Recent content by packrat44

I totally agree with the others. Go for it. I was a federal employee and paid to have my active duty time in the military added to my civilian time. The crossover for payback made it a no-brainer.

We had a somewhat similar situation a few months ago when settling DF estate. Two siblings had received major lump sums when they became unemployed a few years back. The amounts they received were considered as "early disbursements" (or accounts receivable) and added back into the total estate...

Velcro: What a rip off! Broken pencils are pointless. I tried to catch some fog. I mist. When chemists die, they barium. Police say they have nothing to go on. How does Moses make his tea? Hebrews it. Jokes about German sausage are the wurst. I used to be a banker, but then I lost interest. I...

I believe NW-Bound has been on my property again taking pictures of my squirrels. They are my guard squirrels. Very vicious. Keep of my grass!

I went into the Washington State tax site and they do not have a "gift" tax. Therefore, DW and I could gift to our daughter above the Fed exclusion and file the appropriate paperwork each year. We have no expectation of ever reaching the Fed estate tax exclusion as it is posted today...

Totally agree. I froze my credit in 2006 when my identity was stolen prior to any known attempts to use it. My DW froze hers 2 years ago after someone opened an account with her info and she was billed. A medical clinic she had used several years prior, finally fessed up and admitted recently...

Does this device work will cell phones or only land lines?

The net worth for DW and I is a long way under the Fed limit. However, our state is one of the few states with an Estate Tax and we are above that limit. My intent is gift equally to each family unit. Therefore, I am looking for ways to up the amout to the daughter. By giving to them...

In that case, I would definitely not answer the phone. If he later corners you, tell him you thought it was a scam caller.

What is a "lightning trust" and how does it eliminate gift tax? Can a person directly pay off the debt of the parents without giving the money directly to the parents and not have to count that toward the total lifetime exclusion?

My DW and I are intending to start gifting to our son and daughter. Our son is married, therefore my DW and I can give each our son and stepdaughter the max of $14k/ea for a total transfer of $56k. Since our daughter is single we would be limited to a max of $28k to her. Can DW and/or I gift...

I have lived in Eastern Washington state most of my live and enjoy it. We have about 2 acres with 250' of waterfront. Property tax for land, house, garage (1,150sf), and shop (4,000sf) is about $3,600/yr. One negative is - Washington has an estate tax which kicks in at a relatively low...

I turned 70 today so the question is not the usual debate - should I take SS early or take it later. That has already been determined for myself. My question is what month do I enter on the application as the starting month for benefits in order to receive the maximum SS benefits (132% of...

Hot rods - 1936 Ford coupe; 1940 Ford coupe; 1929 Ford model A. Sports cars - 1972 240Z (highly modified) only 20k miles; 1997 Miata. 4x4s - 1942 Willys Jeep; 2004 RAM diesel; 1995 RAM gas. Motorcycles - 2 street; 5 off-road. I like vehicles.

Stem risers to raise the handlebars on 2 mountain bikes I bought last week.