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I think the intent of this list is to make advisors feel under-prepared and thus more likely to sign up for one of the paid newsletters Ed Slott provides. Regardless, here are my answers.

We agree with Kleintop’s assessment that valuations suggest that international equities are poised for more gains.

The CFP Board is compensation neutral, but it is only because of how they are paid.

This simple example demonstrates the importance of expense ratio.

Biden’s state of the union address makes clear who he wants to tax.

We recently had a client fall prey to a sophisticated Schwab Bank scam. They gave us permission to share this fraud story with you to hopefully prevent others from being scammed.

Alas, there is only one thing we can do to help dictate which kind of tax system we face and that is vote.

For our standard gone-fishing portfolio, we made two changes.

This gone-fishing portfolio is our default portfolio which can be used at any custodian.

We recommend this gone-fishing portfolio for investors with brand loyalty to Vanguard.

Last year, our 2023 Marotta’s Gone-Fishing Portfolio was a recommendation of 12 stock investments. This article is to report on the 2023 performance of those twelve stocks.

Once you have calculated the funding requirements for your college savings goals, there are three strategies for funding the accounts.

Taxpayers waiting for final guidance, have seen penalties waived for 2021 or 2022 RMDs, for 2023 RMDs, and now for 2024 RMDs.

This quarter, we saw that in 1-year returns ending March 31, 2024, Developed Freedom Investing had a -5.8% disadvantage, Emerging Market Freedom Investing had a +3.83% advantage, and Overall Freedom Investing had a -2.89% disadvantage.

With one memorable password protecting a vault of random ones, you can increase your security immensely while only mildly complicating your access.

These are the seven rules to using a credit card safely.

Converting early can avoid your exposure to tax changes going forward as a Roth IRA is never taxed again.

Last year, eleven countries made our cut-off. This year, twelve do.

Because of Mexico’s current valuation, we believe that it has the possibility to perform well regardless of how this potential conflict resolves.

Our recommendation is to keep money that may be needed within the next six months invested in a money market fund.

Roth conversions can decrease your taxable income and increase your tax savings over the long haul.

The 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) is a Medicare contribution tax on investment income.

Now that we’ve been parents for a few months, I can confidently say all of these items vastly improved our journey into parenthood.

If this level of volatility isn’t your expectation, you are not yet familiar with normal volatility in the markets.

This quarter, we saw that in 1-year returns ending December 31, 2023, Developed Freedom Investing had a -3.97% disadvantage, Emerging Market Freedom Investing had a +4.9% advantage, and Overall Freedom Investing had a -1.27% disadvantage.

Individual retirement accounts (IRAs) are one of the most important account types, and understanding the difference between Roth and traditional contributions and withdrawals is foundational to tax planning.

While not the most favorable RMD rules imaginable, I’m sure it is still a relief to know that you don’t need to navigate the new SECURE Act rules just because you dissolved the trust.

Hopefully, you didn’t bother looking, and I can be the first to tell you.

What procedure can you put in place to prevent employer match churning? That is still unclear.

After over a decade of broken promises and rising costs, our need for a more sustainable tax system is acutely felt.

While we still cannot call the end of the Bear Market from this performance, today’s returns strongly suggest that 15 months ago, October 12, 2022 was the end of this bear market.

A savings waterfall helps investors navigate the financial complexity available to them.

While an excess or failed backdoor Roth can feel very stressful to solve, it is a normal and quick fix for your qualified financial custodian.

Seniors over age 65 may receive relief on their real estate taxes limited by AGI but regardless of net worth.

The IRS authors make clear that the purpose of the notice is to “provide guidance on discreet issues to assist in commencing implementation of these provisions” not to provide comprehensive guidance.

This 2008 article is an uplifting, timeless sermon.

After over a decade of broken promises and rising costs, our need for a more sustainable healthcare system is acutely felt.

The Tax Foundation recently published the article “Dwindling Savings and Increasing Financial Stress Highlights Need for Tax Reforms” suggesting that tax reform could improve the current state of American personal finances.

Required minimum distributions are taxed as taxable income, the same as other types of traditional IRA withdrawals and Roth conversions.

While the initial details sound promising, the downsides are many.

Taxes related to traditional IRA withdrawals only happen once. Meanwhile, the funds in your taxable account are subjected to taxation each year.

There is an artistry to a bond allocation, and while the historical analysis can only be suggestive, they do tell a strong narrative.

You can have an effectively uncapped state tax deduction if you have a high tolerance for paperwork.

Here is a reference chart with 2024 income tax rates, capital gains rates, retirement contribution limits, and more.

If closing an account at Schwab is in line with your goals, take comfort in knowing that you are able to close your accounts at Schwab without losing access to your important documents.

This lie was PolitiFact’s 2013 lie of the year, but we dub it the lie of the century.

Twelve-month inflation for all items ending in September 2023 has been 4.1%, so the 2024 contribution limits increased significantly but less than last year.

While most states do not have their own estate or inheritance taxes, some states do and often their exemption is lower than the federal one.

The fact that markets are down isn’t a good reason by itself to fire your advisor, but there are reasons to switch financial advisors related to performance.

It sounds broad and easy to use, but it is actually very specific and uncommon.