Two veteran clients with seemingly similar financial profiles can end up with very different outcomes, simply based on where they live and how informed they are. Much of that difference comes down to smaller, state-specific benefits that tend to sit just outside the typical planning checklist. But when layered alongside federal veteran benefits, they can reshape major decisions like where to buy a home or settle long-term. For advisors working with military families, recognizing how these state benefits show up in real life can go a long way in helping veteran clients feel seen, understood and better supported in the decisions ahead.
Assessment Statutes and Document Retention Best Practices
Amber Gray-Fenner, EA NTPI Fellow USTCP
When it comes to document retention, my guiding policy is “If I don’t keep it, it can’t be stolen or subpoenaed.” That sounds cynical, but there’s truth in it. The smaller your data “surface area,” the less you have to manage in the event of a data breach (or, if you hold paper documents, in the event of a fire or break in). And, if a client or former client gets really sideways in divorce or criminal court, being able to say “I have a policy in place and I don’t keep records longer than three years” can provide you with a measure of peace. But what should your policy be? It depends, but relevant assessment statutes are a good place to start. This article reviews the IRS rules for assessing tax and provides some best practices for developing document retention policies for return preparation documents in your practice.
