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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. How can unethical executives use options backdating to evade taxes?

    The practice of options backdating has landed many companies into the hotseat. The SEC constantly investigates possible instances where high level executives have been issued options at a past point in time (or backdating) where the underlying stock's price was at a low.This way the executive would be ...
  26. Changes In Tax Legislation And Regulation

    Keeping on top of these amendments can help you avoid penalties and take advantage of benefits.
  27. Can I donate stock to charity?

    Giving stock, instead of cash, as a donation can greatly benefit both parties. You will find that most charities, hospitals, schools and other nonprofit organizations will accept stock as a gift or donation. If the stock has increased in value from the time of purchase, the owner can avoid paying the ...
  28. Estate Planning For Canadians

    Trusts, wills, taxes and rules differ by country. Find out what you need to know about estate plans in Canada.
  29. How do I file taxes for income from foreign sources?

    If you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien, your income (except for amounts exempt under federal law), including that which is earned outside the U.S., is usually subject to U.S. income tax.This includes earned income and unearned income, such as: Wages and tips Interest Dividends ...
  30. How are realized profits different from unrealized or so-called "paper" profits?

    When buying and selling assets for profit, it is important for investors to differentiate between realized profits and gains, and unrealized or so-called "paper profits".Simply put, realized profits are gains that have been converted into cash. In order words, for you to realize profits from an investment ...
  31. How can I tell if I'm eligible for an EITC?

    According to the IRS, over 22 million taxpayers received $41.4 billion dollars in earned income tax credit (EITC) for tax year 2005. On the other hand, it was not claimed by approximately 20 to 25% of eligible taxpayers.The EITC goes toward reducing eligible taxpayers federal taxes, or increase the amount ...
  32. Saving Money With A Private Annuity Trust

    Learn about a strategy that could help you reduce taxes, diversify your portfolio and generate income.
  33. How do I avoid paying excess taxes on securities I have sold?

    If you dispose of securities during the tax year, the profit or losses from the transaction are either capital gains or losses. If you held the asset for more than one year, the gain/loss is treated as long-term gains/losses. If you held the assets for up to one year, the gain/loss is treated as short-term ...
  34. State Laws Dictate Division Of Joint Property

    In breakup, divorce or death, community or common law will determine how property is divided.
  35. When am I not required to submit a social security number on my tax return?

    When filing your tax return, you are generally required to include the social security numbers of yourself and the individuals for whom you claim as dependents. However, exceptions do apply. ExceptionsChild Born and Died Same YearIf you have a child who died in the year of birth, and you did not apply ...
  36. How do I calculate my gains and/or losses when I sell a stock?

    To begin, you need to know your cost basis, or the price you paid for the stock. If you did not record this information, you should have an order execution confirmation and/or an account statement that covers the date of your purchase with the purchase price.
  37. Are there special benefits for U.S. armed forces personnel?

    If you are a member of the military, you may be afforded special tax benefits that might not be available to other taxpayers. These include the following:Automatic ExtensionIf you are serving in a combat zone, you receive an automatic extension for filing your tax return, paying taxes, filing claims ...
  38. I sold my house. Can I exclude the gain from my income?

    Generally, you are required to include the gain from the sale of your home in your taxable income. However, if the gain is from your primary home, you may exclude up to $250,000 ($500,000 for married couples filing jointly) gain from income, if you meet certain requirements.
  39. Paying Uncle Sam: From Tobacco To $1 Trillion

    The services we rely on, like education, law and security, were built on taxes.
  40. How can I easily get ready for next year's tax season?

    You may one of the lucky ones to come out on top this tax season, but as you will likely agree, it does not mean that you should rest on your laurels. Instead, use the experience gained during this tax season as a guide for the things that you can do better for next tax season.
  41. Can I convert non-deductible contributions made to my Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA ...

    You can convert the contributions to a Roth IRA; however, a portion of the amount you convert to the Roth will be subject to income tax. When your Traditional IRA balance consists of deductible and non-deductible contributions, any amount distributed or converted from the Traditional IRA is pro-rated ...
  42. How does the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 affect ...

    The passage of the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 at the end of July 2008 made about $15 billion of tax incentives available to Americans impacted by the mortgage crisis. (See our feature Subprime Mortgages for more on the subprime meltdown.)The largest implication of ...
  43. Can an open-ended fund's price appreciate significantly?

    Theoretically, open-end mutual fund prices can experience a significant increase in price. However, three factors need to be considered to provide a practical answer to the question.First, open-end mutual fund shares are priced at their net asset values (NAV), which are computed on a daily basis by dividing ...
  44. 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.
  45. 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, ...
  46. 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 ...
  47. 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 ...
  48. The Simple Tax Math Of Roth Conversions

    Roth conversions will be available to affluent taxpayers in 2010. Will you benefit?
  49. 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 ...
  50. 9 Tips For Growing A Successful Business

    Give your business what it needs to thrive and it will reward you for years to come.
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    In spite of the rewards going public can bring, some companies prefer to remain private, and they are very successful in this.
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    Cyber Monday is becoming more popular than Black Friday. Here's why.
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