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Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Cosigning - cosigner won't pay and won't give any information or transfer asset
Is your name on the title at all? You may have (slightly) more leverage in that case, but co-signing any loans is not a good idea, even for a friend or relative. As this article notes: Generally, co-signing refers to financing, not ownership. If the primary accountholder fails to make payments on the loan or the reta...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Calculating Pre-Money Valuation for Startup
"Since you have no sales, I'd likely question how well could you determine the value of the company's assets in a reasonable fashion. You may be better to estimate sales and discount that back to a current valuation. For example, insurance companies could determine that if you wanted to be paid $x/month for the rest of...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Calculating Pre-Money Valuation for Startup
The value of a business without proven profits is really just a guess. But to determine what % ownership the VC takes some measure must be used. He is asking the OP to start the negotiations. So you start high - higher than you will settle for. The value of the business should always be WAY more the $$ you have put ...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Calculating Pre-Money Valuation for Startup
"Putting a dollar amount on the valuation of a start up business is an art form that often has very little at all to do with any real numbers and more to do with your ""salesman"" abilities when talking with the VC. That said, there are a few starting points: First is past sales, the cost of those sales and a (hopefull...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Calculating Pre-Money Valuation for Startup
"When the VC is asking what your Pre-Money Valuation is, he's asking what percentage of shares his $200,000 will buy. If you say your company is worth $800K, then after he puts the money in, it will be worth $1M, and he will own 20% of all shares – you'll still own the remainder. So when the VC is asking for a valuatio...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: How do I keep an S-Corporation open when it has no revenues
If you have no net income or loss, you can usually get away without filing a tax return. In Illinois, the standard is: Filing Requirements You must file Form IL-1120 if you are a corporation that has net income or loss as defined under the IITA; or is qualified to do business in the state of Illinois and is requ...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: How can someone invest in areas that require you to be an accredited investor [without qualifying as an accredited investor]?
Unfortunately it is not possible for an ordinary person to become an accredited investor without a career change. Gaining any legal certification in investments typically require sponsorship from an investment company (which you would be working for). There are reasons why these kinds of investments are not available t...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: UK Resident exploring freelance work for a Swiss Company
If the firm treats you as an employee then they are treated as having a place of business in the UK and therefore are obliged to operate PAYE on your behalf - this rule has applied to EU States since 2010 and the non-EU EEA members, including Switzerland, since 2012. If you are not an employee then your main options ar...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: UK Resident exploring freelance work for a Swiss Company
You will need to register as self-employed aka sole trader (that's the whole point: pay taxes on income that you're not getting as wages from an employer, who would arrange PAYE/NI contributions), or set up a limited company (in the last case you would have the option of either getting paid as wages or as dividends — w...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Overseas Foreign Earned Income; Can I take the Home Office Deduction for a home office based outside the United States?
"You are pushing your luck, but not because you're not in the US, because it is likely that you're not qualified. From what you said, I doubt you can take it (I'm not a professional though, get a professional opinion). You say ""dedicated space"". It has to be an exclusive room. You cannot deduct 10 sq. ft. from your l...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: 100% Ownership and 30% profit to sale director
Perhaps an example will help make it more clear. Any given year: Revenue: 200K, profit 60K You get 40K in profit, plus any salary, he gets 20K Next year you attract the attention of a competitor and they offer and you accept to sell. You would get 100% of the proceeds. This is kind of a bad deal for him as you could...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Be a partner, CTO or just a freelancer?
"I write software myself and was involved in a couple of start ups. One failed, another was wildly successful, but I did not receive much in compensation. The former I received stock, but since it failed, it was worthless anyway. There should be compensation for your time in addition to equity in a company. Any agr...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Be a partner, CTO or just a freelancer?
First, determine the workload he will expect. Will you have to quit your other work, either for time or for competition? How much of your current business will be subsumed into his business, if any? Make sure to understand what he wants from you. If you make an agreement, set it in writing and set some clear expect...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Be a partner, CTO or just a freelancer?
Being a CTO is different than freelancing, obviously. You have to ask yourself what you would more prefer to do! My initial recommendation would be to receive your normal freelance compensation for the freelance work you do AND separately deal with the issue of being a CTO. At some point you will cease to be this pro...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Is Pension Benefit Information (aboutmyletter.com) legitimate?
