Like many technology people, I make over $1 million/yr in W2 income (RSUs + base salary). My marginal federal tax rate is over 30% and California tax is 10%+. When I'm done I pay nearly $450K a year in taxes and feel ripped off and living a middle class lifestyle. What can I do to shelter more from the tax man legally ? Can I start and LLC for trading and write off trading expenses ? Should I buy real estate ?
I'm from CA...I understand what you are talking about. A few things...Have you funded your 401k or IRA/Roth IRA to the max? That is the first thing...Before anything else. The next is to grow assets rather than income. I (for the most part, am asset rich and cash poor). Things like gold and silver coins DO NOT get taxed. An older second vehicle may hold it's value. Even little things like holding extra toilet paper and tissues, add assets (which hold with inflation), but are not taxed. If you live in the LA area or the Bay Area, consider buying a rental home in San Bernardino/Riverside counties or The Central Valley. Have a professional property management company run the rental and find the tenant (do not put friends/family in the rental)!! Buy a rental in the area you want to retire in...Out of state. Same as above...But you need to be on top of the situation, even with the property manager. If family is in the area, even better. Two books to read...Very easy reading. Both are older classics. Much of the numbers are not current, but the principles apply none the less. The Millionaire Next Door and Rich Dad Poor Dad. Both these books talk about creating assets while hiding (investing) income... An example of buying an asset to protect against inflation...Not a great product, but just an idea of thinking outside the box... https://www.googleadservices.com/pa...8OxieWDAxVfkmoFHXegCKIQ9aACKAB6BAgHEC8&adurl= PS This is probably mainland China junk...Just ideas. If you own your home, a FEW solar panels with a Tesla Powerwall (tax deduction, the value is in the power wall)...Growing assets, not income.
Spend some of that income on tax advice help off-line. Rather than ask total strangers here, and some of us are very strange lol. Ya know its a write-off too.
2024 SEP IRA contribution limitsFor 2024, a self-employed business owner effectively can salt away as much as $69,000 a year, but no more than 25% of their compensation.
The more you pay, The happier you are. So pay and pay! 90% of the investors/traders are unable to pay tax because they are not earning $$$$.
If you work from home get out of California. And minting 550k after taxes a year in most places even in Cali is NOT middleclass ...you need about 100k to live somewhat comfortable in California so making 10x that you shouldn't feel at all middle class.
Considering your income, you should be consulting with a qualified tax accountant who knows all the rules and how to shelter income from exorbitant taxes. Warren Buffet in one tax return he showed the extreme liberal media, he paid a measly 15% and he is a filthy rich billionaire. That should make a lot of US taxpayers feel like saps. Most extreme liberal saps tell you how much they love paying taxes like a couple of friends and relatives tell me. When they find that they have to pay much, much more, the whining and complaining starts unabated. I just chuckle to myself. You want to pay more taxes? Good. You got your wish.