Tax guidance and resources

Latest Articles

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  Uncle Sam wants slice of prize winnings

  A woman who won a trip to Bora Bora will have to share her bounty with the U.S. government.

  1 min read Oct 30, 2009
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  Co-signer’s daughter can’t get home tax credit

  A woman who receives a home from her father is ineligible for the homebuyer tax break.

  1 min read Oct 28, 2009
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  Tax due on jointly held savings bonds?

  When mom has died, how will interest on savings bonds held jointly with her daughter be taxed?

  2 min read Oct 15, 2009
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  When to deduct travel expenses

  A tale of two business offices, thousands of miles apart: Can travel expenses be deducted?

  1 min read Oct 13, 2009
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  Deferring interest on savings bonds

  There are several ways for taxpayers to report the interest earned on savings bonds.

  2 min read Oct 08, 2009
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  Will IRS pay interest on a tax refund?

  Don’t think of it as a bank, but the IRS will pay interest to you under certain conditions.

  2 min read Oct 06, 2009
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  Meth production cooks up tax trouble

  Is there at least a tax benefit for the property damage caused by a meth operation?

  2 min read Oct 01, 2009
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  Is IRA taxed for elder care?

  You can minimize taxes paid on an IRA if you use the money to pay for a nursing home.

  2 min read Sep 29, 2009
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  ‘Goofy’ change coming to Roth IRA

  A 2010 Roth IRA rule change will help investors, even if the logic behind it is a little ‘goofy.’

  1 min read Sep 29, 2009
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  Will a refinance result in higher taxes?

  Borrowing against your rental was smart while prices rose. But sell now and you still owe taxes.

  2 min read Sep 22, 2009
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  Rollover funds won’t get new tax break

  Transferring retirement funds into a traditional IRA rollover will not net a new tax break.

  1 min read Sep 21, 2009
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  Banker should fix tax error

  Banker’s error in titling an IRA causes a $35,000 tax bill, and he should be on the hook to fix it.

  2 min read Sep 17, 2009
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  Pay IRA penalty or foreclose?

  To save a home with nearly $200,000 in equity, be willing to pay a penalty — or maybe not.

  3 min read Sep 15, 2009
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  Tax credit for home energy efficiency?

  If you missed out on earlier tax credits, they are being reintroduced. But there is a limit.

  1 min read Aug 20, 2009
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  Die in 2011 and you’ll pay

  With the estate tax in flux, planning for estate taxes at death is uncertain at best.

  2 min read Aug 18, 2009
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  Rules for the child care tax credit

  The IRS has rules for claiming the child care credit if you pay a relative to provide the care.

  2 min read Aug 13, 2009
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  Selling property in a foreign country

  When you become a U.S. resident, the IRS wants a portion of all your worldwide income.

  2 min read Aug 11, 2009
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  Do you qualify for COBRA subsidies?

  In order to qualify for the COBRA subsidy, an employee must have been laid off or fired.

  2 min read Aug 06, 2009
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  Deducting court-ordered COBRA payments

  In a divorce, the medical expenses of the ex-spouse may be deductible as alimony.

  2 min read Aug 04, 2009
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  Should tax fears alter retirement plan?

  Tax diversification remains a cornerstone of a sound 401(k) retirement savings strategy.

  1 min read Aug 03, 2009