Rodger O. Howells, LLC

Rodger O. Howells, LLC Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Rodger O. Howells, LLC, Business consultant, 6 Loudon Road Suite 205, Concord, NH.

07/18/2025

Estate Planning Coordination

Protect your family. Preserve your legacy. Avoid unnecessary costs.
Estate planning is not just for the wealthy—it is essential for anyone who wants to protect their loved ones and make sure their assets are passed on efficiently. Without a proper plan, your family may face a long, expensive, and public court process known as probate, where a judge oversees the distribution of your assets. Even if you are not subject to estate taxes, planning can help your heirs avoid delays, reduce income taxes, and keep your wishes intact.

We help you take control of your estate plan. We offer flexible support depending on how involved you would like us to be—from basic guidance to full-service coordination with attorneys and financial advisors.
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Tier 1: Foundational Guidance
Simple Support to Help You Get Started

Best for individuals who want to handle the process themselves but want help creating a clear and effective plan.

✅ Revocable Living Trust Support – Guidance on setting up a trust so your assets can go directly to your heirs—avoiding probate altogether.
✅ Retirement Account Beneficiaries – Help understanding and selecting the right beneficiaries and ensuring those choices are properly recorded on the official retirement plan documents.
✅ Advisor & Attorney Referrals – We help you identify reliable professionals to draft your documents.
✅ Basic Tax Planning – Advice on how to reduce potential taxes on inherited retirement accounts.
✅ Estate Planning Checklist – A clear step-by-step action plan so you can confidently move forward.
✅ Closely Held Business Basics – If you own a small business (like an LLC, Corporation, or S Corporation), we’ll explain how you can include it in your estate plan—so it’s clear who will take over and how ownership can transfer smoothly, without unnecessary court involvement.
🟢 Best if you want to stay hands-on and just need solid guidance.
🔴 Note: You will coordinate with your attorney and advisors yourself.
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Tier 2: Strategic Coordination
More Involvement. Smarter Integration.

Best for those who want proactive support and coordination with their professional team.

✅ Custom Trust Planning – We work closely with you and your advisors to develop trusts that reflect your unique family and financial situation (including planning for minors or blended families).
✅ Retirement Beneficiary Optimization – We work directly with you and your advisors to ensure the right choices are made and accurately recorded in your official retirement plan documents, so accounts pass efficiently and outside of probate.
✅ Team Coordination – We handle communication with your attorneys and financial advisors to make sure everyone is aligned.
✅ Tax Strategy Planning – Stronger strategies to reduce your estate taxes and income taxes for your heirs.
✅ Customized Implementation Plan – We guide and coordinate the process so everything gets done smoothly.
✅ Business Transition Coordination – We help you plan how to pass your business (LLC, Corporation, or S Corporation) to the next generation or chosen successor. That includes working with your attorney to update legal documents, plan for buyouts, and make sure everything fits with your trust and long-term goals.
🟢 Best if you want more hands-on help and CPA-facilitated collaboration.
🔴 Note: You still finalize and manage your documents with your team.
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Tier 3: Executive Oversight
Complete, Worry-Free Estate Planning

Best for those who want full-service management with minimal personal hassle.

✅ Comprehensive Trust Planning – Full CPA involvement to create and review customized plans, including options for complex family situations.
✅ Retirement Beneficiary Management – We work directly with you and your advisors to ensure the right choices are made and accurately recorded in your official retirement plan documents, so accounts pass efficiently and outside of probate. We also take the extra step of obtaining and reviewing copies of the documents that reference your selected retirement beneficiaries to help ensure everything is in order.
✅ We Manage Your Whole Team – We take the lead on all coordination—working directly with your attorney, financial advisor, and others.
✅ In-Depth Tax Strategies – Advanced planning to reduce taxes and preserve more wealth for future generations.
✅ Legacy & Family Planning – Personalized strategies to protect your wealth for children, grandchildren, or charitable causes.
✅ Closely Held Business Succession Management – We fully manage the estate planning side of your business ownership (LLC, Corporation, or S Corporation). That includes helping you decide who should take over, coordinating valuations or buyouts, and making sure all legal documents are in place—so your business keeps running smoothly and your legacy stays intact.
🟢 Best if you want peace of mind with full CPA oversight and ex*****on.
🔴 Note: Requires a more involved engagement for ongoing management.
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Why Choose Rodger O. Howells, LLC?

Estate planning does not have to be overwhelming. Whether you just need guidance or want us to handle everything, we are here to make it easier, more effective, and designed around your life and goals. Let us help you protect what matters most.

