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Calculating Realized Compound Yield on a Bond

By Dan Madden, CFP®

An investor bought a bond at par that matures in 15 years. The bond pays an annual coupon of $130 and the reinvestment rate is 9%. What is the realized compound yield of this bond? 10.21% 11.48% 13.00% 14.10% CLICK TO REVEAL ANSWER Expand A is the answer. One would anticipate a realized compound yield…

National Debt: Fiscal Tsunami or Ripple?

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Good to Know This blog article is the first in a three-part series, including: Federal agency perspectives, Private sector perspectives, and Summary comparison. “The growing [national] debt could create additional challenges for federal fiscal management, which could in turn cause challenges for American households and individuals, too. These potential challenges include: Risks to economic growth…

Social Security Retirement Benefits

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Course: Insurance PlanningLesson 10: Social Security Student Question: This question (below) doesn’t quite make sense to me.  Could you clarify why the correct answer is D? Robin Elizabeth qualifies for a retirement benefit of $250 and a spouse’s benefit of $400. At her full retirement age, she will receive which of the following? Instructor Response: Great…

Tax Saving Strategies

By Dan Madden, CFP®

Dan and Karen Burles have 2 children, Coy (age 12, student) and Roger (age 21, student). Dan and Karen own a security equipment sales and installation business, an LLC. Dan and Karen are in the highest income tax bracket. They have a portfolio with $130,000 of municipal bonds (annual income $5,200), $80,000 of corporate bonds…

What You Should Know About CFP Board Discipline

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

CFP® Certificants in the News CFP Board publishes disciplinary actions that include public censure, suspension, and even permanent revocation of the right to use the CFP® mark. We’ll identify two recent disciplinary actions taken by CFP Board and then make observations. Public Censure Paul, a CFP® certificant from New York, “entered into a Letter of…

No Additional Cost Services Exclusion

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Course: Income Tax PlanningLesson 6: Employer-Sponsored Total Income Exclusions Student Question: For “No Additional Cost Services” provided by an employer, which are excluded from employee income, there is the requirement that no significant costs are incurred.  How is “significant” cost determined? Significant sounds subjective. Is there a general rule for determining what is considered significant?…

Possible Penalties on Tax Return

By Dan Madden, CFP®

Terry received a notice from the IRS correcting a math error on his individual income tax return. As a result, Terry owes $1,000 in taxes, penalties and interest. Which of the following is the most likely penalty or interest assessed against Terry? Understatement penalty Failure to file penalty Fraud penalty Underpayment penalty CLICK TO REVEAL…

CFP Board Releases Book on CFP History

By Dan Madden, CFP®

CFP® Board Updates To commemorate the 50th anniversary of CFP® certification, the CFP Board has published The First 50 Years of CFP® Certification: The Standard for Financial Planning, written by Michelle Kruger, Ph.D., CFP®. Filled with memories and forward-looking insights from individuals who helped lead the CFP® certification’s development over the years. To purchase the book,…

Annual Return and Compounding

By Dan Madden, CFP®

Course: Fundamentals of Financial PlanningLesson 5: Using the Calculator Student Question: My question relates to being able to clearly distinguish when the CFP Board exam will require an annual, or other period for the answer. Question 5(b) asks: “What is the rate of return on Investment 2 using daily compounding?” What is the annual rate…