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As of Jan. 1, 2013, there is a 3.8% net investment income tax on some categories of passive investment income for individuals, trusts and estates that exceed certain income thresholds.  As a result, it is in your best interest to identify these income sources and adopt strategies to lower your modified adjusted gross income or

Are you making the most of tax benefits designed to offset some of the high costs of education? The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, which settled the year-end fiscal cliff debate, extended the American Opportunity Tax Credit through 2017.The credit provides a tax break of up $2,500 for qualified college expenses. The Act also

Imagine after sending in your annual tax return, you receive a notice from the Internal Revenue Service saying that another return has already been filed using your name and Social Security number—and claiming a refund. Sound impossible? It can happen if you become one of a growing number of victims of tax return identity theft.

Did you know that the average student loan balance is $24,803?  Student debt is taking a heavy toll on borrowers, according to an American Institute of CPAs survey, which found that 75% of respondents or their children had made personal or financial sacrifices because of monthly student loan payments. Sacrifices included putting off saving for

Do you work at home or have a home-based business? If so, you should be aware that the IRS has created a simpler option for calculating the deduction for the business use of your home. The new option makes recordkeeping easier because, instead of maintaining records of specific home office expenses, you can use a

Too often natural disasters strike and serve as reminders that it’s important for both individuals and businesses to protect themselves against the potential financial consequences of such events. A few smart steps we recommend include making electronic backups of important records, including your insurance policies, tax returns, bank and credit card account information, and vital

Did you know that if you are trying to find work in your current occupation, the costs of your search, including expenses for preparing and sending resumes, employment agency fees and   related travel expenses, should be deductible?   The deductions aren’t available in all cases. For example, you’re not eligible to use them if

If you are a member of a married same-sex couple, then the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act could have a substantial effect on many aspects of your financial life. You may want to consider, for example, filing an amended income tax return if you now qualify for deductions

Beginning next year, individuals and families can buy private health insurance through Affordable Insurance Exchanges, which are marketplaces where individuals can find private health insurance.  (This is a new program created by the Affordable Care Act.)  If you purchase health insurance through an exchange, you may be eligible for a tax credit that will make

If you’re not sure what the new health care law means to you, you’re not alone. A poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation revealed that just over a third of the public had tried to find out more information about the law—the Affordable Care Act—in recent months. About half of the respondents to the survey