Alliance Financial & Income Tax

07/13/2026

The price of a first-class Forever stamp rose from 78 cents to 82 cents on July 12.

The increase is part of a series of price hikes from the U.S. Postal Service, which has raised the cost of a first-class stamp several times in recent years.

USPS has cited financial losses, rising operating expenses, and declining mail volume as reasons for the latest increase.

Other postage costs also increased. Domestic postcards rose to 65 cents, while international postcards and letters rose to $1.75.

One important reminder: Forever stamps purchased before the increase still work after the price change. They continue to cover the current cost of one ounce of First-Class Mail postage.

For households and small businesses, postage may seem like a small expense — but recurring cost increases can add up over time, especially for anyone who still relies on mailed bills, invoices, cards, or client communications.

The cost of a first-class Forever stamp has climbed 41% since 2021, and postal officials have signaled they want prices to rise even more.

07/13/2026

🗓️ "Let's talk about it in December."

By December, choices can be limited. Mid-year is often the sweet spot for preparation.

✅ The bracket picture is clearer than it was in January.

Roth IRA conversion timing is flexible within the calendar year, but the bracket math can influence the outcome.

Six months of runway means scenarios can be modeled, not rushed.

If the market dips before year-end, the same tax math may change. Those windows rarely give notice. Keep your tax, legal, or accounting professional in the loop if you see an opportunity.

December conversions can be reactive.

Mid-year conversions can be designed.

If you’re wondering about timing, we welcome a discussion.

📋 To qualify for the tax-free and penalty-free withdrawal of earnings, Roth IRA distributions must meet a 5-year holding requirement and occur after age 59½. Tax-free and penalty-free withdrawals can also be taken under certain other circumstances, such as the owner's death. The original Roth IRA owner is not required to take minimum annual withdrawals.

07/13/2026

Do you have intellectual property? Have you incorporated it into your estate strategy? Read more about how you might incorporate your IP into your estate strategy in this detailed article.

Do you have intellectual property? Consider how you might include your IP into your estate strategy in this detailed article.

07/10/2026

Childhood attitudes and habits can determine your child's health in his or her adult years.

Healthy habits are one of the greatest gifts to give your child.

07/09/2026

🚨 YOUR NEXT PARTY INVITE COULD BE A TRAP

Our team came across this one and wanted to pass it along.

Hackers are hijacking actual friends' accounts to send fake invites via Evite, Paperless Post, or Punchbowl.

THE DOMINO EFFECT:

▪️ You hit RSVP in a friend's email.

▪️ A fake login page steals your password.

▪️ The same invite blasts to your entire contact list from your account.

▪️ Hackers now have access to your banking, brokerage, and password reset services.
Here’s how to spot a fraudulent party invite!!!

🔍 Check the Sender: Real Paperless Post invites come from an official paperlesspost.com address, Evite from evite.com, and Punchbowl from punchbowl.com, not a personal email address.

Protecting your wealth starts with protecting the email tied to it. Hope this helps!

07/08/2026

Online scams are becoming more sophisticated, and new technology is helping criminal networks operate at a larger scale.

An AP investigation found that scam operations have used artificial intelligence, cloud services, internet infrastructure, satellite connections, and social platforms to target people around the world.

Some scams now involve automated messages, real-time translation, fake identities, and carefully scripted conversations designed to build trust quickly.

The financial damage can be devastating. The Federal Trade Commission estimated that scams cost Americans nearly $200 billion in losses in 2024.

The human impact is also serious. Some people working inside scam compounds have been trafficked or forced to participate under threat of violence.

For consumers, the warning signs still matter: pressure to act quickly, requests to keep conversations secret, sudden talk of money or investments, and relationships that move unusually fast.

As scams become more advanced, skepticism can be a form of protection. Slowing down, verifying details, and talking with someone trusted before sending money can make a meaningful difference.

Technology from American companies is being used to power a revolution in the scam industry, playing a key role in the industrialization and globalization of fraud in ways that have not been clear until now, an AP/“FRONTLINE” investigation has found.

07/08/2026

A windfall from a loved one can be both rewarding and complicated. Learn how to cope with such an outcome with this message.

A windfall from a loved one can be both rewarding and complicated.

07/07/2026

Small-cap stocks have had a standout start to the year.

The Russell 2000 Index has climbed more than 21%, putting it on track for its strongest first-half performance since 1991.

One major driver has been the expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure. While large technology companies often get most of the attention, smaller companies tied to semiconductors, equipment, components, and connectivity have also benefited from increased AI-related spending.

The rally also reflects what some market watchers describe as a valuation catch-up after years of small-cap underperformance compared with large-cap stocks.

Still, interest rates remain an important factor. Smaller companies can be more sensitive to higher borrowing costs because they may carry more floating-rate debt or face greater refinancing needs.

For investors, the broader takeaway is that market leadership can shift over time — and major themes like AI may affect more than the biggest names in the market.

The advance marks a sharp turnaround after years of underperformance versus large-cap peers.

07/07/2026

If something happened tomorrow, would your family know where to start? 🔐

In most households, one person handles the money. The bills, the logins, the insurance, the auto-pays.

The other believes it's being handled, which is fine until it isn't.

Here’s a suggestion:

👉 Build one shared document with every account and explain how to access it. Update it periodically.

👉 Consider having both names on the accounts you say are jointly owned.

👉 Check out a password manager you both can access.

👉 Keep a one-page summary in a safe place with what to do, who to call, and where to look.

The couples who do this often say the same thing afterward: “We should have done it sooner.”

07/07/2026

Many investors focus on what to buy, but very few spend time learning how their investments are taxed.

Understanding capital gains tax brackets can help you keep more of your money and make smarter decisions about when to sell investments.

For married couples filing jointly in 2026, long term capital gains may qualify for a 0% federal tax rate if taxable income stays within certain limits. With the standard deduction, some retirees and low income households may be able to realize a significant amount of long term capital gains while paying little or no federal income tax.

A few important things to remember:
• These rates apply only to investments held longer than one year
• State taxes may still apply depending on where you live
• Other income sources can affect your capital gains tax rate
• Tax planning can be just as important as investment selection

This is one reason why tax diversification matters. Having money in taxable accounts, Roth accounts, and traditional retirement accounts can give you more flexibility later.

Source: IRS inflation adjustments for tax year 2026 and IRS Topic No. 409 ([IRS][1])