Personal Finance Articles

If the IRS finds errors, it will cost you. Find out how to fix them - and prevent them in the first place.

Discover how to get some extra time from the IRS, without paying for the privilege.

You don't need to be worth millions to create your own trust fund. Learn how your money can be handled in the event of your death.

Providing information on stocks that would otherwise not be available, fee-based research plays an important but complicated role in the market.

Don't leave it up to your accountant - owners are ultimately responsible for fulfilling tax obligations.

The foreign tax credit provides a break on investment income made and taxed in a foreign country.

If you have an interest in real estate, read on to find out which type of property you have.

The unique tax advantages offered by these investments can translate into superior yields.

Carefully examine goodwill and its sources before considering the value of your investment.

Consider these advantages and disadvantages before investing in businesses related to your favorite teams.

Discover how banks and financial institutions use economic capital to enhance risk management.

Despite investor distrust, rating agencies can be helpful. Just be sure you use these ratings as a starting point.

Which states are tax-effective retirement locales? It depends on the source of your retirement income.

Helping your grandchildren save for college is a way to spoil them and reap some benefits yourself.

Before moving your retirement funds into another account, consider your options.

Master these fundamentals and you'll be doing your own taxes with minimal stress.

Read on to uncover the hidden economic value of a stay-at-home parent.

These coupon bonds are transferable, negotiable and anonymous - so why aren't they sold in the U.S.?

We give you seven guidelines to help you keep more of your money in your pocket.

Discover how to start building a portfolio and how to manage it for the best results.

Government benefits can cost you big money! Know the income thresholds before you file.

Make sure your 401(k) plan has the self-directed option to ensure that your retirement is as comfortable as possible.

Ever dream of a world without tax? It existed - 3,000 years ago.

Learn the key features of three subcategories of equity REITs: industrial, multifamily and hotel REITs.

Empty homes in your neighborhood aren't just eyesores - they can affect the value of your property.

Learn about nonpossessory interests and the various forms of encumbrances.

Skilled employees are key to a successful business. Find out how to avoid a financial setback if they leave.

Discover the lessons you can learn from Steve Jobs, with a brief history of Apple.

Learn about the history of FINRA and how this organization protects investors.

Learn the rules every investor should know before buying into this "tax-free" investment.

Waiting for a big payload from an aging relative? The chance of cashing in is lower than you think.

Find out how you can build wealth and reduce your taxes.

We go through everything you need to know about COBRA so that you can decide if it's right for you.

Investing in income-generating real estate involves market data and a degree of subjectivity.

There is a worldwide generation of young, educated individuals mired in unmanageable debt. Find out why.

Learn about the tools the Fed uses to influence interest rates and general economic conditions.

Discover the methods behind financial forecasts and the risks inherent when we seek to predict the future.

This form can lighten your tax load if you owe Uncle Sam.

If you are a caregiver, get to know the rules for claiming a dependent before filing your taxes.

From Santa Claus rallies to evergreen loans, Wall Street can be a veritable winter wonderland for investors.

Here's our investing adaptation of an old holiday classic.

Use this quick parental guide to help your child learn this process and establish good habits.

Want to start your own business but don't want the hassle of doing it by yourself? Find out how.

Not taking the standard deduction this year could save you hundreds of dollars.

Lack of competition and potential conflicts of interest have called the value of these ratings into question.

Not all student loans are the same. Know what you're getting into before signing on the dotted line.

Some things can get in the way of owning your dream home, but they don't have to.

If you're a homeowner, this is one item you want to understand and use on your return.

The method of identifying cost basis can help you to get the most out of reduced tax rates.

If you've inherited an IRA or any other retirement account, we tell you what deadlines you need to be aware of.

Break through the stereotypes and find out how to manage your life to meet your needs.

Retiring at the age of 65 is quickly becoming a thing of the past. So, what is happening to make this change?

Often in life, the right action is the hardest to take. Discover how to get on the right side of a trend.

Co-op investors can often be penalized for other people's actions. Read on to learn about the most common types of co-op default.

Saving for retirement is important. We tell you about six ways to take advantage of your 401(k) and other retirement plans.

A home equity line of credit is a convenient way to borrow money. But, there are things to be cautious about before you get into trouble.

How a company pays in a merger or acquisition can reveal a lot about the buyer and seller. We tell you what to look for.

With a little discipline and the help of some powerful savings vehicles, anyone can hit this mark.

Find out which certifications can bring you the greatest career returns.

Did you know that there are other types of retirement plans? We tell you about five of them.

Studies suggest that young workers may not be able to retire comfortably - or at all.

Enron is a classic example of greed gone wrong and how investors were led astray.

Determine the risk to a company's EPS and financial condition resulting from an underfunded pension plan.

This structure can be very effective, but it is also known for its abuse of power.

Flags and pennants indicate direction of activity of the prevailing trend. Learn how.

One of the most powerful companies in the entertainment sector has some lessons to share for new budding entrepreneurs.

If you're thinking about purchasing a home with an FHA loan, here are some standards that must be met for the deal to go through.

You can achieve your financial goals if you start early enough. Here are some tips.

These two major ways to obtain a car have very different advantages and drawbacks. Find out which is best for you.

Ultra ETFs can add huge returns to your portfolio, but there's a lot of risk and volatility involved with these leveraged ETFs.

Disclosures are the fine print in financial reports. We strip away the legal speak to tell you what they really mean.

Avoid paying excess taxes by learning some simple transfer rules.

Discover how to transfer your company's net worth to the next generation of entrepreneurs.

You might reduce the costs of maintaining more than one account, but you could also be forfeiting tax benefits.

Medical and financial health determine whether long-term care insurance will pay off.

From sales tax deductions to credit reports, check out what items should be on your financial checklist.

If you'd like the IRS to pay you some money for a change, consider a career working in taxes.

This insurance has an edge over private mortgage insurance. Find out why.

Do you have enough savings to cover the costs of unforeseen crises? We show you how to plan ahead.

To understand the qualities that make for a great company, investors must dig deep into "soft" metrics.

Mortgage payments aren't the only expense. Find what else you'll be on the hook for.

It's important to maintain a good credit score. Discover what could be lowering it, without your knowledge.

Answering this means number-crunching as well as factoring in other considerations and expenses.

Insurance fraud is as old as commerce. Discover the types of life insurance fraud and how they affect you.

Calculating return on real estate investments can be difficult. We help you figure it out.

This investment requires keeping an eye on consumer indexes and the overall health of the economy.

As food costs rise it can be difficult to stay on budget. Here are some handy tips to spend less at the till.

Mortgage lenders don't factor the extra costs into your loan amount. Make sure you save for the "little" things.

Buying a home may be the biggest debt you'll ever incur. Learn why you should retire it sooner, rather than later.

Add some sparkle to your portfolio by getting in on this classic commodity.

Banks are a part of ancient history. Find out how this system of money management developed into what we know today.

Find the perfect policy that suits both your coverage and budgetary needs.

Find out everything you need to know about this program.

As a measure of inflation, this index can help you make key financial decisions.

You don't have to go to an office to make a great salary in the financial sector. Here are the top four highest paying financial jobs you can do from home.

It just takes some time and effort to rebound from a nasty case of "credit rejection shock."

Find out how the economic system we now use was created.