Business

Q. My son is applying early decision to one school. But I know we won’t get the financial aid package until later. How can he say yes — if he’s accepted — if we don’t know what it’s going to cost?

Q. I don’t need my Required Minimum Distributions and I don’t want to pay taxes on them, but I don’t really want to give them to charity. Are there other options?

Q. Can you explain about before vs. after-tax savings for retirees? For example, I plan to retire in 2018 and will have a pension of about $40,000, filing taxes as single. I don’t expect additional income. What would I owe in taxes under the new bill that gives help for retirees?

Q. I got a big raise, and I’m afraid it will put me into a higher tax bracket. What can I do to lower my taxable income?

Q. What areas of the stock market should be unaffected by the election?

Q. I have a credit card with a $95 annual fee. I’m trying to decide if I should cancel or if it will hurt my credit report. What do you think?

Q. We had our estate planning documents set to have a trust to help us avoid estate taxes in New Jersey. Now that it’s changing, do we have to change our plan again?

Q. Please explain depreciation, and why would anyone want to do it? It seems you’d get killed in taxes when you eventually sell a home.

Q. How can I decide if I should have municipal bonds? Is there a formula or something?

Q. Can a Required Minimum Distribution from a 401(k) plan be paid directly to charity?