News & Updates – Page 23 – Online CFP Program

What You Don’t Know About Social Security Can Hurt You

Good to Know Social Security benefits are key to most Americans’ quality of financial life during retirement. Yet, an alarming number of those approaching retirement do not have a basic understanding of Social Security benefits. Twelve basic questions were posed to 1,5001 pre-retirees to gauge their Social Security knowledge. Take the quick quiz below to…

ALERT for CFP® Candidates – Add Points to Your Score

CFP® Certificants in the News Those planning to take the CFP® Exam must be aware of how recent changes to the exam structure could affect your score. We will identify the exam change and the takeaway that could add points to your score. The Exam Change The CFP® Exam was traditionally structured as a 170-question,…

5 Habits of Successful CFP Exam Takers

CFP® Certificants in the News This blog is dedicated to CFP® Candidates, especially those planning to take the CFP Board Exam soon. What better place to begin planning than planning to pass the CFP Board Exam? By the way, hope is not a plan. Hope is a wonderful quality but we need a specific, sequential…

Last Minute Tax Deductions for 2020

Good to Know Taxpayers may reduce their 2020 taxable income by tens of thousands of dollars by contributing to tax-deductible IRAs, 401(k)s, and other accounts by May 17, 2021. Traditional Deductible IRA Contributions Taxpayers who are unaware of this opportunity or miss the usual April 15, 2021, deadline may contribute to an IRA for 2020…

CFP Board Launches Spring Awareness Campaign

CFP® BOARD UPDATES The CFP Board has launched its Spring 2021 Public Awareness Campaign. The focus of the campaign is to raise awareness of the value of the CFP® Certification and the peace of mind that comes from having a CFP® Professional help prepare a financial plan. The Board has been running awareness campaigns since…

Reprieve from the Warden: Individual Federal Income Tax Return Due Date Extended

Good to Know In mid-March, the IRS announced an extension of time to file individual 2020 income tax returns. The following excerpts were taken directly from IRS press release IR-2021-59, March 17, 2021: “WASHINGTON — The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced today that the federal income tax filing due date for individuals [including…

CFP Board Relaunches “LetsMakeAPlan”

CFP® Certificants in the News CFP Board press release, December 16, 2020 Relying on extensive consumer research and user testing, Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) recently launched its redesigned and updated consumer-facing website, LetsMakeAPlan.org (LMAP). The refreshed website includes updated content and a modernized interface with a mobile-friendly design to improve user experience,…

IRS Riddle: How Do You Save $435 or More in Tax Penalty With 55 Cents?

Good to Know Alert-As of the date this blog was written (March 16, 2021) pressure was building to extend 2020 tax return due dates in recognition of COVID challenges. However, taxpayers should assume the due date for personal and business income tax returns remains unchanged unless an official IRS pronouncement indicates otherwise. The IRS recognizes…

CFP Board Releases New Compliance Resources

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…

IRS Discount “Coupons” – Flexible Spending Arrangements

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…