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How To Owe $0 in Taxes on $100K Retirement Income

To achieve a federal tax bill of zero on a retirement income up to $100,000, strategic planning around income types and limits is essential. 

One of the main tactics involves long-term capital gains. When you sell investments held for over a year, any gains are taxed at the long-term capital gains rate, which is significantly lower than ordinary income tax rates. Qualified dividends, which are dividends from stocks held for more than 60 days, are also taxed at this favorable rate. For married couples, keeping taxable income below $94,050 results in a 0% tax rate on both long-term capital gains and qualified dividends. This means you can have income from investments without pushing your tax burden higher, provided your taxable income stays within this limit. 

Another critical approach is to optimize Social Security benefits. The IRS only taxes Social Security benefits if your provisional income exceeds certain thresholds: $25,000 for single filers or $32,000 for married couples. Provisional income is calculated by adding your adjusted gross income (AGI), tax-exempt interest, and half of your Social Security benefits. Therefore, by limiting additional taxable income, a married couple could potentially enjoy up to $64,000 in Social Security benefits without owing federal taxes on that amount. 

The standard deduction for retirees over 65 further enhances your tax-free income potential. In 2024, the deduction for married couples over 65 is $32,300. By using this deduction to offset income, retirees can ensure that a portion of their income is tax-free. For example, a couple could draw from tax-free Roth IRA withdrawals, which are not counted in taxable income, or take capital gains income that qualifies for a 0% tax rate. 

A practical example of this strategy might include $50,000 from Social Security, $20,000 from long-term investments, $20,000 from a Roth IRA, and $10,000 from a 401(k) or IRA. This income totals $100,000, yet due to deductions, favorable tax treatment, and a careful balance of income sources, the tax owed would be zero. With the right planning, retirees can keep more of their income and enjoy a comfortable retirement without a tax burden. 

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