Taxes
Are you doing all you can to minimize your income taxes? These resources can help you give more to your family and the Lord's work and less to the IRS.
We talk with Ronald Blue & Co.'s top income-tax guru about recent changes that could yield a few pleasant surprises.
Because of changes in the law, 2010 seems like the ideal time for holders of traditional IRAs to convert their accounts to potentially tax-saving Roth IRAs. But the decision of whether to convert or not is more complicated than it may appear.
There's no legal or biblical requirement to pay more in taxes than you have to. By following these strategies, you may be able to trim your 2009 tax bill.
Giving away things you don't need anymore can help you garner some much-needed savings on your income tax bill. And there's free software available to help you figure out what your unneeded stuff is worth.
What will the election outcome mean for your personal finances? It's a bit early to say, but it sure looks like we're headed toward significant changes in taxes and retirement accounts.
I've got a great deal for you. Send me $188 a month, every month, and at the end of the year I'll give it back to you. Without interest. If that sounds like a great deal to you, call our toll-free number immediately to sign up. Sound silly? It's exactly what many people do with their income tax withholding.
If you're a mutual fund investor using a taxable account, you need to be aware of the potential difficulties posed by fund distributions. Fail to account for them properly and you can end up paying far more in taxes than you should. We show you how to avoid this common trap.
As we enter mutual fund distribution season, here's an important review of how distributions work and their impact on investors.
Earning a great return isn't the end of the story when you invest in a taxable account. What really matters is how much of your return is yours to keep after the taxman comes to call. We take a detailed look at the after-tax implications of Upgrading vs. indexing in determining which SMI strategy is best for taxable accounts.
Most charitable gifts are pretty simple — you give, the charity receives. But how about a gift with an extra wrinkle — you give, the charity receives, and you get monthly income back from the charity for as long as you live?
With SMI readers looking at a fifth consecutive year of stock gains, it's time to review one of the more efficient ways to give to charity. Donating stock directly to charity can mean both a larger gift for the ministry you want to bless and a larger contribution deduction for you. As you might expect, certain rules apply to such a good deal. We provide the details.
The old tax adage says, "It's not what you earn, but what you keep." That's certainly true when it comes to choosing the right savings vehicle, particularly if you're a saver in a high tax bracket. Thankfully there's a simple formula that can guide you to the best products for your situation.
Variable annuities are often sold as retirement planning devices that can save you money on taxes. What's often left unsaid is they often provide subpar investment returns due to their high fees. Here are 7 tests to help determine if a variable annuity makes sense in your situation.
We've heard warnings for decades about our growing national debt, yet life seems to go on pretty much as normal. Is the debt really such a big deal? Yes, it is. This month's cover article explains why — and what's at stake for you, your children, and the nation.
