Search found 237 matches

by Pranav
Tue Mar 05, 2019 11:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best place to buy Microsoft Office 2019....
Replies: 102
Views: 13440

Re: Best place to buy Microsoft Office 2019....

Sinsji wrote: Tue Mar 05, 2019 8:56 am Microsoft offers a free 'light' version of several office products on the cloud.
Link?
by Pranav
Sun Feb 10, 2019 6:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Passport Photos ?
Replies: 85
Views: 5981

Re: Passport Photos ?

livesoft wrote: Sun Feb 10, 2019 4:00 pm I make my own and print them out on my color printer. I realize that many people are way too worried to do this themselves, but it really is not hard if you are already used to printing photos yourself.
On a Regular Paper or Glossy Paper?
by Pranav
Mon Jan 28, 2019 10:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Double Recharacterization: TIRA -> Roth -> TIRA
Replies: 2
Views: 234

Double Recharacterization: TIRA -> Roth -> TIRA

Hi,

In January 2018, my relative made a lump-sum contribution of $5,500 into his Vanguard Traditional IRA. In September 2018, he recharacterized it into his Vanguard Roth IRA. On Jan 13, 2019, he received Form 1099-R for that first recharacterization that has the following details:

2018 Form 1099-R:
Gross distribution (Box 1): 5,541
Distribution code (Box 7): N - Recharacterized IRA contribution made for 2018 and recharacterized in 2018.
IRA/SEP/SIMPLE: X
All other boxes: 0 or blank

In February 2019, he is considering recharacterizating that 2018 Contribution from Roth IRA back into Traditional IRA.

Assuming the second recharacterization is possible, how does he report it the whole process on the 2018 tax return?

Thanks,
Pranav
by Pranav
Tue Jan 22, 2019 3:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you carry gas cans, mowers, string trimmers, etc in your car or SUV?
Replies: 48
Views: 6764

Re: Do you carry gas cans, mowers, string trimmers, etc in your car or SUV?

To avoid refilling/carrying gas cans periodically in our car, we switched to using a Push Reel Lawn Mower after trying out a Gas Lawn Mower for a week.
by Pranav
Mon Dec 31, 2018 12:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax Return, MFJ + Adult Dependent, Foreign Pension, ACA
Replies: 9
Views: 782

Re: Tax Return, MFJ + Adult Dependent, Foreign Pension, ACA

Have you run their numbers through the IRS test? https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/whom-may-i-claim-as-a-dependent No, but now they can. Thanks. Pranav - I would be curious to know what type of document Person C receives at year end reflecting the income she receives and what is her age? She may not even have a filing requirement based on info provided at this time. Also sounds like the mother is a qualified "other dependent" right now for A and B. They would have to check what type of document there is, if any. Person C is 82 years old. In addition to the "$4000 is very close to $4150" issue, there is the "$4000 is very close to 50% of ($20000 + $4000)/3" issue. In other words, do A+B provide more than 50% of C's ...
by Pranav
Sat Dec 29, 2018 2:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax Return, MFJ + Adult Dependent, Foreign Pension, ACA
Replies: 9
Views: 782

Tax Return, MFJ + Adult Dependent, Foreign Pension, ACA

Hi, I am asking questions on behalf of others for Tax Year 2018. Person A and Person B are married and file jointly. They have annual income of around $20,000 through IRA Distributions and W-2. (Edit: They now have income through Roth Conversion for a total of around $24,000). Person C (Edit: Age 82) is Person B's mother and live with them. Person C has small annual pension income of around $4,000 from a foreign treasury/bank (India). All three of them are US Citizen and all three have health insurance through HealthCare.gov The couple claim Person C as dependent on HealthCare.gov and tax return, unless that is not appropriate. (Edit: The state of residence is Texas, which is not a Medicaid Expansion state.) Question 1) Do all three of them...
by Pranav
Wed Nov 14, 2018 8:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: PPO or HSA
Replies: 21
Views: 2417

Re: PPO or HSA

What are the monthly or annual premiums?
by Pranav
Tue Aug 21, 2018 3:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cap One Savor $500 bonus if you got $500 with Venture?
Replies: 3
Views: 750

Re: Cap One Savor $500 bonus if you got $500 with Venture?

