Good Question! FAQ stands for Frequently Asked Questions. You may find your an answer to your question here instead of going out of your way to personally contact me! Keep in mind that any content in the FAQs does not constitute as investment, insurance, legal, or tax advice and never have been. Please seek out the services of a licensed professional to help you on your specific and personal needs. I also don't mind if you give me a message either.

Thanks for asking the real questions here. Some self-proclaimed financial professionals when put letters behind their name without explaining what they are. (or even qualifying for them...) Here are my list of current licenses: Enrolled Agent (EA/00167323-EA): An enrolled agent is a person who has earned the privilege of representing taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service by either passing a three-part comprehensive IRS test covering individual and business tax returns, or through experience as a former IRS employee. Enrolled agent status is the highest credential the IRS awards. Certified Military Financial Advisor® (CMFA™): Financial professional certification that specializes in Active Duty, Reserves, National Guard, and Veteran benefits for those who serve our country and their dependents. FINRA Series SIE, 63, & 65 (ID# 8141913): The Securities Industry Exam (SIE) is an introductory-level exam assesses a candidate’s knowledge of basic securities industry information including concepts fundamental to working in the industry, such as types of products and their risks; the structure of the securities industry markets, regulatory agencies and their functions; and prohibited practices. The Series 63 Exam covers the principles of state securities regulation reflected in the Uniform Securities Act (with the amendments adopted by NASAA and rules prohibiting dishonest and unethical business practices). The examination is intended to provide a basis for state securities administrators to determine an applicant’s knowledge and understanding of state law and regulations. The Series 65 Exam is designed to qualify candidates as investment adviser representatives. The exam covers topics that have been determined to be necessary to understand in order to provide investment advice to clients. This license qualifies me to act in a fiduciary duty. California Life & Health Insurance (License #4360345): Allows me to transact and advise clients on Life & Health insurance in a professional capacity and for a fee. I do not sell life or health insurance. I am knowledgeable and will represent you in front of an agent to make sure they are not overselling their product. https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/105-type/ California Public Notary (License #2486519) A California notary public acts as an impartial witness appointed by the Secretary of State to prevent fraud by verifying identities, ensuring signer willingness, and administering oaths. They authenticate signatures on critical documents like deeds, affidavits, and powers of attorney, typically requiring personal appearance and maintaining a mandatory journal of all acts. https://www.sos.ca.gov/notary#:~:text=Click%20here%20to%20watch%20the,Apostille%20Processing%20Times%20web%20page. These licenses and certifications do not mean that I am an expert at these fields. You may be more knowledgeable than me and not everyone needs a financial & tax planner in their lives. These licenses and certifications only give me the right to provide these services and charge a fee under a code of ethics.

I believe that Comprehensive Financial Planning covers 6-7 pillars of your whole financial overview: Investment Planning Including Retirement Planning Insurance Planning (home, auto, health, life, etc...) Tax Planning Including complex retirement planning strategies Cash Management Budgeting & Cash Flow Debt Management Strategies Estate Planning Trusts Government Benefits/Programs Veteran/Military Benefits Medicare & Social Security State specific programs & etc... Business Planning (if you own a business) I find that prospective clients want to find someone who is able to do it all or lead them in the right direction when they have these concerns. However, many financial professionals will specialize in one or two of these subjects and charge varying rates which may raise potential fees and confusion on who does what. My clients are able to consult with me about any of those topics above at the same rate. If I don't know the answer, I will always research it and reach out free of charge. I am not a lawyer and I will not be able to draft you a Trust of any sort. I will refer you to an affordable and competent estate attorney in the appropriate jurisdiction and work with you there.

Once we complete your budget and risk questionnaire, I will develop a portfolio for you if you paid for it. After our introductory meeting, we will shop for appropriate online investing brokerages and you will create your account, link your bank account, and fund it after we decided who we will invest with. Our next meeting, the financial planning meeting, we will implement the portfolio that you or I come up with and set up recurring investments to keep your investments hands-free. You will have the options to schedule financial plan reviews periodically to discuss portfolio performance at a desired calendar frequency (quarterly, semi-annually, annually).

The average Investment Advisory firm may charge you annual maintenance fees of 1% and other commissions. I have no inherent issue with that pricing model but it does lead to conflict of interest where an advisor may be encouraged to oversell certain financial products to increase their paycheck. By being fee-only and not tied to any particular company or product, I am able to recommend whatever I believe is best for you. I am also motivated to give you the best service because you already paid for my meal. Keep in mind that being fee-only does not eliminate conflict of interest, it minimizes it to the best of my ability. There is no such thing as "no conflict of interest." I also keep my pricing below market rate and negotiable so that individuals and families of lower socioeconomic standing may have access to education and services of those who are typically wealthier!

