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04.30.14
Hybrid Securities Behave Like Bonds, Trade Like Equities
While discussions about stocks typically refer to common stocks, there's also a second, less widely understood type of stock that straddles both the equity and bond world: preferred stocks. For equity investors motivated primarily by consistent, relatively high income payments, they may be worth a look.
02.19.14
For Income-Seekers, Municipal Bonds May be Worth a Look
Municipal bonds (often referred to as “munis”) can be attractive to income-seeking investors because they provide an income stream exempt from federal and, in certain cases, state and local income taxes. As this article explains, they traditionally have been of greatest use for upper-income taxpayers, but they are not without risks, such as vulnerability to higher interest rates and the risk that a bond issuer will not be able to repay its debts. A sidebar shows how to compare taxable and tax-free bonds.
01.22.14
Are You Considering Adopting a Child?
Adopting a child is a wonderful way to expand a family. However, the adoption process can be expensive. The good news for those who have recently adopted or attempted to adopt a child is that they may be eligible for the federal adoption tax credit, made permanent earlier this year when the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was signed into law. This brief article discusses what the credit covers, who qualifies for it and how to claim it.
05.14.13
Asset Valuations and Your Estate Plan Go Hand in Hand
If an estate plan calls for making noncash gifts in trust or outright to beneficiaries, it’s important to know the values of those gifts and disclose them to the IRS on a gift tax return. For substantial gifts of noncash assets other than marketable securities, it’s best to have a qualified appraiser value the gifts at the time of the transfer. If the IRS deems a valuation to be “insufficient,” it can revalue the property and assess additional taxes and interest.
03.22.13
Your Credit Score Counts! Achieving and Maintaining a Solid One
A credit score is a reflection of one’s creditworthiness. With a high credit score, it’s possible to realize lower interest rates on mortgage or auto loans and credit cards. This article explains what constitutes a good score, how to obtain a free credit report, and how to boost a score — or, for those with no credit history, how to build one.
10.03.12
Are You Planning for the 2012 Fiscal Cliff?
By now you’ve probably heard of the “fiscal cliff,” a term coined by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke that describes what could happen if no action is taken by Congress against the expiration of tax rates and spending reductions. Some of the highlights of what tax effects we could see include:
08.28.12
Making A Difference®: The World of Giving and Learning About Donor Advised Funds
Have you heard of Donor Advised Funds (often known as DAFs)? Many people haven’t but they are well worth learning about and ascertaining if they can help you begin or continue Making A Difference® in your community while achieving your philanthropic dreams and goals.