fortfun wrote: Tue Aug 21, 2018 3:41 pm I can't determine if you can get the Cap One $500 Savor bonus if you already have the Venture card and $500 bonus. Has anyone got bonuses on both cards? Doc of Credit doesn't clarify. Thanks!
I do not have either of those cards, but I would think one can get both bonuses. You may also contact them to verify and follow-up here so would know, too.
by Pranav
Mon Aug 13, 2018 2:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Uninsured Motorist coverage
Replies: 30
Views: 3784

Re: Uninsured Motorist coverage

dm200 wrote: Mon Aug 13, 2018 2:34 pm Any ideas or statistics on how many Uninsured drivers are out there? I suspect it varies a lot by locality.
https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/fact ... -motorists
by Pranav
Mon Jun 25, 2018 8:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: anyone working overseas? pros-cons?
Replies: 22
Views: 3393

Re: anyone working overseas? pros-cons?

sd323232 wrote: Mon Jun 25, 2018 5:37 pm Is it worth it to be away from your family for the financial benefit?
No
by Pranav
Fri Jun 22, 2018 2:01 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Taylor's New Book: The Bogleheads' Guide to The Three-Fund Portfolio
Replies: 238
Views: 54497

Re: Taylor's New Book: The Bogleheads' Guide to The Three-Fund Portfolio

TravelGeek wrote: Fri Jun 22, 2018 1:02 pm I have submitted it as a suggestion to my local library and will order a hardcopy from local neighborhood bookstore :beer
I also suggested to our local library and they now have 7 copies "On Order". :happy
by Pranav
Wed Jun 20, 2018 3:32 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Selling Amazon?
Replies: 17
Views: 1899

Re: Selling Amazon?

Invest stock allocation in the total market.
by Pranav
Wed Jun 13, 2018 3:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone regret paying off mortgage early?
Replies: 2483
Views: 291443

Re: Anyone regret paying off mortgage early?

I regret that we initially payed extra towards mortgage while only contributing company match to 401(k).

After reading Bogleheads and other resources, I realized we should prioritize contributions to tax-advantaged accounts (401k, IRA, HSA) and then target the mortgage.
by Pranav
Mon May 21, 2018 1:11 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Announces Plans To Launch Total World Bond ETF
Replies: 30
Views: 6038

Re: Vanguard Announces Plans To Launch Total World Bond ETF

What is the ratio of Domestic vs International in the Total Bond?
by Pranav
Mon May 14, 2018 11:22 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2066459

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

Raazi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raazi
I recommend it.
Currently showing in some theaters.
by Pranav
Sun May 13, 2018 12:51 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Inherited Roth IRA question
Replies: 4
Views: 780

Re: Inherited Roth IRA question

Yes, your withdrawal would be tax-free. However, I would only take RMDs, so I can extend the life of Roth IRA. Then, I would invest the Roth IRA in Total Stock Market Index Fund or Total International Stock Market Index Fund according to my asset allocation.
by Pranav
Thu Apr 19, 2018 6:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best way to move money to the US for investing
Replies: 11
Views: 1606

Re: Best way to move money to the US for investing

Hi guys, I have been researching on this but cannot find a solid answer. I wonder if anyone has any experience moving a lump some of money from outside of the US to a US bank or a brokerage company like Vanguard.I will be selling a piece of property outside of the US (and will therefore be taxed abroad) and I am planning to invest the earnings. I am talking about $200-300k. What's the best way to do this? Wire from bank to bank then move to Vanguard or can Vanguard accept the money from a foreign bank? Thank you in advance Fidelity definitely accepts international wires, and doesn't even charge for it. Vanguard may or may not. In any case, you can call and get wire instructions. Typically the wire goes via a correspondent bank, so the wire...
by Pranav
Wed Apr 18, 2018 10:08 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Cost basis and Vanguard - Question
Replies: 2
Views: 573

Re: Cost basis and Vanguard - Question

invstar wrote: Wed Apr 18, 2018 10:06 am I had recently TLH'ed by selling my taxable assets (entire lot) and the cost basis method used was "Average cost" which was the default option. Since I had sold entire lot at once, there was no issue. But do you think it would be a better idea to change the cost basis method to "SpecID"? If yes, do you think it's better to change now as I as don't know when I will need to sell them and if I will not be able to change in the last moment? Thanks.
Yes and Yes. :happy
by Pranav
Wed Apr 04, 2018 12:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth IRA and Taxable at VG
Replies: 12
Views: 1113

