Search found 121 matches

by coolguy954
Sun Mar 06, 2022 9:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Closing on house in 1 week builder raises price by 10K
Replies: 111
Views: 14507

Re: Closing on house in 1 week builder raises price by 10K

Is it worth the fight?

10k over a 30 year loan is less than $30/month. Inflation will wipe that away.
by coolguy954
Sat Aug 04, 2018 4:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: USPS Informed Delivery
Replies: 42
Views: 4289

Re: USPS Informed Delivery

if you have a credit freeze with experian or equifax you will need to thaw it out for trying again.
by coolguy954
Fri Aug 03, 2018 6:59 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help with my Parents RMD and my potential future inheritance
Replies: 13
Views: 1256

Re: Help with my Parents RMD and my potential future inheritance

Yea my parents just want to make sure they will be ok if another 08 crash happens. They freaked out last time . My wife and myself each make over 100k/year so hopefully I don't believe my parents think all I see is my future inheritance lol. ... Their thought process is they may not tap into any of this extra money for a long time and would be able to live by with just their SS and pension. From that they have a more desire of leaving a tax free inheritance. IMO, helping them reconcile these two contradictory statements is the most value you can bring, which will help them much beyond any tax arbitrage advantage by moving money into different taxation-types of accounts. They need to be at a peace where they feel comfortable, otherwise they...
by coolguy954
Fri Aug 03, 2018 6:51 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help with my Parents RMD and my potential future inheritance
Replies: 13
Views: 1256

Re: Help with my Parents RMD and my potential future inheritance

trueblueky wrote: Fri Aug 03, 2018 5:11 pm What is OP's tax bracket?

It does not make sense to pay 22% to Roth convert if OP is in the 12% bracket.
I am in the 24%
by coolguy954
Fri Aug 03, 2018 4:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help with my Parents RMD and my potential future inheritance
Replies: 13
Views: 1256

Re: Help with my Parents RMD and my potential future inheritance

... They could convert at 24% for income between $101,400 and $177,000. ... That's probably a good idea. The pension and other income can offset medical expenses if they ever have large medical expenses. Other factors to consider include state income taxes and their beneficiaries' income tax brackets. Also, if it makes sense to cash in the annuities, and if that would result in taxable income, they would have to consider whether to do the Roth conversions first or whether to cash in the annuities first, assuming (as is likely) they don't want to go above the 24% bracket. We live in Florida so no state income tax. Yea they timed the annuities to be done when its time for them to get SS. If they cash out the annuities (post tax money) the ea...
by coolguy954
Fri Aug 03, 2018 4:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help with my Parents RMD and my potential future inheritance
Replies: 13
Views: 1256

Re: Help with my Parents RMD and my potential future inheritance

Are they asking for your help? Did they request you to make a plan to help them manage their investments? That's the first question to consider before asset allocation it tax planning. Sorry Yes they have asked me to help. They had their accounts in high expense funds and I switch them to index funds to make it simpler for them. The annuities they did before we talk about their retirement plan. Also been slowly having them consolidate their money in just one place (Vanguard) Ok cool. You're doing a good thing. I asked because the relationship issues can get weird when the parents are reluctant - can look like the kid is looking after "their" inheritance rather than parents' best interests. Their income from pension alone puts the...
by coolguy954
Fri Aug 03, 2018 3:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help with my Parents RMD and my potential future inheritance
Replies: 13
Views: 1256

Re: Help with my Parents RMD and my potential future inheritance

Tamarind wrote: Fri Aug 03, 2018 3:05 pm Are they asking for your help? Did they request you to make a plan to help them manage their investments? That's the first question to consider before asset allocation it tax planning.
Sorry

Yes they have asked me to help. They had their accounts in high expense funds and I switch them to index funds to make it simpler for them. The annuities they did before we talk about their retirement plan. Also been slowly having them consolidate their money in just one place (Vanguard)
by coolguy954
Fri Aug 03, 2018 2:44 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help with my Parents RMD and my potential future inheritance
Replies: 13
Views: 1256

