Taxes and Retirement | Saving to Invest

How to Choose the Right Annuity Payout Option for Retirement

When approaching retirement, it is essential that you incorporate strategies that will keep your retirement income flowing in. And, with medical technology and new medicines helping to keep people alive longer these days, it is even more essential that your retirement income stretches well into the future. One way to accomplish this is…

Why Most People Will Not Be Able to Retire On Time (before 67)

Although many people spend 20, 30 or more years saving for retirement, the sad truth is that today, many people will not be able to retire on time. Despite some degree of financial planning, many individuals simply have been unable to reach their retirement income goals and are forced to…

IRS Errors and Economic Stimulus Refunds For Home Buyer Credit and Overpayment of $250 SSI and Making Work Pay Tax Credit

The IRS has officially admitted that they are having issues with processing some of the most popular economic stimulus payments that the Obama administration has handed out over the last few years. In particular, the many versions of the first time home buyer credit, each with different eligibility and income…

When Will I Get My Tax Refund? 2026 Processing Times and What’s Ahead for 2027

The short answer for 2026: if you e-file with direct deposit and nothing flags your return, the IRS issues most refunds in under 21 days — and over 80% of refunds this season went out inside that window. Paper filers and paper-check refunds wait considerably longer, typically 6 to 8…

6 Things You Should Be Doing With Your 401K and Individual Retirement Accounts

When the economy and stock markets tanked many people stopped contributing to their employer sponsored 401K or self managed IRA plans. However, with markets back up strongly and the economy improving, folks must not forget to restart or continue saving for their financial futures. This includes taking the following actions:…

How Did Your Retirement Account Perform Last Year? Checking Performance Online at Fidelity or Vanguard

With stock markets staging a strong recovery the average return on a tax advantaged retirement plan, like a 401(k) and IRA, was around 11% according to Morningstar. At this rate your money will double every 5 or so years thanks to compounding. But how did your retirement plan perform? And…

2012 Payroll Tax Credit Holiday Extended Till Year End. Extensions For Unemployment Benefits and Medicare Payments Also Approved

[Updated- 2012 Payroll Tax Credit Holiday, Unemployment Benefits and Medicare Doctor Payments Extended to Dec 31st] With House Republican support Congress has passed legislation extending the federal payroll tax holiday through the end of the year without demanding spending cuts to pay for it. This was a concession aimed at…

Do I Need to File a Federal Income Tax Return? Maybe Not If You Meet These IRS Guidelines even Though it Could be a Good Idea

[Updated Income Thresholds] The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recommends that all adults file a tax return. Obviously, the IRS wants to have everyone pay their taxes but it is also an important way for the government to ensure that it pays out subsidies, stimulus payments and tax credits to the…

2026–2027 Updates: Best Online Tax Filing Software and Free Filing Options

The IRS Free File AGI limit for 2026 is $89,000 — the highest it's ever been. If your adjusted gross income lands at or below that number, free guided filing is available through 8 partner software companies. Above it, you're paying. Here's what's worth using this year and what's changed.…

2011 Updates – Tax Brackets and Rates, Government (GS) and Military Pay Scales, 401K and IRA Limits and Stimulus Payments

I have made a number of updates to popular topics on this site and in case you missed them, here is a quick recap with a link to the detailed information. 2011 Tax Rates and Brackets Following Bush-era Tax Cut Extensions With approval of a two-year extension to all the…

Rental Property Tax Changes (Form 1099) and Foriegn Bank Accounts and Assets Disclosure Requirements

Two new tax changes were implemented in recent legislation that may affect a number of tax payers filing 2010 returns in 2011. One affects landlords who now need to disclose all payments made above $600. The other affects people with certain assets outside the US, who now have to formally…

2011 Tax Brackets – Updated IRS Federal Income Tax Tables and Income Thresholds

[Update] - See this article for 2012 and 2013 Tax Rates/Brackets The IRS has released its 2011 Tax Rates and Income thresholds following approval of the Bush-Era Tax Cuts. The latest 2011 IRS federal tax table is shown below with the following key tax changes: Personal exemptions and standard deductions…

A New Economic Stimulus Package With Obama-Bush Tax Cuts and Unemployment Benefit Extensions

[Update - No New Taxes with Tax Extensions Approved] President Obama has now signed into law a bill that covers a temporary extension of all the bush-era tax cuts. The new bill also contains extensions to some of the 2008 stimulus tax breaks, and even has some new tax cuts. With…

2010 Taxes Filed in 2011 – Key Facts and What To Remember

Tax season is almost here and it's important to think about your tax minimization and management strategies so that you save when filing. I will be publishing more tax related posts over the next few weeks (subscribe), but in the meantime here is a cool Tax Infographic with some interesting…

Category: Taxes and Retirement