Re: Roth IRA and Taxable at VG

Does Vanguard offer a way to transfer directly from Taxable to IRA in one step on the same day?
by Pranav
Fri Mar 30, 2018 11:19 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Anybody else Age - 10 in bonds, rest in stocks
Replies: 127
Views: 17160

Re: Anybody else Age - 10 in bonds, rest in stocks

llama wrote: Sun Jan 08, 2017 1:40 am
TinkerPDX wrote:I have enjoyed my spreadsheet's real-time adjustment by pegging the bond % to a formula with the "=TODAY()" function and the average of our birthdays, so our allocation changes 1/365th of a percent each day.
We used to do exactly this as well until our average age hit 40. Now we're staying at 60/40 for the foreseeable future.
What’s the formula with =TODAY() that increments 1/365th of a percent each day?
by Pranav
Sat Mar 24, 2018 9:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Question on Ally Savings Account vs Capital One 360 MMA?
Replies: 8
Views: 2489

Re: Question on Ally Savings Account vs Capital One 360 MMA?

Note: 360 MMA requires $10,000 balance to earn the higher interest rate (1.5%).
by Pranav
Fri Mar 23, 2018 11:16 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Pls Help me understand 2018 SALT deductions.
Replies: 17
Views: 2571

Re: Pls Help me understand 2018 SALT deductions.

sharukh wrote: Fri Mar 23, 2018 10:44 pm
The Wizard wrote: Fri Mar 23, 2018 10:19 pm You cannot take both the standard deduction AND the SALT + mortgage interest itemized deductions.
It's one or the other...
So it is either:
Standard : 24000
OR
SALT + mortgage interest: 10,000(Maximum allowed) + 12,000 = 22,000

Is that right?
So usually one picks the maximum of the either: So I still get to pick standard Deduction in the above situation, right?

Thanks.
Correct
by Pranav
Tue Mar 20, 2018 2:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Sold house, trying to decide what to do with equity
Replies: 11
Views: 1384

Re: Sold house, trying to decide what to do with equity

I would prioritize in the following order:

1) Emergency / Large Expense Fund
2) Tax-Advantaged Account Contributions (401k, IRA, HSA, etc.)
3) Mortgage

https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Priorit ... nvestments
by Pranav
Wed Mar 14, 2018 3:27 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Taylor's New Book: The Bogleheads' Guide to The Three-Fund Portfolio
Replies: 238
Views: 54497

Re: Taylor's New Book: The Bogleheads' Guide to The Three-Fund Portfolio

After suggesting this book to our local library, they replied within a day with the following:

"This title is scheduled to be released in late June; it has been placed on a pre-publication list to order at that time."

:happy
by Pranav
Mon Mar 12, 2018 12:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Reinvesting dividends in taxable along w/ new contributions
Replies: 9
Views: 1145

Re: Reinvesting dividends in taxable along w/ new contributions

Our quarterly dividends from taxable account are deposited to our bank account.

Our monthly contributions to taxable accounts are withdrawn from our bank account.
by Pranav
Sat Mar 10, 2018 7:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Filed 2017 taxes electonically for FREE
Replies: 46
Views: 7737

Re: Filed 2017 taxes electonically for FREE

hulburt1 wrote: Sat Mar 10, 2018 5:01 pm I used Karma free to file. Printed it out and sent state in then Fed. State cashed the check. Fed I'm weighting. I had a very simple tax form. Did make 120000 but no right offs. Even did a Roth conversion. All forms looked good. If you don't heir from me My cell No. in Or. 2314 visiting days Sunday.
How are Karma’s import feature with Vanguard, Emoloyer W-2, etc.?
by Pranav
Fri Mar 09, 2018 10:14 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Filed 2017 taxes electonically for FREE
Replies: 46
Views: 7737