"I have no personal knowledge of this company; I've only looked over what I found on the web. Overall, my judgement is that Pension Benefit Information, Inc. of San Rafael, CA is likely legitimate and aboutmyletter.com is one of two sites run by them (the other being pbinfo.com). These two sites are registered to Pens...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Is Pension Benefit Information (aboutmyletter.com) legitimate?
To boil down what mgkrebbs said: Yes, you should send back the form, provided that it doesn't ask for any more information than address, current telephone number, and email address. Don't ever, ever provide any bank account information. Nor social security number unless you're absolutely positive of the validity of th...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: How effective are hotel condos for investment properties?
"I agree with Joe Taxpayer that a lot of details are missing to really evaluate it as an investment... for context, I own a few investment properties including a 'small' 10+ unit apartment complex. My answer might be more than you really want/need, (it kind of turned into Real Estate Investing 101), but to be fair you...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: How is my employer affected if I have expensive claims on my group health insurance?
Your employers insurance premiums will definitely go up if there are a lot of claims when it is time for them to renew their policy. It is also possible that if this happens the employer will pass along some of the additional cost to employees. The insurance company will not try to have you removed, it doesn't work tha...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: How is my employer affected if I have expensive claims on my group health insurance?
Many big companies self insure. They pay the insurance company to manage the claims, and to have access to their network of doctors, hospitals, specialists, and pharmacies; but cover the costs on a shared basis with the employees. Medium sized companies use one of the standard group policies. Small companies either hav...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: How is my employer affected if I have expensive claims on my group health insurance?
"I don't think so. There is a provision in ObamaCare called ""community rating"" that applies starting in 2014. Insurance companies must place individual and small group plans into a pool of people from the same geographical region. The same plan must cost the same for all small businesses from the same region. So havi...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: How do I pay my estimated income tax?
Congratulations on starting your own business. Invest in a tax software package right away; I can't recommend a specific one but there is enough information out there to point you in the right direction: share with us which one you ended up using and why (maybe a separate question?) You do need to make your FICA taxes ...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Passing money through a different account to avoid cash pay-in fees
"Let me do the math. .6% * (not large) = really tiny. Since ""not large"" = ""small"" , etc. I suggest that even a small chance that you need to explain this to anyone in the future is a sign to avoid the risk. Yes, there are times that it's illegal. A real estate office may not deposit escrow funds into anything but ...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Passing money through a different account to avoid cash pay-in fees
buy a cashiers check with the cash (a CRT will be nec if over 10 K) and deposit the cashiers check
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Using a FOREX platform to actually change money
"FX trading platforms are not used for exchanging money, they are used for trading currencies. ""I know there are cheaper services like transferwise, charging about 0.5 %, but there is little/no control over the exchange rate, you just get the rate at the time of execution."" With FX trading you don't have control of t...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Using a FOREX platform to actually change money
If you wanted to spend money in another country, a specialist credit card would be the most cost-effective way. Near-spot exchange rate, zero-loading, no/low ATM fees. Likewise a pre-paid debit card would also allow for money transfer across borders. If this is the right situation, FOREX trading platforms are overkill ...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Pay off debt with RRSPs, or refinance and roll into Mortgage?
I would personally look at consolidating your debt at a lower interest rate by refinancing your mortgage. I would leave any retirement funds alone unless it was absolutely necessary to touch it with no other avenues available. However, once you have consolidated your debt into the mortgage I would pay more than the min...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: How to send money across borders physically and inexpensively, but not via cash?
Traveller's cheques. That's exactly what they were intended for. Their usage has dropped a lot since everyone can use ATMs in foreign countries, but they still exist.
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: How to send money across borders physically and inexpensively, but not via cash?
I assume the same criteria apply for this as your previous question. You want to physically transfer in excess of 50,000 USD multiple times a week and you want the transportation mechanism to be instant or very quick. I don't believe there is any option that won't raise serious red flags with the government entities yo...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: How to send money across borders physically and inexpensively, but not via cash?
There are checks, international wire transfers (SWIFT), depending on country pair remittance services.
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: How does a tax exemption for an action = penalty for inaction?