Help with my Parents RMD and my potential future inheritance

Hey everyone, I have a quick question about my parent’s financial status. Trying to see if I should slowly do Roth conversions from their pre-tax accounts to their Roth IRA to avoid RMD. If so, what is the best approach for this? They are not going to take Social Security until their full age (65 ½) .They can survive just off of the annually income since they have no debt but just property tax and utilities. I would not need any of this money for the foreseen future FYI. (I would probably have my little brother gets most of this in the future) Parents combined: No debt. Mortgage paid off Both are 61 years of age (both birthday months after July) Vanguard: 370k pre tax IRA (pension rollover) -Vanguard 2020 40k in Roth IRA - Vanguard 2020 Ret...
by coolguy954
Wed Jan 03, 2018 9:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Goodbye Capital One 360!!
Replies: 56
Views: 13865

Re: Goodbye Capital One 360!!

sounds like it must be whatever device you were using at that time. I never had that problem that 8 years I have been with them
by coolguy954
Tue Oct 17, 2017 6:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Advanced protection for Google accounts (Gmail and Drive)
Replies: 8
Views: 1579

Re: Advanced protection for Google accounts (Gmail and Drive)

munemaker wrote: Tue Oct 17, 2017 5:56 pm It looks very nice, but the main key is no longer available on Amazon and they do not know if or when they are getting more. They are available on eBay for $300, but that's too high for me.

if you have and android this is an all in one device

https://www.yubico.com/products/yubikey ... bikey-neo/
by coolguy954
Mon Jul 10, 2017 10:24 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Potential Real Estate Investing after marriage
Replies: 10
Views: 1442

Re: Potential Real Estate Investing after marriage

Hi, My fiance and I are getting married next year. She currently has a house and I live in my apartment. I currently have enough money for a down payment for a home but I am debating on a few things to do with this money. I am 30 and she is 32. We both have stable jobs and would be able relocate more than a 30-45 drive where we currently live. Our current combine income is $250,000 Gross We would have no debt besides her house once we get married We would both be saving towards retirement at a 20% at marriage Scenario #1 - My Fiance and I move into a nice apartment, she rents her current home and I use my down payment money and buy another starter home to rent. We proceed to live in the apartment for 2-3 years and save up to but a down pay...
by coolguy954
Sun Jul 09, 2017 6:27 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Potential Real Estate Investing after marriage
Replies: 10
Views: 1442

Re: Potential Real Estate Investing after marriage

Goal33 wrote:I would...

Sell the house, buy the dream home now (assuming you can afford the payments), and use the rest of your money for a traditional boglehead 3-fund portfolio.
I wanted to diversity more. I know the 3-fund approach is near perfection. I am looking to have multiple sources of income besides just stocks. P2P lending still isn't stable enough for me to job into.
by coolguy954
Sun Jul 09, 2017 6:25 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Potential Real Estate Investing after marriage
Replies: 10
Views: 1442

Re: Potential Real Estate Investing after marriage

staythecourse wrote:I would say the correct answer is the one both of you agree on. The difference between making the right decision for yourself and the right one as a couple sometimes is different.

What does she say?

Good luck.
She is ok with scenario #1 or #2.. Haven't talk to her about #3 yet :twisted:
by coolguy954
Sun Jul 09, 2017 6:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Potential Real Estate Investing after marriage
Replies: 10
Views: 1442

Potential Real Estate Investing after marriage

Hi, My fiance and I are getting married next year. She currently has a house and I live in my apartment. I currently have enough money for a down payment for a home but I am debating on a few things to do with this money. I am 30 and she is 32. We both have stable jobs and would be able relocate more than a 30-45 drive where we currently live. Our current combine income is $250,000 Gross We would have no debt besides her house once we get married We would both be saving towards retirement at a 20% at marriage Scenario #1 - My Fiance and I move into a nice apartment, she rents her current home and I use my down payment money and buy another starter home to rent. We proceed to live in the apartment for 2-3 years and save up to but a down paym...
by coolguy954
Sun Jun 28, 2015 8:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lifelock: Worth the Money or a Sham?
Replies: 27
Views: 8957

Re: Lifelock: Worth the Money or a Sham?

