Investopedia

Taxes

  1. A Look At The Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax

    For those who encounter this tax, it can be costly. Find out how to navigate this complicated tax arrangement.
  2. Transfer Retirement Savings When You Change Jobs

    Half of Americans lose their nest eggs when they switch careers. Learn why you should avoid this trap.
  3. Which of the following BEST describes a wash sale?

    A. Buying and selling the same security simultaneously B. Buying stock while selling the equivalent convertible bondsC. Exercising an option at-the-moneyD.Selling securities to take a loss for tax purposes, then buying them back Correct Answer: D"A" and "B" are examples of arbitrage; "C" is just an ...
  4. To Rent Or Buy? The Financial Issues

    Thinking of buying a home? We look at the initial and ongoing costs as well as the so-called benefits.
  5. 5 Things Every Real Estate Pro Knows

    Find out how to stop chasing the market and start leading it.
  6. On This Day In Finance: July 13 - Live Aid Concert Raises $70 million

    The first global concert raised millions of dollars to help the poor in Ethiopia.
  7. Gift Cards? The Tax Man Wants Yours

    Find out why 25 U.S. states currently confiscate unused gift card balances.
  8. Notorious White Collar Criminals: Where Are They Now?

    While Madoff's victims hope he dies in jail, other notorious fraudsters still have future careers ahead of them.
  9. On This Day In Finance: July 1 - Internal Revenue Agency Founded

    Revenue Act of July 1, 1862 created the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
  10. Free Money For Homebuyers

    Take advantage of the federal and state money being offered to apply for an FHA mortgage and get the cash you need to go to closing.
  11. Tax Court: Your Last Resort

    Appealing an unfavorable or unfair tax ruling may be your last chance to save your finances.
  12. On This Day In Finance: June 9 - The Birth Of Modern Taxation

    On this day in 1943, the Current Tax Payment Act was signed into law.
  13. Vacation Home Or Income-Producing Investment?

    There is an alternative to letting your cottage sit empty all year, but turning a profit won't be easy.
  14. Understanding Mortgage Impound Accounts

    Home buyers with low down payments may get stuck with higher mortgage payments. Find out what you get for the extra money.
  15. How To Appeal Your IRS Audit

    The auditor's review isn't always the last word. Many taxpayers who are audited can successfully appeal their audits and save thousands of dollars.
  16. Why does the IRS withhold income taxes from employee paychecks?

    In the midst of WWII, the U.S. government ran into trouble funding the war effort. The problem did not originate from citizens dodging taxes, but from the lack of regular flow of tax income. The massive expenditures required to fund war usually were financed with government debt, like war bonds.
  17. Do nonprofit organizations pay taxes?

    Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax code exempts qualified nonprofit organizations from federal taxes. A nonprofit organization is an organization that engages in activities for both public and private interest without pursuing the goal of commercial or monetary profit.
  18. 5 Tax(ing) Retirement Mistakes

    Don't let these simple errors take the luster off your golden years.
  19. No Debt Forgiveness For The Tax Man

    Debt settlement sounds like a free lunch, but it has tax consequences.
  20. Do I still have to pay penalties and taxes on money that I don't roll over from a ...

    It depends. Let's address the two penalties that will apply - the 10% early-withdrawal penalty and the 20% federal withholding - separately.Early-withdrawal penaltyIf the distribution from your Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) fund is made to you after you separate from service with your employer, ...
  21. 5 Ways To Save On Child Care Costs

    Child care costs can be a shock to new and expecting parents, but are some programs in place to help with the first few years.
  22. Tough Times: Should You Dip Into Your Qualified Plan?

    401(k)s, pensions and profit-sharing plans can be a source of cash, but there are consequences to this option.
  23. Personal Income Tax Guide

    If the sight of your W-4 has you in the doldrums, read on to learn how to beat the tax blues.
  24. Making Sense Of The Tax Code

    If tax rules and regulations are Greek to you, read on to learn how to decipher them.
  25. Can I give stock as a gift?

    Stocks, bonds or any other securities can be transferred as gifts. Giving the gift of stock also has benefits for the giver. If the stock has appreciated in value, the holder can avoid paying the capital gains tax by giving it as a gift. There are two methods in transferring the ownership of a stock, ...
  26. After receiving a required distribution when and how are my taxes affected?

    Any taxable amount of the distribution will represent ordinary income for the year that the distribution occurs and will be subject to income tax at your regular/ordinary income tax rate.If the amount is significant, it could put your income in a higher tax bracket.
  27. The Simple Tax Math Of Roth Conversions

    Roth conversions will be available to affluent taxpayers in 2010. Will you benefit?
  28. Can I, without tax penalties, use the IRA I inherited from my father to buy a home ...

    If you inherited an IRA from someone who was not your spouse at the time he/she died, the amounts that you receive as a distribution from the IRA will never be subject to any early-distribution penalties. However, amounts you receive will be treated as ordinary income (for you) and may be subject to ...
  29. 9 Tips For Growing A Successful Business

    Give your business what it needs to thrive and it will reward you for years to come.
  30. New Retirement Plan Limits For 2011

    New changes to the law can have a huge impact on your nest egg.
  31. Discover Master Limited Partnerships

    These unique investments provide significant tax advantages.
  32. What constitutes an "intention to call a debt instrument before maturity" for tax ...

