Taxes are what you pay to the federal, state and local governments where you live. Different types of taxes include income taxes, capital gains tax, sales tax, estate tax and real estate taxes such as property tax. Learn how to bequest property and do transactions in a way that will help you pay less taxes and follow the law.
Our Top Tax Articles just in Time for Tax Season
Tax season is officially here and we’ve rounded up our most popular (and useful) tax articles to help you file and get your full refund. Whether you have questions about your children’s taxes, your tax documents or home-related tax issues, we’ve got answers. Here are our top 10 tax articles to simplify this year’s tax [...]
IRS Policy Change Aims to Help Victims of Identity Theft
From 2011 through 2014, identity thieves submitted more than 19 million suspicious tax returns to the IRS for more than $63 billion in fraudulent refunds. But until recently, taxpayers weren’t allowed to see the fraudulent returns filed using their Social Security numbers (SSNs). That changed recently, thanks in part to a letter sent to the [...]
Before You Retire: 60 Days Away
With only 60 days to go before you retire, you might already be dreaming about that first morning waking up without a schedule. But while two months may seem like nothing, there are still some things to take care of before you can spend your days roaming around in an RV or golf cart. Here [...]
Could Unpaid Debt Affect My Tax Refund?
Could unpaid debt affect my tax refund? Here are three reasons the federal government may hold onto your tax refund to cover unpaid debt. With tax season upon us, many people may be looking forward to their refund as a way to pay down existing debts. However, certain existing debts could prevent you from seeing [...]
4 Common Errors to Avoid When Filing Your Taxes
4 common errors to avoid when filing your taxes. How to avoid errors that could delay your tax refund or require a lengthy amendment process. Everyone makes mistakes, but if your mistake happens to come in the middle of filing your taxes, you may find yourself facing a delayed refund (if you’re owed one), or [...]
Do I Have to File Income Taxes for More than One State?
For some, the process of filing income taxes can be a complicated one; however, it can become even more complicated for those who need to file returns for more than one state. This is where Maryland CPA John Curtin sees the most confusion among his clients. The rules for paying income taxes as a non-resident [...]
6 Questions to Ask Your Tax Preparer
6 questions to ask your tax preparer. Ask these basic but important questions to determine which tax professional you should hire. If you’ve decided that you will not be handling this year’s tax filing yourself, even with the help of an online filing program, there are plenty of professional tax preparers willing to do it [...]
Six Tax Resolutions for the New Year
It’s a fresh, clean new year. We indulged ourselves last month and ended the year with a blast. Now, it’s time to come back down to earth and face financial reality. Luckily, I have some tax tips you might find helpful as you try to stick to your financial goals and resolutions. 2012 brings us [...]
Four Things to Know About Filing Taxes as a Teen
For many teenagers, the after-school job is a rite of passage—a ticket to independence and disposable income. But once they have a job, do teenagers need to file their own tax returns? Whether you are the parent of a teenager or a teen yourself, here are four things you should know about taxes for teenagers. [...]
Your Tax Checklist: Six Months Ahead of Filing
Income tax season is months away, and you may still be basking in the glow of being done with this year's filing. But if you’re looking to make next year’s taxes easier on you and your budget, a little preparation now could be very helpful. “The starting point for tax planning is at the previous [...]