New tax changes for self-employed

As the April 15 income tax filing deadline approaches, the top tax expert at the National Association for the Self-Employed offers his best advice for business people who work for themselves.

Keith Hall, a national tax adviser at the association, answers the tax question he is asked most often and talks about changes in tax rules [...]

A dangerous omen looms for bonds

One of the key questions faced by investors today, a year after the markets were at their worst, is how safe it is to go back in the water. Given that bonds have turned out to be a better bet than stocks over the past 20 years—and given the steep decline and perhaps shaky rebound [...]

How Much Will I Pay For Health Insurance In Retirement

An average couple in the U.S. will need to save up over $300,000 to have in reserve to be assured they could cover their health care costs when the retire. This figure is based on research by the “Employee Benefit Research Institute” and does not cover such possibilities as long-term care, acute care or prescription [...]

Tax Credit for Student Loans – Filing the 1098-E

What most college students don’t realize is when paying off their loans, they can write off the interest. Usually students pay the bulk of the interest first. The majority of the principal is paid off later down the line. Also, with the new option of Income-Based Repayment ( IBR ), the borrower only pays off [...]

Saving money ideas – Taking it to the next level

If you’d like to save more money and improve you personal finances, but find yourself unable to set anything aside after you pay your bills — here are some suggestions:
Money Saving Ideas #1) Round Up. When you subtract a check from your account, round up the amount to the next dollar. That way, you’ll always [...]

Invest in your future. Save money on your wedding

On average, each couple spends over $3,000.00 on an engagement ring and over $2,000.00 on wedding bands according to the “2008 Wedding Report”. The average wedding tab runs around $20,000.00 or more. And, an industry statistic concludes that it takes around 250 hours to plan a wedding. Granted, the wedding day should be special, but [...]

Banks gathering personal info from social media sites

Internet users are becoming increasingly aware that companies are secretly collecting and selling the information they post on social sites like Facebook and Twitter. Now banks may also be judging them based on their social network profile.
For the first time, banks can look pretty deeply into your private life by looking at your Facebook or [...]

4 Ways Sneaky Banks Will Evade the New Credit Card Law

For months I’ve been trying to figure out what credit card companies are going to do to get around the CARD Act, which takes effect on February 22. I had already identified one — switching everybody to variable rates linked to an index like the prime rate. Doing so allows to banks to change your [...]

New tax breaks that could cut your 2009 tax bill

Tax Break 1 – Eligibility extended to those who already owned a house
This tax credit was originally intended for “first time home buyers”, but that’s no longer the case. Under legislation signed in November, 2 types of home buyers qualify for a tax credit on their 2009 returns:
- Home buyers who haven’t owned a primary [...]

Important tax credit

The recession and the high unemployment rate have affected the tax situations for many American people. As such, it’s important this year that you research the tax deductions or credits you now may be eligible to receive.
For example, you may have previously earned too much to qualify for the earned income tax credit (EITC), which was [...]

keep looking »