U.S Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced March 31 a federal rule that proposes to specifically prohibit texting by interstate commercial truck and bus drivers. The proposed rule would make permanent an interim ban announced in… Read More »ATA Supports Proposed Commercial Driver Texting Ban Regulation
The stock market continues to have its ups and downs. Therefore, it’s not unusual for an investor to own shares of the same stock purchased at different times and different prices. How are tax gains… Read More »Identification of stock sales
Sunday’s night’s health care bill will go down as one of those once-in-a-generation accomplishments. I’m not here to debate the merits of the bill – historians will still be doing that decades from now. But… Read More »Washington Reforms Health Care And Taxes
President Obama signed into law the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act (HIRE), an economic stimulus plan that contains $15 billion dollars in new incentives for businesses, which hire unemployed workers in 2010. Two key… Read More »Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act (HIRE)
There are now 13 acceptable documents the IRS will accept as proof of identity. An original, or a certified or notarized copy, of an UNEXPIRED passport is the only document that is accepted for both… Read More »What documents are acceptable as proof of identity and foreign status?
The tax court has ruled that a tax return is not considered timely filed if it is lost by the U.S. Postal Service and it was not sent by registered or certified mail. In order… Read More »How do I make sure my tax return is received by the IRS?
What papers will I need? Here is a list of the papers that you will probably need: Certified copies of the death certificate (at least 10). You can purchase them through the funeral director or… Read More »Questions that arise when a loved one departs
One of Shakespeare’s oft-quoted lines — “Neither a borrower nor a lender be” — is sage advice, especially for many cash-strapped Americans. But perhaps you haven’t followed Shakespeare’s wise counsel. If credit card payments are… Read More »Should you pay off credit cards with a home equity loan?
You only have to examine your paycheck to realize certain income is tax-free. For example, health insurance premiums paid by your employer are generally not includible in your income. Do you know the tax status… Read More »When is income taxable, and when is it not?
Open your wallet and compare your debit and credit cards. Both probably sport a logo, an embossed account number, an expiration date and, of course, your name. Both may even come with the same nifty… Read More »Check out the pros and cons of debit cards
Although gas prices have declined in recent months, inflation isn’t dead. In fact, history suggests that over time gas prices will continue their inexorable march upward. That’s why prudent consumers should consider ways to trim… Read More »Tips for saving money on gas
Are you considering post-retirement employment? If you’re collecting social security and thinking of returning to the work force, you may have questions about the effect of that income on the taxability of your benefits. The… Read More »When are social security benefits taxed?