"What it means is that you can always come up with alternative framings where the difference between two options is stated as a gain or a loss, but the effect is the same in either case. For instance, if I offer to sell a T-shirt for $10 and offer a cash discount of $1, you pay $10 if buying with a credit card or $9 i...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: How does a tax exemption for an action = penalty for inaction?
"There's a significant difference between ""discount"" and ""surcharge"". For starters - legal difference. If you have a list price of $X - that's the price you're committed to sell regardless of the payment method. So it doesn't matter if I pay with cash or credit - I'll pay $X. However, it costs you more when I pay w...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: How to Store Funds Generated through FX Trading
"Earned income is what your software is doing, so it is taxable. So you can't really make it tax exempt. You can form a business and claim the revenues from that business as income and deduct expenses it costs you to earn that revenue. If you buy a server to run your software, then that is an acceptable expense to de...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: 2016, USA banks with low/no fee for incoming OVERSEAS USD wire transfers?
"Ally Bank $0 - from their website (emphasis mine): To receive a wire transfer from a non-U.S. bank: Incoming wire transfers from a non-US bank are processed by our designated receiving bank, JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. You'll need to provide the following information to the person or business sending the wire trans...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Opening offshore account from UK
"I think your best bet here would be HSBC. They will provide the required currencies, credit/debit cards, and very easy to use online banking transfers. This includes an online ""Global Account View"" which features all of your accounts on a single screen and allows you to ""drag and drop"" money between accounts. Re...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: How do I report this cash bonus/tip on income tax return?
How do I report this on our income tax return? You should include it on Line 7 of your Form 1040. Additionally, you should report the extra payment to your employer if it was greater that $20. You can use From 4070 to do this if your employer does not provide you with a form. And finally, you are right, you should Fo...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: How do I report this cash bonus/tip on income tax return?
"Daniel covered the correct way to file on the returns, I'm chiming in specifically to discuss the question of whether it could be a gift. The IRS will classify it as a tip even if the person giving it says it's a gift if a service was rendered before the gift was given. The only way that you could make a case to the I...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: How do I report this cash bonus/tip on income tax return?
"Employers are not supposed to give cash gifts to their employees, even if you try to call it a ""gift"" for tax purposes. Presumably, the reason your wife's employer gave her cash was to be nice and save her taxes on that amount. Her employer already paid tax on that money so that your wife doesn't have to. If she pla...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: 401(k) not fully vested at time of acquisition
Probably not. If you were at a small company and asked such a question, you'd get advice and links to erisa or other case law, etc. it's safe to say that a Fortune 500 company such as IBM is going to have their facts in order, and not going to run afoul of the rules in these cases (vesting rules and takeover of other ...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: 401(k) not fully vested at time of acquisition
Unfortunately, the money that is not vested is not yours. It belongs to your employer. They have promised to give it to you after you have been with the company for a certain length of time, but if you aren't still with the company after that time, no matter what the reason, the money never becomes yours. Sorry to he...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: GnuCash: Reimbursable expenses paid by credit card
"GNUCash won't show 'Credit Card' type accounts in ""Process Payment"", as of v.2.6.1. A workaround is to create another account of type A/Payable. Then, transfer the operations you want to pay via ""Process Payment"" to this new account. It should be visible now. A drawback is that you have split your current Credit ...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: How do I resolve Free Fillable Tax Form error F1040-524-01?
"Buried on the IRS web site is the ""Fillable Forms Error Search Tool"". Rather than including an explanation of errors in the rejection email itself, you're expected to copy and paste the error email into this form, which gives more details about what's wrong. (Don't blame me; I didn't design it.) If I copy your error...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Why doesn't Graham consider gold as an investment?
"During Graham's career, gold and currency were the same thing because of the gold standard. Graham did not advise investing in currencies, only in bonds and stocks, the latter only for intelligent speculation. Graham died a couple of years after Nixon closed the gold window, ending the gold standard. Gold may be thou...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Gift Tax and LLC with foreign partners
The LLC portion is completely irrelevant. Don't know why you want it. You can create a joint/partnership trading account without the additional complexity of having LLC. What liability are you trying to limit here? Her sisters will file tax returns in the us using the form 1040NR, and only reporting the dividends they ...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: How to calculate S corporation distribution from past K-1s?
