Log on often and check for new Planning Tools to help you make the right decision on all your upcoming opportunities. Investment Planning Articles Choosing investment vehicles Annuity basics Creating an investment portfolio Investing in bonds Investing in stocks Mutual fund basics Other investments The best ways to save for college Understanding mutual fund share classes Investment basics Handling market volatility Investment planning--the basics Six keys to successful investing Taxation of investments Understanding investment terms and concepts Understanding risk Investment goals Asset Allocation Can I afford to send my child to college? Common investment goals Dollar cost averaging Retirement planning--the basics Decision Tools Creating an investment portfolio Annuities Asset allocation pie chart illustrator Building an investment portfolio College funding options analyzer Common types of mutual funds Exchange traded funds and mutual funds compared Investing for retirement Major asset classes Investment planning basics Common investment mistakes to avoid Consumer price index inflation calculator Growth of annual deposits calculator Investor Profile and Asset Allocation Calculator Simple rules for investing Steps to financial planning success Taxes Capital gains and dividends tax relief Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003: Highlights FAQs Creating an investment portfolio Does a state savings plan allow me to choose my own investments? How aggressive should I be when I invest for retirement? How do I construct an investment portfolio that's right for me? How long should I hang on to an investment? How much of my portfolio should I keep in stocks? How should I structure my retirement portfolio? What recourse do I have if I'm unhappy with my state savings plan's investment performance? What's the difference between how a state savings plan invests and how a prepaid tuition plan invests? Investing basics How can I gauge my risk tolerance? Is there any type of insurance that can protect against losses from investments? Should I invest my extra cash or use it to pay off debt? What is asset allocation and how does it work? What is dollar cost averaging and how do I know if it's right for me? What's the difference between growth investing and value investing? Mutual funds How does a 529 plan compare with investing in a mutual fund in my name? Is it better to invest in a tax-free or a taxable mutual fund? Should I invest in mutual funds or individual securities? What is a mutual fund prospectus and how do I read it? What is the difference between an open-end and a closed-end mutual fund? Savings bonds Are government savings bonds risk free? Are savings bonds a good way to save? Do series EE bonds offer any special advantages if used for college savings? Stocks Should I invest in mutual funds or individual securities? Should I work with a stockbroker to buy individual stocks? What are DRIPs? What is a stock split? Who do I call if I have a complaint about my stockbroker? Taxes How did the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 change capital gains tax rates? I have investment property. What does basis mean, and how do I determine the basis of my property? Will I have to pay tax on my investment income? Tax Planning Articles General tax planning Am I having enough withheld? Choosing an income tax filing status Help! I can't pay my tax bill Income tax planning and 529 plans Surviving an audit Tax benefits of home ownership Tax planning for income Tax planning for the self-employed Taxation of investments Year-end tax planning Tax credits and deductions Education tax credits Personal deduction planning Qualifying for the home office deduction Understanding personal tax credits Taxes and insurance Income tax tips: business insurance Tax planning for annuities Tax planning tips: auto insurance Tax planning tips: disability insurance Tax planning tips: life insurance Tax tips: health insurance Tax tips: homeowners insurance Tax tips: long-term care insurance Decision Tools General tax planning Accelerating deductions/postponing Income Accelerating income/postponing deductions Federal individual income tax fundamentals Remarriage with children: income tax considerations Tax credits and deductions Comparison of education tax credits and deductions General business tax credits Is my home mortgage interest fully deductible? Tax credit sampler FAQs General tax planning Am I having enough tax withheld from my paycheck? Are my Social Security benefits subject to income tax? Are scholarships and grants subject to federal income tax? Do I have to file a federal income tax return? Do I have to pay U.S. taxes when I work abroad? How did the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 change capital gains tax rates? I don't have the cash to pay my taxes. What can I do? I have investment property. What does basis mean, and how do I determine the basis of my property? I received a state tax refund last year. Must I include that amount as income on my federal return this year? My spouse passed away this year. When I file my taxes, what filing status should I claim? What is my tax bracket? What is the alternative minimum tax? What is the basis of property received as a gift? What is the kiddie tax? What penalties and interest will I be charged for paying and filing my federal income taxes late? What's the difference between an "injured spouse" and an "innocent spouse"? Will I have to pay tax on my investment income? Tax credits Can I take the credit for the elderly or disabled? Can I take the tax credit for child care? Now that my child is in college, am I entitled to any education tax credits? What are the Hope credit and the Lifetime Learning credit? What is the child tax credit? What is the difference between the child tax credit and the child and dependent care tax credit? What is the earned income credit and who qualifies for it? Tax deductions Can I deduct home office expenses? Can I deduct premiums paid for long-term care (LTC) insurance? Can I deduct the cost of improvements or repairs I've made to my home? How do I deduct and substantiate my gambling losses? I paid my mother's real estate taxes last year. Can I deduct this on my tax return? I refinanced my principal home last year and paid points. What are points, and can I deduct them on my tax return? If I prepay next year's taxes this year, can I deduct them this year? If I work at home occasionally, am I entitled to a home office deduction? Is student loan interest deductible? My spouse and I are filing separate returns. Can we both itemize our deductions? If so, how do we split the deductions? My town has assessed against me a real estate betterment for new sewer lines installed in my street. May I deduct this amount on my tax return? We just bought our first home. What can we deduct from the settlement statement? Taxes and child support/alimony Are alimony payments considered taxable income? What are the tax implications of child support payments? Taxes and home ownership Can I deduct the cost of improvements or repairs I've made to my home? How do I figure the tax on the sale of my home? I refinanced my principal home last year and paid points. What are points, and can I deduct them on my tax return? I rent my home out for two weeks each year. Do I have to show this rental income on my federal income tax return? If I prepay next year's taxes this year, can I deduct them this year? My town has assessed against me a real estate betterment for new sewer lines installed in my street. May I deduct this amount on my tax return? We just bought our first home. What can we deduct from the settlement statement? Taxes and insurance proceeds Are life insurance proceeds income taxable? I receive disability insurance payments. Are they taxable?
Log on often and check for new Planning Tools to help you make the right decision on all your upcoming opportunities.