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Personal Finance FAQs

  1. How can I make sure I'm ready to file my taxes?

  2. Can I still set up an SEP if one of my employees refuses to participate?

  3. Can I give stock as a gift?

  4. Are mortgage-backed securities backed by any guarantees?

  5. After receiving a required distribution when and how are my taxes affected?

  6. What does greenwashing mean?

  7. What is the Razor/Razorblade model?

  8. What is a rainmaker?

  9. I'm worried about the economy and want to move my IRA funds from stocks and bonds to cash. Will I taxed for this?

  10. What is earnings management?

  11. Can I roll my 401(k) and/or IRA funds into a more liquid investment fund without penalty?

  12. What is a company's worth, and who determines its stock price?

  13. I will be receiving monies from a QDRO executed pursuant to my divorce. I would like to take a portion of the money as a distribution to pay for a new home. What are the tax implications of doing this?

  14. I know there is a form of deposit insurance where a portion of my bank account deposits is protected. Is there anything like this for my investments?

  15. Can a person who is retired continue to fund an IRA?

  16. What's the difference between a bank guarantee and a letter of credit?

  17. I made involuntary contributions to a retirement plan while temporarily employed. Can I withdraw these funds without penalty?

  18. Can investment real estate be purchased within an IRA and, if so, are there any pitfalls?

  19. I participate in a profit-sharing plan at work. If I retire at age 62, will I be able to withdraw the money tax-free, or must it be rolled over to another account or plan?

  20. Should I put money into a retirement account even if it isn't tax deductible?

  21. How does an IPO get valued? What are some good methods for analyzing IPOs?

  22. I just learned that my 2004 and 2005 Roth IRA contributions are not allowed because my income exceeds the limits. Can I just withdraw the contributions plus earnings without penalty?

  23. What are the three phases of a completed initial public offering (IPO) transformation process?

  24. Can high-income earners deduct yearly defined-benefit plan contributions of over $100,000?

  25. Do I need to hit my 401(k) contribution limit before I can begin making catch-up contributions?

  26. Is my non-qualified Roth IRA distribution subject to taxes or early distribution penalties?

  27. Can I donate stock to charity?

  28. How does a credit crunch occur?

  29. I failed to distribute an inherited 401(k) that was found in an audit. What happens now?

  30. How do I open a Swiss bank account, and what makes them so special?

  31. What is a "dog and pony" show?

  32. I am self-employed and do not need most of my IRA RMD for expenses. Can I reinvest it in Roth IRAs?

  33. What are the differences between chapter 7 and chapter 11 bankruptcy?

  34. Are long-term U.S. government bonds risk-free?

  35. Why are P/E ratios generally higher during times of low inflation?

  36. What are the "certain requirements" that must be met for substantially equal periodic payments (SEPPs)? Is it taxed at 20%? Is there any downside to the SEPP?

  37. If I am entitled according to my divorce decree to a percentage of my ex-husband's IRA, how can I receive the assets due to me into my own IRA without being taxed? Will he be taxed when he makes the transfer? Will the money he may have to pay in taxes the

  38. What are unrealized gains and losses?

  39. I've come into a large amount of money. Should I invest it or pay off my mortgage?

  40. After an initial public offering, does a company profit from increases in its share price?

  41. My mother inherited my father's IRA. When she died, I received an account application listing me as the beneficiary, as well as notice that my brother and I will have to take my mom's required distribution. My brother is nowhere to be found. How should I

  42. Can an employer adopt a different type of retirement plan for each employee?

  43. How does the marginal tax rate system work?

  44. Is a Canadian resident allowed to participate in a direct stock purchase plan from a U.S. company such as Pfizer?

  45. I am 61 years old and would like to contribute to my employer's 401(k) plan. Is there an age limit?

  46. Can someone who is not yet of legal age open a brokerage account?

  47. What's the difference between a savings account and a Roth IRA?

  48. How do I avoid paying excess taxes on securities I have sold?

  49. Can I return funds to my Roth IRA after I have taken it as a distribution?

  50. I've noticed executives buy a lot of stock below market value, and then they sell it for a large gain. How can they do this?

