The decreased value of many investors' portfolios, combined with recent tax changes, may provide some opportunities:
1. If you are giving away investment assets this holiday season, you may be able to give more shares since prices are down.
2. If you give assets to certain family members, they may be able to avoid capital gains tax when selling.
3. The amount you can give each person without tax consequences is going up in 2009.
4. Depressed stock values make this a good time for a Roth IRA conversion, if you meet the income requirements.
Copyright © 2009
Full Article 
Save Article
Email Firm 
Get Trade Pubs
Full Newsletter 
Did you know that the month of November was declared Long Term Care Awareness Month and also National Family Caregiver's Month?
We've all heard the wisdom of "working smarter, not harder," and strive to be as productive as we can. Here are some surprising tips that may seem counterproductive but can actually help you make the most of your work day.
There are many ways that contractors can define success. Some look at the bottom line and judge success purely on their expectations for the company. Some consider whether the company's profits allow them to live their desired lifestyle. Some just hope to have cash at the end of the day. No matter how you define success, the only way to achieve it is by efficiently managing the policies and procedures that control your direct and indirect costs.
Public schools, churches and 501(c)(3) organizations that sponsor a 403(b) retirement plan face additional reporting and plan document requirements thanks to new IRS rules that become effective next year.
Test the success of your fringe benefits to make sure they are meaningful for your particular workforce. For example, a company-sponsored mortgage program may be the best route if your employees are young and rent their homes. By solving the puzzle of which benefits are best for your staff members, you can reduce employee turnover.
When shopping around for a bank loan, you may be able to sweeten the terms so they meet your company's cash flow needs. Here's a banking secret that could help your company if you know what to ask for.