Tax News

October 17, 2008 12:00 am

The IRS has announced cost-of-living adjustments to various limits for qualified retirement plans in 2009. There is a potential for greater contributions. Some key numbers to watch: For 401(k) plans,...

October 2, 2008 12:00 am

The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 has passed both houses of Congress and has been sent to the White House for the President's signature, which is expected short...

September 8, 2008 12:00 am

In the coming weeks, it's back-to-school time. This can mean tax saving opportunities for you. The tax law provides a number of exclusions, deductions, and tax credits designed to encourage education...

September 2, 2008 12:00 am

Taxpayers may be subject to the alternative minimum tax (AMT) when they exercise incentive stock options (ISOs). The reason: The spread between the fair market value of the stock at the time it is ac...

What You Should Know If You Lose Your Job
August 27, 2008 12:00 am

In today's tough economy, practically no job is safe. At any time, you can receive a pink slip and be out of work. What does this mean for you and your family? Here are the tax implications for some a...

August 25, 2008 12:00 am

Your personal tax information is supposed to be private. Both the law (the Taxpayer Browsing Protection Act of 1997 and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act) and IRS policy state that employees are allowe...

Tax Breaks for Disasters
August 11, 2008 12:00 am

The hurricane season is upon us and many taxpayers around the country have already experienced devastating property losses from tornadoes, floods, wildfires, and other natural disasters this year. The...

August 8, 2008 12:00 am

Recently released proposed regulations clarify what you must do to prove your charitable contributions. Without this substantiation, no deduction is allowed. Cash contributions The law requires tha...

July 30, 2008 12:00 am

A new law designed to aid the ailing housing market and prevent foreclosures for 400,000 homeowners became effective on July 30 when President Bush signed the Housing Assistance Act of 2008. The new ...

July 30, 2008 12:00 am

Where you live is a big factor in determining the amount of alternative minimum tax (AMT) you may owe. Generally, taxpayers living in states with high income taxes are more likely to be subject to th...

July 24, 2008 12:00 am

On July 23, the House passed an important measure to help avert foreclosure for more than 400,000 homeowners. The Senate will vote on it soon and the President has said he would sign it. In addition ...

July 16, 2008 12:00 am

The Office of the Taxpayer Advocate is an independent organization within the IRS that assists taxpayers who are experiencing economic harm and also advises the IRS on issues that need to be addresse...

July 16, 2008 12:00 am

The top rate on most long-term capital gains and qualified dividends for regular tax purposes is 15%. But there's a trap: Taxpayers with such income who are subject to the alternative minimum tax...

July 16, 2008 12:00 am

Withdrawing funds in a qualified retirement plan or IRA before age 59-1/2 can result in a 10% early distribution penalty unless a special exception to the penalty applies. These exceptions include wi...

Tax Breaks for Your Investment Losses
July 7, 2008 12:00 am

In today's tough economy, investments in personal portfolios, 401(k) plans, and individual retirement accounts (IRAs) may be down. Fortunately, the tax law lets you ease your financial pain by claimin...

June 30, 2008 12:00 am

A homeowner can gain from the sale of a primary residence up to $250,000, or $500,000 on a joint return, if he or she has owned and lived in the home for at least two of the five years preceding the ...

June 25, 2008 12:00 am

As of June 20, the Treasury Department had sent out 9.071 million checks under the Economic Stimulus Act totaling $6.919 billion. However, some people who are eligible to receive a check have not app...

Three Travel Plans That Are Tax Deductible
June 9, 2008 12:00 am

As you make your vacation plans for the summer, you might want to keep in mind some options that allow you to transform nondeductible personal expenses of the trip into a partially deductible expense....

June 9, 2008 12:00 am

If you can't pay your tax bill in full and want to arrange to pay it off in installments, you can use the IRS Online Payment Agreement (OPA) application. The OPA application can be used to obtain...

June 9, 2008 12:00 am

Interest on a tax deficiency (underpayment) generally runs from the due date of the return until the tax is paid. Interest is compounded (interest is charged on interest), so the longer the dispute g...

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Tax Glossary

Rollover

A tax-free reinvestment of a distribution from a qualified retirement plan into an IRA or other qualified plan within 60 days.

More terms