Congress has proposed new regulations which would provide generous tax breaks to investors in Qualified Opportunity Funds and investors that directly operate businesses in Qualified Opportunity Zones.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 includes a provision encouraging private sector investment in certain lower-income communities designated by the U.S. Treasury Department as “qualified opportunity zones”.

Tax Reform 2.0 is an attempt to give House Republicans something to offer voters on the campaign trail in October as they eye a political wave approaching in November that is likely to oust them from power.

On December 19, 2017, the House and Senate approved final passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1). The law provides $5.5 trillion in tax cuts with $4 trillion in offsetting tax increases. This leaves a net $1.5 trillion of unfunded tax cuts.

While you may need to quickly adjust your financial “sails” occasionally to respond to unexpected life changes, there are many other events that you can prepare for in advance to make future course corrections much easier. Here’s a review of six major life events that can alter your financial plans – plus some actions you can take now to make sure you’re prepared for the future.

The midpoint of the year can be a good time to step back and assess your financial goals to make sure you're still on track given any changes in the economy and markets as well as your personal situation.

Because a will only goes into effect after you die, it doesn’t provide any direction for your family if you become seriously ill or disabled during your lifetime. However, just as an advanced directive can provide guidelines for those who make decisions about your medical care, a trust can provide direction for the person who manages your financial assets if you are unable to.