Topic: Financial Software

Five challenges for the IRS's new capital gains reporting rules

The new rules for reporting capital gains is a laudable aim, but the IRS faces a number of challenges to make this initiative work.

Tax Day: How easy filing makes the tax code complicated

Our current insanely complex tax rules are made possible by technology. Yes, computer software makes filing easier, but that may be the problem.

Tax day tips: Eight things to check before April 17 tax deadline

Tax day comes a little later this year, but we're still in the homestretch. Here are some basics you need to follow before the federal tax deadline.

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:

Bankruptcy for TaxMasters, an IRS foe

Bankruptcy filing by TaxMasters puts focus on its aggressive ads. The Houston firm filed for bankruptcy after Texas' attorney general sued it for misleading advertising, .

Take your money and run

Bank of America's $5 per month debit card fee is just the tip of the iceberg. Big banks are starting to charge fees for what used to be basic services. In protest, switch to a community bank or credit union. It's more convenient than camping out with the Occupy Wall Street protesters.

Top 9 ways Internet access can save you money

Sure, access to the Internet costs you something every month. But did you ever stop to think how much money it saves? Online price comparison and access to wholesale markets and group deal sites, like livingsocial.com and Groupon, can save the average consumer $8,000 annually, according to new study from the Internet Innovation Alliance (IIA), a coalition that lobbies to make high-speed Internet access more affordable and widely available. “Generally Internet shopping can be a big money saver,” agrees Jody Rohlena. senior editor at Shopsmart magazine, but beware of online impulse buying: “It’s important to stick to your budget and try not to go crazy.”

Here are nine areas of consumer spending where the Internet can save big bucks, according to the IIA study. Can you guess which spending category is in the top spot?

Your teens have summer jobs? Three financial lessons to teach.

This summer, many teens are working summer jobs and, perhaps for the first time, earning money that doesn’t’ come from family. It’s an exciting feeling of independence – and a key time to learn the basics of money management. That’s where parents come in. Even if communicating with your teenagers about money is sometimes difficult, it is natural for you to be involved because their income from summer jobs will have tax implications for you. Here are three easy financial lessons to teach your teens this summer:

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: Get help for free

Tax preparation season is here, and there are plenty of places to look for free assistance.

Tax forms will not be mailed out this year, says IRS

Tax forms won't be showing up in your mailbox this winter. The Internal Revenue Service has decided not to mail tax forms to taxpayers.

Online financiancial manager Wesabe shutting down. Here are alternatives.

Wesabe, an online personal information manager, is closing down. Here are five alternatives to keep your data in order.

Problems with tax software and e-file?

The free tax software from the IRS, Free File Fillable Forms, is primitive but helpful. Here are some tips if your e-file doesn't go through.

How a husband and budget helped me lose the stress (mostly)

Even flat tires can't rattle Bob and Linda's budget.

Websites that help you budget better

Money movements are less muddled, allowing you to see accounts all in one place.

Will the Simple Return end April 15 tax agony?

Thousands of Californians will use the program, which provides taxpayers with filled-in statements.