Surprise! Your stock loss is not deductible. Tip Category: Your Income You may be considering booking stock losses due to recent market drops. Selling losers can be a great strategy when these losses can offset other gains and up to $3,000 of your ordinary income. However, there is a little-known rule called the wash sale rule …
Category: Income
The $500,000 Homeowner Tax Break
Understand the rules now to avoid a tax surprise later Tip Category: Your Income There is large tax break that allows you to exclude up to $250,000 ($500,000 married) in capital gains on the sale of your personal residence. But making the assumption that this gain exclusion will always keep you safe from tax can be …
The Paycheck Tax Tip
A great place to lower your taxes Tip Category: Your Income The tax code has plenty of ways to reduce your taxable income, and many take place on your paycheck. If you haven’t already done so, now is a great time to conduct a thorough review of your paystub. Here are some tips: Review insurance …
Time to Reconsider Municipal Bonds
Do you know the benefits of municipal bonds? Here is what you should know. Tip Category: Your Income Everybody likes getting something for free, and taxes are no different. If you invest in securities such as municipal bonds (munis) or municipal bond funds, you can generate tax-free interest income. Here is what you need to …
Understanding Tax Terms: Unearned Income
Not all income is the same in the eyes of the tax code Tip Category: Your Income The tax code uses jargon that can be confusing for the unwary. One of them that impacts most of us is the term unearned income. Unearned income is often defined as anything that is not earned income. If you …
The Taxability of Prizes
What everyone should know Tip Category: Your Income When you win a prize, there are really two winners: you and the taxing authorities. Should you be fortunate enough to win that trip of a lifetime to the French Riviera in your new yacht, here is what you need to know. Prizes and taxes Prizes are …
Cash in on 0% Capital Gains Tax Rate
Zero tax when selling a stock for a gain? Please tell me more! Tip Category: Your Income While the maximum capital gain tax rate can be as high as 23.8 percent, most taxpayers pay 15 percent. But there is the possibility to have your capital gains go tax-free...yes, zero percent! In fact, this tax break …
Put Your Tax Refund to Good Use
Three-fourths of tax filers get a refund every year, with the average check weighing in at $2,972 so far this tax season. Have a plan to use that money well! Tip Category: Your Income Three-fourths of filers get a tax refund every year, with the average check weighing in at $2,972* so far this tax …
Triple Tax: aka The Lottery
Lotteries are a very effective way to TRIPLE tax the poor. Here's how it works. Category: Your Income Now that the dust has settled on the big lottery winnings, it is worthwhile to see how the tax math works. Seen in the light of day, it is a great way for federal and state governments …
Leveraging Your Children’s Lower Tax Rate
One of the best places for parents to look for tax savings You can legally lower your tax by shifting unearned income to your children. Here are some ideas. Tip Category: Your Income If you're a parent, your dependent children can be a source of tax savings. There are the well-known provisions in the tax code …
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