Re: Filed 2017 taxes electonically for FREE

core4portfolio wrote: Fri Mar 09, 2018 8:28 am FREETAXUSA10 is coupon code which will give 10% off.
Also ebates cashback site will give 25% cashback for Freetaxusa if anyone else plan to use this
Iam also going to use the freetaxusa.
Can FreeTaxUSA import information from Vanguard or Employer W-2, etc.?
by Pranav
Thu Mar 08, 2018 5:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Filed 2017 taxes electonically for FREE
Replies: 46
Views: 7737

Re: Filed 2017 taxes electonically for FREE

dratkinson wrote: Thu Mar 08, 2018 4:54 pm
Sheepdog wrote: Thu Mar 08, 2018 12:34 pm ... I have used free tax software and filed electronically for federal and state for over 10 years for me and for friends. The last couple of years I have used OLT (On Line Tax)...
+1 for OLT. This is my 4th year using it. With my being familiar with it and it moving my data over from last year, it took ~2hrs to do my draft fed and state returns. Will finish in a few days after reviewing returns with fresh eyes.

Received an OLT receipt by email saying I owe $0 this year, again. :)

If I'd been required to pay, the cost would have been $7.95 each for fed and state. Which is cheaper than the more popular tax s/w packages.
How are its import features?
by Pranav
Mon Mar 05, 2018 10:50 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: can you set vanguard to automatically invest to your assest allocation?
Replies: 6
Views: 842

Re: can you set vanguard to automatically invest to your assest allocation?

hi all, I investment my taxable account in 50/50 Total Stock market and Intermediate Term Tax Exempt. last year, all of my bi-monthly investments were easy - I put them in the bond fund to catch up to the stock fund. This year there has been more ups and downs - can you configure your vanguard account to invest based on the current asset allocation. Basically, if I invest 1000 every to weeks, can you set vanguard to detect if that 1000 should be bonds or stocks? or do I have to simply go in there each investment period? I am not aware that we can set Vanguard to detect and change contributions accordingly. But, in your scenario, I would ignore the monthly fluctuations, keep contributing at my desired asset allocation proportion throughout ...
by Pranav
Fri Mar 02, 2018 11:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA Withdraw Strategy
Replies: 9
Views: 1191

Re: HSA Withdraw Strategy

I prefer to use the HSA for current medical expenses.
by Pranav
Thu Feb 22, 2018 3:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Joint Taxable Account
Replies: 17
Views: 2070

Re: Joint Taxable Account

Does Vanguard allow people to name beneficiaries for join taxable accounts (JTWROS)? During my brief search on their website, I couldn’t find an option to name beneficiaries for our joint taxable account at Vanguard.
by Pranav
Sun Feb 18, 2018 12:25 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: HSA's - invest or use for current expenses?
Replies: 10
Views: 1152

Re: HSA's - invest or use for current expenses?

We prefer to use the HSA for current medical expenses.
by Pranav
Fri Feb 16, 2018 4:41 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Moving from Speculation to Investment
Replies: 2
Views: 444

Re: Moving from Speculation to Investment

Padawan,

Are those individual stocks in taxable account or tax-advantaged accounts like 401(k), IRA, etc.?
by Pranav
Thu Feb 15, 2018 4:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Windfall & Investment Planning
Replies: 3
Views: 797

Re: Windfall & Investment Planning

Sorry for your unfortunate circumstances.

It is possible to avoid the costs for financial advisors as Bogleheads can answer any others questions you may have.

Three-Fund Portfolio is sufficient, so alternatives like gold and crypto-currencies are not necessary.

For asset location suggestions, see https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Tax-eff ... _placement
by Pranav
Thu Feb 15, 2018 3:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: First time Home Buyer in HCOL area - funds check
Replies: 28
Views: 4711

Re: First time Home Buyer in HCOL area - funds check

Great job maximizing 401k, IRAs,
debt-free, and building a decent down payment.

A good rule of thumb to use would be 20% down payment.

Other expenses to keep in mind would be homeowner’s insurance.
by Pranav
Thu Feb 15, 2018 3:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Question re: mulitple user account setup when moving taxable/tax-deferred to VG, etc.
Replies: 2
Views: 504

Re: Question re: mulitple user account setup when moving taxable/tax-deferred to VG, etc.

stw wrote: Thu Feb 15, 2018 2:33 pm For the funds in taxable accounts, Do you make a third account that is joint?
Correct. And, In that scenario, the joint owners will be able to view and transact with the joint taxable account using their own logins. So, each individual will see their own IRAs and the joint taxable account.
by Pranav
Wed Feb 14, 2018 1:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to choose best cost basis for funds
Replies: 5
Views: 879

Re: How to choose best cost basis for funds

For Cost Basis method in Taxable accounts, we use Specific Identification (SpecID).

https://investor.vanguard.com/taxes/cos ... tification
by Pranav
Thu Jan 18, 2018 9:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Short Commute or Nicer House?
Replies: 142
Views: 13930

Re: Short Commute or Nicer House?

