December 2009

US Economic Outlook – Strong Growth Expected as Recession Fades. GDP Growth Continues At Slower Pace

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[2011 Outlook] So what will 2011 look like for the US and global economy? 2010 was a year of recovery, but it was sputtering and many questioned whether the recovery was real and if it could be sustained. As we head in to 2011 things are looking brighter following a booming stock market (up 13%), [...]

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Tax Considerations in a Rising Government Spending and Tax Rates Environment

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I recently received a timely article about future tax implications given the large amounts of government spending and contracting corporate and consumer tax base. All this means is that tax considerations should play a much more central role in people’s thinking as they’re making critical financial decisions. At the end of 2010, several cornerstones of [...]

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Claiming the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit plus Employer Fines, 2010 Tax Credits and Employee Subsidies

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[Update Dec 2010] The IRS has released final guidance for small employers eligible to claim the new small business health care tax credit for the 2010 tax year.  The IRS have also provide a one-page form and instructions  for small employers to use for claiming the credit for the 2010 tax year. New Form 8941, [...]

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Tax Tips and Rules Around Charitable Donations and Contributions

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Giving is good. It’s even better if it doesn’t cost you in terms of taxes. So make sure you can maximize your giving and minimize your taxes by following the following IRS rules and guidelines when it comes to giving to charity: 1. Contributions are only deductible in the year they are made. Thus, donations [...]

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Best Job Prospects, Occupations and Professions in the Next Decade – 2010, 2011, 2012 to 2018

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There is no doubt that the nation is going through one its toughest employment periods in a long time. With unemployment rates close to 20% across many regions, it’s tough for current job seekers and new graduates trying to get into the workforce. This is why it is even more important to arm yourself with [...]

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How to Find and Lower the Cost of Your Auto Insurance

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There are two main costs associated with car insurance: The Premium: The amount of money you pay the insurer for insurance cover during the life of the policy. The insurance premium can vary widely among insurance providers, which is why experts strongly recommend getting several quotes before committing to a policy. In fact, even for [...]

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2009 Federal Income Tax Guide Features All The Stimulus Recovery Tax Break Details; Which Can Help People Save When Filing Returns in 2010

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Publication #17 from the IRS, Your Federal Income Tax, is one of the most important tax booklets issued by the IRS each year. It features details on taking advantage of new tax-saving opportunities, such as the making work pay credit for most workers, American opportunity credit for parents and college students, energy credits for homeowners [...]

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A Second 2010 Economic Stimulus in President Obama's New Job Programs Focusing on Small Business, Infrastructure and Home Energy Efficiency

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President Obama has announced three proposals intended to turn around the nation’s ailing job market and spur employment growth, including strengthening investments to small businesses who are finding it hard to get loans in tight credit markets, upgrading infrastructure across the nation and promoting home-energy efficiency projects. “Having finally moved into positive territory when it [...]

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Life Insurance Reality Check – Do you have enough?

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Life insurance should be an important component of your financial planning. If you have a young family, it could actually be the most important element of their security. Surprisingly though a lot of people do not have affordable life insurance. Among those who already have life insurance, a vast majority does not have enough coverage. [...]

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2012 Standard Mileage Rates Tax Deduction Breakdown and Rules

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[Updated for 2012 rates] -The IRS has released 2012 standard mileage rates (effective Jan 1.) for business, charitable, medical or moving. Rates reflect a slight increases over initial 2011 levels, but basically flat from the mid-2011 increase. • 55.5 cents per mile for business miles driven; • 23 cents per mile driven for medical or [...]

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