It's Not Ice Cream, It's Gelato

You’ve had the pasta, the wine, and the pizza, but now you need something sweet. The solution? Gelato. Italy may be known for their exquisite entrees, but the gelato is not to be missed.

Fatamorgana

                

Known for their interesting flavors and experimentation, Fatamorgana has locations tucked away in little spots throughout Rome. Each option is made from all natural ingredients, with no chemical additives and artificial flavors. After touring the Coliseum or Vatican City, stop in to enjoy a refreshing sweet treat in flavors like almond, pistachio, Madagascar chocolate, or Kentucky.

Riva Reno

If you’re looking for the full-fat gelato experience in Rome, look no further than Riva Reno. This gelateria even lists on its website why it’s so good; whole milk from the north of Italy and steel bin storage to keep the freshness in and air out. Chocolate lovers will adore the dark and extra dark chocolate flavors. They even have “New York-New York” (a butter-pecan delight) as a flavor for anyone who is missing the stars and stripes.

Gelateria del Teatro

Want to see first-hand what goes into making this delectable dessert? Head on over to Gelateria del Teatro. Walking up you will usually see someone in the window chopping ingredients along with a display of the fresh ingredients they use on a daily basis. Many tourists and Romans alike have touted this location as one of the best for nut based flavors such as pistachio, hazelnut, and almond. If you’re feeling crazy, take a chance and try one of their experimental flavors.

One For Rome, Two For Love

The Trevi Fountain, one of the most iconic fixtures of Rome, was designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi and completed by the sculptor Pietro Bracci in 1762. The fountain itself dates back to ancient Roman times when it was built at the end point of the Aqua Virgo aqueduct at the junction of three streets (tre vie) giving it its name.

Legend holds that throwing a coin into the fountain ensures a return trip to Rome; throwing two in is supposed to bring you love. What many don’t know, however, is that the estimated 3,000 euros are collected every night and donated to the Italians charity Caritas. The charity then uses the coins on a supermarket program to help the needy get groceries.  

The central figure of the façade is a depiction of Oceanus, god of the waters, who stands atop a shelled-shaped chariot.  On either lower side of the mythological god are two seahorses controlled by tritons coming out of the water, representing the waves of the sea. The left side symbolizes rough waters, seen in the chaotic depiction, while the right signifies calmness. The figures directly to the left and right are allegorical, depicting abundance and good health respectively.

Should you make your way over to the Trevi district in Rome, be sure to bring a coin or two and take part in the legend that is the Trevi Fountain.

8 Common Tax Mistakes To Avoid

The following 8 mistakes may seem silly to some, but they are the most common mistakes made by tax-filers.

1. Wrong Or Missing Social Security Numbers: Be sure you enter all SSNs on your tax return exactly as they are on the Social Security Cards.

2. Wrong Names: Be sure you spell the names of everyone on your tax return exactly as they are on their Social Security cards.

3. Filing Status Error: Some people use the wrong filing status, such as Head of Household instead of Single. The Interactive Tax Assistant on IRS.gov can help you choose the right one. Tax software helps e-filers choose.

4. Math Mistakes: Double-check your math. For example, be careful when you add, subtract, or figure items on a form or worksheet. Tax preparation software does all of the math for e-filers.

5. Errors In Figuring Credits Or Deductions: Many filers make mistakes figuring their Earned Income Tax Credit, Child and Dependent Care Credit, and the standard deduction. If you're not e-filing, follow the instructions carefully when figuring credits and deductions. For example, if you're age 65 or older or blind, be sure you claim the correct, higher standard deduction.

6. Wrong Bank Account Numbers: You should choose to get your refund by direct deposit. But it's important that you use the right bank account numbers on your return. The fastest and safest way to get a tax refund is to combine e-file with direct deposit.

7. Forms Not Signed Or Dated: An unsigned tax return is like an unsigned check - it's not valid. Remember that both spouses must sign a joint return.

8. Electronic Filing Pin Errors: When you e-file, you sign your return electronically with a Personal Identification Number. If you know last year's e-file PIN, you can use that. If not, you'll need to enter the Adjusted Gross Income from your originally-filed 2012 federal tax return. Don't use the AGI amount from an amended 2012 return or a 2012 return that the IRA corrected.

What CPAs Want

Many advisors find it hard to form an effective alliance with a local CPA firm. Here’s some new information that should help.

How many CPA firms do you know? More important, how many are you working with to develop your practice? If the answer is “none” it’s time to make alliances with CPAs a key part of your business building efforts.

Here’s why: Almost 82% of wealth manager’s report that referrals from other professionals, such as CPAs, are their #1 source of new clients. What’s more, referrals from accountants are a key driver of these wealth managers ‘success. The same percentage (almost 82%) told us their five best new clients were the result of referrals from CPAs. Nothing else compared!

One reason is that advisors don’t know what CPAs really need and want. The conventional wisdom is that CPAs often distrust financial advisors and don’t want to work with them. However, we believe that over the past decade that Table Bay Financial has developed a unique program to form strong alliances with accountants in your communities. Here are some of our key findings over the past decade.

