Just thinking about preparing your taxes can give you a headache. It’s not only the concern over how much of your hard-earned money goes to taxes, but the stress over the actual filing process that gets to most of us. However, if you are prepared going into tax season, you’ll make it easier on yourself and get your tax refund sooner. Here are ... more
At the last possible moment, Congress finally approved a deal to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff that was threatening to enact automatic cuts to government programs and tax increases on Americans. While the fiscal cliff was a self-imposed crisis resulting from a previous bipartisan deal by members of Congress, it’s nice to know that our elec... more
As Americans approach the end of 2012, an enormous 2013 tax increase looms on the horizon. And even with the presidential election behind us, nobody knows whether this tax storm will make landfall in 2013, or be steered harmlessly out to sea. Either way, it pays to be prepared — which means understanding what specific financial moves may limit i... more
By year's end, Americans usually have a good idea of what the tax rules will look like in the new year and can plan accordingly. That's not the case this time around. With a huge chunk of the tax code set to expire Jan. 1, the 2013 tax forecast is, well, foggy. "The problem is, if you wait to see what Washington does before you give this any re... more
The goal of year-end tax planning usually is to shrink the current year's tax bill as much as possible. Sometimes, changes make the following year's tax bill bigger -- and this season, the possibility is even greater. A variety of tax-code provisions are scheduled to expire Dec. 31, ushering in higher tax rates for most Americans in 2013. Among... more