Blog

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Means Test

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Course: Estate PlanningLesson 13: Case Study Online Student Question: I am a little confused how one set amount – $100 – is the threshold for means testing a bankruptcy petitioner when the amount of debt a borrower may owe can vary by large amounts. It would seem the amount left over (income minus allowable expenses)…

Defined Benefit Plan Reversionary Tax

By Dan Madden, CFP®

Lucky Star Corp has been extremely lucky with their defined benefit plan as it is currently overfunded. Management decided to terminate the plan while they are overfunded and share the excess with the employees. What amount of reversion tax will Lucky Star Corp have to pay upon termination? 0% 10% 20% 50% CLICK TO REVEAL…

CFP Board Releases New Compliance Resources

By Dan Madden, CFP®

CFP® BOARD UPDATES The CFP Board has developed and made available a series of resources that will help CFP® Professionals navigate the sometimes choppy waters of CFP Board compliance.  These guidance resources help CFP® Professionals understand and comply with the Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct. These resources include: An FAQ to help locate…

Custodial Accounts and Gifting

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Course: Estate PlanningLesson 13: Case Study Online Student Question: If a check given by Mary to Peter was deposited into a custodial account where Mary was the custodian, doesn’t that mean that Mary didn’t give up ALL control, so it’s not a completed gift? Thanks, Megan Instructor Response: Hi Megan, That’s a great way to…

Actuarial Assumptions in Defined Benefit Pension Plans

By Dan Madden, CFP®

Which of the following statements concerning the various actuarial assumptions used in estimating an employer’s contributions to a Defined Benefit Pension Plan is correct? The higher the assumed rate of investment income, the larger the employer’s assumed contribution rate. The higher the employee turnover or termination rate, the larger should be the employer’s assumed contribution…

IRS Discount “Coupons” – Flexible Spending Arrangements

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Good to Know If your doctor emailed a 35% discount coupon to your inbox, would you take the free money?  Your clients that are under-utilizing Flexible Spending Arrangements to pay medical and child-care costs may be throwing away free money. How? Contributions to the Flexible Spending Arrangements discussed herein are not subject to income, Social…

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?…

Assets in the Gross Estate

By Dan Madden, CFP®

Which of the following assets would be included in Martin’s gross estate? Life insurance on Martin’s life purchased one year before he died by the trustee of Martin’s irrevocable life insurance trust. Life insurance on Martin’s life purchased by Martin’s wife two years before he died. Life insurance on Martin’s life purchased three years before…

The Jackie Robinson of Financial Planning

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

CFP® Certificants in the News In a recent CFP Board press release, Board Chair Kevin Keller announced that, “As we celebrate Black History Month, I want to recognize LeCount Davis, CFP® for his contributions to the financial planning profession. LeCount was the first African American to earn the CFP® certification, and I am not alone in considering…