, Erin Collins, the National Taxpayer Advocate, touted IRS successes following the pandemic, suggesting that the most recent filing season was the 'smoothest yet.' For most Americans, she notes, the annual filing season is the only time they interact with the IRS—that makes it imperative for the IRS to get it right. Collins says that IRS employees did get it right this year, collecting approximately $5 trillion in revenue, processing around 180 million income tax returns, and over five billion information forms. Most taxpayers filed their returns, paid their taxes, or received their refunds without any delays or intervention from the IRS. That should happen when the system is working. Here's how that looked overall: Individual Tax Return Statistics Kelly Phillips Erb In addition, Collins says that there was 'meaningful progress' in improving telephone service. The IRS has met its 85% Level of Service (LOS) goal on its Accounts Management telephone lines for the last three filing seasons, including the current year. The "Level of Service" is the number you get when you divide the number of taxpayers who reach a live assistor by the number of calls the IRS system routes to live assistors. Phone service is just one piece of the taxpayer experience, which Collins says is driven by personnel and technology. Both are threatened under the new administration. Like the workforce at many federal agencies, Collins notes that the IRS workforce looks very different today than at the beginning of 2025. Notably, the number of employees has been reduced by over 25%. Here's how that breaks down: IRS Personnel Cuts Kelly Phillips Erb Cuts in personnel and the absence of consistent leadership have created 'significant challenges.' That's before the next round of cuts. The administration's budget proposes a 20% reduction in IRS funding next year and an overall reduction of 37% after accounting for the decrease in supplemental funding from the Inflation Reduction Act. Collins says that is likely to impact taxpayers and potentially the revenue collected. She recommends the current hiring freeze be lifted so that the IRS can hire essential filing season staff to meet taxpayer needs next year. This needs to happen by the end of summer, allowing time for onboarding and training by January. A successful filing season, Collins says, 'is not only an IRS imperative but also a national one.' With that, she revealed her Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) objectives for the year. TAS Objectives As required by law, the report also identifies TAS's key objectives for the upcoming fiscal year. The report outlines nine systemic advocacy objectives (what the TAS will advocate for with the IRS to enhance tax administration on behalf of taxpayers and address systemic issues that cause taxpayer burden, harm, or a negative impact on taxpayer rights). Here are a few highlights: Improve Automation & Metrics. For the 2025 fiscal year, the IRS estimated it would receive approximately 43 million paper tax returns and 19 million paper information returns, in addition to tens of millions of paper correspondence. Collins has consistently emphasized that paper is the IRS's 'kryptonite,' triggering delays in processing, increasing call volumes, and driving taxpayers to seek answers online or by phone. The IRS must prioritize processing automation, implement more accurate service metrics, and ensure its systems and processes support end-to-end digital processing and resolution to improve the overall taxpayer experience, she says. Expand Online Account Functionality. Taxpayers and tax professionals are looking for self-service options that offer convenience, speed, and accessibility. Collins says the IRS must continue to expand online account tools and digital services to include self-service options for taxpayers. Slash Identity‑Theft Case Timeframes. Tax-related identity theft continues to impact taxpayers. Identity theft victims rely on the IRS to investigate and resolve their identity theft issues before they can receive tax refunds, but there are still 'persistent delays. Despite increased attention to identity theft issues, Collins says the IRS has not made meaningful progress in reducing the case backlog or accelerating case resolution for victims. Case resolution times in fiscal year 2024 averaged two years to complete—in 2025, the average resolution time was about 602 days. Collins wants to see the average resolution time slashed from nearly 20 months to approximately four months. Enhance Oversight of Tax Return Preparers. Unethical tax return preparers—often non-credentialed—exploit taxpayers by promising large refunds through the manipulation of credits and deductions. Insufficient IRS oversight allows these unscrupulous preparers to operate with minimal accountability, writes Collins, who urged stronger oversight, clear communication, and targeted education for preparers. Speed Up CAF Number Suspensions. Authorized taxpayer representatives, including attorneys, certified public accountants, and enrolled agents, serve as advocates