1) sign up for credit Karma
2) Freeze credit with all 3 agencies

save 10/month
by coolguy954
Thu Jun 11, 2015 6:40 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New IRS rules: Roth 401(k) or not
Replies: 13
Views: 3337

Re: New IRS rules: Roth 401(k) or not

Spirit Rider wrote:
coolguy954 wrote:My company has an after tax option also, however is only for people who are not considered "highly compensated" :(

Make sure yours don't have the rule. It was in the fine print in mine.
Are you sure the option for HCEs is eliminated or just limited? The IRS only requires that after-tax contributions be tested to ensure that HCEs contribution percentage does not exceed the contribution percentage of NHCEs by more than an allowed margin.
its not the IRS limiting it, its my own company policy
by coolguy954
Wed Jun 10, 2015 7:00 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New IRS rules: Roth 401(k) or not
Replies: 13
Views: 3337

Re: New IRS rules: Roth 401(k) or not

My company has an after tax option also, however is only for people who are not considered "highly compensated" :(

Make sure yours don't have the rule. It was in the fine print in mine.
by coolguy954
Fri May 29, 2015 10:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Citi double cash card vs. Amex Blue Everyday
Replies: 34
Views: 37497

Re: Citi double cash card vs. Amex Blue Everyday

don't know...thus I got both :sharebeer :sharebeer
by coolguy954
Sun May 17, 2015 9:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Post tax investing or Pay off 2.95% Mortgage?
Replies: 39
Views: 7121

Re: Post tax investing or Pay off 2.95% Mortgage?

invest it.. 2.95% is not even worth it. I have a car loan at 1.62% I hate having that debt but paying it off quicker than schedule would be inefficient. I use the extra money for post tax purposes now
by coolguy954
Sun May 17, 2015 5:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much can I spend on a car?
Replies: 157
Views: 37188

Re: How much can I spend on a car?

uclalien wrote:
coolguy954 wrote:1/3 of your gross salary
I have always felt that measuring affordability of anything based on gross income is useless. What a person actually takes home is far more useful metric.

On that note, I'm surprised no one has mentioned that $62k appears to be the OP's gross income. What he actually takes home after FICA, taxes, retirement contributions, etc. is a considerably smaller number.
.
You got a point. But mostly everything is measure from gross pay to things easier :beer
by coolguy954
Sun May 17, 2015 5:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much can I spend on a car?
Replies: 157
Views: 37188

Re: How much can I spend on a car?

The Wizard wrote:
coolguy954 wrote:1/3 of your gross salary
OK, so that gives us a lump sum: with a $60k gross income, spend up to $20k on a car.
So put $10,000 down and finance the remaining $10,000 over 24 months, a payment a bit less than $500 a month...
never see a 24 month car loan. Lowest I seen is 36 months so its more like 280/month
by coolguy954
Fri May 15, 2015 10:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much can I spend on a car?
Replies: 157
Views: 37188

Re: How much can I spend on a car?

1/3 of your gross salary
by coolguy954
Thu Apr 30, 2015 8:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What do you tip a valet?
Replies: 54
Views: 22753

Re: What do you tip a valet?

$5 over here
by coolguy954
Sun Apr 26, 2015 8:46 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Why I Chose Target Retirement Funds
Replies: 54
Views: 12345

Re: Improving fund-of-funds.

