Student Question of the Week: Ownership of EE Bonds

Student Question from Pam FCourse:  Fundamentals of Financial Planning Student Question: Hello, My question deals with a situation where a grandparent buys EE bonds for a grandchild and both the grandparent’s name and the grandchild’s name are listed as owners on the bonds.  In that situation, would the bonds be counted as the child’s asset…

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Student Question of the Week: Entering Negative Numbers

Student: Question from Natalie PCourse:  Fundamentals of Financial Planning Student Question: Hello,  What is the general rule for using a negative number when entering payments? I am calculating the second problem on this web page and am having trouble determining why I need to use a negative when entering payments. Thanks so much! Charles has…

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Student Question of the Week: 3.8% Medicare Surtax

Student Question from Leslie GCourse:  Fundamentals of Insurance Planning Student Question: Hi Dan, I’m confused on how I would know whether or not to apply the 3.8% Medicare surtax in the following CFP Board released question.  How can I know without knowing their AGI? Your client’s federal marginal tax rate is 35% and the state…

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Student Question of the Week: Isn’t an IRA a Qualified Plan?

Student Question: Hi Dan! I think I’m confused on my terminology. I always thought non-qualified plans were: SERP’s, Executive Deferred Comp., 457 Plans, etc. But in Lesson 1 of the Retirement Planning section, I see that IRA’s, SEP’s, 403(b)’s are considered “non-qualified plans.” Am I mixed up about this? Instructor Response: Hi Margie! I hope…

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Student Question of the Week: FDIC versus SIPC

Student Question from Leslie GCourse:  Fundamentals of Financial Planning Student Question: I thought that all investments were SIPC covered; however, does that change for an IRA invested in a money market fund or CDs?  Thanks! Instructor Response: Hi Leslie! The purpose of the FDIC is solely to provide consumer confidence in our nation’s banking system.…

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Student Question of the Week: Prorate Section 2032A Recapture?

Student Question from Greg CCourse:  Income Tax Planning Student Question: Is the recapture full or is it prorated? I looked at Section 2032A and couldn’t quickly tell although it does not appear to be prorated. That is a complex Code section and the slide appears to do a nice job of distilling it down to…

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Student Question of the Week: Property Ownership

Student Question from EtebeCourse:  Estate Planning Student Question: Good evening, #7 on the review question…why would four business associates with equal partnership be tenants in common? I thought it would be JTWROS as their interest is equal and undivided. Thanks. 7.     An investment by four business associates, each wishing to contribute 25% of the purchase price. 100%…

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Student Question of the Week: Insurance Policy Dividends

Student Question from Margie LCourse:  Insurance Planning Student Question: Insurance policy dividends may be taxable if they are paid in cash to the policy owner, but what about dividends that remain in the policy to purchase additional coverage (Paid-Up Additions)? Are those dividends non-taxable as long as the coverage is not lapsed or surrendered? Instructor Response:…

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Student Question of the Week: Net Present Value Calculation

Student Question from Greg CCourse:  Fundamentals of Financial Planning Student Question: Hello! It seems to me that the loan proceeds in Question 3 should be positive cash flow entries in year zero, especially if their repayments are negative CFs in Year 5. Why is this not so?  Thanks – Greg Question 3: Donald buys small houses…

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Student Question of the Week: Sources of Gift Tax Liability

Student Question from Ryan FCourse:  Estate Planning Student Question: Hi Dan,  I have a question about an estate planning concept.  I think I’m just reading it wrong, but I want to make sure I have a clear understanding.  What is the correct answer to this question, and why? A husband and wife wish to reduce the size…

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