Investment and Finance

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.

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.

If your stock option is granted under an employee stock purchase plan, you generally do not include any amount in your gross income as a result of the grant or exercise of your option. You report income or loss when you sell the stock that you purchased by exercising the option.

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.

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

An Educational IRA is a custodial account or a trust set up for the purpose of paying the qualified higher educational expenses of the designated beneficiary of the account.
The designated beneficiary must be a child under age 18. In general higher educational expenses include tuition, fees, books, supplies and room and board for at least half-time attendance.
You may contribute up to $2,000 each year.
The contributions are not tax deductible.
For the current year, an individual may contribute to a child’s educational IRA if those individuals Modified Adjusted Gross Income is not more than $ 110,000 ($190,000 for a married filing joint return).
There is a phase out if the MAGI is between $95,000 and $110,000 for non-joint filers and between $190,000 and $220,000 for joint filers. Amounts in the account accumulate tax-free until distribution.
Distribution of the contribution is always tax-free and the earnings on the contribution are tax free if less than or equal to the years educational expenses.
If more than the educational expense then a pro rata calculation is required. The assets in the account must be withdrawn by the age of 30. No contribution amount may be made in any year who also contributes to a qualified state tuition program on behalf of the same beneficiary.

Withdrawals from a regular IRA that are used for higher educational expenses at a post-secondary school are not subject to the 10% penalty on early withdrawals that is reported on IRS Form 5329. Qualified expenses include tuition, books, fees, supplies and room and board if student is at least a half-time student.

Uniform Transfer to Minors and Gift to Minors accounts are custodial accounts set up in a child's name. There are no income eligibility limits to set up an account. Contributions are not tax deductible. You may put up to $13,000 a year without any gift tax consequences. As the custodian you have the choice to invest the money in any investment you choose. The current year tax consequences are that the first $950 of the investment earnings is tax free, the next $950 will be taxed at the child's tax rate. Any earnings above $1,900 will be taxed at the parents rate until the child is 18 years of age. After 18 the earnings are taxed at the child's rate. An important item to note with these custodial accounts is that the account belongs to the child. The child gains full control of the Uniform Gift account at age 18 and gains control of the Uniform Transfer account at age 21.
Speak to your local CPA for more information on these custodial accounts.

Foe referrals to local CFPs you may call the Financial Planning Association FPA at 800 282-7526 and the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors NAPFA at 888-333-6659.