Investment Services

As the rising cost of college tuition continues to outpace many common savings options, let the experts at BOTJ Investment Services design a savings strategy to help your family achieve its education goals. A few of the many options we provide are outlined below.

HIGHER EDUCATION SAVINGS VEHICLES
529 PLANS

These plans allow contributions to an account established to pay “qualified higher education expenses.” Contributions are not tax deductible, but growth is tax deferred. You can invest as little as $25 per month.*

COVERDELL EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS

Formerly known as the Education IRA, the Coverdell Education Savings Account allows you to invest $2,000 per beneficiary per year. Contributions are not tax deductible, but growth is tax deferred. Distributions are excluded from income if used for qualified education expenses, including elementary, secondary, and college tuition costs. Some restrictions apply.

UTMA ACCOUNTS

A Uniform Transfer to Minors Act (UTMA) Account allows you to establish a custodial account to save for college expenses. As the custodian of the UTMA account, you can control the investments, while the minor maintains “account owner” status. Upon reaching the age of maturity, the minor assumes control over the account.

*Depending on your state of residence, there may be an in-state 529 plan that offers tax and other benefits. Before investing in any state’s 529 plan, investors should consult a tax advisor.

If you’re self-employed or own your own business, you’ve probably established some kind of retirement program for your company. But as your business has evolved, has your retirement program evolved with it? Do your original choices still make the most sense, and provide you and your employees the best return?

CUSTOMIZED SOLUTIONS

The experts at BOTJ Investment Services can provide you with a complimentary analysis of your current situation, and propose a customized retirement program that draws from one or more of the following:

RETIREMENT PROGRAMS

SEP (SIMPLIFIED EMPLOYEE PENSION PROGRAM)

A SEP IRA allows employers and self-employed individuals to establish a simple business retirement plan. The plan is flexible and allows you to make deductible contributions directly to a Traditional IRA for all qualified employees. As the employer, you may choose whether or not to make contributions from year to year.

SIMPLE IRA

A SIMPLE IRA (Savings Incentive Match Plans for Employees) is for companies with less than 100 employees who do not have another qualified retirement plan. This plan is flexible and partially funded by employees. Employer contributions are not currently taxable to the employee and earnings accumulate tax-deferred.

SINGLE (K)

If you own a family business and you employ only immediate family members (which includes your spouse, grandparents, children and/or grandchildren), this may be a great option for you.

401(K)

A 401(k) program is a salary deferral plan for employees. Employers may establish a matching fund (whose contributions are tax deductible for the business*) for employees’ deferrals. The employer may make discretionary contributions to the matching fund any year, as long as allocation is nondiscriminatory.

PROFIT SHARING PLAN

A profit sharing plan allows you to control your company’s plan. You have the option to make a discretionary contribution on behalf of your eligible employees and can choose to vary your contribution from year to year.

*Consult your tax advisor

Developing a successful investment strategy for your business isn’t easy. You must identify your financial goals and time horizons. You must balance those goals against your ongoing capital needs, expenses, and future purchases. And along the way, you must maximize your return on any excess cash.

WE CAN HELP

The Osaic Institutions advisors of BOTJ Investment Services understand that your primary investment is your business. We’ll discuss your goals and understand your challenges. We’ll then propose an investment plan that strikes the optimal balance of risk and reward to meet your day-to-day needs while also positioning you to achieve your long-term financial goals.

We can review with you:

• Asset allocation
• Tax-advantaged investing opportunities*
• Long-term wealth accumulation
• Insurance vehicles
• Retirement benefit planning
   

* Bank of the James does not provide tax advice, and investors are advised to consult their tax planners for their particular situation.