Blog
Deductible Passive Activity Losses
Course: Income Tax PlanningLesson 13: Passive Activities and the AMT Student Question: For this question I thought you were supposed to net the loss and income together? So I was looking for 30,000. Isn’t there a time where we are supposed to net together the losses and gains? Ray invests $75,000 into a limited partnership…
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Refinance Payment Calculation
Dale refinanced his home mortgage to a 30-year fixed mortgage with biweekly payments. How much is each payment if he owed $350,000 at the time of the refinance and the interest rate is 3%? $680 $771 $1,136 $1,242 CLICK TO REVEAL ANSWER Expand A is the answer. Brandon pays his mortgage every two weeks which…
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CFPs and the AI Revolution: Growing Interest, Slow Adoption — What You Need to Know
Good to Know Generative AI (Gen AI) is poised to revolutionize the financial planning profession – but despite the buzz, adoption among Certified Financial Planners™ (CFPs) remains surprisingly sluggish. Recent data from both the CFP Board and InvestmentNews shine a light on this paradox: high interest, low execution. The Numbers: Enthusiasm Outpaces Action According to a February…
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Social Security Widower Benefits
Course: Insurance PlanningLesson 10: Social Security Student Question: When it comes to social security widower’s benefit’s, is the widow eligible to take his/her SS benefit early (age 62) and then switch over to the deceased spouse’s full benefit at 67? Or would the widow only be eligible for one of the two benefits? Instructor Response:…
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Private Letter Ruling
A CFP® professional is working with a client who is considering a complex estate planning strategy involving the transfer of assets to a grantor retained annuity trust (GRAT). The client expresses concern about how the IRS might interpret a unique aspect of the proposed transaction. The CFP® professional suggests the client consult with a tax…
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2025 Tax Law Proposals: A Call to Action for CFP® Professionals and Candidates
CFP® Board In The News The landscape of tax policy is once again shifting-and the implications for retirement and estate planning are profound. As CFP® professionals and those preparing for the designation, it’s our responsibility not only to stay ahead of these changes but to help our clients do the same. The CFP Board has issued…
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S&P 500 as a Leading Economic Indicator
Course: Fundamentals of Financial PlanningLesson 2: Economic Concepts and Consumer Protection Laws Student Question: Hi. Why is the S&P 500 considered a leading economic indicator and NASDAQ is not? Both are part of the stock market. Instructor Response: The S&P 500 is a broader representation of the overall market, with 500 large-cap companies represented. NASDAQ…
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Traditional vs Roth IRA
Which of the following statements accurately describes a key difference between a Traditional IRA and a Roth IRA? A. Contributions to both Traditional and Roth IRAs are always tax-deductible, regardless of income level. B. Required minimum distributions (RMDs) must begin at age 73 for both Traditional and Roth IRAs. C. Qualified withdrawals from a Roth…
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CFP Board Censures 5 Professionals
CFP® Board Updates Learning from the experiences of other CFP® professionals-especially those who have had their right to use the CFP® marks suspended or revoked-can be an incredibly valuable exercise for anyone in the profession. These real-world cases highlight how missteps in ethics, compliance, or client communication can have serious professional consequences. By studying these…
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