    When a bond is sold for a capital gain, the seller will face taxation on the profit. The profit from the sale will either be treated a capital gain or ordinary income depending on the nature of the sale. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) states that if a bond is sold with "intention to call a debt instrument ...
  33. Non-Cash Contribution Rules Could Cut Returns

    Higher standards for certain contributions could mean smaller deductions for you.
  34. As a temporary resident of the US, can I withdraw funds from my Traditional IRA without ...

    Should you decide to invest in a Traditional IRA and receive a tax deduction for your contribution, the amounts that you later withdraw will be subject to income tax and an additional 10% early-withdrawal penalty. The penalty will be waived if you meet an exception.Given that you ...
  35. If I take a severance package from my employer, how will it be taxed?

    It depends on your tax bracket. For instance, if your employer offers you a payout of $100,000, you will owe federal tax of $35,000. You may also owe estate tax.It may be best to check with your tax professional; he or she may be familiar with your tax rate and know whether any other taxes will apply.For ...
  36. What are the "certain requirements" that must be met for substantially equal periodic ...

    For substantially equal periodic payments (SEPPs), the distributions would occur from your IRA after you rollover the assets. (SEPPs are also allowed from qualified plans after the participant has separated from service - this does not apply to you at this time.) There are no mandatory withholding requirements ...
  37. Retiring Early: How Long Should You Wait?

    Maximize your Social Security benefits by choosing when you retire.
  38. Capital Gains Tax Cuts For Middle Income Investors

    Find out how TIPRA plans to slash taxes for those in the 10-15% tax bracket.
  39. Downsize Your Home To Downsize Expenses

    Learn how to cut your mortgage, tax, gas and utilities bills.
  40. Upon my death, will the beneficiaries of my IRA be compelled to take the entire amount ...

    It depends. If the beneficiary of your IRA is your spouse, he or she will be eligible to transfer the amount to his or her own IRA, from which distributions are not required until age 70.5. If the beneficiary is not your spouse, then the options available may be determined by the provisions in the IRA ...
  41. I am 52 years old and wish to make a withdrawal from my 401(k) plan. Is there any ...

    Most distributions from qualified retirement plans made to you before you reach the age of 59.5 are subject to an additional tax of 10%. The IRS may waive this tax under certain circumstances; however, there is no broad definition of "hardship" for the purposes of exemption from the 10% penalty.
  42. Pension Protection Act Of 2006 Becomes Law

    Learn how the passed bill can help you save more for retirement.
  43. 4 IRA Changes That Encourage Savings

    Find out what's new in the world of IRAs and how you can get more bang for your buck.
  44. It Is Better To Give AND Receive

    You give to benefit others, but there can be perks for you too.
  45. I've heard that workers who don't roll over their 401(k)s after retiring face some ...

    I am not sure to which government regulation your contact was referring. However, here is what I can tell you. In 2002, the IRS issued final required minimum distribution (RMD) regulations affecting the options available to beneficiaries of retirement plan assets.
  46. How do I sign up for the saver's tax credit?

    The saver's tax credit is a non-refundable tax credit available to eligible taxpayers in the U.S. who make contributions to their employer-sponsored 401(k), 403(b), SIMPLE, SEP or governmental 457 plan and/or make contributions to their Traditional and/or Roth IRAs.
  47. When am I considered "married" for tax purposes?

    You are generally considered married for tax purposes as long as you were married as of the last day of the year, regardless of whether your marriage license has been issued. Your last name is a non-issue, as many married couples file jointly even when they have different last names.
  48. Earnings within a Roth IRA are tax free, so are these earnings included in the modified ...

    There are two possible answers to this question, depending on whether or not the distribution from the Roth IRA is qualified.Earnings on investments within a Roth IRA are neither subject to income tax nor are they included in the IRA owner's income. Instead, they accumulate on a tax-deferred basis and ...
  49. An Introduction To Canadian Income Trusts

    Yields in excess of 10% aren't rare, but these unique investments need to be chosen very carefully.
  50. How can I reduce the taxes on my inherited retirement assets?

    Many beneficiaries miss out on one of the most significant tax deductions for inherited retirement-plan assets; the income with respect to decedent (IRD) deduction. If you inherited retirement plans assets, check with the person who filed the decedent's estate return, to determine whether the decedent's ...
Marketplace
Save Money
  1. 5 Ways To Make Your Home Remodels Pay Off

    Here are five ways to make your home renovation worth the money and effort you put into it.
  2. Differences Between Private Foundations And Public Charities

    Here's a look at the differences between these types of charitable organizations.
  3. How To Monetize Your YouTube Channel

    YouTube's Partner Program helps users earn money through their channels. Find out how.
  4. The World's Most Valuable Private Companies

    In spite of the rewards going public can bring, some companies prefer to remain private, and they are very successful in this.
  5. Is Cyber Monday The New Black Friday?

    Cyber Monday is becoming more popular than Black Friday. Here's why.
Trading Center