All Entries in the "GLANCE UPDATES" Category
Top 10 Tax Season Tips
It’s that time of the year again. The income tax filing season has begun and important tax documents should be arriving in the mail. Even though your return is not due until April, getting an early start will make filing easier. Here are the Internal Revenue Service’s top 10 tips that will help your tax [...]
Efile Your Taxes Quick and Easy
E-file your taxes online this year, and save time! It’s quick and easy, and even speeds up your refund! Most online tax services fill out all the state and federal forms for you, perform all the calculations, and sends your return directly to the IRS electronically. Plan ahead this tax season and get money back [...]
The Real Cost of a College Education
College can be expensive – that fact is clear. But when you really look at the breakdown, how expensive is it really? Here’s a breakdown of typical current costs, based on four-year schools during the 2009/2010 school year: Typical costs (2009/2010 school year): Four-year public colleges for in-state students: Tuition, fees, room and board averages [...]
9 Facts About Capital Gains & Losses
A capital gain is a profit from an investment that yields a profit for the investor. This can be from stocks, bonds or real estate, or the sale of a personal item for which you got a profit (selling a car or boat for more than you bought it for). On the other hand, a [...]
Small Business Financing: Debt vs. Equity
Small business owners must choose between debt and equity financing; if you’re just starting your business, you may be confused by the advantages and disadvantages of each plan. Simply put, ‘debt’ financing involves borrowing money to be repaid, plus interest. Equity financing involves raising money by selling interests in the company. Each plan has its [...]
Should You Buy a New or Used Car?
So, you’ve decided it’s time for a new car, but should you buy new or used? As the average price of new cars rises, many buyers are turning to used cars. But to offset this trend, car manufacturers are offering attractive incentives for buying new, like low interest payment plans and rebates. You shouldn’t be [...]
Considering converting to a Roth IRA? Do it before Dec. 31, 2010!
Converting to a Roth IRA has a deadline this year – December 31, 2010. Here’s why! The $100,000 income limit to convert to a Roth IRA has been lifted, allowing everyone who is eligible to convert. A conversion is typically reported as income for the tax year it takes place, but during 2010, you can [...]
An Introduction to Stock Options
As a corporate employee, you may have come across stock options as a form of compensation. Many of you may be understandably overwhelmed by the idea of stock options, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the stock market. So, what exactly is a stock option? Essentially, a stock option is a contract that allows one person [...]
Credit Cards and College Students – Dangerous?
It’s no secret that credit cards are often directly marketed to college students. Big names like Bank of America, Chase, Citibank, HSBC, and Discover are offering free gifts – from T-shirts to iPods – to entice the college-bound demographic. Recently, banks have started to form relationships with colleges. Together, banks and colleges issue co-branded credit [...]
