Gifting is a way to reduce your estate by passing on property to others while you are still alive. Individuals are allowed to gift up to $13,000 in property to an individual per year. You may make as many $13,000 annual gifts as you wish to any number of individuals, without being required to file a gift tax return. For more information on the basics of gifting, read this Financial Strategy.
If you used your credit card to pay your federal individual income taxes, your credit card company likely charged you a fee close to 2.5% of your total payment. The good news is that the IRS has announced this convenience fee is deductible. For more information on how to deduct these fees, read this C.P.A. Insight.
If your loved ones’ financial situation would be severely impacted if you were to die, chances are you need some life insurance. Life insurance can also be used to cover short-term expenses such as funeral arrangements, taxes and debts. For more information on using life insurance as part of your estate plan, read this Insurance Know-How.
If you have had the unfortunate experience of watching one of your securities investments plummet to worthlessness, you may be eligible for a tax deduction. However, the IRS has a strict definition of "worthless." For more information on what qualifies a stock to be worthless and how a taxpayer can take advantage of a loss of a stock that has a miniscule amount of value, read this C.P.A. Insight.
Exchange traded funds are a relatively new investment vehicle that have been available in the United States since 1993. One of the most notable innovations in the ETF market is the actively managed ETF. For more information on the benefits of investing in an actively managed ETF instead of an equivalent mutual fund, read this Investment Whys.
If you are like many, you already know how you plan to spend your tax refund, but the question many still have is, "How long do I have to wait?" The IRS offers two ways, by Internet and phone, that allows taxpayers to check the status of their refund. For more information on the IRS’ turnaround time, read this C.P.A. Insight.
Despite the relative simplicity in deriving a P/E ratio, its application can be quite complicated. P/E is a measure of relative value. A thorough investor should compare a stock’s P/E against the stock’s peers, and consider the growth potential for the sector. For more information on P/E ratios and how it is calculated, read this Investment Whys.
With technology providing investors easy access to global markets, many consider investing in foreign securities. One of the easiest options for investing in foreign securities is to consider American Depositary Receipts (ADRs). For more information on ADRs, and the advantages and disadvantages of foreign securities, read this Investment Whys.
After all your business trips to New Jersey you finally have enough frequent flyer miles for a roundtrip ticket to Hawaii. Now the question is, "Are those frequent flyer points considered taxable income?" For more information on the IRS’ treatment of frequent flyer miles, read this C.P.A. Insight.
A successful estate plan takes more than good intentions. If you do not have a Will in place, a nameless, faceless court will decide how your assets will be distributed. This is one of many pitfalls you could face if you do not revisit your estate plan, as your family situation or federal and state laws change. For more information on areas you should consult your estate planning attorney or tax adviser on, read this Financial Strategy.