Phil's answer is correct. Just to add to his response: Distributions are not taxable events -- you already paid your taxes, so you can take out $50k or $52k and the IRS is not concerned. You can simply write yourself a check for any amount you choose! To answer your specific question: to match your K1 losses and profit...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: How to calculate S corporation distribution from past K-1s?
"Disclaimer: I'm not a tax professional, or an expert on S-Corps. However, I do have my own S-Corp, and my decision process for taking a distribution has nothing (directly) to do with K-1 past or present, or profit and loss. If I have ""extra"" cash in my S-Corp, I take a distribution. Assuming I do my taxes correctl...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Pre-valuation of the company
The value of the company is ill-defined until it actually has some assets and/or product. You give the investors whatever equity stakes you and they negotiate as appropriate for their investment based on how convinced they are by your plan and how badly you need their money.
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: What suggested supplemental income opportunities exist for a 70 year old Canadian retiree?
My initial thoughts would be an ESL teacher or a private tutor for various subjects would likely be the easiest ones to consider. Possibly there are some people that could use the help in their education that would work well.
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Filling Balance sheet in ITR4 for freelancers
"ITR-4 is for incorporated business. For freelancing, You can fill ITR 2 and declare the freelancing income as ""income from other source"". Refer to the Income Tax website for more details"
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Lump Sum Investing vs. Dollar Cost Averaging (as a Long Term Investor)
I think you're not applying the right time scale here. ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Plan) is usually vesting every 6 months. So every half a year you receive a chunk of stocks based on your salary deduction, with the 15% discount. Every half a year you have a chunk of money from the sale of these stocks that you're go...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: How to save money for future expenses
First, talk to your husband about this. You really need to persuade him that you need to be saving, and get him to agree on how and how much. Second, if you husband is not good at saving, work on getting something set aside automatically - ideally deducted from a paycheck or transferred to a savings account automatical...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: How to save money for future expenses
how can I save money for the future The fact that you are worrying is good. This is the first step. Follow this up with a plan. One way is first get hold of your income [its fixed you know the salary]. Maintain expenses, then see which costs can be cut down. Create individual goals and start investing for these. The be...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: How to save money for future expenses
You can't force a horse to eat carrots. You have to make him hungry... It's good that you're ready to start saving. The hardest part about building wealth is that most people live in denial. They think a bigger hat is wealth. That said, you need to get your husband excited about the idea of saving. If you're capable o...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: How to save money for future expenses
"My answer will suck but it comes from someone who has been married: You can't control another person or convince them to do something. What you can do is identify what they value and show how saving money increases their opportunities in what they value, but understand that the person could see what you're saying as ...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Figuring out if I receive US income?
I believe the answer is no, since your income from royalties and app sales would fall under FDAP income. (another conformation of this would be the fact that Apple and Google requested a W8-BEN form from you and not a W8-ECI form) Generally, All income EXCEPT FDAP income (fixed or determinable annual or periodical inco...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Tax Implications - First 2-Family Rental Property
"You should really be talking to a tax adviser (EA/CPA licensed in your State) about taxes and to a lawyer about the liability protection. You won't find answers from neither of theses here. Besides the liability protection, how do these 2 options affect taxes? There's no liability protection difference between the two...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: SEP-IRA doing 1099 work on the side of a W2 employee job
"The limit on SEP IRA is 25%, not 20%. If you're self-employed (filing on Schedule C), then it's taken on net earning, which in your example would be 25% of $90,000. (https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/retirement-plans-for-self-employed-people) JoeTaxpayer is correct as regards the 401(k) limits. The elective defer...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: What taxes are involved for LLC in Georgia?
Your best course of action is to gather your paperwork, ask around your personal network for a recommendation for a good CPA, and pay that person to do your taxes (business and personal). Read through the completed package and have them walk you through every item you do not understand. I would continue doing this un...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Reason for “qualified” buyer requirements to exercise stock options/rights spun off from parent company?
"The fact that your shares are of a Canadian-listed corporation (as indicated in your comment reply) and that you are located in the United States (as indicated in your bio) is highly relevant to answering the question. The restriction for needing to be a ""qualified institutional buyer"" (QIB) arises from the parent c...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Reason for “qualified” buyer requirements to exercise stock options/rights spun off from parent company?
