The Growing Threat of Tax Return Fraud: How to Protect Yourself
As the tax-filing season gets underway, you likely have much to worry about. From concerns about a potential audit of your finances to worries about the size of your refund to concerns that you might actually owe the IRS some money, you already have a lot on your plate. Given the...
Owe Unpaid Taxes? See How a Debt Relief Agency Can Help
American taxpayers owe about a half-trillion dollars in unpaid taxes. If the IRS were to be successful in collecting all of it, it would slash the federal deficit by half. For this reason, the IRS tends to vigorously go after taxpayers who either evade taxes or pay less than they...
The Wash Sale Rule: What It Is and How to Avoid It
If you trade stocks, you need to know the wash sale rule. Stock trading is no longer limited to financial institutions and fund managers. Thanks to brokerage apps like Robinhood and SoFi, anyone can do it. As a newcomer to the stock market, though, you should familiarize yourself...
What are Transfer Taxes?
When you are moving, financial paperwork can be one of the biggest headaches. Something which can be confusing for anyone, whether buying or selling, are transfer taxes. Transfer taxes are levied by states, counties, and municipalities (so yes, you may well have to pay two or three...
Steps to Take if Someone Has Fraudulently Filed Your Return
Filing your taxes is bad enough, but finding out that someone has filed a fraudulent return on your behalf is even worse. Hopefully, you will never encounter this disconcerting situation, but if you do, it's important that you know what to do -- and what not to do. There are many...
Maximizing Your Retirement Income While Minimizing Your Taxes: Avoid These Critical RMD Mistakes
As you transition into retirement, you will face many choices, both personal and financial. From how to fill your time to how to fill your wallet, the choices you make now will ripple through every year of your retirement. In the early days of your retirement, you can pick and...
Think You’re Ready to File Your Taxes: Ask Yourself These Questions Before You Hit Send
Few people truly enjoy filing taxes, and most people just want to get it over as quickly as possible. Even if you are expecting a refund, you would probably rather be doing anything else. Now that your taxes are nearing completion, you are itching to press the "E-file My Return"...
What Happens If You Don’t File Your Taxes by the IRS Deadline?
If you tend to find it hard to get going unless there's a deadline bearing down on you, the tax filing deadline that the IRS usually announces should light a fire under you to get your forms ready. The tax deadline even applies to back taxes owed. If you need to file for a tax...