Contributions
Sort by:
- No More Public Charitable Contributions Tax Credits for MichiganAs of New Year's Day 2012, residents of Michigan can no longer claim charitable contributions to homeless shelters, food banks, community foundations, public universities or other non-profits on their state income tax, says CBS Detroit.
- First Person: My Open Enrollment Action PlanOur benefit elections have entered the annual open enrollment period in November. Here is my action plan for making changes to 401(k) contributions, medical, dental and vision insurance, FSA withholding, and commuter expenses for 2012.
- Financial Benefits of Arranging an Inherited Roth IRAAn inherited Roth IRA is an estate planning method for people who want to reduce inheritance taxes for heirs. Since account holders remit income tax at the time contributions are made the accrued funds are tax-exempt when gifted to beneficiaries.
- 3 Creative Strategies You Can Use to Reduce Taxes for Your Home-Based BusinessFinding adtional income in this economy is challenging enough, so reward yourself financially by cutting into your taxes.
- How I Save Thousands of Dollars in Income, Sales and Property TaxesI don't pay more taxes than I have to by following 5 easy steps. These help me save thousands of dollars I would otherwise be paying in federal income tax, state income tax, local income tax, sales tax, or property tax.
Factbox: Super PACSStephen Colbert, host of 'œThe Colbert Report' on Comedy Central, just received approval from the Federal Election Commission to start his own Political Action Committee. So what exactly is a Super PAC, and how does it work?
The Worker Self-Managed FirmIn response to my debating with an anarcho-capitalist I wrote an article outlining potential ways I see a firm being organized by workers.- Tenn. Ushers in Era of For-Rent Politicians with New Campaign Finance LawThe 2011 Tennessee legislative session was a session filled with emotion. The Republican majority focused on attacking teachers unions and increasing corporate influence in state politics.
- Federal Judge Strikes Down Ban on Corporate Political ContributionsA federal judge in Alexandria, Va., has issued a ruling striking down the federal ban on corporations giving direct contributions to political candidates. The ruling is an extension of the Citizens United case.
- First Person: 4 Types of Small Business Retirement PlansSmall businesses have a variety of retirement plans from which to choose. Some of these retirement plans are intended for the business owner only while others include employees. Vesting and contribution limits vary based on the plan type.
The Federal Election Commission Probes the Campaign Contributions of Barack ObamaBarack Obama set records for campaign donations during the 2008 election just like Barry Bonds shattered home run records. Like Bonds, Obama now is having his record smashing achievements investigated for irregularities.
Can I just put down any number for charitable contributions?A tax professional's quick and effective guidance on how to handle some of the most common tax decisions that you will have to make all year long, not just around April 15.- A Tax Credit for Contributing to Your Retirement SavingsIf your income is below a certain amount, you can claim a credit for contributions to a retirement plan sponsored by your employer or your IRA. The credit is in addition to the deduction for IRA contributions and tax exclusion of 401(k) contributions.
Traditional IRA and Roth IRA Contribution LimitsFor the 2011 tax year, you can generally make $5,000 worth of annual contributions in Traditional and Roth IRAs, combined. Be advised that your Traditional and Roth IRA contribution limits may be reduced and eliminated altogether, as you make more money.- 403b Plan Contribution Limits403b plan contribution limits are complicated. Base 403b contribution limits vary between employer contributions and employee elective deferrals. You may also increase your 403b contributions with the 15-year service rule and catch-up contributions.
Roth IRA Contribution LimitsAs of 2011, you can generally contribute $5,000 into Roth and Traditional IRAs, combined. Contribution limits, however, are phased out as your income increases.
How to Reduce Your 2011 Income Taxes NowA combination of tax-saving habits throughout the year and better organization up front will help next tax season be a breeze.- First Person: What Happens If I Over-Contribute to My 401(k)?If you start a new job and a new 401(k) plan, you may run the risk of over-contributing to the plan. I see this quite frequently in my accounting practice, but there is an easy fix- as long as you catch the error soon enough.
- Itemizing Charitable ContributionsFind out what qualifies as charitable contributions and what donations you can write off your taxes.
- Making the Most of Your Retirement Fund ContributionsHere are my top five recommendations to make your retirement fund contributions work for you.
How to Pick a Charity to Make a Tax Deductible Contribution ToContributing money to a charity is can reduce your tax bill, and help a non profit organization, but how do you make sure that you pick the right organization?
The Threat of Limitless Corporate Contributions to American DemocracyAn examination of the ramifications of big money in American politics, and what the Supreme Court's January 2010 ruling on Citizens United vs FEC means for America's future.- Retirement Accounts as Income Tax SheltersPay yourself before you pay Uncle Sam by sheltering your income in a retirement account.
- Political Contributions Should Go to the PoorWhat if campaign contributors gave their money to charities and required their candidate to volunteer there? Would that make choosing the right candidate easier?
Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley Refuses to Return Oil Company Campaign ContributionLos Angeles district attorney Steve Cooley, running for California attorney general, refuses to return campaign contributions received from a firm his office was prosecuting.
Meg Whitman Sets New Record Campaign SpendingMeg Whitman, the Republican Candidate for Governor, has now surpassed NY Mayor, Michael Bloomberg in the competition for the deepest personal political pockets in American history.- What is CVP Analysis?CVP analysis is a complex field of accounting. This article seeks to simplify it and put it into common terms so it can be easily understood.
Top 5 Retirement Investment OptionsRetirement planning affects practically everyone and yet it is estimated that 70% of people do not have an adequate retirement investment plan in place.
Investing for Retirement: Traditional IRA Versus Roth IRAKnowing the ins and outs of traditional and Roth IRAs can be difficult for the average investor.- Should You Max Out Your 401(k)?As with all other retirement investment platforms, there are both reasons to max out your 401(k) each year and some cautions about doing so.
- Profit & Capital Contribution in a PartnershipThis article provides an insight into the process of capital contribution and profit allotment in a partnership
Credit Card Cash RewardsCash rewards treated differently from affinity cards. Get a tax deduction from your cash reward card.- Campaign Issues: Lobbyists, Special Interests, Contributions and Government FinanceThis article contains helpful resources for the US voter.
- Benjamin Franklin's Life and ContributionsA short paper about Benjamin Franklin's life, and his contributions.
Are We Beginning to Rebound?Is the tide turning in the economy? More and more companies are beginning to match employee 401(k) plans. Is this a sign that the tide is finally turning? One can only hope.- Victoria Trafton Received President's Award at the International Conference of Referral InstituteVictoria Trafton, Referral Institute Master Trainer and Owner of the Phoenix, Arizona Referral Institute franchise, was selected to receive the President's Award from the Referral Institute International Conference in Santa Rosa, CA.
NASA's Charles Bolden Wants to Help Muslims "feel Good About Their Historic Contribution to Science, Math, and Engineering."NASA's Administrator Charles Bolden is raising eyebrows and blood pressures with a statement he made on Al Jazeera television recently concerning one of the things that President Obama wants him to do.- Reduce Your Tax Bill NowFollow these few tips to save on your taxes all year long.
- Saving for Retirement:How and why to save for retirement using a 401(k), traditional IRA, and/or Roth IRA; how and why to diversify; and excellent scenarios are outlined in this article.
- Democracy is Not for SaleA constitutional amendment is needed to protect the citizens from the corporations and attorneys.