An option gives you the legal right to buy stock. However, you cannot exercise a stock option unless you have the ability to buy the stock. In the United States, securities not fully registered with the SEC for public sale cannot be purchased except by qualified investors.
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Reason for “qualified” buyer requirements to exercise stock options/rights spun off from parent company?
Accredited investors are required to have 1 million in assets (not including primary residence) or $200,000/yr income for the last 3 years. These kinds of regulations come from the SEC, not the company involved, which means the SEC thinks it's a risky investment. If I recall correctly, [someone I know] had to submit ev...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: What's the appropriate way to signify an S-Corp?
"S-Corp is a corporation. I.e.: you add a ""Inc."" or ""Corp."" to the name or something of that kind. ""S"" denotes a specific tax treatment which may change during the lifetime of the corporation. It doesn't refer to a legal status."
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: What's the appropriate way to signify an S-Corp?
"Subchapter S Corporations are a special type of corporation; the difference is how they are taxed, not how they relate to their vendors or customers. As a result, they are named the same way as any other corporation. The rules on names of corporations vary by state. ""Corporation"" and ""Incorporated"" (and their ab...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: CEO entitlement from share ownership?
"In its basic form, a corporation is a type of 'privileged democracy'. Instead of every citizen having a vote, votes are allocated on the basis of share ownership. In the most basic form, each share you own gives you 1 vote. In most public companies, very few shareholders vote [because their vote is statistically meani...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: CEO entitlement from share ownership?
You can apply for a position with any company you like, whether or not you are a shareholder. However, owning shares in a company, even lots of shares in a company, does not entitle you to having them even look at your resume for any job, let alone the CEO position. You generally cannot buy your way into a job. The hi...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: CEO entitlement from share ownership?
If I own shares of a company, am I entitled to apply as position of CEO? Sure, but anybody else can apply too. Who decides? The corporate board of directors, who are nominally chosen by a vote of the stockholders. I say nominally, because in practice they are nominated by the current CEO and it's very rare for stockh...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: How did Bill Gates actually make his money?
Bill was the founder of Microsoft, so he did indeed have a large number of shares as the company was growing exponentially. He has previously donated a large share of his fortune to the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, so his fortune would be even greater were it not for the philanthropy. He is still a large holder...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: How did Bill Gates actually make his money?
Bill gates is founder of microsoft along with his friend allen.in microsoft as its vast empire increasing the wealth and enormous property of bill gates is increasing
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Selling an app, sharing income, how does it work tax-wise?
There are a few different ways to organize this, but mostly I think you need to talk to a lawyer. The 50/50 split thing should be in writing along with a bunch of other issues. You could have one of you doing a sole proprietorship where the other person is a contractor that receives half of all revenues/profits. The ...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Calculating NPV for future cash inflows
When calculating the NPV, is there anything I need to do in between the project start date outlay (Nov 2017), and the first cash inflow (July 2019). Do I need to discount the cashflow to the present, and if so, how? Yes, you need to discount every cash flow to the present time, not just the first one. When discountin...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Foreign currency conversion for international visitors to ecommerce web site?
Central banks don't generally post exchange rates with other currencies, as they are not determined by central banks but by the currency markets. You need a source for live exchange rate data (for example www.xe.com), and you need to calculate the prices in other currencies dynamically as they are displayed -- they wil...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Foreign currency conversion for international visitors to ecommerce web site?
For manual conversion you can use many sites, starting from google (type 30 USD in yuan) to sites like xe.com mentioned here. For programmatic conversion, you could use Google Calculator API or many other currency exchange APIs that are available. Beware however that if you do it on the real site, the exchange rate is ...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Foreign currency conversion for international visitors to ecommerce web site?
You probably can get away with only updating the exchange rates once a day and specify that any prices quoted in units other than your home currency are estimates only. If you're planning to accept more than one currency as payment, I'd (a) see about whatever regulations there are for doing so, and (b) build in a nice ...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: As a sole proprietor can I charge a fee for being paid by check or card
"You can charge a fee to accept checks, although I think the better solution might be to offer a small discount for early payment of your invoices. As some people here have suggested, why not add a small bit to your fees to begin with to cover your inconvenience in the case they choose to pay by check? I often will ...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Equity or alternative compensation in an LLC?
