The Global Neighbor Project | Finance Ideas

Archive for November, 2011

With the booming property prices of recent years, more and more people are finding themselves facing a large tax bill when they come to sell their investment properties. However, did you realize that there is a perfectly legal way of deferring payment of such taxes by utilizing the advantageous 1031 tax code that was introduced by the IRS in the early 1990s?

A 1031 exchange is a way of deferring payment of capital gains tax on certain types of real estate. Normally when an investment or business property is sold, capital gains tax has to be paid. However, with 1031 exchanges, by replacing the old property with a like-kind property, within set time limits, payment of capital gains tax can be avoided.

Under the 1031 exchange real estate rules, a seller must have held a property for at least one year and a day for it to qualify. Another requirement is that both old (relinquished) and new (replacement) 1031 exchange properties must be of a like-kind – either rental properties, vacant land, trade, business or investment properties.

1031 exchanges must be completed within strict time limits. There is a 45 day Identification Period from the transfer of the old property, in which a replacement property must be identified. The 1031 exchange rules stipulate that the exchange must be completed within the 180 day Exchange Period.

The 1031 exchange real estate issues are complex, so it is imperative to seek professional advice from a tax advisor or qualified intermediary who can assess your specific circumstances and explain other issues such as the reverse 1031 exchange or TiC rules. With careful financial planning, you can reinvest your capital gains in future real estate investments, thereby allowing you to leverage your money more efficiently and to reap greater financial benefits.

Bill Gates is super rich but his once high-flying software company has been in the doldrums since mid-2002 after falling from the $35 level. The problem with Microsoft (MSFT) has been its failure to grow both its revenues and earnings at the superlative rates the company once enjoyed.

Any company the size of Microsoft, with a market-cap of $242 billion, will find growth an issue because of its size. But this is not to say the stock is dead. Far from it, Microsoft remains a viable long-term software company and is cash rich with $34 billion or $3.28 per share in cash. This gives the stock plenty of financial flexibility to develop or buy growth technologies. Microsoft just announced it would spend $1.1 billion in R&D at its MSN Internet unit in the FY07. And according to the Wall Street Journal, Microsoft is exploring the possibility of taking a stake in Internet media company Yahoo (YHOO) to take on Internet advertising behemoth Google (GOOG).

But with an estimated five-year earnings growth rate of a pitiful 12%, the company has its work cut out for it. Trading at 16.30x its estimated FY07 EPS of $1.44, the stock is not expensive but appears to be priced not as a growth stock.

Its PEG on the surface of 1.51 is not cheap, but if you discount in the cash of $3.28 per share, the estimated PEG falls to around 1,0, a decent valuation. Also, if Microsoft can improve on its estimated 12% growth rate, the PEG would decline further.

The fact is Microsoft at the current price deserves a look. If you want to play the stock but don’t want to shell out the $2,347 for a 100-share block, you may want to take a look at the long-term options, also known as LEAPS. For instance, the in-the-money January 2008 $22.50 Microsoft Call LEAPS not set to expire until January 18, 2008 currently costs $380 a contract (100 shares).

This means you risk a total of $380 for the chance to participate in the potential upside of 100 shares of Microsoft over the next 20 months. The breakeven price is $26.30. If Microsoft breaks $26.30, you would begin to make money on your LEAPS. Conversely, if Microsoft fails to do anything, your maximum risk is $380 on the initial option play.

Warning: The aforementioned example is for illustrative purposes only and not to be construed as an actual option strategy. Due to the higher risk inherent in options, I recommend you speak with an investment professional before deciding to employ any strategy involving options.

If it’s been a while since you’ve looked at your credit report, you may be surprised to find errors, mistakes, or even a black mark or two. Fortunately, a Credit Repair Company can help you fix those mistakes and erase those black marks. Watch out for scammers, though, and choose a reputable Credit Repair Company with these tips:

Don’t pay anything up-front

Avoid a Credit Repair Company that wants you to hand over a fee or payment before they meet with you. Reputable companies will first talk to you, assess your credit report and discuss your current situation before asking for any type of payment for their services. An up-front fee is a red flag that the company will probably take your money and run. And no matter what type of charges you may incur, be sure they aren’t exorbitant. If a Credit Repair Company claims your case will cost thousands of dollars, look for another one.

Watch out for “re-inventors”

Some companies will tell you that you can wipe your credit slate clean by “re-inventing” yourself with a new social security number. But that’s not true! In most cases, what they plan to do is get you a new credit report by applying for an Employee Identification Number (EIN)–used by businesses–which resembles a social security number, and you’re told to use it as such. But this practice, known as “file segregation,” is a scam, and it’s also illegal! Avoid any Credit Repair Company that suggests this practice.

Look for one that helps you help yourself

A good Credit Repair Company will tell you (for free!) what you can do yourself, such as writing letters to creditors and contacting the credit reporting bureaus about errors. Avoid any Credit Repair Company that encourages you to do anything illegal or unethical–such as disputing a legitimate charge or fee on your credit report.

Before signing up with any Credit Repair Company, make sure you check with the Better Business Bureau. They’ll have records of any formal complaints against the company, so you can avoid scammers and rip-off artists.