5 minutes read
If you’re willing to relocate, you can save quite a bit of money on taxes. By shopping around from state to state, you can save significant amounts on your bill for business or personal taxes. According to Entrepreneur, individuals can save 10% to 30% simply by moving. States and municipalities set widely different tax rates on personal income, gas, property and sales. Your business could enjoy major savings in a different state.
4 minutes read
As the tax filing deadline of April 15th has come and gone, many of us are giving big sighs of relief that it’s all over—at least for now. If you were lucky enough to get some money back this tax season, you’re probably wondering what to do with it. Shopping spree? Vacation? While those ideas certainly sound like fun, the truth is that you’ll be best off investing it. After all, it’s not found money—it was your money to begin with....
4 minutes read
With growth from the gaming industry leveling off in most locations, many Native American tribes are now considering a brand new source of income in states where marijuana has been legalized, either medically and recreationally. As more and more states–including New York–legalize marijuana in one form or another, Native Americans will have a huge advantage over other retailers in the business: Tribal earnings are not subject to...
6 minutes read
Filing taxes is a painstaking process for almost everyone and every year, without fail, many returns full of mistakes are sent in to the IRS. In fact, mistakes are extremely common on tax returns, with an error rate of 50 percent; on self-prepared returns, according to the Government Accountability Office. There is a near-infinite number of things that can be done wrong on tax returns, from simple computational errors to missing out on deductions. Knowing...
5 minutes read
When the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 2013, the U.S. government was compelled to recognize at the federal level same-sex marriages from any state where they’ve already been legalized. Nevertheless, no matter if you live in a state where same-sex marriage is recognized, partially recognized, or illegal, taking on the challenge of tax returns can be difficult. From the filing process itself to understanding how...
4 minutes read
Let’s face it: income inequality exists. However, local and state taxes have a big role to play in the redistribution of wealth. Some states have less stringent tax policies than other states—a relief to many taxpayers who would otherwise have to tithe their income to Uncle Sam. However, many state tax systems are considered regressive, with negative impacts on certain residents. So which states are toughest for the average American taxpayer?
4 minutes read
The filing deadline for 2014 tax returns is April 15, 2015. Because the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can audit tax returns for up to three years after the tax filing deadline, you should plan to keep your tax returns from 2012, 2013, and 2014 after this year’s tax filing deadline. In most cases, you can safely discard your returns from 2011 and earlier. However, If you are self-employed or feel that you have a complex tax situation, it is wise to keep your records for up to six years. That is...
5 minutes read
Poverty is a global issue, from developing nations and those struggling with corruption or political turmoil to economic superpowers like the United States. In fact, a 2014 report from the Census Bureau reported that the poverty rate in the U.S. actually rose—one in five American adults now lives below the poverty line, up from one in seven in 1980. Some argue that the burden placed on low-income taxpayers in the U.S. is responsible for perpetuating...
4 minutes read
Childhood obesity is a complex issue, ad medical experts and social scientist have been in a gridlock about how to fix the problem for years. Now some economists argue that taxing junk foods could tip the scales in the right direction. One study by the University of North Carolina showed that a 10% price increase on soft drinks and pizza caused customers to consume far fewer calories from these items. A $1.00 price increase for soft drinks...
5 minutes read
Of all the sovereign nations on the planet, there are only two that tax their citizens’ income earned while living abroad: the United States and, perhaps surprisingly, China. Most countries ascribe to the philosophy that taxation should be primarily national rather than global, but both the United States and China require their citizens living abroad to pay domestic taxes on income earned worldwide. Since these two...