I'm not sure 1099-MISC is what you should expect. Equity means ownership, and in LLC context it means membership. As an LLC member, you'll get distributions and should receive a K-1 form for tax treatment, not 1099 or W2. If the CEO is talking about 1099 it means he's going to hire you as a contractor which contradicts...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: How do you compare the sales of a company like Coca Cola against another company like JPMorgan Chase to figure out the best investment opportunity?
The question isn't sales but profits. Banks traditionally profit by making loans. Just as with a physical product, there are costs involved, income produced, and the difference between the two is gross profit. From there you can get net profit, and from there you can look at efficiency or profit per share or whatever o...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Are there tax liabilities (in the US) for having a US bank account while I am abroad?
I don't think so in your case. Unless the account generates so much interest income that it became reportable (I don't know the exact limit, but I think it's in the hundreds if not thousands of dollars, you might get a 1099 form if it generates over $10 of interest income, but you don't have to file taxes if your overa...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Why don't banks allow more control over credit/debit card charges?
quid has expressed some of the disadvantages with this approach, but there is another. Vendors will not want to give you any goods you buy with your credit card until they are sure they will get the money. With your suggested approach buying something with a credit card now looks like: No vendor is going to stand for t...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Why don't banks allow more control over credit/debit card charges?
Credit card fraud is an extremely (to stress, EXTREMELY) small proportion of total credit card transactions. The card issuing entities all offer zero fraud liability, even on debit cards. There are millions of transactions every day and fraud loss just isn't worth developing, and supporting, an additional authenticat...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Why don't banks allow more control over credit/debit card charges?
The other answers touch on why having two-factor auth or some other additional system is not worth it compared to simple reactive systems (cancelling lost cards, reversing fraudulent charges etc), but it should also be noted that this goal can be achieved with a method similar to what you describe. My bank (TD Canada ...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Why don't banks allow more control over credit/debit card charges?
"Actually in Finland on some bank + debit/credit card + online retailer combinations you type in your card details as you normally do, but after clicking ""Buy"" you get directed to your own bank's website which asks you to authenticate yourself with online banking credentials. It also displays the amount of money and ...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Why don't banks allow more control over credit/debit card charges?
Credit cards and debit cards make up the bulk of the transactions in the US. Visa and Mastercard take a percentage of each credit card transaction. For the most part, this fee it built into the price of what you buy. That is, you don't generally pay extra at the grocery store if you use a credit card (gasoline purch...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Why don't banks allow more control over credit/debit card charges?
This is a question with a flawed premise. Credit cards do have two-factor authentication on transactions they consider more at risk to be fraudulent. I've had several times when I bought something relatively expensive and unusual for me, where the CC either initially declined and sent me a text asking to confirm imme...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Why don't banks allow more control over credit/debit card charges?
"A few years ago I had a US bank credit card that was serviced (all support, website, transaction issues) handled by FIA Card Services (part of Bank of America). I could create one-use credit card numbers, or time-limited (for example, 3 months) numbers. I could also create (""permanent)) extra card numbers. All of t...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: How to receive packages pseudonymously?
"I've done this before for startup companies where I didn't want the mailing address to really obviously be my apartment or home address. Just for appearances. What you should be Googling are terms like ""private mailbox center."" If I recall correctly, I used to do this with Mail Boxes Etc before they were bought by U...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: How do “held” amounts appear on statements and affect balances of traditional credit cards?
"The ""hold"" is just placeholder that prevents you from overspending until the transaction is settled. The merchant isn't ""holding"" your money, your bank or card provider is protecting itself from you overdrawing. In general, it takes 1-3 days for a credit transaction to settle. With a credit card, this usually isn'...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Steps/Procedures to open an online stock trading account in the US
Since you are not starting with a lot of cash the commissions may eat into your account. So go with somebody that has no inactivity fee and low/free commission. I think there are number of sites and the ING sharebuilder.com comes to mind. Scottrade also one of the cheaper ones that i used.
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Do I need to file a 1099 form for contractors associated with hobby income?
