Taxes Q&A: We Answer Your Questions

by the Schwab Center for Financial Research
March 10, 2009

Answers to top questions on taxes, capital gains, tax-related news from Washington and more.
 

Stimulating Tax Changes

by Rande Spiegelman, CPA, CFP®, Vice President of Financial Planning, Schwab Center for Financial Research
February 17, 2009

The recently-passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 contains a number of individual federal income tax changes that could significantly impact your financial life.
 

Get Started On Your 2008 Taxes

by Rande Spiegelman, CPA, CFP®, Vice President of Financial Planning, Schwab Center for Financial Research
February 3, 2009 
 
April 15 may seem far away, but preparing your taxes early can mean fewer headaches—and real savings.
 

Keep More of Your Money

by Rande Spiegelman, CPA, CFP®, Vice President of Financial Planning, Schwab Center for Financial Research
January 20, 2009 
 
It's not what you make but what you keep that counts. Make sure to take advantage of every tax break you're entitled to.
 

Twenty Tax Tips for Year-End 2008

by Rande Spiegelman, CPA, CFP®, Vice President of Financial Planning, Schwab Center for Financial Research
October 15, 2008
 
Consider these 20 bite-size tax tips to make tax time more palatable.
 

AMT: The Alternative MAXIMUM Tax

by Rande Spiegelman, CPA, CFP®, Vice President of Financial Planning, Schwab Center for Financial Research 
Updated October 15, 2008
 
What is AMT? How does it work? What you can do about it?
 

Calculate the Cost Before You Sell

by Rande Spiegelman, CPA, CFP®, Vice President of Financial Planning, Schwab Center for Financial Research 
September 24, 2007
 
Planning to sell an investment that’s appreciated in value? Being familiar with the tax rules may help you pay less in taxes and keep more of your gain.
 

The Importance of Tax-Efficient Investing

by Rande Spiegelman, CPA, CFP®, Vice President of Financial Planning, Schwab Center for Financial Research
August 6, 2007
 
It’s not what you make, but what you keep after taxes that counts.
 

Keep More Gains With a Tax-Free Exchange

By Rande Spiegelman, CPA, CFP®, Vice President of Financial Planning, Schwab Center for Investment Research®
September 7, 2006 
 
The Internal Revenue Code provides a number of ways to defer the recognition of realized gains. Consider these five strategies to keep the tax collector at bay.
 

Get a Tax Break by Harvesting Losses

by Rande Spiegelman, CPA, CFP®, Vice President of Financial Planning, Schwab Center for Investment Research®
April 22, 2005
 
Here’s how to use capital losses to lower your tax bill and better position your portfolio going forward.
 

Investment Expenses: What's Tax Deductible?

by Rande Spiegelman, CPA, CFP®, Vice President of Financial Planning, Schwab Center for Investment Research®
September 16, 2004
 
Uncle Sam gives investors a number of tax breaks—but it’s up to you to take advantage.
 

Stock Options and Taxes: What You Don't Know Can Cost You

by Rande Spiegelman, CPA, CFP®, Vice President of Financial Planning, Schwab Center for Investment Research®
March 22, 2004
 
Understanding how stock options are taxed can help you maximize your potential return and minimize the tax bite.
 

Do You Need to Hire a Tax Preparer?

by Rande Spiegelman, CPA, CFP®, Vice President of Financial Planning, Schwab Center for Investment Research®
March 22, 2004
 
It’s a common refrain at the end of most every tax-related article you might read: "Please consult with your tax advisor." But what if you don’t have one? Should you? How do you find a good one?
 

What's Up With Dividends?

by Rande Spiegelman, CPA, CFP®, Vice President of Financial Planning, Schwab Center for Investment Research®
June 13, 2003
 
Another tax cut that will help investors has been signed into law. How can you take advantage of the new dividend tax rules?
 

Tax Cut Pays Big Dividends

by Rande Spiegelman, CPA, CFP®, Vice President of Financial Planning, Schwab Center for Investment Research®
May 23, 2003
 
Here’s how to take advantage of the new tax rules.
 

Planning is Everything When it Comes to Taxes

by Rande Spiegelman, CPA, CFP®, Vice President of Financial Planning, Schwab Center for Investment Research®
January 31, 2003 
 
"Power planners" don’t wait for year-end to focus on their tax situation. A little tax planning and monitoring throughout the year can help you maximize your after-tax cash flows.