Tax News

January 4, 2010 12:00 am

You may be thinking about filing your 2009 tax return in the coming weeks or months. It's also a good idea to take note of new tax rules for 2010 so you can begin strategies for saving taxes this year...

Extension of Time to Recharacterize a Roth IRA
December 18, 2009 12:00 am

Usually, you have until October 15 of the year following the year to recharacterize Roth IRA conversion. Thus, if you convert a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA in April 2009, you have until October 15, ...

Converting to a Roth IRA
December 17, 2009 12:00 am

Starting in 2010, millions of Americans previously barred from converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA because of the income limitation are now eligible to do so. The $100,000 modified adjusted gro...

December 4, 2009 12:00 am

Merchants, including sellers on eBay and Amazon, will have their payment transactions reported to the IRS starting in 2011. This new reporting, which was created in the Housing Assistance Tax Act of 2...

December 3, 2009 12:00 am

If you own stocks, bonds, and mutual funds in a taxable account (outside of an IRA or 401(k) plan), you have a few weeks left to take actions that can favorably impact your tax return and your investm...

November 29, 2009 12:00 am

The first-time homebuyer credit came into law in April 2008 as a way to stimulate the sagging housing market. Back then, the credit limit was $7,500 and, in most cases, it had to be repaid to the gove...

November 20, 2009 12:00 am

If you're a homeowner, you can win in four big ways by making certain energy-saving improvements to your home now: Save on energy costs this winter and for years to come. Increase the value...

November 16, 2009 12:00 am

A windfall is a sudden, unexpected good fortune. It usually is a sum of money and/or property, and it could be substantial. Taxwise, the windfall may be tax-free income, fully taxable, or something in...

Tax Strategies for Charitable Giving
November 8, 2009 12:00 am

If you're so inclined and can afford to share your wealth, the tax law will reward you. Due to the recession, many charities are reporting that giving is down and your contributions are needed now mor...

November 2, 2009 12:00 am

The government believes that some wealthy individuals stash funds abroad and engage in complex transactions as a way to hide income and evade taxes. An amnesty program for individuals to report their ...

November 2, 2009 12:00 am

Generally, when a creditor (lender) agrees to accept less than the full amount owed, the amount forgiven is cancellation of debt income to the debtor (borrower). Unless the debtor is insolvent or in b...

October 25, 2009 12:00 am

A tax credit is a valuable write-off. It reduces your tax bill dollar for dollar. Now, there is a growing number of federal tax credits that you can use that will pay you money even if the credit is m...

October 12, 2009 12:00 am

Treasury Secretary Geithner announced the administration’s steps to make it easier for individuals to save for retirement. These steps do not require congressional action. Instead, the IRS has i...

Roth IRA Conversions: Now and Next Year
October 9, 2009 12:00 am

Roth IRAs offer the opportunity to build up tax-free income for your future. You can use this income in retirement at no tax cost or leave the money as a tax-free inheritance for your spouse, children...

September 2, 2009 12:00 am

According to the Summer 2009 Statistics of Income Bulletin, there were about 23.1 million individual income tax returns that reported nonfarm sole proprietorship activity for 2007. This represents a 4...

September 1, 2009 12:00 am

As you or family members return to the classroom, remember that federal income tax breaks may help you pay for tuition and other costs of education. As a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestme...

Take Advantage of Tax-Free Income Opportunities
August 7, 2009 12:00 am

With tax rates almost certain to rise in coming years, now is a good time to focus in on tax-free income. The tax law has many situations in which you can receive income on a tax-free basis. Here is a...

Identity Theft Scams: IRS Says Beware
August 7, 2009 12:00 am

The IRS has warned consumers to steer clear of any identity theft scams that use the IRS name, logo, or website to convince them that the communication comes from the government. The scammers want you...

July 29, 2009 12:00 am

Typically, an employer reimburses employees for company travel and entertainment expenses. When they do so under an accountable plan, the reimbursements are not taxable to employees (or even reported...

July 8, 2009 12:00 am

Despite the fact that the stock market may have depressed the value of your 401(k) account, you may still hold substantial wealth there. When you leave the company because you're changing jobs, being...

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Tax Glossary

Probate estate

Property held in a decedent’s name passing by will.

More terms