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Finance Economy

Posted on April 1, 2010 - by admin

Debt Collectors

Debt Featured
Debt Collectors

With the financial events that are going on today, it is not uncommon to fall behind on payments. If you have past due mortgage payments or credit card payments that are overdue, then you have probably already had that call from a debt collector.
You cannot not hide, so just fact up to the fact and talk realistically with your creditors.  If you call them first and explain your situation, you can avoid that call from the collections department altogether.  Know that you are not the only one in this predicament so ask the bank or lender if you can stretch out your payments and so you are able to pay a little less each month. You never know until you ask as to what answer you will get. 

If you do get that call you should now that there are laws for this type of call.  These collections agencies cannot be abusive and they cannot harass you or threaten you in any way. They are also not allow to say they will add to your debt with any type of arbitrary fees. You can also write a letter to them asking for them not to call you although this will not cover all efforts to collect a debt but there could be laws in your state that can protect you. Find out what they are.

Posted on April 2, 2010 - by admin

No one wants a Tax Audit

Tax Tax Audit

12104Being audited is a scary thought but there are things you can do to minimize your chances of having one. An audit is when an IRS agent contacts you to verify information on your filed tax return. Sometimes it is a matter of your math being wrong, it you were the one who prepared your return. So making sure all your t’s are crossed and there is no missing details, you will better you chances of not getting this call.

If you claim a charity donation on your return, you better have the receipt to back it up. If you donated your car or claimed to have given more than ten percent of your income, then you should have proof because these things put up red flags to the IRS.

Travel and entertainment expenses will also raise a flag so keep records of things like this and the reason for that trip you took. If entertainment is part of your life, then keep track of who and where and how much you paid. Having this documentation won’t stop an audit from coming your way, but you can prove your case if you must. The IRS will randomly choose people to audit so don’t panic if you get a call. You will only be asked to prove your claims made on your return.

Posted on April 2, 2010 - by admin

Retirement Planning

Retirement

RETIREMENTToday, it is rare to find a retirement fund from your employer with a defined-benefit pension plan. Now, you see more and more employers shifting this  responsibility to the employee and that forces workers to do this planning themselves. It is now up to them to save for their retirement.

It is the 401k plan that offers tax advantages for retirement money and are well worth looking into. With this program you can choose what percent of your pay check will go into this fund.  But not all 401k plans are the same so take time to review the terms. Some employers will match what you contribute into your plan and this is a great way to save for your retirement. If your employer does not offer this plan, then it is in your best interest to open an IRA and in this field, there are two choices. There is the traditional IRA and a Roth IRA.

The traditional IRA offers tax free deductible and with the Roth IRA, the contribution itself is never deductible. But when you withdraw from this account, generally it is free from income tax. You particular financial situation will determine which IRA is right for you.

Posted on April 2, 2010 - by admin

Tax Time Questions

Tax

tax_filingAlways, at tax time, people have more questions than answers. One common question that many CPAs get each year is how can I lower my tax bill?  It is recommended that you participate in a 401k where you work or start a IRA but sit and talk with your CPA as this is the person who can point out deductions that you don’t know about.

What type of information is needed at tax time?  At the very least you will need your W-2 form from your employer and anything else that documents you income.  This could be a 1099 and you will also need your mortgage records and property taxes. Also have with you receipts for items that that you will deduct like business expense reimbursements. Maybe you are ready on time, then what? It is possible to get a six month extension on your return but you still need to estimate if you own and mail that by April 15th.

If you are unable to pay what you owe, you could be subject to a penalty and interest charges but you can ask for a monthly installment arrangement and this can be done by filing a form 9465 and must be done within thirty days, and that is if you plan is accepted by the Internal Revenue Service.

Posted on April 1, 2010 - by admin

Whether or Not to Borrow

Borrowing Debt Loans

cash-and-coinsDebt can be used for many purchases and borrowing is not a bad idea is used correctly. There are some purchases that are worth paying for over time and some that are not. By using debt to buy something, you are actually paying for the privilege of paying back that amount over time and that is where the interest comes in.

An interest charge can add up over time and depending whether or not you pay just the minimum amount each month, it could cost you a lot more than you think.  As an example, it you bought a television for one thousand dollars and you used your credit card with a eighteen percent interest charge to pay for it. If you just the minimum of ten dollars on it each month, it would take you ten years to pay it off and the interest you will have paid over those years would total almost eight hundred dollars.  That is like paying for two televisions.

A home purchase is a different story.  A home will increase in value over time where a television would not. If you plan on staying in your home for more than five years, it’s value will either stay the same or go up in value. But this depends on many factors and should be looked into before you buy. The condition and the location of the home are two areas to research.

Borrowing Debt Loans

Whether or Not to Borrow

Debt can be used for many purchases and borrowing is not a bad idea is used correctly. There are some purchases that are worth paying for over time and some that are not. By using debt to buy something, you are actually paying for the privilege of paying back that amount over time and that [...]

Borrowing Debt Loans

Whether or Not to Borrow

Debt can be used for many purchases and borrowing is not a bad idea is used correctly. There are some purchases that are worth paying for over time and some that are not. By using debt to buy something, you are actually paying for the privilege of paying back that amount over time and that [...]

Debt Featured

Debt Collectors

With the financial events that are going on today, it is not uncommon to fall behind on payments. If you have past due mortgage payments or credit card payments that are overdue, then you have probably already had that call from a debt collector.
You cannot not hide, so just fact up to the fact and [...]

Debt Featured

Debt Collectors

With the financial events that are going on today, it is not uncommon to fall behind on payments. If you have past due mortgage payments or credit card payments that are overdue, then you have probably already had that call from a debt collector.
You cannot not hide, so just fact up to the fact and [...]

Borrowing Debt Loans

Whether or Not to Borrow

Debt can be used for many purchases and borrowing is not a bad idea is used correctly. There are some purchases that are worth paying for over time and some that are not. By using debt to buy something, you are actually paying for the privilege of paying back that amount over time and that [...]

Retirement

Retirement Planning

Today, it is rare to find a retirement fund from your employer with a defined-benefit pension plan. Now, you see more and more employers shifting this  responsibility to the employee and that forces workers to do this planning themselves. It is now up to them to save for their retirement.
It is the 401k plan that [...]

Tax Tax Audit

No one wants a Tax Audit

Being audited is a scary thought but there are things you can do to minimize your chances of having one. An audit is when an IRS agent contacts you to verify information on your filed tax return. Sometimes it is a matter of your math being wrong, it you were the one who prepared your [...]

Tax

Tax Time Questions

Always, at tax time, people have more questions than answers. One common question that many CPAs get each year is how can I lower my tax bill?  It is recommended that you participate in a 401k where you work or start a IRA but sit and talk with your CPA as this is the person [...]

Tax Tax Audit

No one wants a Tax Audit

Being audited is a scary thought but there are things you can do to minimize your chances of having one. An audit is when an IRS agent contacts you to verify information on your filed tax return. Sometimes it is a matter of your math being wrong, it you were the one who prepared your [...]

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