Questions of the Week

Course: Income Tax PlanningLesson 15: Property Transactions Student Question: Hi This page explains how the basis for inherited property is affected for common-law states and community property states. How is it affected for equitable distribution states like Florida? Thank you Anibal Instructor Response: Great question Anibal! Only marital property is subject to equitable distribution in…

Course: Fundamentals of Financial PlanningLesson 9: CFP Board Regulatory Requirements Student Question: Hi In lesson 1, for step 7, I have that a certificant is responsible for monitoring and updating only if explicitly called for in the scope of the engagement.  In Lesson 9, I’m reading that the certificant is responsible unless explicitly excluded. Which…

Course: Retirement PlanningLesson 5: Leveraging Nonqualified Plans for Small Business and Not-For-Profit Employees and Owners Student Question: Hi I’m trying to distinguish when the required minimum distribution amounts are at 72 years old, versus when they are 70 ½.  IRA’s are now 72, correct?  Is a 401k plan and a 403b 70 1/2?  Thank you…

Course: Insurance PlanningLesson 10: Social Security Student Question: Does the maximum family benefit apply to a husband and wife that are both fully insured if the combined total between the two exceeds the maximum family limit?   If I understand correctly, the maximum family limit only applies if there are beneficiaries within the family receiving 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?  Thanks Cooper…

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? Both $250 and…

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…

Course: Income Tax PlanningLesson 10: Recognition of Expenses, Losses, and Deductions Student Question: Hi I read that advisory fees are no longer deductible.  So in this question (below), is it deductible because this is treated as a business deduction since Roger is Self-Employed? Alisha Sheridan, A CFP licensee and fee-only financial planner, has assisted Roger…

Course: Income Tax PlanningLesson 10: Recognition of Expenses, Losses, and Deductions Student Question: Hi Can you clarify for me the deductibility of gifts when we’re talking about employees of a business versus self-employed individuals?  It seems the rules have changed on these.  Thanks for your help. Kyle Instructor Response: Hi Kyle, Thank you for the…

Course: Insurance Planning Lesson 6: Commercial Property and Liability Insurance Student Question: Hi Dan – On this review page, the correct answer for question 2 (below) indicates that insurance will only over 97% of replacement cost. However, it says in the chapter that as long as the property is insured for more than 80% of…