by consumer reports The shaky economy has caused many Americans to rethink their retirement plans. Some say they’ll put off retiring and try to save more money. Others say they don’t expect to retire, either because they don’t want to or they can’t afford to. While none of us can control the economy, you can [...]

Kelly Phillips Erb, Contributor Forbes Over the years, I’ve represented a lot of clients before the IRS. I’ve listened to hours and hours of IRS hold music. And I’ve had a lot of conversations with IRS reps and agents. But last week something happened that truly shocked me: the IRS hung up on me. On purpose. [...]

Roberton Williams | Posted on August 23, 2011, 12:47 pm When Warren Buffett called for higher taxes on the wealthy in a New York Times op-ed last week, the billionaire investor argued that he and wealthy people like him face lower federal rates than the rest of us. Low rates on long-term capital gains and qualified dividends and [...]

Coming to terms with the realities of your later years can be one of the toughest challenges of aging. America is geared to youth and even acknowledging the inevitability of aging may be considered a form of cultural disloyalty. So let’s accept and applaud that 80 can be the new 60, that millions of baby [...]

By ROBERT W. WOOD – Forbes.com Do You Feel Lucky?  No one wants to be audited.  And yet as a tax lawyer advising clients about tax issues, I’m required by Treasury Department rules to assume every return will be audited.  In truth, there might be only a 2% chance of audit. When I say there’s [...]

What the new credit card law means for you by Connie Prater – FoxBusiness.com Credit card users can expect the most dramatic changes in credit terms, interest rates and fees in decades now that most major provisions of a new federal credit card law have gone into effect. The new normal for credit cards is [...]

It is the season of giving and I think it is wise to give as wisely as possible. Cash is often not the most effective thing to give. Appreciated securities are a more efficient choice. I know the thought is that the market is down, how could there be appreciated securities out there? Well, you [...]

IRA accounts are designed for retirement. If a person decides they want to access their account prior to age 59 1/2, they will incur a Federal Income Tax penalty for early withdrawal of 10% of the amount withdrawn. In addition, the amount withdrawn is deemed ordinary income and taxed as such. If that weren’t bad [...]

by Tamar Frankel Historically securities brokers have been viewed as salespeople with special legal responsibilities:  Treat customers fairly, follow special rules regarding the customers’ money and securities, and recommend to customers only suitable investments.  Brokers offered liquidity by creating markets in certain securities, actions also subject to special rules designed to ensure customers were treated [...]

This recent extremely volatile stock market has gotten many near retirees wondering about their future and how they can safely invest for their retirement. Many, like their grandparents following the Great Depression, are thinking they will not hold stocks. They are too volatile and risky. Savings accounts, Savings Bonds and maybe Treasury Bills will do [...]