General Principles Flashcards
Formula for Capitalized Income for a Business
Capitalized Value = Annual Income/Capitalization Rate
(note - capitalization rate would be given)
Pro Forma Statement
Projected Cash Flow statement for a business. Usually the next fiscal year, but could be longer.
Emergency Fund
- Checking Account balance in excess of 1 month’s expenses (or $0)
- Government Money Market Accounts
- CDs maturing in 90 days or less
- Savings accounts
- Laddered CDs maturing in 180 days or less
National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund
Credit Union version of FDIC Insurance. This is a Federal Agency.
FDIC Insurance Amount
$250,000 per person, per ownership, per bank. Different accounts (i.e. checking account and money market account) in the same ownership count as an aggregate figure. Joint accounts with different people are aggregated together for the person who is in common.
Insider Trading and Securities Fraud Act of 1988
Person with access to private and key information who makes trades on the underlying security is prohibited.
Principal Goals of State Insurance Regulation
- Maintaining solvency of insurers
- Protecting policyholders against mistreatment by insurers
- Maintaining fair competition
- Helping assure coverage is available to all who want and need it
Operation areas monitored by State Insurance Regulators
- Licensing companies and agents
- Policy forms
- Rebating
- Company insolvencies or liquidations
- Competency of agents
- Reserves
- Twisting (unnecessarily replacing an insurance policy with a new one)
- Access to insurance
Who regulates Mutual Fund companies?
The SEC
Securities Act of 1933
The first act, regulates NEW issues and requires a prospectus with full and fair disclosure of risks to be provided to an investor before a transaction takes place.
Securities Act of 1934
The second act, regulates the trading of previously issued securities on the secondary market. Created the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) to create and enforce securities law.
Investment Advisors Act of 1940 (IAA)
Defines the roles and responsibilities of an investment advisor. Authorizes the SEC to monitor those who advise others (individuals, pension funds or other institutions) on investing. Stipulates what constitutes and investment advice and who must register with state and federal regulators to dispense it.
Securities Investors Protection Act of 1970
Established the SIPC to supervise firms that fall into financial difficulty. Insures investors against loss arising from firm failure (insolvency) but NOT loss from poor investment strategy.
Trust Company
An organization (usually associated with a commercial bank) that engages as a trustee/fiduciary for an individual or organization. They act in this capacity for the purposes of investment management and estate planning.
College Funding Strategies during pre-planning years
- UGMA/UTMA (subject to Kiddie Tax under age 24
- EE Education Bonds (parents own bonds)
- Coverdell Education Savings Plan (ESA) ($2,000/yr)
- Section 529 Plan (QTP) (College Savings or Pre-paid Tuition)
College Funding Strategies during college attendance (Grants and Loans)
Wealthy (over $60K):
1. Parent Loan Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
Poorish (under $60K):
1. Pell Grants
2. Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
3. Subsidized Stafford Student Loans
College Funding Strategies during college attendance (Tax Credits)
- American Opportunity Credit (AOC):
a. $2,000 plus 25% of next $2,000 ($2,500 max)
b. MAGI phase outs on tax sheet
c. First 4 years of college only - Lifetime Learning Credit:
a. $2,000 maximum (20% of expenses up to $10K)
b. Any higher learning institution (undergrad/grad/CE)
c. MAGI phase outs on tax table
d. Deductions also available, subject to MAGI (not on table)
NOTE: as with ESA and 529, cannot be combined for the same child/expense dollar. Coordinate with Coverdell (ESA) and 529 (QTP).
College Funding Strategies during college attendance (Distributions and Withdrawals)
- Coverdell (ESA) withdrawal:
a. Must be used before 30 (can transfer to new bene)
b. MAGI phase out on tax sheet - 529 (Qualified Tuition Plan or QTP) distribution:
a. No MAGI phase out
NOTE: as with AOC and LLC, cannot be combined for the same child/expense dollar. Coordinate with AOC and LLC.
College Funding Strategies during Graduate attendance
- Fulbright Scholarship
- Stafford Loan (unsubsidized)
- 529 (QTP) distribution or Coverdell (ESA) withdrawal (same coordination rules apply regarding child/expense dollar)
- Lifetime Learning Credit is available within MAGI limits
Other College Funding Strategies during all phases of education planning
- Gifts
- Earnings
- UGMA/UTMA
- 2503(c) trust (minor child trust)
Coverdell (ESA) Qualified Expenses
- Tuition
- Fees
- Academic tutoring
- Special needs services
- Books/supplies/equipment related to attendance
- Room and board
- Uniforms
- Transportation
- Supplementary items
- Services such as extended day programs (after care)
Kiddie Tax Rule WITH EARNED income
If the child has earned income (from a job) greater than the $1,150 standard deduction for unearned income, the amount of the earned income plus $400 becomes the new standard deduction. The next $1,150 is still taxed at the child’s rate (likely 10%) and then the remainder is taxed at the parent’s rate (given).
Ex. - Evan earns $5,000 annually at his job, and has $3,000 of unearned interest income. The first $5,400 is exempt from tax ($5,000 earned, plus $400 unearned). The next $1,150 is taxed at 10% (based on tax table), and the remaining $1,450 is taxed at his parent’s rate.
NOTE - BE CAREFUL WITH THE TYPE OF UNEARNED INCOME. Capital Gains rates may be used instead of ordinary income. Capital gains rates for low income earners can be 0%
Series EE and I Bonds education expense tax rules
- Must be redeemed in the year college expenses are paid to qualify
- Only tuition and fees qualify for beneficial tax treatment
- Owner (parent) must have MAGI less than certain thresholds (provided on the tax table)
NOTE: Bonds CAN be held in an UTMA account, but will not qualify for beneficial tax treatment.
American Opportunity Credit Rules
- $2,000 plus 25% of next $2,000 of expenses for the tax credit ($2,500)
a. Phaseouts are on the tax table - A deduction alternative is available (phaseouts not on table)
a. $4,000 deduction for MAGI $65K Single/$130K Joint
b. $2,000 deduction for MAGI $80K Single/$160K Joint - Undergrad only
- Part-time student eligible (1/2 normal full-time class load)
- Felony drug conviction NOT OK
- Tuition, books, supplies and equipment only (no room/board)