Consider the tax issues in caring for elderly parents
As the population in the U.S

New per diem rates issued
New per diem rates have been released, effective for business travel on or after October 1, 2005.<

Be prepared: How to lessen the blow of a disaster
When recent hurricanes slammed into the Gulf Coast, many families and businesses found themselves woefully unprepared.

October

Major Tax Deadlines
October 17 - Deadline for filing 2004 individual tax returns on second extensions.<

Congress passes tax relief for hurricane victims
On September 21, Congress passed the Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act of 2005 to provide immediate assistance to individuals and businesses hit by Hurricane Katrina.<

The gift tax exclusion – use it or lose it!
Did you know that this year you can give gifts of up to $11,000 to as many individuals as you want without being liable for gift tax? Normally, any gift you make counts towards your lifetime exemption from gift and estate taxes.

IRS increases standard mileage rates
On September 9, the IRS announced an increase in the optional standard mileage rates for the last four months of 2005.

Business relocation requires some planning
Many businesses face the prospect of relocating their operations at some point.

September

Major Tax Deadlines
September 15 - Due date for individuals to pay third quarter installment of 2005 estimated tax.<

Check out the tax credits in the new energy bill
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On August 8, President Bush signed the Energy Policy Act of 2005, a bill that makes numerous changes to the tax code.

Seven steps to cut your 2005 tax bill
Here are some things you can do between now and year-end to cut your 2005 tax bill.<

IRS targets S corporations for audits
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The IRS recently announced its intention to audit 5,000 randomly selected Subchapter S corporations for tax years 2003 and 2004.

How to make smarter hiring decisions
Hiring and training new employees is one of the toughest jobs you face as a manager or business owner.

August

Major Tax Deadlines
August 1 - Due date for filing retirement or employee benefit plan returns (5500 series) for plans on a calendar year.<

IRS clarifies rules for donating vehicles to charity
IRS clarifies rules for donating vehicles to charity
Last year's tax law changed the rules for determining the amount of a tax deduction for giving a car, boat, or airplane to a charitable organization.

An exchange can save taxes
An exchange can save taxes

Sitting on a piece of investment property that you would like to sell? By structuring the transaction as a tax-deferred exchange, you can delay paying taxes on the full amount of the gain realized.<

Businesses must now shred employee information
A new rule has just gone into effect that hopes to prevent "dumpster diving" identity theft.

What's New in Financial Strategies
Put your savings on automatic pilot
Even with the increased fear that social security will not be there when they retire, young people are not overly concerned with saving for retirement.

Think it over before you pay off your home mortgage early
Is it wise to pay off your mortgage early? As with most financial decisions, this one depends on several factors including your current mortgage rate, tax bracket, balances on credit card and consumer debt, near-term expenses, retirement dates, and potential alternative investments.<

July

Major Tax Deadlines
July 15 - Deadline for filing extended 2004 calendar-year partnership returns.<

Tax reform deadline extended
The President's Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform had a July 31, 2005, deadline for reporting its recommendations to the Treasury Department.

More taxpayers are getting the IRS red light
What are your chances of being audited? Nobody can say for sure.

IRS reduces paperwork
In the past, employers had to send the IRS any Form W-4 (Employee Withholding Allowance Certificate) on which an employee claimed more than 10 exemptions or complete exemption from withholding when $200 or more in weekly wages was expected.<

Survey shows gender matters in investing
A survey done by Merrill Lynch Investment Managers produced some interesting results on how gender differences affect investing behavior.

Are you looking for ways to help your grandchildren with college expenses?
If you have grandchildren, consider these tax-friendly ways to help fund their college education.<

June

Major Tax Deadlines
June 15 - Second quarter 2005 individual estimated tax is due.<

IRS certifies hybrid cars for $2,000 tax deduction
If you're planning to purchase a new car this year, be aware that buying a clean-fuel vehicle could give you a tax deduction of up to $2,000.

Wedding bells bring tax concerns
June is the traditional month for weddings.

Age discrimination ruling could have major consequences
Company policies that are intended to discriminate against older workers are illegal under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

Flexible spending account "use it or lose it" rule changes
Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) let workers set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for medical expenses and child care costs.

No, you're probably not saving enough
How much money did you save last year? If you didn't save at least 10% of your earnings, you didn't save enough.

May

Major Tax Deadlines
May 16 - Deadline for calendar-year exempt organizations to file 2004 information returns.<

IRS raises its interest rates
The IRS will charge 6% interest on individual and corporate tax underpayments for the second quarter of 2005 (April 1 through June 30).

How to help your child buy a home
In today's market, young people often cannot afford to buy their first home.

New rules could make an S corporation good for your business
The S corporation is alive and well, and this form of business operation remains appropriate for many business owners.

New Supreme Court ruling protects IRAs in bankruptcies
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Who owns your life insurance policy?
Life insurance is a valuable tool for estate planning.

April

Major Tax Deadlines
April 1 - Deadline for taking your first required IRA distribution if you turned 70½ in 2004.

A big refund may be bad for your financial health
Too many taxpayers overlook the fact that getting a big tax refund every year may not be a good thing.

How to benefit from the 2004 tax laws with early 2005 planning
Two laws were passed late in 2004.

Vehicle deductions for 2005 announced by IRS
The IRS has issued the depreciation limits for business cars first placed in service in 2005.

Tax time's a good time
Right now is the ideal time to review your financial affairs.

March

Major Tax Deadlines
March 1 - Farmers and fishermen who did not make 2004 estimated tax payments must file 2004 tax returns and pay taxes in full.<

Review your children's tax filing requirements
Children who have income may have to file income tax returns.

A job change creates tax issues
Taxes may be the last thing on your mind when you're changing jobs, but overlooking their impact could mean missed tax-saving opportunities.

New study reveals employee preferences
A recent employee-benefits study conducted by MetLife Inc.

Important IRA deadlines coming up
The rules governing IRAs are complex, and making mistakes can be costly.

The rules governing IRAs are complex, and making mistakes can be costly. Here are some important deadlines and reminders —
Although life's only certainties may be death and taxes, we rarely enjoy planning for them.

February

Major Tax Deadlines
February 28 - Payors must file information returns (such as 1099s) with the IRS.

2005 donations for tsunami victims may be deductible in 2004
Americans are contributing generously to help victims affected by the tsunami disaster in Asia.

Add these items to your 2005 recordkeeping
Keeping good records helps you get every tax deduction to which you're entitled.

FUTA deposit threshold increases in 2005
The IRS has good news for more than four million small businesses.

You can put more in your medical and retirement accounts in 2005
* HSAs.<

Roth IRA conversion rules change in 2005
A little-known tax rule took effect on January 1, 2005.

January

Major Tax Deadlines
* January 18 - Final 2004 individual estimated tax payment is due, unless 2004 tax return is filed and taxes are paid in full by January 31, 2005.<

New tax numbers are released for 2005
The IRS adjusts many tax numbers for inflation each year.

You pay the bills, but can you claim a dependency deduction?
It used to be easy to determine the number of dependents you could claim on your tax return.

Survey shows rising health insurance costs
A recent survey of 3017 randomly selected public and private companies revealed that the cost of health insurance provided by employers rose 11.2

Don't let your gifts disappear
About $17 billion of gift cards were given as gifts this past holiday season, according to the National Retail Foundation.

Give your children a good financial education
Schools teach children some financial lessons, but if you want your kids to pick up good money skills and become financially responsible adults, you should give them some training yourself.