Short Commute (Option 1)
by Pranav
Fri Jan 05, 2018 7:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: TurboTax Prices
Replies: 302
Views: 48959

Re: TurboTax Prices

I would like to ask if my relative should get Fed only version or Fed + State version for following situation: My relative is single and lives in Texas and worked at an office in Texas for a six months contract job (engineering) for QLogic, a subsidiary of Cavium. Both the subsidiary and the parent company have headquarters in California. I would imagine it is all just considered Texas income and it doesn't matter that the subsidiary and parent company are in California. When I worked for companies in the past that HQ'd in CA, I still had all my wages paid based on living and working in FL. Does their W2 or 1099 (or itemized pay in lieu of those) indicating any state tax withheld? If so, what state? Thanks for reply. I can comment on W2 or...
by Pranav
Thu Jan 04, 2018 8:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: PSA: H&R Block Deal of the Day on Amazon (1/4)
Replies: 15
Views: 2459

Re: PSA: H&R Block Deal of the Day on Amazon (1/4)

masteraleph wrote: Thu Jan 04, 2018 7:47 pm
runner3081 wrote: Thu Jan 04, 2018 9:18 am FYI - though the state return is included, there is a charge to e-file through H&R block on the state return.
Except for NY, which is free.

(NY bans paid preparers from charging extra for e-filing).
How about California?
by Pranav
Wed Jan 03, 2018 5:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Taxes [Do it yourself or use tax software?]
Replies: 39
Views: 4262

Re: Taxes

I use TurboTax. I'm annoyed with it for several reasons: 1) Price for version with advanced features 2) State filing fees 3) I sometimes have to manipulate the forms to avoid attempting to take education credits (which I'm not eligible for) so part of my 529/Coverdell distributions don't become unqualified. I tried TaxAct a few years ago but had an issue (which may have been "pilot error"). So I stick with TurboTax despite the issues. I make sure to buy a full download version so I can do taxes for my family members. Regarding point 2, I just print a hard copy of my state return and stick it in the mail. No reason to pay the e-filing fee. Delamer, Do you that through TurboTax Federal Only CD/Download? Would that method be appropr...
by Pranav
Sat Dec 30, 2017 10:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cricket "unlimited 2" plan: 4 lines for $100
Replies: 6
Views: 1417

Re: Cricket "unlimited 2" plan: 4 lines for $100

How about the fifth line?
by Pranav
Thu Dec 28, 2017 10:52 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: TurboTax Prices
Replies: 302
Views: 48959

Re: TurboTax Prices

I would like to ask if my relative should get Fed only version or Fed + State version for following situation:

My relative is single and lives in Texas and worked at an office in Texas for a six months contract job (engineering) for QLogic, a subsidiary of Cavium. Both the subsidiary and the parent company have headquarters in California.
by Pranav
Sat Dec 23, 2017 8:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much have you donated to John C Bogle Center for Financial Literacy?
Replies: 17
Views: 2493

Re: How much have you donated to John C Bogle Center for Financial Literacy?

We have gladly donated to them through Amazon Smile and Facebook’s fundraiser feature.
by Pranav
Tue Dec 12, 2017 3:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to report property tax
Replies: 6
Views: 666

Re: How to report property tax

Similar to OP (HeadTail), we also moved from escrow to self-pay this year. So, thanks for everyone's replies.

If I may, I would like to post our property tax bunching strategy, so that y'all may review.

We are considering submitting the 2017's full property tax on January 1, 2018 and then pay the 2018's full property tax payments towards the end of 2018. Assuming current tax laws staying same for 2018, we shall do itemize deduction of the property tax amount of 2017 and 2018, when we file the income tax return for 2018 tax year.

Thanks in advance for your time to review.