06/06/2025

Estate Planning Is for Everyone – Avoid Costly Mistakes

Estate planning is crucial for every taxpayer. Without proper planning, you or your beneficiaries may face unnecessary legal fees, lost deductions, and higher taxes. Here are some common estate planning mistakes to avoid:

• Wills & Probate: A will does not prevent your assets from becoming subject to Probate Court. Probate Court is an expensive and time-consuming process that can significantly delay when your beneficiaries receive their inheritance.

• Trusts: A trust will not avoid costly Probate Court proceedings if your assets are not in the name of your trust.

• Charitable Donations: A charitable donation at death may not provide a tax deduction to your beneficiaries. Gifting to charities prior to death can significantly increase tax savings.
• Capital Losses: Unused capital losses cannot be transferred to your heirs.

• IRAs: Your beneficiaries may pay a higher tax rate on inherited retirement accounts than you did.

Let us help you maximize what your beneficiaries receive. Call us today at 603-224-3224 to schedule a consultation.

Best Regards,
Rodger O. Howells, LLC

11/20/2024

TAX CONSEQUENCES RELATED TO DIVORCE

Significant tax considerations arise during and after a divorce. Amidst the emotional turmoil, understanding the tax consequences of a divorce becomes essential for both parties.

Alimony Payments

Alimony is taxable to the recipient and deductible by the payor if the payments are the result of a divorce or separation agreement executed before January 1, 2019. Alimony payments resulting from divorce or separation agreements executed after December 31, 2018 are not deductible by the payor and are not taxable to the recipient.

The parties to an amended divorce or separation agreement, originally executed before 2019, can elect to use the post 2018 rules that treat alimony as not deductible by the payor and not taxable to the recipient. The amended agreement must state that the parties agree to use the rules applicable to agreements executed after December 31, 2018.

Child Support Payments

Child support payments are not deductible by the payor and are nontaxable to the recipient. Generally, payments are considered child support if the payments are designated as child support in the divorce decree or written separation agreement.

Payments are deemed to be child support for tax purposes if the payments end within six months before or after a child reaches the age of 18. The legal terminology used in a divorce decree has no bearing on the automatic re-characterization of alimony as child support payments. The recharacterization of child support payments as alimony only has tax consequences if a divorce or separation agreement was executed before January 1, 2019.

Property Transfers Between Spouses

No gain or loss is recognized when property is transferred between spouses under a divorce or separation agreement or a sale. The non-recognition treatment is required, and a taxpayer cannot elect out of the non-recognition rules.

A carryover basis rule applies to property transfers between spouses while they are married and to transfers occurring incident to a divorce. The basis of property received is the same as the basis in the hands of the transferor spouse.

The nonrecognition rules do not apply to assets with built-in unrecognized income. For example, a taxpayer is required to include in income accrued interest on US Savings Bonds that has not been taxed prior to the date of the transfer. This is to prevent a taxpayer from assigning income to another taxpayer.

Transfer of Retirement Plans Between Spouses

Generally, a qualified pension plan may not allow for the assignment of rights to benefits under the plan. For divorced individuals, the creation of a Qualified Domestic Relation Order (QDRO) allows for the creation of an alternate payee and an assignment of some or all of the rights to benefits under the plan. The creation of a QDRO is not a taxable event. The effect of a QDRO on a qualified plan participant is that distributions are not taxed to a qualified plan participant but are taxed to the former spouse that receives plan distributions. A QDRO must clearly state the percentage of the participant’s interest in a qualified retirement plan to be transferred to an alternate payee and the number of payments or the period for the payments to be made.

07/05/2024

Decedent’s Final 1040 and Probate Court

At Rodger O. Howells, LLC, we are committed to simplifying the filing of tax returns on behalf of a deceased person. Here is how we can assist you:

1. Meeting to Determine Tax Filings:

.We obtain an understanding of the decedent’s unique circumstances which allows us to determine the necessary tax filings including the decedent’s final tax return.

.Our goal is to ensure compliance and address any outstanding tax matters.

2. Requirements for Estate Income Tax Return or Trust Income Tax Return:

. We guide you through the complex requirements for filing estate or trust income tax returns.

. Our accountants consider all relevant factors to prepare accurate tax returns.

3. Tax Consequences of Distributions to Beneficiaries:

. Distributing assets to beneficiaries may create tax implications. We are here to help you navigate this process.

. Our expertise ensures that distributions are handled efficiently and in alignment with current tax laws.

4. Contacting the IRS on Behalf of the Deceased:

. If necessary documents are unavailable, we will communicate with the IRS to obtain essential tax reporting information.

. Your peace of mind matters to us, and we are committed to resolving any challenges.

5. Preparing Executor or Responsible Party Documents:

. We assist in preparing the necessary paperwork to inform the IRS of the executor or responsible party who will be signing documents on behalf of the decedent.

