Once upon a time (back in 1967), there were 155 taxpayers with incomes over $200,000 (more than $1.3 million in today’s dollars) who paid no income tax at all. Twenty of them were millionaires. Because the government needed to fund its programs—including the Vietnam War—the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) was born as part of the [...]
Saving money for retirement can be difficult, especially if you’re living paycheck to paycheck. Every dime counts, and putting $50 into savings can feel like a punishment when you know that money could go toward something you need or want now. But what if there was some incentive—other than retirement—that could inspire you to save, [...]
The deadline to file your 2013 taxes is right around the corner. Whether you’re doing your taxes yourself or making a last-minute appointment with a tax professional, here are some things to consider this year: Your Must-Have 2014 Tax Filing Checklist It’s important to be thorough and correct when finishing up your return—even if you’re [...]
This tax season, even tax professionals are appalled by the complexity of some of the new taxes we’re facing. Visualize 50 nearly-bald CPAs and EAs running screaming from a seminar room, tearing out what’s left of their hair. Me? I just sat there crying. Here’s a look at some tax deduction changes you should remember [...]
At the start of my tax career, I was like most people: terrified of an IRS audit. But due to the nature of my clients’ activities in real estate partnerships, I had to face audits head-on. (For example, there was the time a client bought a three-building apartment complex in Canada and one of the [...]
Many Americans are facing tax issues this year that they’ve never experienced before. Whether it’s because of a marriage, a home sale or new federal and state rules, questions arising this close to the April 15 tax deadline can be stressful. One big new rule this year is that the federal government is recognizing same-sex [...]
An anonymous Silicon Valley billionaire has purchased the world’s most valuable life insurance policy for $201 million, and I think his reasoning behind it is fascinating. He bought the insurance to help his heirs avoid paying a 45 percent inheritance tax after his death. This life insurance policy will pay out twice as much, and [...]
Your tax bracket determines how much you have to pay in taxes based on your income. In general, the higher your income, the higher your tax bracket, and the more you will pay when filing taxes. How do I determine my tax bracket? If you’re using a tax service, your tax professional should be able [...]
Surprises can be fun, but not when they come in the form of unexpected taxes. When filing your 2013 taxes, be sure to keep an eye out for these four tax curveballs: 1. New tax brackets. There is a new top tax bracket of 39.6 percent, though it appears that it only affects a small [...]
This article was written by guest blogger Eva Rosenberg. It’s one of the tax questions I’ve been asked more than once: Can unpaid taxes affect my credit score? Unfortunately, if you’re not careful, the answer is yes. Once upon a time, a friend quit his job and opened a business. In the first year, he [...]