Part of why my Tax prep fees are so cheap is due to the fact that I don't use an expensive software to file simple taxes for my clients. Similar to how I will not have custody or discretion over my Clients' investment accounts, I practice the same philosophy with Tax Preparation. I have my tax prep clients create their own FreeTaxUSA account so they may have their own tax filing software and records in the case they want to file on their own. I believe this is helpful because there's no need to ask your tax preparer for last year's return then wait a week for a response when you can log in and do it all yourself!

Do not take my mental math as an accurate calculation. I believe if you are a lower income family, TaxVet may be more expensive for you in the first year of our professional partnership compared to other Investment Advisory firms and Tax Preparation firms. It may be more expensive than a Robo-advisor or AI advisor from a investment brokerage. Assuming that your first annual cost with TaxVet will be $325.00, (Simple Tax Filing + Financial Planning meeting + 1 Portfolio + 2 Financial Plan Reviews) Consider these 3 scenarios: Low Income Client for AUM & Commission Investment Advisor + Tax Preparer Office: A 1% AUM fee with sales charges from a mutual fund for a $2,400 portfolio (12 months x $200/month) and tax filing =$24.00 AUM fee + $50.00 Sales charge + $100 tax return = $174.00 hypothetical first year cost Middle Class Client for AUM & Commission Investment Advisor + CPA Office: A 1% AUM fee with sales charges from a mutual fund for a $100,000 portfolio and tax filing = $1000.00 AUM fee + $125.00 Sales charge + $200 tax return = $1,325.00 hypothetical first year cost Middle Class Client for Robo-Advisor + CPA Office: A 0.25% AUM fee with no sales charges for a $100,000 portfolio and tax filing = $250.00 AUM fee + $0.00 Sales charge + $200 tax return = $450.00 hypothetical first year cost Keep in mind that you may find more expensive or affordable financial service professionals than my calculations here. This example here is not to sell you on TaxVet but to merely educate and give you perspective on what may be best for you.

Your experience with me and TaxVet are valid regardless of what others may think because it is your personal experience. To hold me accountable to feedback, please submit any sort of written complaint (email is preferred) and send it to TaxesWithThien@gmail.com I am required by State Regulators to submit your complaint to FINRA and act upon it within 30 days to maintain the integrity of Registered Investment Advisors.

Reviews may be submitted via Google Review on my business page attached below:

Yes in fact we do! Read away at my Refund Policy. Feel free to contact me for any questions on interpreting my refund policy. I will work with you.

I would be delighted to educate many people at once to make sure your employees are well equipped to make a change in our society. Please contact me at TaxesWithThien@gmail.com to discuss further the following: Estimated size of attendees (max 100 people) Venue Topics Specific employment-related nuances Price negotiation

Good question! My rates are below the average for your typical Tax Professional and Financial Planner. I also live in one of the most expensive zip codes in the country. There is a reason for that. I have passive, non-taxable income from the Department of Veteran Affairs in the form of Disability pay. It more than pays for my essential bills, business expenses, and little luxuries. Because my livelihood is already guaranteed to be funded, I am able to price TaxVet rates to be low so I may be appreciated for my work and also reach as many people as possible. I love this job and there's nothing more to it. The money generated is only a bonus to seeing the direct impact I make on each and every one of my clients.

Truth be told, I don't really know how to use AI because the AI boom happened when I was on a shipboard deployment during my service in the US Navy. I personally am not a big fan of AI and I am rather particular on how I like things to be (especially when I know how to do the things I want to do) The answer is no, I don't use Generative AI for TaxVet or even my personal life for that matter. This website, all my forms, my legal disclosures, and correspondence are all naturally generated by my own "intelligence" simply out of pure stubbornness of trying to go against the grain from Silicon Valley's AI agenda.

You mean this? If you were to catch me driving around, I rightfully have and use a Disabled Veteran's handicap plate on my car. As of recently, my fiancée and family have been making fun of me because of how much of my personality is from my handicap plates. I also made that logo with my own bare hands.

I plan on completing my Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) in 2030 and then transition to law school to become a Lawyer no later than 2034. The idea is to become a CA Tax Attorney and effectively do the exact same thing I'm doing here in TaxVet but with more letters behind my name. I may also open a separate branch of TaxVet for International Tax Law services operated by solely me and hand over my general Financial & Tax Planning operations to a qualified partner.