. Our attention to detail ensures a smooth process during this critical time.

6. Obtaining Tax Reporting Numbers (EIN) from the IRS:

. For estates or trusts, we can help obtain the necessary Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS.

. This ensures proper tax reporting and compliance.

During our meetings, we coordinate with estate planning attorneys and other financial advisors. At Rodger O. Howells, LLC, we prioritize personalized attention, empathy, and clear and timely communication. Let us navigate the complexities together. Reach out—we are here for you!

06/06/2024

Welcome to Josh Connor

I am excited to introduce our newest team member, Josh Connor, who has joined us as an accounting intern. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Accounting at the University of New Hampshire. Josh is eager to learn and contribute to our team’s success.

Josh will be working closely with myself and Kaylee and assisting with various tax and accounting tasks. Please extend a warm welcome to Josh.

We value your business and appreciate your trust in our firm. If you have any questions please contact me or Kaylee Montminy at 603-224-3224.

Best regards,

Rodger Howells

05/17/2024

Corporate Transparency Act – Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Requirement

Starting January 1, 2024, a significant number of businesses will be required to comply with the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA). The CTA was enacted into law as part of the National Defense Act for Fiscal Year 2021. The CTA requires the disclosure of the beneficial ownership information (otherwise known as “BOI”) of certain entities from people who own or control a company.

It is anticipated that 32.6 million businesses will be required to comply with this reporting requirement. The intent of the BOI reporting requirement is to help US law enforcement combat money laundering, the financing of terrorism and other illicit activity.

The CTA is not a part of the tax code. Instead, it is a part of the Bank Secrecy Act, a set of federal laws that require record-keeping and report filing on certain types of financial transactions. Under the CTA, BOI reports will not be filed with the IRS, but with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), another agency of the Department of Treasury.

The following information is meant to be general-only and should not be applied to your specific facts and circumstances without consultation with a professional adviser.

What entities are required to comply with the CTA’s BOI reporting requirement?

Entities organized both in the U.S. and outside the U.S. may be subject to the CTA’s reporting requirements. Domestic companies required to report include corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs) or any similar entity created by the filing of a document with a secretary of state or any similar office under the law of a state or Indian tribe.

Domestic entities that are not created by the filing of a document with a secretary of state or similar office are not required to report under the CTA.

Are there any exemptions from the filing requirements?

There are 23 categories of exemptions. Included in the exemptions list are publicly traded companies, banks and credit unions, securities brokers/dealers, public accounting firms, tax-exempt entities and certain inactive entities. Please note these are not blanket exemptions and many of these entities are already heavily regulated by the government and thus already disclose their BOI to a government authority.

In addition, certain “large operating entities” are exempt from filing. To qualify for this exemption, the company must:

a) Employ more than 20 people in the U.S.;
b) Have reported gross revenue (or sales) of over $5M on the prior year’s tax return; and
c) Be physically present in the U.S.

Who is a beneficial owner?

Any individual who, directly or indirectly, either:

• Exercises “substantial control” over a reporting company, or
• Owns or controls at least 25 percent of the ownership interests of a reporting company.

An individual has substantial control of a reporting company if they direct, determine or exercise substantial influence over important decisions of the reporting company. This includes any senior officers of the reporting company, regardless of formal title or if they have no ownership interest in the reporting company.

When must companies file?

There are different filing timeframes depending on when an entity is registered/formed or if there is a change to the beneficial owner’s information.

• New entities (created/registered in 2024) — must file within 90 days
• New entities (created/registered after 12/31/2024) — must file within 30 days
• Existing entities (created/registered before 1/1/24) — must file by 1/1/25
• Reporting companies that have changes to previously reported information or discover inaccuracies in previously filed reports — must file within 30 days

What sort of information is required to be reported?

Companies must report the following information: full name of the reporting company, any trade name or doing business as (DBA) name, business address, state or Tribal jurisdiction of formation, and an IRS taxpayer identification number (TIN).

Additionally, information on the beneficial owners of the entity and for newly created entities, the company applicants of the entity is required. This information includes name, birthdate, address, and unique identifying number and issuing jurisdiction from an acceptable identification document (e.g., a driver’s license or passport) and an image of such document.

Risk of non-compliance

Penalties for willfully not complying with the BOI reporting requirement can result in criminal and civil penalties of $500 per day and up to $10,000 with up to two years of jail time.

The FinCen website that will be used to report BOI information is available as of January 1, 2024. FinCen is also working to create a third-party e-file system to allow us to assist you with meeting your filing obligations. Businesses in existence as of December 31, 2023 have the entire 2024 calendar year to meet the initial filing requirements.

Address

6 Loudon Road Suite 205
Concord, NH

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