What’s up with 2012 taxes? That’s a good question! It’s important to know the answer because it affects the moves you make this year as well as the 2012 estimated tax payments you make. Unfortun...

What can you do with a tax refund? Here are some suggestions that can help you generate future tax rewards:Make an IRA or Roth contribution (if eligible) Contribute to a health savings account ...

Shakespeare said “past is prologue.” Was he talking about taxes? Maybe, because the carryovers you amassed in prior years can work to reduce your taxes now. Even better, these carryovers did not e...

The tax law usually restricts the ability to benefit tax-wise from an expenditure to one tax break. This break may be an exclusion from income, a tax deduction, or a tax credit. However, there is one ...

Soon, you'll be focusing on your 2011 tax return. But before you do, start thinking ahead to 2012 so you can take advantage of opportunities for this year. Here are some of the changes to know so that...

The stock market has been up and down throughout 2011. If you have losses on stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), bonds, and mutual fund shares between now and the end of the year, you may want to ca...

Most securities are sold through the market. But if you sell a stock or bond (perhaps from a privately held corporation) directly to a person who is considered a related party, no loss deduction is al...

The tax law doesn't want you to be able to churn your holdings solely for tax advantage without really changing your economic position. To this end, there is a restriction in the tax law called the wa...

Capital losses, whether short term or long term, can offset capital gains dollar for dollar. For instance, if you have $5,000 of capital gains for the year and $5,000 of capital losses, you won't have...

When you sell property, you will have a recognized gain or loss. Gain (or loss) is the difference between your "basis" (generally, what you paid for the property) and the selling price (what you recei...

Mutual funds give investors diversification, professional management, and liquidity. They also may make distributions to investors. The tax treatment of distributions is reported on information return...

There are 2 ways to make money in mutual funds: distributions from the funds and selling shares at a profit.Redemptions (sales). When you sell your shares, gain or loss is short-term or long-term,...

The stock market fluctuates, sometimes in dramatic swings, which can change the value of a 401(k) account considerably. One day you feel rich, the next day poor. Either way, it is still a good idea to...

Capital losses can fully offset capital gains. Capital losses in excess of capital gains can offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income. Unused capital losses for the year can be carried forward in...

It's not what you earn, it's what you keep after tax that matters. This truism must be factored into your investing strategies. Tax issues Long-term capital gains (gains on the sale of assets held mor...

Timing is a matter of various considerations, including personal needs, investment objectives, market trends, and tax concerns. Only you can determine your personal needs and investment objectives, an...

Having investments isn't a one-time activity of buying stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Having a portfolio requires ongoing attention so changes can be made when appropriate. Obviously, changes in mar...

When it comes to personal finance, reducing your goals into numbers, such as how much to save each month, and writing down these goals are the first step to achieving your objectives. Here are some gu...