THSCC Forums

I'm in need of a professional to discuss some $$ issues. Ideally I'd like to find a Financial Planner who is also a CPA and can help with tax planning. (But I at least have to find a CPA for some specific tax questions.)

Who (if anyone) are you using, and how do you like them?

Waitaminute ... isn't Robert Plank a CPA? Man, that just doesn't seem right.... Hahaha.

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

Mike, just in case you're not aware, IBM has arrangements with a couple large financial planning services at discount rates (or even free if you invest through them). I don't have personal experience, but it may be something to check on w3...

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Dustin Fredrickson
-- I'm a nobody --

Thanks Dustin. We used AmEx a few years ago, but the process was a little too dumbed down for me. It was a lot of "are you saving enough for retirement" and "what are your goals". Then again, at the time I guess that was what I needed. Maybe I'll give them a call and see what they offer for tax consultation

What I need now is someone who can help me calculate things like whether the AMT will apply to me in 2005, the usefulness of tax-free bonds in my portfolio, and other stuff.

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

Mike,

FYI the Tax software packages such as TaxCut do "what if's" for the next year and/or you can do a close estimate by doing various senarios with the "current" year (aka use the 2004 version but plug in various 2005 numbers) version. As a do-it-yourself guy you might actually prefer that approach. If nothing else it will allow you to verify what the CPA, etc. is telling you. The websites for TaxCut and TurboTax do a decent job of comparing features between their various packages. For what it is worth TaxCut seems to get somewhat better reviews. I've used it for the last couple of years for somewhat complicated returns and it worked just fine.

See also this site for lots of easy to use financial calculators: http://www.dinkytown.net/

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Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT

Mike, my accountant has been top notch for the three or so years i have been with him. he deals mostly with self-employed small construction based businesses, he is very aggressive. i also have some investment contacts. PM me and i will get you some numbers.

Mike,

I remembered this morning that Lee West in Sanford is both a CPA and a Financial Planner. Lee and his wife used to be Tarheel members and did a little autocrossing. I suspect that he is relatively conservative in his recommendations. I don't have his number but I'm sure you can Google it.

Dick

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Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT

Mike:

We use a CPA named Jim Welch. I don't know his number off the top of my head, (My wife does) PM me if you want. We have been happy with him. He is located over by the ESA

I use my neighbor who is a CPA. Most of his clientel are small businesses/self-employed. He will keep you out of jail, but I sometimes consider him a little too safe. His name is Donald Hawley. Phone 838-8888, located across from Merideth College.

My wife works for American Express Financial but I do not recommend them for CPA type advice. My experience has been that if the office sells financial instruments, then they are serving two masters. Better to pay for the advice and do your own shopping for the financial instruments (i.e. Ameritrade, etc.)
For what it's worth, Ameritrade will hold an IRA without fees.
Charlie Guthrie

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1998 BMW Z3
1987 BMW 325is
2000 BMW
1996 F250 Turbo Diesel

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll be making some calls.

Still taking recommendations though...

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

On a similar (but more depressing) note, I need to hook up with someone experienced in inheritance taxes. Advice appreciated.

Simon