Student Question

Course: Fundamentals of Financial PlanningLesson 4: Managing Cash Flow and Debt Student Question: I’m making sure I understand the means test. If the person is trying to file Section 7 to get rid of debt but the means test shows they can cover their allowable expense, will they be forced to file Section 13 and have to do a repayment plan? It appears the means test is…

Course: Fundamentals of Financial PlanningLesson 5: Using the Calculator Student Question: I am confused as to how to get the correct answer for question number 4. Jackie invests her bonus at the beginning of this calendar year. If she earns 7% compounded monthly, what is the annual equivalent rate? Round your answer to two decimal places. I solve for the future value…

Course: Income Tax PlanningLesson 7: Arriving at Adjusted Gross Income Student Question: Regarding the minimum deductible and maximum out-of-pocket limits for a high deductible health plan, could you explain more clearly “The minimum deductible must be at least $1,400 (single) or $2,800 (family)“. Does that mean, if single, an individual will pay at least $1,400 per doctor visit/procedure, but no more than the maximum out-of-pocket…

Course: Fundamentals of Financial PlanningLesson 5b: Using the HP 10b-II Calculator Student Question: For number 2 (below), should there be a CF of zero for Company B year one? It appears the explanation skips this cash flow. Bobby is investigating the cost of an alarm system for his home, which he thinks he will own for three years. Company A will charge him an…

Course: Investment PlanningLesson 10: Fixed Income Securities Analysis Student Question: I’m not clear why holders of long-term bonds are subject to interest rate risk. If a 20-year bond is purchased at par with a coupon rate of 6.25% ($62.50/year), it seems to me that the investor would still receive $62.50 a year regardless of interest rate changes. What am I missing? Michael…

Course: Estate PlanningLesson 3: Understanding Trusts and Trust Documents Student Question: Perhaps a slightly mundane question, but here we go: It had been my understanding that property in a trust was held and owned by the trust itself, as a separate legal entity. However, several times in this course there has been reference to the trustee having ownership of the property. Is there…

Course: Insurance Planning Lesson 12: Types of Life Insurance Student Question: Could you help clarify the term “unused premiums” as it relates to term life insurance? I guess I don’t see how you could have a premium not used in term life. Thanks! Michael Instructor Response: Michael, Assume you pay $6,000 in annual prepaid premiums on January 1, 2020, for coverage for…

Course: Estate Planning Lesson 9: Income Taxation of Trusts and Estates Student Question: Hi Bruce When a Trust has an income accumulation year, must the Trust pay taxes on that accumulation of DNI in the year of accumulation? If so, why do that – why would a Trust hold income at the confiscatory Trust income tax rates? If not, how many years can a…

Course: Income Tax Planning Lesson 10: Recognition of Expenses, Losses, and Deductions Student Question: Question 5 (below) did not make sense to me. I started out by breaking down by year – 400,000/2,100,000*3,000,000 and so forth, but did not arrive at the correct answer. So then I tried adding up 3 year – 400+650+700/2100000*3,000,000. That…

Course: Estate Planning Lesson 5: Transfer Taxation II – Lifetime Transfers Student Question: Hi Bruce, I’m reading about the “expanded Annual Exclusion Amount of $155,000.” Just so I’m clear, is this an expansion from the “regular” $15,000 Annual Exclusion Amount? And what is it for? Thanks! Kevin Instructor Response: Hi Kevin, You are correct. The…