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Getting ready to file your tax return? One way to make sure this process goes as smoothly as possible is to make sure you have all the documents necessary to prepare your return.  Getting your paperwork organized helps you avoid delays when filing your return, and also ensures your return is complete and accurate when prepared.  Below is a list of the top three documents that will hold up the preparation and filing of your tax return:

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Many individuals agree that saving for retirement is important, but unfortunately, not many people actually put money aside for their future by participating in a retirement plan at work or one that has been setup for their business..  If you are one who falls in this category, it is important that you understand that it is never too late to start!

This blog gives some important reasons why you should no longer ignore taking on the critical action of saving for your retirement.

 

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Whether you need help finding a tax professional or filing an extension, you can use this blog to gain access to resources that will help to make this tax season a success!  

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If you have graduated into a six figure income or higher, you have probably realized that a significant portion of your hard earned income goes to the government in the form of federal, state, and other payroll taxes.  Many individuals, like yourself, who are in this income range struggle to find ways to decrease their tax liability.  The constant changes in tax laws can make this a difficult task to accomplish without the guidance of a tax professional who has expert knowledge in the tax regulations and how to apply them on a  case by case basis.

The following is a list of 5 tax laws that make tax planning complex and challenging for high income earners.  Becoming familiar with this list of items and understanding how they may impact you and the overall amount of taxes you will pay, is the first step in creating a customized tax strategy that will work best for you and your family.  

 

One common challenge amongst individuals is making the most of every dollar they earn - money management.  Even the most educated persons find themselves struggling with improving their finances.  While there are many reasons for this, one primary cause would be our upbringing (what we were taught about the utilization of money) and habits we have formed over our life span based on what we have witnessed from others we've come into contact with.  This is actually great news because good habits can be re-enforced and bad habits can always be transformed into good ones.

This guide will identify six steps (or new habits) you can take to be on your way to improving your personal finances. Well, let’s get on with it!

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One of the main causes of federal income tax troubles is not paying enough income tax throughout the year.  The United States income tax system is a "pay tax as you go" type of system.  In other words, taxes must be paid as you earn income (wages, salaries, self-employment income, capital gains, etc.).  Income taxes can be paid either by way of withholdings or estimated tax payments which are paid on a quarterly basis.  If you do not pay a sufficient amount of taxes throughout the year, a penalty could be charged on your tax return (even if you are due a tax refund).

One way to avoid owing income taxes at yearend is by paying a sufficient amount of withholding and/or estimated taxes to cover all applicable taxes that could be assessed on your return, such as self-employment tax, alternative minimum tax, and federal taxes.  

If you don't think you've paid in enough taxes and will owe at the end of the year, this blog will help you find some possible solutions to your issue.  Additionally, this article will provide information about how to determine if you must pay estimated taxes, and how to calculate any potential taxes you may owe.  

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Sifting through an overabundance of financial information available can make finding the solutions that best suit your overall financial plan challenging and difficult.  However, making solid decisions about how to accomplish your long term objectives should not be a nerve wrecking process that ultimately makes you insecure about your choices.  This article will give you three key principles you can follow to make sure you navigate these complexities successfully.

If you are of the small group of individuals who realize the importance of life insurance and have actually decided to purchase a life insurance policy, it is critical that you understand the options available to you, as well as how each type of insurance may fit your priorities, needs and wants.  This blog will provide you with the insight you will need in selecting the best life policy for you and your loved ones.

The emotional stress that comes with dealing with the loss of a loved one can be compounded if you have to deal with an associated financial loss as well. This can happen if you are a child who has lost a parent who provided for you or a homemaker who has lost their bread-winning spouse. For these reasons and others, life insurance can be very instrumental in providing financial security to your family at the time of transition.