Financial planning

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in Chicago has affirmed the Tax Court, upholding the disallowance by the IRS of losses claimed by investors in a DAD (distressed asset/debt) tax shelter.

Beginning next month, a number of tech firms that are also RIAs are poised to enter the red-hot online advisory space, offering consumers not only financial guidance but specific buy/sell/hold recommendations for mutual funds and ETFs, based on algorithms and aggregation of clients’ accounts.

To do so, the country’s largest independent broker dealer expects to have a portal up and running, probably under the name AdvisorHarmony, as early as next year that will allow advisors to sift through potential partners on their own.

Retirement: It's the main goal of most investing and the biggest worry of most clients. As a sneak peek to our upcoming September issue on the topic, we list the top 10 target-date funds for 60-year-old investors.

John Hancock Financial Network has rebranded under the name Signator Investors, as a sign to advisors of its commitment to grow the advisory side of its business.

The Internal Revenue Service has provided summaries and a set of tips to help with compliance for some of the more complex areas of the foreign tax credit law.

When issues arise, advisors should follow the steps doctors take to diagnose and treat the problem to create a healthy, vibrant business.

Banks and credit unions are seeing high single-digit growth from their programs. They want more and the opportunity is there, says LPL’s Rob Comfort, as the industry is just beginning to tap the potential in providing investment advice.

Some advisors are great at strategic planning for others, but never plot out an ideal future for themselves.

Senator Ben Cardin, D-Md., a member of the Senate Finance Committee, has written to Treasury Secretary Jack Lew and Acting IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel, urging them to quickly resolve and clarify the tax implications for legally married same-sex couples and those in civil unions.

While an advisor's pitch to clients should be well rehearsed, it also needs to be flexible, says new solo advisor Dave Grant.

The Department of Labor’s Web site debunks the myth of the $100-per-day fine for not providing ACA-related information to employees.

The IRS issued proposed regulations on Friday that provide guidance on the tax credit available to certain small employers that offer health insurance coverage to their employees under Code Section 45R, enacted by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Few things are more frustrating than encountering advisors who consistently provide sound counsel to their clients -- but forget to practice what they preach for their own business and personal plans. Here are the areas advisors most commonly need to start heeding their own advice.

Retirement: It's the main goal of most investing and the biggest worry of most clients. As a sneak peek to our upcoming September issue on the topic, we list the top 10 target-date funds for 40-year-old investors.

The majority of American workers accept responsibility for financing their own retirement and are relying primarily on their 401(k) to get them there, but many lack the confidence to effectively manage their retirement savings.

As we hit the 20-year mark in the ETF business, one might ask: What will that future bring? History is our best guide in that the next 20 years will look similar to the last 20. And that’s a good thing.

To ensure that your practice is meeting the needs of female clients, create goals for working with them -- and measure your success.

Here’s a sampling of bank reps who were recently promoted or moved to new organizations to assume roles of greater responsibility.

A spike in the proportion of RIA-to-RIA deals in the first half of this year may signify that the advisory field is starting to come into its own.