I don't like the way Vanguard changed these several times since their inception. Target and Life Strategy funds are normally in tax-advantaged accounts. This means that shareholders can easily exchange to other funds if they disapprove of changes. I applaud Vanguard experts for changing their Target and Life Strategy Funds when they determine changes will be an improvement. Best wishes. Taylor I agree with Taylor. Vanguard changes the TR and LS funds a lot less often than the average person changes their portfolio. Being able to just pick one fund and simply not worry about it is valuable. Could you pick up small advantages in efficiency differently? Perhaps. Perhaps not. Might you save 0.1% in expenses? Maybe. But these are really minor i...
by coolguy954
Wed Mar 25, 2015 8:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I accept this Job Offer ?
Replies: 24
Views: 4503

Re: Should I accept this Job Offer ?

All depends if your vested enough to get the pension....

But again who knows if your company is still going to offer it when you retire
by coolguy954
Fri Mar 13, 2015 10:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Oneplus One phone- experience?
Replies: 20
Views: 3366

Re: Oneplus One phone- experience?

I have and love the phone. Get it!! Best battery ever. I can leave the house at 50% in the morning and not worry about a thing.
by coolguy954
Fri Feb 27, 2015 8:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone use LastPass credit monitoring?
Replies: 10
Views: 2614

Re: Anyone use LastPass credit monitoring?

$30 total to freeze my credit with all the bureaus

$30 > $120
by coolguy954
Mon Jan 19, 2015 3:46 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Annual Review: Your Esteemed Advice Needed
Replies: 11
Views: 2075

Re: Annual Review: Your Esteemed Advice Needed

Her Roth IRA at Vanguard
10% Vanguard Target Retirement 2040 Fund (VFORX) (0.18%)
5% Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares (VTSMX) (0.17%)

why not moved it all the the retirement fund?
by coolguy954
Wed Jan 14, 2015 6:55 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Finally joined the two comma club
Replies: 42
Views: 8524

Re: Finally joined the two comma club

congrats
by coolguy954
Wed Oct 15, 2014 7:10 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: ETF vs. Mutual Funds
Replies: 17
Views: 2196

Re: ETF vs. Mutual Funds

I use mutual funds because I can automatic invest and buy partial shares if needed. I just set to invest X amount every paycheck and don't look at it again. ETF you have to buy the whole thing or none at all
by coolguy954
Sat Sep 06, 2014 8:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Vanguard is finally getting Two Factor Auth (2FA)
Replies: 28
Views: 7943

Re: Vanguard is finally getting Two Factor Auth (2FA)

crg11 wrote:
coolguy954 wrote:
crg11 wrote:Nice! SMS is a common method for 2FA. Someone would have to go through a ton of trouble to either intercept the SMS or steal your phone to break in. Combined with the voice verification that Vanguards offers and I'll feel much better about my finances and their safety.
vanguard has voice verification?
https://personal.vanguard.com/us/XHTML/ ... Page.xhtml
that was quick and painless :sharebeer
by coolguy954
Fri Sep 05, 2014 10:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Vanguard is finally getting Two Factor Auth (2FA)
Replies: 28
Views: 7943

Re: Vanguard is finally getting Two Factor Auth (2FA)

crg11 wrote:Nice! SMS is a common method for 2FA. Someone would have to go through a ton of trouble to either intercept the SMS or steal your phone to break in. Combined with the voice verification that Vanguards offers and I'll feel much better about my finances and their safety.
vanguard has voice verification?
by coolguy954
Mon Sep 01, 2014 5:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Vanguard is finally getting Two Factor Auth (2FA)
Replies: 28
Views: 7943

Re: Vanguard is finally getting Two Factor Auth (2FA)

walletless wrote:Hope it wont break mint.com integration..
Speaking of which... mint really needs 2fa!
I switched to personal capital for that reason. Too much info not to have 2FA available

https://www.personalcapital.com/
by coolguy954
Fri May 30, 2014 9:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Rollover my Publix ESOP
Replies: 11
Views: 5460

