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Investments & Financial Planning

How is accrued interest calculated on a bond ?

Asked Wednesday, January 10, 2001 by an anonymous user
Interest that has accumulated between the most recent payment and the sale of a bond or other fixed income security.
At the time of a sale, the buyer pays the seller the bonds price plus any "accrued interest".
The accrued interest is calculated by multiplying the coupon rate by the fraction of the coupon period that has elapsed since the last payment.
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IRAs - Traditional

IRA - Set up fees

Asked Wednesday, January 03, 2001 by an anonymous user
The costs to set up or administer an IRA are deductible as a miscellaneous itemized deduction subject to the 2% AGI limitation on IRS Schedule A. The fees must be billed and paid separately from your regular IRA contribution.
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Financial Statements

What is the disclosure principle ?

Asked Wednesday, December 27, 2000 by an anonymous user
The disclosure principle requires that the financial statements inclusive of the income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statements present the most useful material amount of relevant information. Notes may be included to the financial statements for additional disclosure. All information that is necessary in order not to be misleading and for investors to make informed decisions if applicable.
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Financial Statements

What is the consistency criterion ?

Asked Wednesday, December 27, 2000 by an anonymous user
The consistency criterion states that the accounting procedures used at a given time should conform with the procedures previously used for that activity.
Such consistency allows data of different periods to be compared. This is important for comparative financial statements such as the income sheet, balance sheet and cash flow statement.
If there is a change in the consistency or accounting methods, the financial statements have to be restated for consistency purposes.
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Financial Statements

What is forecasting ?

Asked Wednesday, December 27, 2000 by an anonymous user
Forecasting is a projection of the anticipated financial performance of a company. Forecasts typically include a projected income statement, a pro-forma balance sheet and a cash flow statement. In order to arrive at projected figures, extensive research should be done to including statistical information on the competition, product trends and client demographics. This information will help you obtain reasonable estimated sales amounts. You should also get quotes from suppliers and realtors to obtain estimated expense amounts. Projections are not a picture of what you would like to see happen to your company, but carefully calculated, realistic numbers. Speak to your local CPA to assist you in this process.
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Capital Gains & Losses

What is the basis of property I received as a gift ?

Asked Friday, December 22, 2000 by an anonymous user
To figure the basis of property you get as a gift, you must know its adjusted basis to the donor just before it was given to you. You also must know it’s fair market value (FMV) at the time it was given to you and any gift tax paid on it.
Generally, the basis to the done is the same as in the hands of the donor at the date of the gift.
The basis to determine if there is a loss on the sale of a gift is the value as in the hands of the donor at the date of the gift or the fair market value Whichever is lower.
There is no gain or loss on a sale of a gift when the selling price is less than the basis for the gain and more than the basis for the loss calculation.
The basis of property received is increased by the amount of gift tax attributable to the net appreciation in value of the gift. The net appreciation is the amount by which the fair market value of the gift exceeds the donor's adjusted basis immediately before the date of the gift.
Speak to your local CPA to determine the gain or loss calculation on the sale of an asset that was received as a gift.
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IRAs - Traditional

IRA - Rollover Period

Asked Thursday, December 21, 2000 by an anonymous user
You must complete the rollover by the 60th day following the day on which you receive the distribution. This 60 day period is extended for the period during which the distribution is in a frozen deposit in a financial institution. A written explanation of rollover must be given to you by the issuer making the distribution.
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Dividends

How do I report dividends I received from my credit union ?

Asked Thursday, December 21, 2000 by an anonymous user
Certain distributions commonly referred to as dividends are actually interest. They include "dividends" on deposits or share accounts in credit unions, cooperative banks, domestic savings and loan associations, and mutual savings banks. Report interest income on IRS Form 1040, line 8a If your taxable interest income is more than $1,500, show that income on IRS Schedule B
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Capital Gains & Losses

Worthless Stock - bad debt deduction?

Asked Thursday, December 21, 2000 by an anonymous user
If you own securities and they become totally worthless, you can take a deduction for a loss, but not as a bad debt.
The worthless securities are treated as capital assets sold on the last day of the tax year.
Report worthless securities on IRS Form 8949 and Schedule D.
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