SIMPLE IRAs

What are some benefits of a SIMPLE plan ?

Asked Wednesday, January 17, 2001 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

The biggest benefit for a business with a Simple IRA plan is that it provides a very easy way to provide an employee retirement option without all the technical complications of 401Ks and similar account plans. Second, the establishment and maintenance costs to run a Simple IRA plan are a big plus for the cost-conscious business. Additional benefits include No special plan-level tax reporting is required for the employer annually. No discrimination testing is necessary. There is no requirement on the employer to track vesting. All contributions are immediately 100% vested (at the point of deposit the employee owns the full amount in the retirement account without any time delay).
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Retirement Planning

What are some benefits of a Roth IRA?

Asked Wednesday, January 17, 2001 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

A Roth IRA is a special non-deductible IRA. Even though you contribute to the account with your after-tax dollars, all withdrawals are tax free if you meet the following conditions: you are at least 59 and a half and an account has been in existence for at least five years.
In other words, you will never pay any taxes on earnings that your IRA fund will generate after turning 59 and a half. There are no mandatory minimum distributions at age 70 and a half, as in the case of a traditional IRA plan.
This feature allows passing on more savings to your beneficiaries if you wish to do so. You can withdraw money from your Roth IRA at any time without paying taxes up to the amount of your contributions. Dipping into the earnings will have no tax consequences.
There is no age limit on contributions. Every person with earned income, within limits established by the IRS (in general, your modified adjusted gross income must be less than $110,000), is eligible to open a Roth IRA.
For this purpose, the IRS considers as earned income wages, salaries and money made from being self-employed. Other income is considered passive (dividends, interest, rental properties etc.) and cannot be used to fund a Roth Individual Retirement Account.
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Roth IRAs

What are some benefits of a Roth IRA ?

Asked Wednesday, January 17, 2001 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

A Roth IRA is a special nondectible IRA. Even though you contribute to the account with your after-tax dollars, all withdrawals are tax free if you meet the following conditions: you are at least 59 and a half and an account has been in existence for at least five years. In other words, you will never pay any taxes on earnings that your IRA fund will generate after turning 59 and a half. There are no mandatory minimum distributions at age 70 and a half, as in the case of a traditional IRA plan. This feature allows passing on more savings to your beneficiaries if you wish to do so. You can withdraw money from your Roth IRA at any time without paying taxes up to the amount of your contributions. Dipping into the earnings will have no tax consequences. There is no age limit on contributions. Every person with earned income, within limits established by the IRS (in general, your modified adjusted gross income must be less than $112,000, The phase-out range is $112,000 to $127,000 for married couples filing jointly and from $173,000 to $183,000 for non MFJ taxpayers except MFS which is $ between $0 and $10.000), is eligible to open a Roth IRA. For this purpose, the IRS considers as earned income wages, salaries and money made from being self-employed. Other income is considered passive (dividends, interest, rental properties etc.) and can not be used to fund a Roth Individual Retirement Account.
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Retirement Planning

What are some advantages of a SEP , Simplified Employee Pension Plan ?

Asked Wednesday, January 17, 2001 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

Some advantages of a SEP Simplified Employee Pension Plan are: Contributions to a SEP are tax deductible and your business pays no taxes on the earnings on the investments. You are not locked into making contributions every year. In fact, you decide each year whether, and how much, to contribute to your employees’ SEP-IRAs. Generally, you do not have to file any documents with the government. Sole proprietors, partnerships, and corporations, including S corporations, can set up SEPs. You may be eligible for a tax credit of up to $500 per year for each of the first 3 years for the cost of starting the plan. Administrative costs are low.
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SEP IRAs

What are some advantages of a SEP , Simplified Employee Pension Plan ?

Asked Wednesday, January 17, 2001 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

Some advantages of a SEP Simplified Employee Pension Plan are: Contributions to a SEP are tax deductible and your business pays no taxes on the earnings on the investments. You are not locked into making contributions every year. In fact, you decide each year whether, and how much, to contribute to your employees’ SEP-IRAs. Generally, you do not have to file any documents with the government. Sole proprietors, partnerships, and corporations, including S corporations, can set up SEPs. You may be eligible for a tax credit of up to $500 per year for each of the first 3 years for the cost of starting the plan. Administrative costs are low.
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Dependents & Exemptions

Can I claim a child tax credit for my grandchild that lives with me that I claim as a dependent ?

Asked Wednesday, January 17, 2001 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

A qualifying child for the child tax credit must be a grandchild, son or daughter, adopted child or eligible foster child. That child must live with you and you claim her as a dependent and she is under age 17 at the end of the year and a citizen or resident of the US. If so, then you can claim her as a qualifying child for the child tax credit.
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Dependents & Exemptions

My daughter turned 19 in December, Can I use her for the child tax credit calculation ?

Asked Wednesday, January 17, 2001 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

No. She is not a qualifying child for the child tax credit because she was not under age 19 as of the end of the year.
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Investments & Financial Planning

What is a Real Time price quote ?

Asked Tuesday, January 16, 2001 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

A Real Time stock or bond quote is one that states a security's most recent offer to sell or buy. The quote is as that precise point in time as opposed to a delayed point in time. This is different from a delayed quote, which shows the same bid and ask prices Fifteen or twenty minutes after a trade takes place.
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Investments & Financial Planning

What is an Real Estate Investment Trust ( REIT ) ?

Asked Tuesday, January 16, 2001 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

A Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) invest in real estate or loans secured by real estate and issue shares in such investments. A Real Estate Investment Trust is similar to a closed-end mutual fund.
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Estate Planning

What is an Real Estate Investment Trust ( REIT ) ?

Asked Tuesday, January 16, 2001 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

A Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) invest in real estate or loans secured by real estate and issue shares in such investments. A Real Estate Investment Trust is similar to a closed-end mutual fund.
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