Recent News

Congress OKs legislation to extend closing date for homebuyer credit

Filed Under: Taxes on July 07, 2010

On June 30, Congress passed H.R. 5623, the Homebuyer Assistance Improvement Act of 2010. The Act, which is now cleared for the President’s signature, provides first-time homebuyer credit relief to taxpayers who couldn’t meet a key June 30, 2010, closing date.

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Homebuyer tax credit is extended

Filed Under: Taxes on July 07, 2010

If you signed a contract before May 1 to buy a home, but
have been unable to close the deal, you still have time
to apply for the homebuyer tax credit. The deadline for
finalizing the paperwork on your new home has been
extended through September 30, 2010.

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Vacation home planning can cut your taxes

Filed Under: Taxes on July 07, 2010

You can enjoy a vacation home and cut your taxes - with
some careful planning and a little discipline.

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Kids and summer jobs: Some tax reminders

Filed Under: Taxes on July 07, 2010

Are your children working at summer jobs this year?
If so, here are some tax reminders.

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Financial issues the second time around

Filed Under: Your Finances on July 07, 2010

Over five million people will exchange marriage vows each year. Among the starry-eyed newlyweds walking down the aisle will be a number of middle-aged folks tying the knot for the second time around. These couples face some unique financial planning issues. If you’re marrying again in your 40s, 50s, or beyond, here are some suggestions you should consider:

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Con artists target the unemployed

Filed Under: Your Finances on July 07, 2010

Federal officials have recently warned that employment-related scams are soaring. As the economy struggles and unemployment grows, ads for bogus jobs are on the rise. The ads are popping up everywhere from local newspapers to signs on the corner telephone pole. The Internet makes it easy for con artists to defraud victims with e-mail pitches and online job boards.

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Starting a business? Avoid these hiring mistakes

Filed Under: Business on July 07, 2010

Challenges that merely annoy an established firm often capsize a start-up company. This is especially true in the area of staffing. When a big corporation makes a hiring mistake, the company suffers, but survives. Committed by a fledgling firm, the same mistake may spell disaster. After all, if your company employs only five people, one wrongly hired employee will make up a fifth of your work force. That person’s incompetence or poor people skills can bludgeon the firm’s bottom line.

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One-third of those eligible used COBRA subsidy

Filed Under: Business on July 07, 2010

According to a study by the Treasury’s Office of Economic Policy, about a third of unemployed workers who were eligible took advantage of the COBRA subsidy to help pay for their health insurance.

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When you buy a house, check the paperwork for tax benefits

Filed Under: Taxes on July 07, 2010

If you buy a house this year, you’ll close the deal by signing a mind-numbing stack of papers. When that’s finished, don’t just file the documents away in a drawer. Hidden in there are some deductions you might be able to take this year, and others that could increase your profit when you sell.

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New W-2 rule causes confusion

Filed Under: Taxes on July 07, 2010

Starting with W-2s issued for the year 2011, employers will be required to report the value of health insurance premiums provided for each employee.

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