Re: Rollover my Publix ESOP

Alan S. wrote:With an NUA cost basis of 80%, NUA makes no sense unless you are desperate for cash and have no other options to turn to. LT cap gain rates and no penalty would only apply to 20%, and ordinary tax plus penalty would apply to 80%. If not desperate, I would roll over the proceeds to an IRA.
Yes but could I then roll that over to my new 401k?
by coolguy954
Fri May 30, 2014 3:53 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Rollover my Publix ESOP
Replies: 11
Views: 5460

Re: Rollover my Publix ESOP

Publix is a very well run company. I think the answer depends on how much of your portfolio 27k represents. If it is a relatively small percentage of your portfolio then I would just hold on to it as the company will continue to open new stores and in turn increase revenue, profits, stock value and dividends. :confused This would account about 25-30% of my portfolio Could you clarify what you meant by your "basis" being close to the FMV? ESOP contributions are typically pre tax contributions provided by the employer. If so, you have no basis. However, there is another variety of "basis" when it comes to NUA (net unrealized appreciation). With NUA your basis is the value of the shares when purchased by the employer for y...
by coolguy954
Thu May 29, 2014 6:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Rollover my Publix ESOP
Replies: 11
Views: 5460

Re: Rollover my Publix ESOP

:confused
by coolguy954
Wed May 28, 2014 10:02 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Rollover my Publix ESOP
Replies: 11
Views: 5460

Re: Rollover my Publix ESOP

Laura wrote:To some extent the answer depends on the amount of money involved. If you are talking about $1k I would just move to the IRA then convert to a roth immediately. If you are talking about $10k, $100k, or more then you want to find a way to keep it sheltered assuming you are in a high tax bracket. Moving it into the new 401k may make sense. Can you share a bit more information?

Laura
the total amount would be $27,000.
by coolguy954
Wed May 28, 2014 7:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Rollover my Publix ESOP
Replies: 11
Views: 5460

Rollover my Publix ESOP

I have shares of my old company stock through their ESOP program. The company stocks are privately held. Once employment terminated, it forces me to either cash it out, keep it, or roll it over to a traditional IRA. When moving the stock, the company keep their stock. I would have to cash it out to them (no penalties involve) and be able to move the cash value out. side note - my Cost Basis and total amount are really close cash out - 40% gone keep it - Can only collect dividends from it ($300-400 every 6 months) Traditional IRA - I could but i wont' be able to do my backdoor roth ira anymore without getting taxed :( ( I am usually barely under the requirements to directly put money in my roth yearly, one good bonus and I am phased out) Wha...
by coolguy954
Tue Apr 15, 2014 10:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The Mega Backdoor Roth IRA
Replies: 549
Views: 244701

Re: The Mega Backdoor Roth IRA

poundwise wrote:
coolguy954 wrote:Just read my guidelines for my job 401k plan. Since I am a "highly compensated employee" I can't contribute to the after tax portion of my 401k. I am going to call HR tomorrow about this, doesn't make sense. :annoyed
This limitation is likely due to federally imposed "non-discrimination testing" which is a provision to ensure companies extend retirement benefits equitably (sort of) to all employees. See the HCE section here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/401(k).

One more obstacle to the Holy Grail that is the Mega Backdoor Roth...
so close but so far :-(
by coolguy954
Tue Apr 15, 2014 7:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The Mega Backdoor Roth IRA
Replies: 549
Views: 244701

Re: The Mega Backdoor Roth IRA

:oops: :oops:

Just read my guidelines for my job 401k plan. Since I am a "highly compensated employee" I can't contribute to the after tax portion of my 401k. I am going to call HR tomorrow about this, doesn't make sense. :annoyed
by coolguy954
Tue Apr 15, 2014 7:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The Mega Backdoor Roth IRA
Replies: 549
Views: 244701

Re: The Mega Backdoor Roth IRA

poundwise wrote:MyMegaCorp doesn't allow after-tax non Roth contributions, but apparently many MegaCorps do (see: http://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtop ... 1&t=104829).

