Risk #1 – Tax

• Do you know what your marginal income tax rate is (assuming you’re married, filing jointly) ?
  

  Income $200,301 - 357,700 Over $357,700

  Marginal Rate 33% 35%

  So, what are you doing to reduce your taxable income AND move those dollars previously paid in income tax to YOUR NET WORTH??

• Do you own all or part of a business? What have you done to plan for the transfer of your business interest to your successors? Have you considered that your business transfer will likely be a “taxable” event impacting you and the buyer? Did you know there are methods available that can make this a transaction with little or no tax?
• Will you owe estate tax when you die? Why?? Were you aware that there are numerous tools that can be deployed to ELIMINATE estate taxes?

Risk #2 – Market Conditions

Have you noticed that the stock market has taken a nasty tumble the last seven months and that our real estate values have been dramatically reduced over the past couple of years? Of course you have…we’ve all “felt the pain.”

What have you done to protect your equity in real estate and securities? Were you even aware that effective methods exist?

Risk #3 – Lawsuits

I recently read that our country is facing a calamitous shortage of trial lawyers that will dramatically reduce the incidence of frivolous and costly lawsuits. We can only wish!!

Do you have teenagers driving your vehicles? Do you own investment real estate? Do you like a good bottle of win with dinner? You get the point. Every Day Life makes us vulnerable to potentially devastating lawsuits. What steps have you taken to protect yourself?

Just in case you’ve forgotten, or didn’t know, what we do for a living, I thought it might be useful to send this not so subtle reminder. We employ the expertise of some of the nations leading authorities in minimizing the exposure to the three areas of greatest risk to your financial success. If you have any questions or any doubt about your family’s plan, please call or email us today.

Regards,

Bob J. Baker
Asset Strategies, LLC
www.assetstrategiesonline.com

Circular 230 Disclaimer
To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the IRS, we inform you that any U.S. Federal tax advice contained in this email (including attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein.

© 2008 Asset Strategies, LLC

As of October 14th it appears that the world’s central banks and governments have taken action that has effectively calmed (for better or worse) the worldwide marketplace.

This begs the question: What could you have done to protect your principal? What can you do going forward? I certainly don’t have a crystal ball and I certainly don’t advocate taking all your money out of the market. BUT…I CAN certainly tell you that my clients who own indexed annuities or indexed life insurance policies are very pleased today because they have not seen their principal reduced by even one dollar the past year while the market losses to investors totals in the TRILLIONS of dollars.

If you want to discuss whether either indexed products could add a layer of security and safety to your financial future please email me at bob@assetstrategiesonline.com or call 407-830-7304. Difficult financial times Always offer great opportunities!

Regards,

Bob J. Baker
Asset Strategies, LLC
www.assetstrategiesonline.com

Circular 230 Disclaimer
To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the IRS, we inform you that any U.S. Federal tax advice contained in this email (including attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein.

© 2008 Asset Strategies, LLC