An inheritance is generally worth only what your heirs get to keep after taxes are paid. So when it comes to leaving a legacy, not all property is created equal–at least as far as federal income tax is concerned. When…Read More
If you’re retired, or about to retire, you may be thinking about relocating to a state that has low tax rates or provides special tax benefits to retirees. Here’s a survey that may jump-start your search for a tax-friendly state…Read More
If you converted a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA in 2013 and your Roth IRA has sustained losses, you may want to consider whether it makes sense to undo (recharacterize) your conversion. You have until October 15, 2014, to…Read More
It seems that whenever the daily price change of the stock market exceeds plus or minus 1%, the news headlines provide us with an indication that we should panic or rejoice. As you can see in the chart of daily…Read More
It is important to keep in mind what insurance companies are actually investing in when considering the features of annuities and cash value life insurance contracts. According to a paper published by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago in April…Read More
Here are some questions to ask yourself when deciding whether or not you are ready to retire. Is your nest egg adequate? It’s obvious, but the earlier you retire, the less time you’ll have to save, and the more years…Read More
Having a good credit report is important when it comes to personal finance, because most lenders use credit reports to evaluate the creditworthiness of a potential borrower. Borrowers with good credit are presumed to be more creditworthy and may find…Read More
Here are 10 things to consider as you weigh potential tax moves between now and the end of the year. 1. Make time to plan Effective planning requires that you have a good understanding of your current tax situation, as…Read More
If you make significant gifts to your children or someone else’s children, or if someone else makes gifts to your children, there are a number of things for you to consider. Transfers that are not taxable gifts There are a…Read More
You’re probably covered under Social Security–according to the Social Security Administration, an estimated 165 million workers are*–but how much do you know about this program? Test your knowledge by answering the following questions. Questions 1. If you decide to collect…Read More
