Tax Tips & News for Procrastinators

Everything you need to get your return ready

April 14, 2009
If you are just starting to think about filing your income tax return, here's a round-up of tax-related tips and news stories from the last few months:

Tax Refunds Likely to Boost Consumer Spending Refunds higher this year, thanks to lower household incomes.

Last-Minute Tax Tips When all else fails, an automatic extension will buy you time.

Need More Time to File Your Taxes? Just Ask If you just can't finish your taxes by April 15, you can get six more months by just asking Uncle Sam.

Don't Overlook These Itemized Deductions Tallying up all your expenses can help you cut your tax bill, especially if you claim every deduction the IRS allows.

10 Ways Uncle Sam Helps You Save Money Saving for the future is of paramount importance to all Americans. Luckily, we all have a rich uncle to turn to.

10 Common Tax-Filing Mistakes to Avoid Tax law changes have created new tax-filing pitfalls to watch out for, as well as the usual ones we face every filing season.

Penalties for Late Tax Returns If you haven't filed a tax return since 2005, there's no time to waste. But expect to pay hefty penalties.

Tempting the Tax Auditor The IRS is coming after more filers. You might be a target if you fly these red flags on your tax return.

10 Often Overlooked Tax Breaks The tax code is full of ways to cut your taxes, but taxpayers too often miss these ten tax breaks.

$1.3 billion in Refunds Awaiting Owners The IRS wants to hand out $1.3 billion in refunds that were never claimed. Some of the money might be yours.

Big Break for Lower-Income Taxpayers If you don't make a lot, the earned income tax credit could help you get some cash back from Uncle Sam.

Should You Always File a Joint Return? It usually makes sense to file jointly, but some circumstances warrant separate filings.

Your Taxes From A to Z Doing your taxes is not as easy as ABC, but these tips could make the process less difficult.

Stimulus Offers Modest Auto Savings Consumers who buy a new car in 2009 can save a few dollars on their taxes.

Video: How to Lower Your Property Taxes The only upside of declining real estate values may be lower property taxes.

Some Cars Save More than Gas A vehicle that runs on alternative fuel could provide big tax breaks.

5 Stupid Tax Mistakes Steve Bucci lists the top five ways to make your tax season bleak.

Stimulus Tax Payout Will Be Small A third of the stimulus package is tax relief, but it puts only a few more dollars in your paycheck.

Taxpayer Rights Just One Click Away IRS problems? There’s a Web site you can visit to check out your taxpayer rights.

Foreclosure Tax Double-Whammy Eased Congress eases taxation on home lost to debt or forgiveness.

Tax Consequences of Defaulting on Your Mortgage The bank's actions will drive the tax consequences of walking away from a mortgage.

Help for Low-Income Taxpayers Special clinics can help eligible individuals who need help with tax filing.

Video: Tax Tips – New Tax Breaks For Your 2008 Return Take advantage of every deduction coming your way.

Tax Scam Deal Really Is Too Good To Be True Most companies are selling an offer in compromise and the IRS will rarely approve them.

FDIC Study Finds Outrageous Overdraft Fees Bank automatic overdraft programs, also called courtesy overdraft, are not so polite to your wallet.

IRS Offers Help to Financially Stressed Taxpayers Agency makes policy changes to help those in trouble.

Don't Let Just Anyone Do Your Taxes Poor choices in preparers could lead to trouble.

H&R Block to Stop Selling Refund Anticipation Loans in California Company settles suit charging it with deceptive practices.

Tax Preparers Tighten Up on 'Instant Refund' Loans Refund anticipation loans almost always a bad idea.

Early Mortgage Payment Could Cut Tax Bill Make your January mortgage payment by Dec. 31 and you'll have extra interest to deduct on your upcoming tax return.

New Tax Rules Could Cost Second-Home Owners If you hope to get the most tax savings on a second-home sale, you've only got a few weeks to act.

New York Stops H&R Block's Deceptive Sweepstakes Ads Company will pay $245,000 penalty for not playing by the rules.

J. K. Harris Settles Deceptive Ad Charges Company took consumers' money, did nothing, states charged.

Tax Rebate Checks Going Towards Necessities Supermarkets ramp up gift card promotions to snare their share.

IRS Faulted for Lax Identity Theft Protection Efforts Taxpayer advocate wants improvement; Agency promises more action.

Tax Scams Proliferate In April Scam artists scramble as deadline draws near.

Mystery Shoppers Find Deceit, Incompetence Among Tax Preparers IRS urged to bar sale of refund anticipation loans.

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