for taxpayers. When the IRS suspects that a practitioner has been a victim of fraud, it can suspend their Centralized Authorization File (CAF) number during the investigation (a CAF number is a unique nine-digit identification number assigned to tax professionals and others who file third-party authorizations and allows them to communicate with the IRS on behalf of their clients). Cutting off that access to the IRS harms taxpayers while the IRS investigates. Collins suggests that by issuing interim CAF numbers, improving communication, and reviewing current policies with stakeholder input, the IRS can better strike a balance between fraud prevention and taxpayer rights. Complete ERC Claims Processing. The Employee Retention Credit (ERC) is a refundable tax credit designed to provide financial relief to businesses who kept employees on their payroll during the pandemic. Since the credit became available, the IRS received nearly five million ERC claims, and has either disallowed, reversed, or recaptured approximately 214,000 of these—in addition to imposing a moratorium on claims to stave off the fraud. Collins says IRS must focus on resolving claims efficiently, providing clear and timely communication, addressing responses to the claim disallowances, and safeguarding taxpayer rights. Improve FOIA Request Handling. The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) allows individuals to request access to documents that the IRS possesses, including administrative files related to taxpayer returns or claims. Taxpayers and tax professionals continue to report ongoing issues with FOIA responses, including lengthy delays, incomplete records, and excessive redactions. Collins suggests modernizing the FOIA processes, reducing processing times, and enhancing guidance for staff. Strengthen Appeals Independence & Efficiency. The IRS's Independent Office of Appeals' mission is to safeguard taxpayer rights by independently and efficiently resolving federal tax disputes, minimizing the need for costly and lengthy litigation. Collins says the IRS should adopt targeted reforms aimed at rebuilding taxpayer trust and safeguarding their rights. Improve Criminal Voluntary Disclosure. The IRS's Criminal Voluntary Disclosure Practice offers taxpayers with potential criminal tax exposure a critical opportunity to self-correct and return to compliance. In return, the IRS gains revenue, closes part of the tax gap, and promotes future compliance. The Advocate recommends that the IRS engage with stakeholders to improve the program's design and simplify the application process, making it more understandable, user-friendly, and transparent. About The Report The report is one of two that the NTA delivers to Congress each year—one in January and another in June. The NTA leads the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) and delivers the reports to the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee. Since TAS is an independent organization within the IRS, there is no prior review or comment from the IRS Commissioner, the IRS Oversight Board, the Treasury Secretary, any Treasury officer or employee, or the Office of Management and Budget. You can read the 2026 report here. About TAS While it feels like the TAS has been around forever, that's not the case. An early version of the organization emerged in 1979, following the IRS's creation of the Office of the Taxpayer Ombudsman, which was established to serve as the primary advocate within the IRS for taxpayers. That office was eventually codified in the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988—section 7811 of the tax code granted the Ombudsman the statutory authority to issue Taxpayer Assistance Orders (TAOs) when taxpayers were suffering or about to suffer significant hardships. The law also directed the Ombudsman and the Assistant Commissioner (Taxpayer Services) of the IRS to provide an annual report to Congress on the quality of the IRS's taxpayer services. Nearly a decade later, in 1996, Congress officially replaced the Ombudsman with the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate, considered the 'voice of the taxpayer.' At the same time, Congress granted the Advocate the authority and responsibility to inform Congress of recurring, unresolved problems and difficulties that taxpayers encounter in dealing with the IRS. The new law also tasked the Advocate with bringing two annual reports to Congress. Those reports are due June 30 (objectives of the Taxpayer Advocate for the coming fiscal year) and December 31 (includes a summary of at least 20 of the Most Serious Problems facing taxpayers) of each year. Today, there is at least one local taxpayer advocate office in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Forbes House Advances Bills Including Fixes For Disaster Deadlines And Stolen Tax Refund Checks By Kelly Phillips Erb Forbes Under Trump, IRS Has Shed More Than 11% Of Its Workforce. More Cuts Are On The Way By Kelly Phillips Erb Forbes A Guide To The Tax Cuts In (And Out) Of Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' By Kelly Phillips Erb

