Tag: 2012

Estimated taxes normally have to paid if you do not withhold taxes via your employer or if the amount of income tax being withheld from your salary, pension, vendor payments or other income is insufficient. Estimated taxes are generally paid by small business', self-employed or gig workers with variable sources…

I wrote this article (see update below) over 10 years ago on the best jobs for the next decade. It was based on the US BLS data and ended up being pretty accurate. So with the current unemployment situation I thought I would refresh this article based on what is…

[2017 COLA update] Its been a few years with relatively minor COLA (cost-of-living-adjustment) increases but even with the marginal 2017 COLA increase of 0.3%, over 12 million Americans will pay higher taxes in 2017 as the maximum taxable earnings (wage base) subject to social security also increased from $106,800 to $110,100. You can see the previous…

[Updated with latest details per the IRS] The savers credit helps middle to lower income earners save for retirement by providing a tax credit offset to retirement plan (401k and IRA) contributions. But a lot of people don't know about or take advantage of this little known credit, officially referred to by…

After several years the IRS has raised Roth IRA contribution levels, along with the annually indexed income qualification levels that allow eligible contributions. This is good news for those looking for tax effective ways to manage their retirement savings. [See this article for the latest Roth IRA limits] Unlike 401(k) and Traditional…

[2013 Update] With a deal to avert the fiscal cliff reached and legislated under the American Taxpayer Relief Act (ATRA) of 2012, a couple of significant employer sponsored retirement plan features have reappeared with some modifications. This includes the Roth 401(k) conversion and Charitable IRA contributions. You can read more…

As a part time MBA student, with a single income and young family, I am particularly sensitive to rising education costs. So I was dismayed to see that my university's (already expensive) tuition costs were again rising. This is the third year in a row and my degree will end…

With the 2011 tax filing deadline past (unless you filed for an extension) it's a good time to remind yourself about some key 2012 tax changes. You can see the latest 2012 tax tables here which saw a widening of tax brackets and increases in personal exemptions and standard deductions…

[Updated with 2013 IRS inflation adjusted tax brackets and fiscal cliff changes] Congress and the Obama administration's fiscal cliff deal (ATRA act) means that 2013 federal tax rates will remain fixed for nearly 99% of the population. Only those earning above $450,000/$400,000 (married/single) AGI will have a higher federal marginal tax rate in…

[Updated with current limits] Catch-up contributions allow people who feel that they do not have enough of a nest egg to make higher retirement plan contributions as they approach retirement. If you are over or turning 50 in a given calendar year you are eligible to make additional or catch-up contributions…

See this updated article for the latest program information on Food Stamp (SNAP) benefits, emergency allotments (EA) and eligibility levels. Historical SNAP information is shown below for reference only. _______________________________ 2017 Update - The USDA has published 2017 details for its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).  The income thresholds and monthly benefit details are valid till September 2017…

10 or so years later, I thought I would revisit how Americans (and myself) are doing with their retirements savings in 401K and IRA plans. This is particularly important as Americans age and contribution limits keep rising. Based on Fidelity's 2022 report, the average 401(k) balance is $121,700. This is…

See this article for the latest Saver's tax credit details and updated annual thresholds. [Updated with 2012 and 2013 information] Despite tough economic times, you should not lose sight of your longer term retirement savings. This is where the little known IRS recommended savers credit can help you to keep contributing…