December

Major Tax Deadlines For December 2010
* December 15 - Fourth estimated tax payment for 2010 is due for calendar-year corporations.<

Save energy and taxes: An IRS reminder
The IRS recently issued a bulletin reminding taxpayers that making energy-saving improvements to their homes before the end of the year can lower their taxes for 2010.

How to deal with an audit notice
The number of IRS audits has doubled over the past ten years.

New 1099 reporting rules may be repealed
The recent health care reform legislation included a new reporting requirement for businesses.

"Small Business Jobs Act of 2010" includes several familiar tax breaks
If you are a small business owner who thought all the best tax breaks were behind you, think again.

Check gift cards carefully before you give
For years, gift cards have been a popular way to solve the problem of what to give at holiday time.

Is it time to refinance your home mortgage?
Mortgage interest rates are at historic lows.

November

Major Tax Deadlines
During November: It's wise to estimate your 2010 income tax liability and review your options for minimizing your 2010 taxes.

New restrictions on health accounts
This year a tax advantaged health account (such as a flexible spending account, health reimbursement account, health savings account, or medical savings account) can be used to purchase aspirin, flu medications, allergy pills, cold medicines, and other over-the-counter medications.<

Adopting a child provides tax benefits
Are you giving some thought to adopting a child? Since the adoption process can be a costly one, the federal government provides some significant financial assistance with the adoption tax credit.<

W-2 reporting of health costs optional for 2011
The IRS and the Treasury are giving employers additional time to adjust payroll systems and procedures to meet the requirement to include the cost of employer-sponsored health coverage on employees' W-2 forms.

It's time for year-end business tax planning
You've guided your business through a tough economic climate and kept it profitable.

Recession changed the way we live
According to 2009 census statistics, the recession that began in late 2007 has had a major impact on the way we live and the choices we make.

What the financial overhaul law means for you
So what's all the fuss over the new "Wall Street Reform Act"? The headline-grabbing law raised quite a furor on Wall Street, but what does it mean for you and me? Here is how the law will affect ordinary folk.<

October

Major Tax Deadlines
* October 1 - Generally, the deadline for self-employeds and small businesses to establish a SIMPLE retirement plan for 2010.<

IRS increases correspondence audits
v style="text-align: left">As part of its plans to increase audit coverage, the IRS will be doing more correspondence audits - notices mailed to taxpayers that typically focus on a single item on the tax return.

Gambling winnings and losses can affect your tax bill
From time to time, some of you are lucky enough to win a shilling or two at your local casino, the track, or your state lottery.

Congress passes Small Business Act
Small businesses get some tax breaks in a new law just passed by Congress.<

If you drive for business, choose your deduction method wisely
You're entitled to deduct your automobile expenses attributable to business driving.

New law raises insurance coverage on bank accounts
For years, bank accounts were FDIC-insured up to $100,000.

Keep score of your finances with a personal balance sheet
The recent economic downturn hit Americans' net worth hard.

September

Major Tax Deadlines
* September 15 - Due date for individuals to pay third quarter installment of 2010 estimated tax.

President signs "Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act of 2010"
On August 10, President Obama signed into law the "Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act of 2010.&

Consider seven ways to cut your 2010 taxes
1. Tax rates are likely to go higher in 2011, so you might benefit from shifting income into 2010 and delaying deductions until 2011.

Important deadline extended for small charities
All nonprofit organizations (except for churches and church-related groups) must file an annual return with the IRS.

Look into this new 2010 tax credit for your small business
When small business owners think about the recent health care reform, they may be thinking only of its long-term implications.

Health care law brings out scam artists
The new health care law is confusing to many, and the con artists are wasting no time in taking advantage of people's uncertainty about the new rules.

Get ready for the new "basis" reporting rules
Beginning next year, new reporting rules could make it easier for investors to report the tax consequences of securities sales.

August

Major Tax Deadlines
 August 2 - Due date for filing retirement or employee benefit plan returns (5500 series) for plans on a calendar year.

Homebuyer tax credit is extended
If you signed a contract before May 1 to buy a home, but have been unable to close the deal, you still have time to apply for the homebuyer tax credit.

Check out disability-related tax breaks
v style="text-align: justify">A variety of tax breaks are available to help disabled taxpayers cope with the financial burdens of disability.

Do midyear tax planning
It's time to do a midyear review of your business tax planning.

Are all your business eggs in one basket?
v style="text-align: justify">Many small business owners share one problem, especially in their early days.

Some college financing statistics
* According to 2009 data, the average cost of a public college education is $6,585 a year, up 6.4

Safeguard your financial records
v style="text-align: justify">Every year there are natural disasters that remind us how easily we can lose essential tax and financial records.

May

Major Tax Deadlines
* May 17 - Deadline for calendar-year exempt organizations to file 2009 information returns.

IRS to Focus Audit Activity in these Areas
class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: justify">The IRS has announced its audit plans, which includes audits in the following three areas:

* A three-year random audit program started by the IRS in 2007 will now be continued indefinitely.

Taxes and Your Child's Summer Job
class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: justify">Is your child looking for a job this summer? If so, you both may have questions about taxes.

New Business: IRS Alerts Business to Tax Benefits
class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: justify">The "HIRE Act," passed in March, provides tax incentives for companies to hire unemployed workers.

How to Improve Your Chances of Getting a Business Loan
Despite the recent bank bailouts, credit is still tight for small business owners hoping to expand their operations or entrepreneurs embarking on new ventures.

2010 HSA Limits Released
The IRS recently provided the inflation-adjusted contribution limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) for 2010.

Working After Retirement Could Affect Your Benefits and Your Taxes
v style="text-align: justify">People often work beyond the "normal" retirement age.

March

Major Tax Deadlines
* March 1 - Payors must file information returns (such as 1099s) with the IRS.

Consider this new way to use your tax refund
If you're receiving a tax refund this year, you can use it to buy U.S

Prior year laws make changes to the tax rules for 2010
There are many changes in the tax rules this year, with the promise of much more to come.

Unemployed workers get COBRA extension
On December 19, 2009, a defense spending bill was signed into law which included an extension and expansion of the subsidy for COBRA health insurance premiums.

Corporate minutes are an important part of your company's tax planning
Writing up the minutes of board of directors' meetings is not exactly a high priority for most business owners.

February

Major Tax Deadlines
* February 1 - Employers must provide 2009 W-2 statements to employees.

New law provides early deduction for Haiti relief contributions
On January 22, President Obama signed a law that could give you an early tax deduction for contributions you make for earthquake relief in Haiti.&

Take a tax deduction for worthless stock
Financial firms, car manufacturers, clothing retailers.

Employment audits begin this year
The IRS is launching a three-year auditing project that will examine about 6,000 U.S

Tips for financing a new business
All small businesses start with something in common: they devour cash.

January

Major Tax Deadlines
* January 15 - Final 2009 individual estimated tax payment is due, unless 2009 tax return is filed and taxes are paid in full by February 1, 2010.&

IRS releases adjusted tax numbers for 2010
Every year the IRS adjusts certain tax numbers as required by law.

Not everyone has to file a 2009 income tax return
Strange as it may seem, the IRS doesn't want everybody to file an income tax return.

Business mileage rate lowered for 2010
Companies that don't want to keep track of the actual costs of using a vehicle for business purposes may use a standard mileage rate instead.

Does your business have this vital document?
What will happen to your business if you die, retire, or become disabled? If you are the owner of a small business, you need a means for the transfer of that business in the event something happens to you.