1) Harvest Capital Losses

Capital gains property includes stocks, bonds and mutual funds.  Currently, the stated rate on long term capital gains is 15%.  If you have a net loss after netting all of your gains and losses, the tax deduction is limited to $3,000. Any excess capital losses can be carried into the future. more…

It’s that time of year again….time to file your income tax return.

What if you can’t get it done or don’t have all of your material to prepare it?

File for an extension.

To file an extension, complete Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.  This must be completed and filed by the due date, April 18, 2011. The extension is granted automatically if it is filed completely and on time.  The extension is for six months and allows for the returns to filed up until October 17, 2011. more…

Deciding whether to open an IRA or  a Roth IRA is a major decision with potentially large financial consequences. Both forms of the IRA are great ways to save for retirement, although each offers different advantages and rules.  more…

1.  Know Your Tax Bracket
This is where every taxpayer needs to start.  What is your tax bracket?  If you don't know this number, just pull out your tax return from last year.  Look at the taxable income and look up the rate that is located in the tax tables. This will help you when looking at realizing capital gains or losses, exercising and selling stock options, or dealing with the Alternative Minimum Tax. more…

The recently enacted 2010 Small Business Jobs Act includes a wide-ranging assortment of tax breaks and incentives for small business paid for with various revenue raisers. Here's a brief overview of the tax changes in the new law.

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