You are expected to file 1099 for each person you pay $600 a year. I.e.: not a one time payment, but the total over the course of the year. Since we don't know how much and what else you paid - we cannot answer this question. The real question you're asking is that if you're treating the enterprise as a hobby, whether ...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: GnuCash, how do I book loan from credit card, being paid back with salary? [duplicate]
"When you pay the flight, hotel, conference attendance fees of $100: When you repay the credit card debt of $100: When you receive the gross salary of $5000: Your final balance sheet will show: Your final income statement will show: Under this method, your ""Salary"" account will show the salary net of business expense...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Can a custodian refuse prior-year IRA/HSA deposit postmarked April 15?
"The ""must be postmarked"" language might be just from the old bank itself, not from the IRS. The language I see in Publication 969 only says ""You can make contributions to your HSA for 2014 until April 15, 2015."" In this case, it is understandable that the credit union you have the new account with does not want t...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Can a custodian refuse prior-year IRA/HSA deposit postmarked April 15?
The slips from your bank for your HSA account are for an account already established and thus the bank is willing to accept your deposits even if they arrive at the bank after the April 15 deadline, as long as the postmark is April 15 or earlier. The account exists in the bank, they know who you are, and that the paym...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Can a custodian refuse prior-year IRA/HSA deposit postmarked April 15?
I had a situation like this also. A client deposited an IRA check to his local P.O. prior to collection p/up, thinking this meant it would be postmarked April 15. It may have been picked up, but wasn't postmarked until the next day, and my firm refused to consider it as timely. I do remember discussing it w/my Retireme...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Should withheld income tax be included as income?
Does it make sense to report withheld tax income as an additional income? Is it required by the IRS? Is $T deductible? This is what is called imputed income. The ticket is an income for you, but the company doesn't want you to pay tax on it. But you have to. But they want to be nice to you and give you the ticket on ...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Should withheld income tax be included as income?
This very topic was the subject of a question on workplace SE https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/8996/what-can-relocation-assistance-entail TL/DR; From tax publication 521 - Moving expenses table regarding how to report IF your Form W-2 shows... your entire reimbursement reported as wages in box 1 ...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: Being a 1099 for a company I part-own?
"The contract he wants me to sign states I'll receive my monthly stipend (if that is the right word) as a 1099 contractor. The right word is guaranteed payment, which is what ""salary"" is called when a partner is working for a partnership she's a partner in. Which is exactly the case in your situation. 1099 is not t...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: What are the advantages of paying off a mortgage quickly?
The main reason for paying your mortgage off quickly is to reduce risk should a crisis happen. If you don't have a house payment, you have much higher cash flow every month, and your day-to-day living expenses are much lower, so if an illness or job loss happens, you'll be in a much better position to handle it. You s...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: What are the advantages of paying off a mortgage quickly?
Considering that it's common for the monthly mortgage payment to be 25% of one's income, it's an obvious advantage for that monthly burden to be eliminated. The issue, as I see it, is that this is the last thing one should do in the list of priorities: The idea of 'no mortgage' is great. But. You might pay early and h...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: What are the advantages of paying off a mortgage quickly?
I used to think that paying off ahead of time made sense, but I no longer do, at least in most cases. The upside is that you can get a return on your money equal to the mortgage interest rate (it's less than that in the US, where mortgage interest is deductible, so it's roughly the mortgage interest rate * 1 - your ma...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: What are the advantages of paying off a mortgage quickly?
It depends on where you are in life, and where you want to be at some point in the future, and the taxes, expenses and income at those points in your life. You don't get a mortgage to save on taxes, or keep a mortgage to save on taxes. But if somebody said they want to have the house paid off before they retire, that s...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: What are the advantages of paying off a mortgage quickly?
The financial reasons, beyond simply owning your home outright, are: You're no longer paying interest. Yes, the interest is tax-deductible in the U.S. (though not in Canada), but the tax savings is a percentage of a percentage; if you paid, say, $8000 in interest last year, at the 25% marginal rate you effectively save...
Instruct: Given a financial question, retrieve user replies that best answer the question Query: What are the advantages of paying off a mortgage quickly?
From my experience and friends' experiences, I can say that there are advantages and disadvantages for paying off your mortgage quickly. Basically, it depends on these factors: the type of the mortgage, its interest rate, your financial stability, your skills in making investments and other outside factors, such as inf...