November / December

Showing 177–192 of 609 results

  • Using a charitable trust to pay for college

    November / December 2018
    Newsletter: Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 410

    Abstract: The charitable remainder trust (CRT) is a versatile tool that enables individuals to support favorite charities while retaining an income stream. As this article explains, CRTs are popular because they can provide tax benefits, including when they’re used to pay college expenses.

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  • Your responsibility when hiring household help

    November / December 2018
    Newsletter: Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 563

    Abstract: Hiring household help involves important tax responsibilities. As this article details, proper filing and reporting by employers enables workers to build an employment record and gain access to Social Security, Medicare and other benefits. And it helps protect employers from potentially expensive and time-consuming legal trouble.

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  • Disability insurance: Are you really protected?

    November / December 2018
    Newsletter: Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 605

    Abstract: Disability insurance policies replace a portion — typically 45% to 65% — of an insured person’s monthly gross income. But as this article argues, this figure can be deceiving. How an insurer defines “disability” greatly affects the ability to collect benefits. Benefit periods and elimination periods also apply.

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  • No gain, no pain – Year-end tax planning for investors

    November / December 2018
    Newsletter: Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 888

    Abstract: The end of the year is an ideal time to review an investment portfolio for tax-saving opportunities. This article lists several strategies, including harvesting losses and gains, buying back losing positions, and selling higher cost basis shares. It also touts the advantages of making charitable donations of appreciated securities. A sidebar provides tips for tackling the net investment income tax.

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  • Estate Planning Red Flag – You’re borrowing from your retirement plan

    November / December 2018
    Newsletter: Estate Planner

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 314

    Abstract: A person may be tempted to borrow from his or her 401(k) or other qualified retirement plan to pay for college tuition, credit card bills or other expenses. This brief article explains that, given the risks and hidden costs of borrowing from a retirement plan, it should generally be viewed as a last resort.

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  • Does your estate include intellectual property?

    November / December 2018
    Newsletter: Estate Planner

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 627

    Abstract: If one has invented something during his or her lifetime and had it patented, their estate includes intellectual property (IP). The same goes for any copyrighted works. These assets can hold substantial value, and, thus, must be addressed by the person’s estate plan. This article explores how IP assets are generally treated differently than other types of property.

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  • The net investment income tax is alive and well

    November / December 2018
    Newsletter: Estate Planner

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 532

    Abstract: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act reduced individual income tax rates, but it left the 3.8% net investment income tax (NIIT) in place. It’s important to address the NIIT in an estate plan because it can erode earnings from interest, dividends, capital gains and other investments, leaving less for heirs. This article details how the NIIT works and how to reduce liability.

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  • Flex plan – In an unpredictable estate planning environment, flexibility is key

    November / December 2018
    Newsletter: Estate Planner

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 993

    Abstract: Last year’s tax reform legislation made only one change to the federal gift and estate tax regime, but it was a big one. The act had the effect of more than doubling the combined gift and estate tax exemption, as well as the generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax exemption, from $5.49 million in 2017 to $11.18 million in 2018. This change is only temporary, however. Unless Congress takes further action, the exemptions will return to their inflation-adjusted 2017 levels starting in 2026. This article explains why it’s important to build some flexibility into an estate plan to address potential tax liability after 2025. A sidebar defines an estate tax “clawback.”

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  • How to navigate the online pricing tightrope

    November / December 2018
    Newsletter: Dealer Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 416

    Abstract: Car buyers who go online reportedly spend about 60% of their overall shopping time doing research there. This makes it critical for dealerships to have an effective online pricing strategy. This article gives tips on how to make difficult pricing decisions.

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  • Improve operational performance by improving your forecasting

    November / December 2018
    Newsletter: Dealer Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 622

    Abstract: Dealerships must make accurate forecasts of their sales, expenses, and gross and net profits to make wise decisions about allocating their resources. This article considers key ingredients of accurate forecasting, including current and seasonal trends and appropriate frequency.

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  • Are you a reliable guardian of customer information?

    November / December 2018
    Newsletter: Dealer Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 585

    Abstract: Given the large volume of personal data typically collected from customers, it’s critical that dealerships proactively secure the information they obtain and store. This article suggests several security measures that can reduce the chances of a data breach at a dealership operation.

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  • Vendor reviews: A valuable fraud prevention tool

    November / December 2018
    Newsletter: Dealer Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 865

    Abstract: Performing vendor reviews can help ensure that both an auto dealership and its vendors are still benefiting from the arrangements. In addition, it can uncover possible vendor fraud. This article highlights types of fraudulent schemes involving vendors and provides guidelines for a comprehensive vendor review. A sidebar provides key questions a dealership should ask during a vendor review.

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  • Construction Success Story – Preparing for a project owner’s audit

    November / December 2018
    Newsletter: Contractor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 447

    Abstract: This issue’s “Construction Success Story” features an asphalt contractor who was looking to expand from smaller privately funded projects to larger public jobs. One of his many concerns was the prospect of a project owner auditing a job and his company. So, he consulted with his CPA, who explained to him what such audits might entail and how to best prepare for them.

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  • In construction, dispute resolution is a many-splendored thing

    November / December 2018
    Newsletter: Contractor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 654

    Abstract: In the construction industry, disputes often arise between contractors and owners or with other parties. In such situations, construction companies may encounter a number of dispute resolution methods along with potential litigation. This article reviews these methods, providing key details about each.

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  • Don’t let your company become a cyber target

    November / December 2018
    Newsletter: Contractor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 553

    Abstract: Hackers are only interested in organizations such as banks and retail chains that store the sensitive data of millions of customers, right? Not necessarily. As the construction process grows more reliant on the Internet, contractors can become cyber targets, too. This article discusses the why and how of cyberattacks and what construction companies can do to fight back.

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  • How sound are your financial statements? Don’t underestimate their inherent informative value

    November / December 2018
    Newsletter: Contractor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 931

    Abstract: Many contractors may not fully realize how much important and useful information is in their financial statements ― information that is of special interest to lenders, sureties and investors. But what condition are those reports in? This article explains how to get the most from financial statements. A sidebar describes the role of these statements in strategic planning.

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