I had previously thought that since no solo 401k provider is known to permit after-tax, non-Roth contributions (see: http://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtop ... 1&t=112290), it would be impossible to do a Mega Backdoor Roth IRA with self-employment income. But Variation #2 is an obvious way to do this.

So I believe the answers to your questions are: 1) Not if you work for the right company 2) Yes 3) Yes 4) Depends on your company's plan

PS -- I love the moniker "Mega Backdoor IRA." Hope it sticks.
:sharebeer :sharebeer
by coolguy954
Mon Apr 14, 2014 9:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The Mega Backdoor Roth IRA
Replies: 549
Views: 244701

The Mega Backdoor Roth IRA

Hi everyone White coat investor posted a recent article earlier today about The Mega Backdoor Roth IRA http://whitecoatinvestor.com/the-mega-backdoor-roth-ira/ His first variation caught my eye :greedy Variation # 1 – The employee with a unique 401K Some 401Ks not only permit $17.5K of either tax-deferred or Roth contributions, but ALSO permit you to contribute your own, after-tax money into the plan up to the $52K limit. A good example of this is the TSP for deployed military doctors. It isn’t a particularly good deal to just contribute after-tax money, UNLESS you can then get that money out and convert it to a Roth. Voila- A Mega Backdoor Roth IRA. Instead of only being able to contribute $5.5K per year, all of a sudden you can contribute...
by coolguy954
Sat Apr 12, 2014 10:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: KeePass vs LastPass
Replies: 105
Views: 20294

Re: KeePass vs LastPass

I love lastpass. I think the convenience of the browser plug in outweighs my fear of the cloud storage. I now never reuse passwords and don't even have to think about it. I use 2-factor authentication with it was well . On top of that they have been keeping me up to date on what passwords I should reset due to heardbleed. The cost is very reasonable for mobile use as well. Do you (and any others using LastPass) mind sharing your preference for method of authentication? I wish they just had a simple SMS option...which seems as though it may be on their "to do" list. I use the Google Authenticator option - a small app on my iPhone that generates a code every IDK 15-20 seconds maybe, that one enters at the LP authentication code pro...
by coolguy954
Wed Apr 09, 2014 9:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax deductions from charities
Replies: 31
Views: 11199

Re: Tax deductions from charities

22twain wrote:Right, if you can claim no other itemized deductions, then you get a tax benefit from making the gift only if it exceeds the standard deduction.

Look around for other things that you haven't bothered trying to deduct yet. For example, how much are you going to pay in state income tax this year? That's usually a big one. In fact, for my wife and me, charitable contributions plus state income tax have until now been greater than the standard deduction, even after losing the deduction for mortgage interest when we paid off our mortgage.

Yea I am going to dig and see what I can deduct. No, I live in florida with no state tax.
by coolguy954
Wed Apr 09, 2014 9:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax deductions from charities
Replies: 31
Views: 11199

Re: Tax deductions from charities

Mike Scott wrote:My gifts to charity are given without regard to tax benefit. I count them as deductions when I can but that is not WHY I give them.
Thats great to hear.

I am just asking a simple tax question in regards to charity that is all. The money is going to be donated regardless, just seeing how it would effect by taxes. Thank you for your concerns
by coolguy954
Wed Apr 09, 2014 3:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax deductions from charities
Replies: 31
Views: 11199

Re: Tax deductions from charities

I think what was meant was that you can deduct the whole amount, but that only part of it will actually reduce your taxes beyond that of the standard deduction. For example, say your itemized deductions pre-gift are $4200, the gift is $4000, and you are in the 15% tax bracket, then your taxes will go down by 0.15 * $2000 = $300 over taking the standard deduction (not the $600 when your pre-gift deductions > $6200). To put it another way, if you didn't make the gift, you would simply take the standard deduction of $6200. With the gift, you would take an itemized deduction of $4200 (your other itemized deductions) + $4000 (the gift in question) = $8200. Your taxable income is reduced by $2000 over what it would have been without the gift, wh...