Articles by Edward A. Zurndorfer, Certified Financial Planner

Edward A. Zurndorfer is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Chartered Financial Consultant, Chartered Life Underwriter, Certified Employee Benefits Specialist and Enrolled Agent in Silver Spring, MD and the owner of EZ Accounting and Financial Services, an accounting, tax preparation and financial planning firm also located in Silver Spring, MD. He is a seminar speaker at federal employee retirement seminars throughout the country and has written numerous publications on federal retirement topics.

How Will the COVID-19 Virus Crisis Impact Federal Employees’ Retirement Plans?

March 31, 2020 - By Edward A. Zurndorfer, Certified Financial Planner

Federal benefits expert, Ed Zurndorfer, outlines important issues affecting federal employees’ plans to retire — including the Thrift Savings Plan, Social Security. Medicare, pay increases and COLAs more…

Despite Recent IRS Extensions, Some Employees & Annuitants Still Face April 1st RMD and April 18th Filing Deadlines

March 24, 2020 - By Edward A. Zurndorfer, Certified Financial Planner

The deadlines that are not being extended by the IRS are discussed by federal benefits and tax expert, Ed Zurndorfer more…

Personal Casualty Losses Occurring in 2019 May Be Deductible on 2019 Tax Return

March 19, 2020 - By Edward A. Zurndorfer, Certified Financial Planner

Federal benefits and tax expert, Ed Zurndorfer, discusses what a federal declared disaster is, how a casualty loss is computed, and how it is deducted on a federal income tax return more…

Under New Law, Is a 2018 State Tax Refund Received in 2019 Considered Taxable Income in 2019?

March 9, 2020 - By Edward A. Zurndorfer, Certified Financial Planner

Federal benefits and tax expert, Ed Zurndorfer, describes why any individual who itemized their 2018 federal income taxes must determine if a state income tax refund is taxable income for 2019 more…

Congress Changes ‘Kiddie’ Tax Rules for 2019 and Retroactively for 2018

February 28, 2020 - By Edward A. Zurndorfer, Certified Financial Planner

Federal benefits expert, Ed Zurndorfer, explains the complicated “kiddie” tax — how Congress changed it in 2018, then reversed the changes — and the important choices affected individuals now have more…

Recharacterization of IRA Contributions to Correct Mistakes

February 24, 2020 - By Edward A. Zurndorfer, Certified Financial Planner

Federal benefits and tax expert, Ed Zurndorfer, discusses why the recharacterization of an IRA contribution can be a valuable strategy for federal employees in order to correct any mistakes made in 2019 more…

Inheriting IRAs and TSP Gets More Complicated for Non-Spousal Heirs Under SECURE Act

February 19, 2020 - By Edward A. Zurndorfer, Certified Financial Planner

Federal benefits expert, Ed Zurndorfer, discusses the new rules that affect IRA owners and TSP participants who name non-spousal beneficiaries of their accounts more…

Tax Issues Facing Federal Employees Who Divorce — Part I: Dividing Income and Deductions

January 30, 2020 - By Edward A. Zurndorfer, Certified Financial Planner

Federal benefits and tax expert, Ed Zurndorfer, discusses dividing up income and deductions between spouses who divorced more…

What Happens If Excess Contributions Are Made to the TSP and Another Retirement Plan?

January 28, 2020 - By Edward A. Zurndorfer, Certified Financial Planner

Ed Zurndorfer discusses what happens when a federal employee makes “excess deferrals” while participating in the Thrift Savings Plan and another qualified retirement plan more…

Significant Changes Coming to TSP and IRAs from SECURE Act

January 17, 2020 - By Edward A. Zurndorfer, Certified Financial Planner

The new rules for IRAs and the TSP mean a new landscape for retirement and estate planning for federal employees and retirees. Federal benefits expert, Ed Zurndorfer, explains why more…