taxes

Could a Divorce Improve Your Finances?

When I was single, I thought that getting married would reduce my expenses greatly, and after I got married I realized that in some instances

Taxes on irregular income

This is really a non-issue, if you work a regular job:  Your employer withholds taxes.  It's also not much of an issue if you're self-employed and your income is reasonably

Software review: TurboTax

I wasn't looking forward to doing my taxes this year.  They were going to be more complicated than in years past, because I left my regular job and started working full-time as

You must file a tax return to get economic stimulus tax rebate

Surely by now everyone has heard of the economic stimulus tax rebate. To get it, though, you have to file a return.

Bar Stool Economics

Enjoy this lighthearted anecdotal story illustrating the North American tax system.

Bush's economic stimulus package; What will you get back?

As you’re no doubt aware, President Bush has created an economic stimulus package in the hopes of stalling the impending recession (or if you believe some, depression) that’s on th

TurboTax: New features, and a chance to win a copy

The kind folks at Intuit have given us some free copies of TurboTax. I snagged one that I'm going to use to do my taxes, and once I'm done, I'll post a review and tell

Cross your fingers and hope you’re not caught by Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) this year.

If you don’t know what the AMT is, you may well be in for a shock this year. And if your household income is around $75,000 or more, gross, then AMT could very well take a big bite

Can the government help in a recession?

Recessions spread. A minor downturn in one business spreads to its suppliers and then to their suppliers. Workers are laid off (or simply fear that they will be) and buy less, sp

How To Choose A Financial Planner - Yes You!

I don't care who you are. (Well, actually I do, otherwise I wouldn't be writing this). What I mean, is I don't care about your background, education, financial prowess, or absolu

Last Minute Tax-Filing? Extended Post Office Hours and More

Isn't it weird that there isn't a central list of post offices at, oh I don't know, say, USPS.com, that tells you which post office branches are going to be open late tonight for last-minute filers? [more]

Top 10 Tax Urban Legends, Myths and Rumors.

Hey, it's tax time again. If you've already looked at my other post on weird tax deductions , you'll know I like looking at the lighter side of taxation. [more]

Ask the readers: What charities do you give to?

My last post on giving made me think a bit about... well, giving. [more]

20 amazing, outrageous and just plain weird tax deductions

Well, it's that time again. The tax deadline is just around the corner. If you still haven't done your return, take a look at the top 20 funky, strange and outrageous deductions

The State Sales Tax Holiday is coming...

...if you're lucky enough to live in Tennessee. [more]

Can't Afford to Pay the IRS?

Even though I have a couple of extra days to file my tax returns this year, I won't be able to come up with enough to pay the IRS what I owe. The age old question about paying now or later came to a head for me this year, when I chose the "pay late [more]

Ring. Ring. Ka-ching! Lying About Your Telephone Tax

I haven't had a landline in years. I'm dead serious. Years. So, I was bummed to hear that this year, the "sorry you were cheated initially when we taxed you too much" refund that we get back is for long distance telephone service. [more]

Charitable giving - get a receipt

After the good-hearted decision to make a charitable donation, do some good for yourself and get a receipt! You can't deduct without one!