Which of the following statements is true regarding 529 savings plans?
Answer : D
529 savings plans are state-sponsored education savings accounts that offer tax-advantaged growth. Key features include:
Contributions are not federally tax deductible (some states offer state-level deductions).
No income limitations for contributions.
The account owner, not the beneficiary, controls the plan.
Assets can be transferred tax-free to another family member's 529 plan.
D is correct because tax-free rollovers are allowed for family members of the current beneficiary.
A is incorrect as contributions are not universally tax deductible.
B is incorrect as there are no income limitations for contributing.
C is incorrect because the account owner, not the beneficiary, controls the assets.
Under SEC Regulation A, which of the following market participants, if deemed to be a bad actor, will disqualify the offering from reliance on this registration exemption?
Answer : B
SEC Regulation A provides a registration exemption for smaller public offerings but includes a 'bad actor' disqualification. If certain key parties, such as the issuer, underwriter, or affiliates, have been involved in securities violations, the exemption is forfeited.
B is correct because underwriters are considered essential participants, and their status as bad actors disqualifies the offering.
A, C, and D are incorrect because custodians, transfer agents, and clearing corporations are not included in the 'bad actor' provisions of Regulation A.
An investor owns $10,000 par value of a municipal bond with the following rates:
4.0% coupon rate
5.0% current yield
4.5% yield to maturity (YTM)
6.5% tax-equivalent yield
What amount of interest should the investor expect to receive each year?
Answer : A
The annual interest on a bond is calculated based on the coupon rate and the bond's par value.
Coupon rate = 4.0%.
Annual interest = $10,000 (par value) 4.0% = $400.
A is correct because the coupon rate determines the annual interest.
B, C, and D are incorrect because they reflect incorrect calculations. The current yield, YTM, and tax-equivalent yield do not affect the bond's fixed coupon payments.
A grandfather establishes a Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA) custodial account for his grandson and appoints an attorney as custodian. Which of the following individuals owns the account?
Answer : C
In a UTMA account, the minor is the legal owner of the account. The custodian (in this case, the attorney) manages the account until the minor reaches the age of majority specified by state law.
C is correct because the grandson (the minor) is the account's legal owner.
A is incorrect because the attorney is the custodian, not the owner.
B is incorrect because the grandfather established the account but does not own it.
D is incorrect because the parent does not have ownership unless explicitly named as the custodian.
How long are unused funds permitted to remain in a Coverdell education savings account?
Answer : B
Coverdell Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) require that all funds be distributed by the time the beneficiary reaches 30 years old. If the funds are not used for qualified educational expenses, they may be subject to taxes and penalties.
B is correct because funds must be distributed by age 30 unless transferred to another eligible family member.
A is incorrect as age 21 is not relevant for Coverdell ESAs.
C is incorrect because age 59 applies to retirement accounts like IRAs.
D is incorrect because there is a distribution deadline for Coverdell accounts.
Which of the following account registration types is subject to probate upon the death of the account owner?
Answer : A
Accounts held individually are subject to probate, which is the legal process of administering the decedent's estate. Probate determines the distribution of assets according to the deceased's will or state intestacy laws.
A is correct because individual accounts require probate to transfer assets.
B is incorrect because irrevocable trusts bypass probate.
C is incorrect because TOD accounts allow direct transfer of assets to named beneficiaries without probate.
D is incorrect because JTWROS accounts transfer ownership to the surviving account holder automatically.
Which of the following transactions gives a U.S. citizen the most efficient means to invest in the stock of an overseas corporation that trades only on a foreign exchange?
Answer : D
American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) allow U.S. investors to efficiently invest in foreign corporations without the need to trade on foreign exchanges. ADRs are traded on U.S. exchanges and represent shares of foreign companies.
D is correct because ADRs are designed for this purpose, simplifying currency exchange and reporting requirements for U.S. investors.
A is incorrect because directly purchasing an ETF on a foreign exchange requires additional steps, such as foreign account setup.
B is incorrect because options are derivative products, not direct investments in the stock.
C is less efficient because mutual funds may not provide direct exposure to the specific corporation.