Miami Herald
11 hours ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
7 common Zelle scams and ways to avoid them
7 common Zelle scams and ways to avoid them We live in a time of online banking, meaning when it's time to send someone money, there's a good chance you're using a money transfer service like Zelle rather than handing over actual cash. While a platform like Zelle (which can be used directly through many financial institutions) is a convenient and secure way to send and receive money, scammers have yet again found ways to get their grimy hands in the pot, so to speak. Spokeo says Zelle is safe to use, but it's still important to stay alert and be aware of common Zelle scams, so you can keep your money safe. What is Zelle? Zelle is a money-transferring service used by many of the largest banks in the U.S. It allows users to quickly and directly send and receive money to and from their bank accounts. Think Venmo, but direct to your bank account instead of into a third-party-service (which then requires another transfer into your actual bank account). How safe is Zelle? Seeing as Zelle is used by most U.S. banks, and deals with an endless number of transactions a day, Zelle is safe to use on the whole. But, Zelle can only be as secure as its users allow, which means scammers can still take advantage if you're not paying attention. Will Zelle refund money if scammed? The good news, Zelle announced in November 2023 that it will provide refunds to certain scam victims. The bad news, it will only do so for qualifying imposter scams (these will be covered below), which is better than nothing, but can still leave you vulnerable. Common Zelle scams Here are some of the most common scams to watch out for when using Zelle: Imposter scams To a certain extent, almost all scams involve imposters. The scammer pretends to be someone they aren't (also known as catfishing) to trick you into sending money that they then disappear with. When it comes to Zelle, users are sometimes protected from certain imposter scams, specifically in these situations: Financial institution impersonators. Scammers pretending to be from a bank or other financial institution claiming they need you to follow a link to verify some information. The link is of course a phishing impersonators. These scammers will contact you claiming to be from the IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare, or some other government branch, and will try to get you to give them personal information, click a link, or even just send them refund impersonators. Refund scams involve scammers that impersonate Zelle agents. They will tell you that a fraudulent transaction was flagged on your account, and then will trick you into sending money as part of a "refund process." In reality, you just sent money to a scammer. As mentioned, Zelle has begun protecting victims of impersonator scams such as the ones mentioned above, but they don't cover all impersonation scams. Some impersonator scams that are not protected: Friend and family impersonators. These scammers will reach out to you pretending to be a friend or family member in desperate need of a quick Zelle money transfer. They will usually have just enough information to disarm you and pretend to be in enough of a panic that you don't push too impersonators. This type of scam is more commonly referred to as "catfishing" and involves someone pretending to be a different person to trick their victim into believing they are in a romantic relationship. They then use the relationship to take advantage of the victim, often in the form of asking for financial favors (such as sending money via Zelle). How to protect yourself: When dealing with someone online or on the phone, always try and verify who you are talking to. A reverse phone lookup tool can go a long way toward helping you verify that the person you are talking to on the phone is who they say they are. Note that no government agency or financial institution will ever ask you to send money over the phone, via text message, or even via email. If the call seems legit but you aren't sure, feel free to hang up and contact the agency/institution via the phone number or email on their authentic website. And never click on a link that is sent to you from an unverified contact. Work-from-home scams When you're on the job hunt, seeing a response from a potential employer can be exciting. Unfortunately, scammers have found a way to capitalize on that excitement in this common type of Zelle scam. These scams play out as follows: You apply for an enticing "work-from-home job."Someone (a scammer pretending to be a hiring manager) reaches out, usually via text or some other messaging told you got the job, but there is an onboarding/equipment/training fee you need to pay first (huge red flag).You send the money and poof, the scammers are gone with your money, and you're still looking for a job. How to protect yourself: When it comes to landing a new gig, real employers will almost always have some sort of call or in-person