Small Business Owners - 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy

The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 20:32:04 EST

The new year started with some political drama, as Congress passed legislation on January 1, 2013, to prevent the country from going over the "fiscal cliff." The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA) permanently extends a number of major tax provisions and temporarily extends many others. The legislation also temporarily postpones major automatic spending cuts that were scheduled to take place at the beginning of the year. Here's what you need to know.

On the Precipice: The "Fiscal Cliff"

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 16:45:13 EST

Year-End Investment Planning and the Fiscal Cliffhanger

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:01:00 EDT

Investment planning at the end of 2012 revisits issues that have complicated the planning process for the last two years--tax cut extensions and spending cuts designed to reduce the U.S. budget deficit. Uncertainty about both and whether they will lead to what's been called a "fiscal cliff" in 2013 is likely to affect year-end investment planning yet again.

The Investment Policy Statement: A Portfolio's Road Map

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 16:32:04 EDT

In some cases, investors choose to authorize a money manager to make the actual investing decisions for their portfolio rather than simply make recommendations. In such cases, it can be valuable to have a mechanism for making sure in advance that investor and manager are on the same page.

Should You Make Large Gifts in 2012?

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 16:28:07 EDT

Currently, the exemptions for federal gift tax, estate tax, and generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax are at historic highs, and the gift, estate, and GST tax rates are at historic lows. But, in 2013, the exemptions are scheduled to substantially decrease, and the tax rates are scheduled to substantially increase. This raises the question of whether 2012 might be a good time to make large gifts that take advantage of the current exemptions while they are still available.

Natural Disaster Planning for Small Businesses

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 12:18:45 EDT

Whether your small business survives a natural disaster may depend as much (if not more) on the plans you put in place now, before a disaster occurs, as on what you do after a disaster strikes. Here are some disaster preparedness ideas for you to consider for your small business.

Of Taxes Past, Present, and Future

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 17:29:47 EDT

With the 2011 tax filing season behind us, much attention is being paid to the expiring "Bush tax cuts"--the reduced federal income tax rates, and benefits, that will expire at the end of 2012 unless additional legislation is passed. In fact, though, several important federal income tax provisions already expired at the end of 2011. Here's a quick rundown of where things stand today.

Market-Moving Indicators for Monitoring Europe

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 17:22:21 EDT

If you've struggled to make sense of the ongoing European debt debacle, you're not alone. It's difficult even to keep track of all the pieces of this financial Rube Goldberg puzzle, let alone understand how they can influence one another.

Four Planning Considerations for Every Small Business Owner

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 16:48:19 EDT

If you are a small business owner or thinking of becoming one, here are some things you should consider.

Total Tax Insights Calculator

Tue, 15 May 2012 11:19:43 EDT

Where you live, what kind of car you drive, how you shop – all can have a significant impact on the taxes you pay. All told, there are more than 20 types of taxes – some that may surprise you – and knowing which you pay and how much you pay can affect not only your current financial picture but your future plans as well.