$120k vs. $200k - What Your Taxes May Look Like | Ep. 17

Ever wonder why your tax refund may change so much from year to year or why making a little more money doesn’t always feel like it pays that much extra?

In this episode of Common Curiosities: Retirement, Michael CFP® and EA breaks down how our progressive tax system actually works, using everyday language (and a few buckets of water).

We walk through side-by-side examples of a married couple earning $120,000 and $200,000 to see how their tax bill may look, what tax deductions they may get (or not get) and even look at planning around certain tax credits.

You’ll learn:
💧 How each “bucket” of income gets taxed differently
💡 The difference between marginal and effective tax rates
👶 How credits may reduce your tax bill (and when some begin to phase out)
💭 Why tax planning can be valuable and should align with your investment and retirement planning

It’s a practical, down-to-earth look at how the numbers actually stack up hopefully understandable as well.

Because good financial planning isn’t just about investing… it’s about knowing how taxes, savings, and long-term goals all fit together like ingredients in a recipe that works for you.

Stay curious. 🧠
Chapters
00:00 Why is it important to understand your taxes?
00:41 How the US tax system works
01:32 $120k income example
03:38 0% Tax on LTCG Possibly?
05:34 $200k Income Tax Example
06:17 Are bonuses taxed differently?
06:59 Am I trying to qualify for certain deductions or credits?
07:32 Balancing deductions and income to become eligible for tax benefits
09:41 Retirement contributions for deductions to get under tax credits and manage brackets
11:19 Roth IRA contribution mistake
11:33 Integrating tax planning with investment plans
13:20 Youtube Disc. TN & Words.mp4

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞?
We’re here to make retirement planning feel less intimidating by helping people think through their strategies and plans through clear relatable financial topics!

💬 Questions or Want to Connect?
🌐 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞: www.custerfinancialadvisors.com
📧 𝐄𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥: [email protected]

Disclosures:
Harborfront Financial Group is a Registered Investment Advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training, and the content of this communication has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority.

The information contained in this material is intended to provide general information about Harborfront Financial Group and its services. It is not intended to offer investment advice. Investment advice will only be given after a client engages our services by executing the appropriate investment services agreement. Information regarding investment products and services are provided solely to read about our investment philosophy and our strategies. You should not rely on any information provided on our web site in making investment decisions.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Harborfront Financial Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Harborfront Financial Group and Custer Financial Advisors are separate entities from LPL Financial.

This is a hypothetical example and is not representative of any specific situation. Your results will vary. The hypothetical rates of return used do not reflect the deduction of fees and charges inherent to investing. All investing involves risk including loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss.