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Get smart with your money

Taxes

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.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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taxesToday’s top story: How to write a retirement plan. Also in the news: The tax advantages of homeownership, tax tips for members of the military, and the billions of dollars in unclimed tax refunds.

How to Write a Retirement Plan
It’s a lot simpler than you might think.

Still Renting? You’re Missing These Tax Advantages
Homeownership has its benefits.

7 Tax Tips for Military Members
The IRS has special rules for military members.

The IRS Says They Have $1 Billion in Unclaimed Refunds, So Make Sure to Claim Yours
If you didn’t file taxes in 2012, you could be missing out on hundreds of dollars.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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services_billToday’s top story: The pros and cons of automatic bill payments. Also in the news: When it’s time to sell a mutual fund, what you need before you file your taxes, and when to consider locking your Social Security number.

Pros and Cons of Automatic Bill Payments
Convenience could come at a price.

5 Reasons to Sell a Mutual Fund
The five signs that point to sell.

What you need before you file your taxes
Gather all your documents.

Should You Lock Your Social Security Number?
Guarding against identity theft.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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img_online-bankingToday’s top story: The biggest mistakes you can make while banking online. Also in the news: Making tax time easier, the single best thing you can do for your financial wellbeing, and how debt can wreck your retirement.

The 5 Biggest Mistakes You Can Make Banking Online
Small mistakes can result in big consequences.

Tips to Make Tax Time Easier
Getting through a stressful time of the year.

The Single Best Thing You Can Do For Your Financial Wellbeing
Just a Hamilton a day.

Here’s how debt can wreck your retirement
Physical as well as mental consequences.