April 15 is one week away.  Have you filed your taxes yet? I’ll admit that I have not. We’re paying this year, and I’m putting it off until almost the last minute.  I’ll probably file over the weekend and mail payment on Monday. One of the hardest parts about being self-employed and doing my own taxes is categorizing all my receipts at tax time. So far my filing system ...

If you’ve already completed your tax return for 2009, you may find yourself among those lucky folks who will receive an income tax refund. Tax returns can vary from small amounts to fairly hefty sums. In fact, some people receive returns that are as much as several thousand dollars. No you may find yourself thinking about what to do with this refund. Should you spend it quickly? Should you ...

We bought our copy of TurboTax this past weekend so we could do our federal tax return. We’ve been using TurboTax for years for doing our taxes so it is second nature to us. We like to get our taxes done as early as possible. We usually have a refund but even in the years where we’ve owed money, we’ve found that getting our taxes done and filed just ...

Have you entered the Money Crashers 2010 New Year Giveaway Bash yet? If not, have you heard about the giveaway? For those who have not yet heard about the New Year Giveaway Bash, let me tell you a bit about it. To celebrate the New Year, Money Crashers decided to host a month-long giveaway, soliciting lots of great prizes from sponsors. They started the month with several prizes, but ...

For consumers with a large credit card debt, usually $10,000 or more, debt settlement should be considered as a possible alternative to bankruptcy. There are pros and cons to review before making a decision about debt settlement.Debt settlement means that an arrangement is negotiated with creditors for payment of less than is owed. Usually, banks and financial institutions will settle for 40-60% of the original debt. Banks and financial institutions ...

As it turns out, ETFs are rather tax efficient. Investors don't have to pay capital gains taxes until the final sale of the ETF. There is no way to avoid paying taxes; however money that would have gone to taxes can be reinvested to generate more wealth by delaying tax payment.Any benefits or gains are attached to the marginal tax rate along with the ROI and longevity of it. Tax ...

Offshore banking can be ideal for people who often move between different countries, perhaps pursuing a career than involves frequent changes in residence. By choosing an offshore bank, you will always have your money in the same place - easy to access wherever you go next.Trying to bank in one country when you have moved on to another can be extremely frustrating and difficult. Plus, it can be time-consuming and ...

If you’re a typical person, who earns money from an employer and has no complicated financial dealings, it’s not hard to prepare your own taxes . I prepare my own taxes every year, and I haven’t messed up yet! All it takes is a little organization and a good tax program. Organizing to Pay Your Taxes The first thing you’ll want to do is gather your paperwork. You’ll need ...