First, most CPA firms desire to take a collaborative approach to offering wealth preservation services to their clients. This means that they are extremely interested in partnering with the “right” financial advisor. At the end of the day CPAs do not want to sell products and services to their clients, rather they want to take a team approach in offering their clients these critical services. Most importantly CPA firms are interested in helping your clients eliminate heavy, immediate, and unnecessary taxation that can destroy their retirement programs. Recently CPAs have also become aware of and concerned about the devastating effects that a long-term care illness on the client or spouse can have on the ultimate success of the retirement program.

Working collaboratively with an advisor who is highly skilled and trained in distribution planning to provide their clients with beneficiary reviews, custodial reviews, guaranteed income strategies, and protection from long-term care events are currently driving significant new business opportunities for the CPA. When examining non-tax -related revenues for CPA firms we find that the average firm working in a fully collaborative environment utilizing a systematic approach are generating on average $660,000 of new annual revenues.

Firm’s willingness to turn to outsiders is a response to market factors such as increasing complexity of financial products, Social Security issues, and greater client challenges due to market volatility. The top five reasons that CPA’s site for seeking these alliances are as follows:

1. The alliance partner provided them a turn-key marketing and practice management program.
2. The alliance partner was willing to commit resources to help them incorporate wealth preservation strategies into their existing tax practice.
3. The alliance partner was able to help them identify critical issues their clients face and how to effectively communicate those issues to the client along with a resolution.
4. The alliance partner provided systematic and ongoing high-level training regarding tax issues related to distribution planning.
5. The alliance partner was a recognized “expert” in life insurance and IRA distribution planning with respect to effective tax planning for clients and specifically clients nearing retirement.

It is also important to know that the CPA focuses on wanting to partner with top advisers who bring a significant set of resources along with them. Therefore, it is imperative for the advisor to be seen as part of a larger scale operation than simply their own local advisory firm. The CPA wants to be assured that the advisory bringing more to the table than simply an ability to sell product to their clients. Therefore, for advisors who are serious about building strong alliances with CPAs they must partner with a firm that is focused on and devoted to assisting CPAs build their practices. This is why we believe so many CPA referral programs fail because CPA determines quickly that the advisor and the firm to represent only has interest in accessing their database to sell more product. While the CPA is and should be interested in revenue generation opportunities their first concern will be practice building considerations and client retention issues that the advisor can help them with.

If you are interested in learning more about Table Bay’s CPA Advantage Edge Program™ please give Samantha Mayer a call at 866-225-1786.

Summer Educational Conference 2016

We are thrilled to announce that our 2016 Summer Educational Conference will be held in La Jolla, CA at the beautiful Torrey Pines! Not only will you gain an immense amount of training, but you can also experience all that La Jolla and Torrey Pines have to offer.

Take a stroll around Girard Avenue and Prospect Street in La Jolla to pick up some gorgeous jewelry, antiques, clothing, and more. After you've worked up an appetite stop in to Donovan's Steak House, The Marine Room, or Eddie V's for a delicious lunch.

If shopping isn't quite your thing, book a tee time at the historic Torrey Pines golf course, home of the 2008 U.S. Open. Relax on the course with a drink in your hand and the breathtaking views of the ocean.

Piazza di Spagna

We’re already counting down the days here at Table Bay Financial until we are in Rome next summer for the Elite Advisors Meeting.  One of the sites at the top of our lists is Piazza di Spagna.

Named after the Palazzo di Spagna, it is one of the most famous squares in all of Rome and within it you will find yourself surrounded by wonderful works of art and history. In the center of the square is the famous Fontana della Barcaccia dating back to the beginning of the baroque period. This well-known piece was created by Pietro Bernini and his son Gian Lorenzo Bernini.  In the right corner of the Spanish Steps you will see the house of famed English poet John Keats. His house is now a museum where you can take in all that your literary heart desires. In front of the two facades within the square is the Column of the Immaculate Conception, erected in 1856.  Within the Piazza di Spagna are the Spanish Steps which was built to link the Bourbon Spanish Embassy and the Trinità dei Monti church.

Other than the aforementioned sites, you can also see Giorgio De Chirico house, Fountain of the Babuino, Bagington’s tea room, and more. Whatever monuments or sites peak your interest, you definitely don’t want to miss this location.

Creating A Plan For Living

Clients need help planning and outlining their goals for a comfortable and fulfilling retirement. The Plan for Living Presentation was developed to outline some major risks that may jeopardize retirement income.

Potential action steps are identified with the help of targeted questions and practical worksheets for the clients to complete. The Plan For Living Workbook helps lay the foundation for better planning discussions, data analysis, asset gathering and financial product sales including LONG TERM CARE insurance, LIFE INSURANCE and ANNUITIES.

 

The main retirement risks that are addressed:

• Running out of money
• Unexpected health-related costs
• Leaving loved ones unprepared
• Cost of long term care
• Retirement withdrawal strategy
• Social Security Benefits

Want more information on how to use this system to conduct compelling interviews? Call us at 1-866-225-1786 to learn more.