When I was in elementary school, there was a boy in my class whose mother seemed to give birth to a new child practically every year. By the time we were in sixth grade, there were eight children in the family. I didn’t realize it then, but looking back I imagine their expenses must have [...]
When two people fall in love, they tend to be blind to life’s realities. The last thing they want to do is bring up issues that might generate conflict, and let’s face it, the topic of taxes is definitely turbulent. Ask the tough tax questions before you get married After decades of working with people [...]
Financial and tax planning for the New Year are discussed on Ilyce Glink's radio show. Financial experts Virginia Savage McAlester, Steve Repak and Paddy Hirsch join Ilyce to discuss financial and tax planning for 2014 on the Ilyce Glink Show on December 22, 2013 on WSB Radio. Ilyce's show always contains various forms of financial and [...]
Normally, tax-filing season goes relatively smoothly for me, with the same clients procrastinating and missing the same items, year after year. But 2013 was quite different: I had some last-minute filers inform me right before the deadline that they had abandoned or sold several properties in 2012. I had less than two weeks to get adequate [...]
Most people are generous by nature. We love to see the look on someone’s face when he or she gets the perfect gift—especially when that someone is a business associate with whom we’re eager to keep a good relationship. Unfortunately, the IRS tax laws limit tax deductions for business gifts to a total of $25 [...]
Over the years, I have worked with all kinds of wild and wonderful clients. Some of them have succeeded beyond their wildest dreams, while others have failed miserably. What’s the big difference between the successes and failures? A business plan. Small business advice: Tips for creating a business plan Creating a business plan is well [...]
At one of my jobs long ago, I arranged to have $25 taken out of each monthly paycheck to buy a $50 U.S. savings bond. The money wasn’t missed, and the savings added up to $600 worth of long-term savings for only a $300 annual investment. These days, my clients and readers don’t ask about [...]
Many homeowners face increased property taxes, even as the value of their home has fallen. If you’re one of these homeowners, you’re probably wondering how to lower your property taxes. [Scroll down for video] It takes work, but it can be done. Here are three things you need to do in order to lower your [...]
Get year-end tax tips for 2013 directly from tax experts as the year 2013 comes to a close. These tax tips can make a big difference in your income tax return for 2013. That’s why I brought in tax experts Bill Nemeth, Merry Brodie and Chet Burgess to discuss year-end tax tips for 2013. Our [...]
As a homeowner, you can reduce the amount of tax you will owe on April 15 if you take some simple steps before the end of the 2013 tax-filing season. It’s important to get your ducks in a row now—if you wait until the new year dawns, you’ll have to wait a full year to [...]