interview. If the whole thing is done via text or messaging app, be wary. Also, as a general practice when it comes to Zelle, never give out your Zelle information (such as your email or phone number) unless you're absolutely sure you know who you are sending it to. Final tip, most jobs won't require you to pay them in order to start. Account takeover One of the most common and most damaging Zelle scams is an account takeover. This kind of scam goes as follows: The scammer will attempt to make contact with you and get you to click on a link. Usually, that link is a fake login link, that will look identical to a real website, but is in fact you've logged into your account (or so you thought), the scammer will have your account then quickly change your email and password on the account, so you no longer have they fully have your account in their control they will send money via Zelle since it is hooked up directly to your bank account(s). How to protect yourself: While Zelle is safe if used in conjunction with cybersecurity best practices, having a service that is directly linked to your bank account can obviously be a bit sensitive. When it comes to logging into your Zelle account, only ever do so directly through their official website or app. Other safety tips for Zelle Zelle uses data encryption, meaning if your account is going to be compromised, it will almost certainly be due to a lack of vigilance or knowledge when dealing with a scammer in disguise. While it might seem unsettling at first, you can use Zelle with the utmost confidence, so long as you stay on your toes when it comes to potential scammers. Outside of that, there are a couple other good practices to use when sending or receiving money through Zelle. Because Zelle doesn't charge any fees to use, if you are sending or receiving a large amount of money, have the sender start by sending $1 to ensure everyone has the correct information and that the money ends up in the intended account. After that, you can confidently send the rest. Another important tip is to know who you're dealing with via Zelle. If you believe your transaction is legitimate, and there are no signs of a scam but want to make sure, use a people search tool to see if things check out. Just remember, it's always good to be cautious when it comes to your money. This story was produced by Spokeo and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. © Stacker Media, LLC.


Forbes
11 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Most Americans Feel They Pay Too Much In Federal Income Taxes
FILE - A portion of the 1040 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return form is shown July 24, 2018, in New ... More York. The IRS said Tuesday, June 21, 2022, that it will have erased its backlog of last season's tax returns by the end of this week. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File) Gallup has been polling this topic for several decades. More than half of Americans feel that they are paying too much in federal income taxes. Reducing income taxes is something everyone wants to do. If you own real estate or a small business, you have more ways to defer taxes. Most people do not own these types of investments. For those who do not, the simplest way to lower your federal income taxes over your life is by contributing to your retirement accounts. Even if you do own real estate or a business, maxing out retirement contributions is still a smart move. Types of Retirement Plans Retirement plans can be tricky because there are many types and different rules. Common plans include: The rules got even more complicated with the Secure Act in 2019 and Secure Act 2.0 in 2022. Understanding these changes is key to making the best decisions for your income taxes and financial future. Traditional vs. Roth Contributions Retirement contributions generally fall into two categories: traditional or Roth. Traditional Contributions Roth Contributions The Power of Compounding No matter which you choose, your money grows without being taxed on the gains while it is in the account. This compounding effect can significantly grow your savings over time. Albert Einstein called compounding the 'eighth wonder of the world.' Key Tips for Retirement Savings Workplace Retirement Plans: 401(k)s and New Catch-Up Rules The 401(k) is the most common workplace retirement plan. Secure Act 2.0 made significant changes, especially for those aged 60 to 63. Starting in 2025, catch-up contribution limits will increase, allowing you to save more during those years. Here are the new limits: These new catch-up limits for ages 60 to 63 took effect on Jan. 1, 2025. Social Security and Retirement Many Americans rely on retirement accounts and Social Security to fund their retirement. Please take the time to understand your social security benefits. Final Thoughts I encourage everyone to take time to understand their retirement plans and ensure their investments inside the accounts are appropriate. Small changes now can make a big difference in your future — and help lower your taxes along the way.