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CFP® Practice Question: Calculating Mortgage Payments

By Keir

THIS QUESTION BROUGHT TO YOU BY: KEIR EDUCATION RESOURCES To learn more about Keir’s CFP Board Exam review materials and classes, select the program you’re registered in below: Colin Farrell has a gross annual income of $48,000.  The current interest rate for 30-year mortgages is 7%.  The house that Colin is considering has property taxes of…

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Student Question of the Week: Retirement Protection Benefit Rider Versus Life Insurance

By Dan Madden, CFP®

Student Question from: Margie L.Course:  Insurance Planning Student Question: Why would the Insured purchase a Retirement Protection Benefit Rider instead of a life insurance policy (i.e., 10, 15, 20 or 30-year term)? Instructor Response: Hi Margie!  This is a very good question.  The Retirement Protection Benefit Rider provides something that life insurance doesn’t provide. A Retirement Protection…

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CFP Board Updates: July CFP® Exam Update

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Those taking the July CFP® exam are well-served by understanding the new Medicare taxes. The 3.8% Medicare tax on unearned income and the .9% Medicare tax on wages and self-employment income are likely to be tested on the July Exam. The good news is that the Board is expected to provide the adjusted gross income…

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CFP® Practice Question: Financial Planning Process

By Keir

THIS QUESTION BROUGHT TO YOU BY: KEIR EDUCATION RESOURCES To learn more about Keir’s CFP Board Exam review materials and classes, select the program you’re registered in below: During the stage of the financial planning process requiring processing and analyzing information, the financial planner will undertake all the following actions, EXCEPT:  Evaluate current economic conditions relating…

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Student Question of the Week: Correctly Entering a Positive or Negative Cash Flow

By Dan Madden, CFP®

Student Question from: Jessica W.Course:  Fundamentals – Calculator Student Question: I am getting confused on when the PV should be entered as a negative or positive number for these calculator problems. If I enter it the wrong way (negative when needs to be positive) I am getting the incorrect answer. Thanks! Instructor Response: This is…

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CFP® Practice Question: Understanding Portability

By Keir

In giving a talk to a small audience on the topic of estate planning, someone asks you, as a financial planner, to provide some clarifying comments regarding the recent portability of the Applicable Exclusion Amount between spouses. You would be correct in making any of the following comments EXCEPT:  While the 2012 Tax Relief Act…

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Student Question of the Week: Adjusted Basis in Property – An Example

By Dan Madden, CFP®

Student Question from: Susan M.Course:  Income Tax Student Question: On Question 2  – Why are we adding the $2,500 security in as a capital addition when it does not lengthen the life of the building?  By definition, doesn’t it have to extend the life of the asset by at least 1 year? 2. Madden Incorporated…

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Good to Know: CFP® Practitioner Updates

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

A financial planner’s work is never done. The administration’s proposed 2014 budget takes aim squarely at the “permanent” estate tax reforms passed in January 2013.  The current $5,250,000 estate tax exemption would plummet $1,750,000 to only $3,500,000. The estate tax rate would jump to 45% from the current 40%. But that’s not all. The proposal…

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Student Question of the Week: 529 Contributions – Can I Contribute Stock?

By Dan Madden, CFP®

Student Question from: Vincent C.Course:  Fundamentals  – Education Planning Student Question: For the basic rule of only using cash contributions for 529 Plans, can you roll over appreciated stocks from UTMA/UGMA and ESA?  If so, do you have any taxable event tied to the rollover of stocks (if an unrealized gain exists)? Instructor Response: Hi…

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