Tax guidance and resources

Latest Articles

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  Child-related tax credits

  The child tax credit helps temper the high cost of child-rearing. Stop pulling your hair out.

  3 min read Apr 01, 2005
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  When to file

  Everyone knows about April 15, but believe it or not, this deadline is not as hard and fast as you may think.

  2 min read Apr 01, 2005
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  The standard deduction amount

  Most taxpayers take the standard deduction when they file. If your taxes aren’t complex, this may work for you.

  1 min read Apr 01, 2005
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  Above-the-line deductions

  If you qualify for these special deductions, you can claim them in addition to your standard or itemized amount.

  1 min read Apr 01, 2005
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  Special filing circumstances

  Special considerations for taxpayers with unusual circumstances.

  2 min read Apr 01, 2005
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  Credit for taxes withheld

  Sure you get credit on your return for your paycheck withholding, but don’t forget to also claim other taxes you paid.

  2 min read Apr 01, 2005
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  10 tax troubles you can avoid

  If the tax man starts questioning your return, don’t make matters worse by making one of these 10 costly blunders.

  5 min read Mar 01, 2005
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  Trusts can provide for tax-efficient estate planning

  If you expect your assets to appreciate significantly, the best estate-tax move might be to leave them in trust to your heirs.

  2 min read Mar 08, 2004
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  Overlooked deductions on old returns

  A reader thinks he may have overlooked the mortgage points deduction. Our expert explains this tax break, along with how to get copies of old returns.

  1 min read Apr 10, 2003
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  Deducting long-term care insurance premiums

  Long-term care premiums are tax deductible two ways. Either as part of your itemized medical expenses or without itemizing if you are self-employed.

  1 min read Feb 26, 2003
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  Home sweet homeownership tax breaks

  There are lots of tax reasons to own a home. Here’s how to make the most of them and avoid the pitfalls.

  7 min read Feb 16, 2003
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  Even in a roller-coaster stock market, investors find they owe capital gains

  Mutual fund owners who watched their holdings stumble often are shocked at tax time to discover they still owe taxes.

  6 min read Dec 29, 2002
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  Taxes on a foreign stockholder

  Neither gains nor losses on stock sales apply to nonresident owners of securities. However, dividends paid on those assets are taxable.

  1 min read Oct 24, 2002
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  Tax options when selling and moving

  Our tax expert discusses how a couple forced to sell for a job-related move can claim a partial personal residence tax exclusion.

  1 min read Jul 31, 2002
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  Charitable gifts pay off for nonprofits and the donor

  Donations can be valuable tax-cutting tools if you follow documentation rules.

  2 min read Jan 22, 2001
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  Tax software: We check out the top three to see which is best for you

  Ready to toss that pencil and turn your 2000 tax return over to your computer? We review the three major tax preparation software packages.

  7 min read Jan 17, 2001
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  Deducting travel expenses

  Tax expert George Saenz discusses whether a teacher can write off a trip as job-related.

  1 min read Jan 10, 2001
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  7 tax-filing moves you can make now!

  Be tax smart by getting a filing head start. Here are some tasks to take care of in January instead of April.

  3 min read Jan 04, 2001
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  Taxes across the nation

  Fuel taxes — and gas prices — are going up in North Carolina just in time for summer vacations. Meanwhile, Minnesota tax officials hope their expanded compliance efforts will net them thousands of [...]

  2 min read Jun 29, 2000
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  Yankees, Go File!

  Time is up for New England taxpayers. A one-day extension to file returns ends today and federal tax forms must be in the mail by midnight April 18, 2000.

  1 min read Apr 18, 2000