  51. What is a subprime mortgage?

  52. Can I roll the funds in an SEP-IRA over to a profit-sharing plan or self-directed retirement vehicle?

  53. What should I consider when I select an executor for my will?

  54. How do I list the beneficiaries of my life insurance policies if I have a trust?

  55. What is foreclosure investing?

  56. What is an entrepreneur's elevator pitch?

  57. Can I return funds to my Traditional IRA after taking a distribution?

  58. What does investment grade mean?

  59. When you buy a stock in a company, does it necessarily mean that one of the shareholders is selling it to you?

  60. How rapidly can expanding sales reduce a firm's earnings?

  61. The company I am working for said that 401(k) contribution can be based on only straight time pay! The company I previously worked for allowed me to contribute on gross earnings. Has the law changed, or is the current employer wrong?

  62. Does the five-year rule apply if a non-spouse inherits an IRA after the required beginning date and the required minimum distribution is not satisfied in the year of death?

  63. I've heard some "market gurus" claim returns of up to 400% annually. Is this possible?

  64. Are IPOs available to short sell immediately upon trading, or is there a time limit that must pass before short sales are accepted?

  65. Upon my death, will the beneficiaries of my IRA be compelled to take the entire amount in the IRA as ordinary income, forcing them into unusually high income tax brackets?

  66. What is the difference between a Traditional and a Roth IRA?

  67. What are the risks of investing in a bond?

  68. What does the 'FIG' at an investment bank refer to?

  69. How can I purchase stocks directly from a company?

  70. Can an IRA beneficiary roll the IRA over into another account and designate another beneficiary?

  71. Can I have a self-directed IRA or Roth IRA using the forex market?

  72. What does the Pension Protection Act of 2006 say about charitable contributions?

  73. What aids will help me file my own tax return?

  74. Are there special benefits for U.S. armed forces personnel?

  75. What constitutes an "intention to call a debt instrument before maturity" for tax purposes?

  76. I have a small business (LLC), which I operate part-time. I also work full time for a company and am enrolled in a 401(k) plan. Am I still eligible to make contributions to an individual 401(k) from earnings of my part-time LLC?

  77. How long does an IRA beneficiary have to take an RMD after the IRA holder dies?

  78. How can I prevent commissions and fees from eating up my trading profits?

  79. What is a gatekeeper?

  80. How does someone commit featherbedding?

  81. Where does the name "Wall Street" come from?

  82. As a temporary resident of the US, can I withdraw funds from my Traditional IRA without penalty when I leave the country?

  83. What's the difference between pre-money and post-money?

  84. How do I go about opening up a Roth IRA?

  85. What is a Ginnie Mae security?

  86. I am a first-time home buyer. If I take a distribution from my 401(k) to purchase land and a house, will I have to pay a penalty on this distribution? Also, what kind of form will I need to file with my taxes, showing the IRS that $10,000 went toward a ho

  87. I am the beneficiary of an IRA and a Keogh. Can I combine them into one plan?

  88. If an IRA owner dies after starting required minimum distributions (RMD) but the spouse is under 70.5, can the spouse roll over the IRA into his/her own IRA, and stop RMDs until age 70.5?

  89. What's the difference between net present value and internal rate of return? How are they used?

  90. Which is a better measure for capital budgeting, IRR or NPV?

  91. I own a small business. Can the SBO-401(k) work for me?

  92. I have some stocks in a taxable account. Can I use them to fund my Roth IRA instead of using cash?

  93. When should a company recognize revenues on its books?

  94. I have just been laid off. Can I use my 401(k) for living expenses now and report it as income next year?

  95. I didn't earn any income this year. Can I still contribute to a Roth?

  96. How do I file taxes for income from foreign sources?

  97. Why does the majority of my mortgage payment start out as interest and gradually move toward mostly principal?

  98. What is Black Friday?

  99. When is earnings season?

  100. What is a typical day in the life of someone in M&A? How long does a project last?

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Last Questions Asked:
  1.

    If I want to have some cash in a liquid account for unexpected emergencies, what is best? A savings account or another type?

  2. How are capital gains and dividends taxed differently?

  3. What is pay-as-you-drive auto insurance?

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