Topic: Accounting and Payroll Services

Tax tips: Top 5 reasons to hire a tax pro

Tax tips can take you only so far if you're filling out your own returns. Sometimes, you need a tax pro. Most taxpayers, to the tune of 60 percent, opt to go with a tax professional. That share has climbed steadily: Just 41 percent used a professional preparer 30 years ago. Although a growing swath of the population – about 20 percent – is using tax-preparation software to complete returns, according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), it seems that software isn't displacing accountants as much as it's simply becoming the mode of choice for do-it-yourself filers. As the Tuesday, April 17, tax filing deadline nears, here are five cases in which it might be wise to consider bringing a pro aboard:

Income tax refund: five tips for maximizing it

People are always looking for ways to get every dollar back they deserve at tax time. Fortunately, there are some smart moves you can make before April 17 to help maximize your income tax refund. Spending a few minutes now will save you time preparing your taxes and can help you get big savings. Here are five tips to get you started:

Top video game markets in the world

The United States remains No. 1, but other countries, notably in Asia, are rising fast. Many countries, too, are sweetening tax incentives to lure video game developers in their quest to create jobs. Here are the top 5 video game markets for 2010, as outlined in a 2011 study by PricewaterhouseCoopers, the big accounting and consulting firm.

Top 15 money games, toys for kids

One of the best ways to teach kids about money is to make it fun. There are plenty of toys and games – even books – that do just that. Here are my 15 recommendations for money toys and games that entertain as well as teach something about how to handle cash, ATM cards, debt, and so on. These money games and toys are age-specific, so click through to the age of the child you plan to buy for. (Descriptions include links to examples from Amazon.com, but there are many alternatives you can find).

A little bit of Central Asia in Prague

A Czech company is simultaneously building a business and helping migrants by hiring Central Asian migrants to cook their homelands' dishes.

Tax day 2011: Last-minute tips to keep the Internal Revenue Service away

Here are nine tips that tax experts (and the friendly Internal Revenue Service itself) offer to help keep you from getting audited, owing a penalty, paying more than you really owe, or having to file an amended return because of a mistake.

Tax advice from a computer: Do you need tax software? Five questions to ask.

Tax advice comes in many forms: from IRS forms, accountants, and tax preparers. So do you need a computer to fill out your forms? Most low- and middle-class Americans qualify to use tax software for free. But if you have to pay for it, is the software worth it? Here are a five questions to help you decide:

Tax preparation twist: Help others. Skip your own.

Tax preparation expert accused of avoiding paying his own New York state taxes.

Unemployment rate shows US 'upturn is nothing great'

Unemployment rate watchers noted that summer is traditionally a slow season for hiring, but the economy continues to show signs of slow progress. The unemployment rate stayed at 9.5 percent in a jobs report issued Friday.

Sarbanes-Oxley provision ruled unconstitutional

Sarbanes-Oxley's national board that monitors auditors of public companies violates the Constitution's separation of powers requirement, the Supreme Court ruled Monday.

Supreme Court rules for president in separation of powers case

The Supreme Court ruled Monday that a board overseen by the Securities and Exchange Commission operated under rules that violated the Constitution's separation of powers clause.

Can Congress create agencies insulated from White House control?

The US Supreme Court is considering whether an oversight board created by Congress intrudes on executive branch authority - the latest battleground in the dispute over separation of powers.

Exit of GM's Fritz Henderson: Four messages

The unexpected departure of GM CEO Fritz Henderson signals the board's impatience with the pace of change – especially compared with Ford.

For newspapers, more bad news: Online ad revenue is plummeting

Key change in accounting may boost banks' balance sheets

Under the new ‘mark-to-market’ rule, banks can consider the value of assets as if they are being sold in an orderly fashion, not in a distress sale.

Accounting sleuths on the trail of Madoff money

Teams of 'forensic accountants' get set to trace – and maybe recover – funds lost in $50 billion Ponzi scheme.

Efforts to regulate 'Wild West' markets are long overdue

Moves by the Fed and the Treasury to prop up mortgage giants are a welcome sign.