Dividends

Is the conversion of my convertible bond to common stock a taxable transaction?

Asked Friday, September 29, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

No. The conversion to common stock is not a taxable event. The cost basis of the converted common stock is the original cost basis of the converted bond.
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Capital Gains & Losses

Stock warrant conversion

Asked Friday, September 29, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

The exercise of your stock warrants is not a taxable event.
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Investments & Financial Planning

What are the advantages of non-callable tax free bonds ?

Asked Friday, September 29, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

A non-callable feature protects the owner against the bond being prepaid when interest rates fall. When a bond is callable because of fallen interest rates, the issuer can "call" the bond, paying off the balance of the bond before maturity. If you own the bond, you would then need to reinvest the funds into another investment and thus earn less interest income. If you want to lock in the interest rate and be protected against your bond being called, you should opt for non-callable bonds even though the interest rate is slightly lower.
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Passive Activities

Will I always receive a tax benefit from the tax credit I received on a K-1 from a passive activity?

Asked Friday, September 29, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

Generally, you will not get a tax benefit from a tax credit resulting from a passive activity unless the passive activity has income that generates a tax. The tax must be equal or greater than the credit that is allocated to that passive activity to receive the full benefit of the credit. The disallowed credit may be carried forward to future years. The calculation of the allowed credit is reportable on IRS Form 8582-CR. Speak to your local CPA about the passive credits' deductibility.
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Capital Gains & Losses

Prior year suspended losses - Installment method

Asked Friday, September 29, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

When you sell your passive activity interest at a gain, (using the installment sale method), the prior year suspended losses are not allowed in full.
You are allowed a prorated amount. They are only allowed in the same ratio as the gain recognized each year bears to the gain remaining to be recognized as of the start of the year.
Speak to your local CPA about your passive loss deductibility.
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Dividends

Do I have to pay tax on reinvested dividends ?

Asked Wednesday, September 27, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

Yes. Dividend reinvestment plans let you use dividends to buy more shares of stock in a corporation instead of receiving the dividends in cash. If you are a member of this type of plan and use dividends to buy more stock at a price equal to its fair market value, you must report the dividend as income on IRS Schedule B.
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Capital Gains & Losses

Is the total amount of the capital loss deductible?

Asked Wednesday, September 27, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

You are allowed to offset capital "gains" with capital "losses".
If you have capital gains equal to or greater than the stock loss, then the current year stock loss is fully deductible.
If you have no other capital gains or the loss exceeds the capital gains, then the current year stock loss is limited to the lessor amount of the loss that exceeds the gain or $3,000 (1,500 if your filing as married filing separate status).
If the loss is limited in the current year, then you may carry over the unused limited amount into future years until it is completely used up.
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IRAs - Traditional

IRA deduction for 401(k) plan

Asked Wednesday, September 27, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

Contributions to your 401(k) plan are not the same as an IRA deduction.
The amount you contributed to the 401(k) plan reduces the taxable wages reported in box 1 of your W-2 form.
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Capital Gains & Losses

Employee stock options

Asked Wednesday, September 27, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

If your stock option is granted under a employee stock option plan, the granting or exercise of the option is not included as income on your tax return.
You will report either the income or loss on IRS Schedule D when you sell the stock that you purchased by exercising the option.
Speak to your local CPA about the tax strategies with your options.
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