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Get smart with your money

Taxes

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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downloadToday’s top story: How to apply for a credit card after bankruptcy. Also in the news: Avoiding stress while paying down debt, the biggest tax “break” you shouldn’t forget, and how to slash your cable bill.

Applying for a Credit Card After Bankruptcy
Starting over.

Avoid Over-Stressing Your Budget When Paying Down Debt
Be patient with yourself.

The Single Biggest Tax Break You Shouldn’t Forget
Shrinking your capital gains tax.

7 Tips for Slashing Your Cable Bill From Guys Who Do It for a Living
Meet the BillFixers.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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indexToday’s top story: The lies we tell to save a little money. Also in the news: The danger of confusing personal and business expenses on your taxes, how $1,000 invested at birth could be a game changer, and five changes you need to know about this year’s taxes.

Survey: Men, Students, Parents Among Those Most Likely to Say Money Lies Are OK
The lies we tell to save a little cash.

Confusing Personal With Business On Your Taxes Can Mean IRS Penalties Or Jail
Be careful where you list those deductions.

How $1,000 Invested at Birth Could Change Everything
Could “KidSave” accounts be the answer to retirement nest eggs?

5 Changes You Must Know About Before Filing Your Taxes This Year
More than just the filing date has changed.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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interest-rates-300x225Today’s top story: How to find the best mortgage interest rate. Also in the news: How to financially prepare for a spouse’s deployment, the biggest credit card mistakes made by millennials, and where to find the best St. Patrick’s Day deals.

How to Score the Best Mortgage Interest Rate
Finding the best interest rate on a mortgage that suits your needs.

How to Plan Financially for a Spouse’s Absence
Getting your finances in order before a spouse is deployed.

The 4 biggest mistakes millennials make when it comes to credit cards
Mistakes that can have long-term consequences.

The Best St. Patrick’s Day Sales and Deals of 2016
There are deals to be found at the end of the rainbow.

Before Filing Your Taxes With IRS, Consider This
There’s such a thing as too much information.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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refinancingToday’s top story: How to win a bidding war in a hot housing market. Also in the news: How to retire during a bear market, how to get your financial priorities straight, and how to survive an IRS audit.

6 Ways to Win a Bidding War in a Hot Housing Market
Strategies to help you come out a winner.

How to retire in a bear market
Quitting work when the market isn’t cooperating.

Is Your Money Going Where It Needs To? How To Get Your Financial Priorities Straight.
Time to get things sorted.

The IRS Audit Survival Guide
Don’t panic.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: Home-related tax deductions you shouldn’t overlook. Also in the news: What to do if you’re behind on your health insurance premiums, the benefits to itemizing your taxes, and secrets to getting the best deal on a new car.

4 Home-Related Tax Deductions You Shouldn’t Overlook
Every deduction helps.

Behind on Health Insurance Premiums? Here’s What to Do
Act quickly.

Is itemizing your taxes worth the hassle?
You could be leaving money on the table.

20 secrets to getting the best deal on a new car
Don’t get taken for a ride.

Q&A: Gift tax returns

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Dear Liz: You recently answered a question about gift taxes and mentioned gift tax returns. Who is supposed to report the gift, the one giving or the one receiving the money? It seems like the one receiving the gift should, but in the answer it seemed the one giving the gift was subject to taxes.

Answer: The giver would file the return. The gift tax rules require people to report any annual gift over $14,000 to any one person, although the givers don’t owe gift taxes until those aggregate amounts exceed a certain limit (currently $5.45 million). The gift tax rules are designed to keep wealthy people from circumventing estate tax laws by giving vast amounts to their heirs before they die.