Q.: I saw your Q&A about taxes on the sale of a house. The inquirer got his incorrect information from a neighbor. Do a lot of people really try to navigate the tax code without professional help?
A.: Yes, they do and I have several feelings about it. Among them; anger the code is so complex that flying solo is not a good option for a lot of people, annoyance that some people who need help won’t seek it, frustration that many people can’t afford help, and astonishment that some people who could easily consult a professional, instead take advice from unqualified sources.
However, when I get a question that includes phrases like “My neighbor says..” or “My understanding is…”, the strongest emotion I feel is gratitude. I am thankful to have the chance to help the person asking and if I can use the question in a column, I can help others that read the piece.
A recent email I received after my Q&A on qualified charitable distributions is a good example. In my answer I mentioned that QCDs are allowable from inherited IRAs — if the inheritor is over 70 ½. The email from a reader said, “Dan, People like myself who are under 70½ can do a QCD if they have an inherited IRA. I know because I have been doing QCDs for years now and I am nowhere near 70½.”
It is understandable that he’d get this wrong. After all, he’d been making donations without anyone telling him the consequences of claiming them as QCD. Through our emails, he mentioned that a Fidelity rep even told him it was OK.
I shared the relevant citation from the tax code. Further, I explained to him that the company holding his IRA will send a check to any party he asks them to and they had no responsibility for determining how much of the distribution is taxable. That’s his responsibility as the taxpayer.
By bringing it up to me, he can now correct the mistake and I can share the exchange to make you and other readers can be a bit wiser.
Regardless of why you don’t get advice, if you are going to go it alone, you must be diligent about your research. If you are getting help, make sure it is from someone qualified and accountable, not a neighbor, a co-worker or a phone rep. Reading columns on the internet should be used to start your process not be your entire process. The warning at the bottom of all my columns is there for a reason.
Columns are routinely limited by word count limits which means pieces covering complex subjects like retirement strategies and the tax code cannot address many details, corollaries, and nuances. In addition, while some content can live on the net forever, the tax code changes. Many articles on the web are incorrect now because the law has changed so always note the publication date.
If you have a question for Dan, please email him with “MarketWatch Q&A” on the subject line.
Dan Moisand’s comments are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for personalized advice. Consult your advisor about what is best for you. Some questions are edited for brevity.