Prior-Prior Year Income Rule Good for Grandparent-Owned 529 Plans
In today’s Marietta Daily Journal, Bil Lako, CFP® explains some of the benefits to the FAFSA’s new prior-prior income rule. Read the Article
Business Owners: Other Compensation Methods
There are a number of tax-favored fringe benefits companies may offer to both regular and highly paid employees. Read all about it in this week’s Business Tip.
Common Annuity Riders
Annuity riders are optional features that provide added benefits to a basic annuity contract. Learn all about them in this week’s Insurance Tip.
Investors Are Human, Too
Think the markets are crazy? First understand investor behavior can be influenced by emotions such as greed and fear. We explain in this week’s Financial Tip.
Prior-Prior Year Income Rule Good for Grandparent-Owned 529 Plans
Our experts discuss the change to using the prior-prior tax year on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and how it can affect how you withdraw from grandparent-owned 529 plans.
Market Roundup: Week of Mixed Results Ends with S&P Nearly Flat
Stocks closed Monday with mixed results on a slip in crude oil and anticipation of the Federal Reserve’s July meeting. Energy sector stocks led the way down. Tuesday, a handful of disappointing earnings brought the Dow Jones Industrial Average down. With nearly a third of the S&P 500 companies having reported quarterly results, earnings are on track to contract 4.5% in the second quarter from the prior year. Mixed moves continued mid-week with the Dow and S&P 500 shedding points while the NASDAQ landed in the green zone. U.S. stocks were little changed after the Federal Reserve held short-term interest rates steady. On Thursday, the Dow shed some points while the S&P 500 and NASDAQ closed with slight gains. Initial jobless claims ramped up last week as the Labor Department reported new claims increased by 14,000 to 266,000. Continuing claims climbed 7,000 to 2.139 million in the week ended July 16. In Friday’s mixed results, the Dow shed some points while the S&P 500 and NASDAQ added gains. West Texas Intermediate crude oil tacked on 1.1% to settle at $41.60 a barrel. Also on Friday, University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Survey declined for July, shedding 3.5 points for a reading of 90, marking a three-month low. Additionally, the advanced reading for second quarter GDP disappointed, rising just 1.2% compared to consensus estimates of 2.6%. Overall, the S&P closed the week down 0.05% while the Dow lost 0.75% and the NASDAQ gained 1.23% for the week.
Market Roundup: Week of Mixed Results Ends with S&P Nearly Flat
Stocks closed Monday with mixed results on a slip in crude oil and anticipation of the Federal Reserve’s July meeting. Energy sector stocks led the way down. Tuesday, a handful of disappointing earnings brought the Dow Jones Industrial Average down. With nearly a third of the S&P 500 companies having reported quarterly results, earnings are on track to contract 4.5% in the second quarter from the prior year. Mixed moves continued mid-week with the Dow and S&P 500 shedding points while the NASDAQ landed in the green zone. U.S. stocks were little changed after the Federal Reserve held short-term interest rates steady. On Thursday, the Dow shed some points while the S&P 500 and NASDAQ closed with slight gains. Initial jobless claims ramped up last week as the Labor Department reported new claims increased by 14,000 to 266,000. Continuing claims climbed 7,000 to 2.139 million in the week ended July 16. In Friday’s mixed results, the Dow shed some points while the S&P 500 and NASDAQ added gains. West Texas Intermediate crude oil tacked on 1.1% to settle at $41.60 a barrel. Also on Friday, University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Survey declined for July, shedding 3.5 points for a reading of 90, marking a three-month low. Additionally, the advanced reading for second quarter GDP disappointed, rising just 1.2% compared to consensus estimates of 2.6%. Overall, the S&P closed the week down 0.05% while the Dow lost 0.75% and the NASDAQ gained 1.23% for the week.
Tax Court Ruled Employer’s Independent Contractor Interpretation Reasonable
If you have independent contractors, keep up to date on how the Tax Court rules in cases the IRS brings. Read all about it in this week’s Business Tip.
Dealing with the tax consequences of a highly appreciated asset
In today’s Marietta Daily Journal, Bil Lako, CFP®, explains how a highly appreciated stock position, can create both a tax and estate planning issue. Read the Article.
I'm considering leasing a car. Is there any special insurance I need?
When leasing a car, you may need more insurance to cover your loss if the vehicle is totaled or stolen. Read all about it in this week’s Insurance Tip.