What are the effects of moving between the 10%, 15%, 25% and 28% marginal tax brackets? The answer, like most questions on tax, is that it depends. Different levels of income and family situations dictate the different level of income taxes paid. There is a difference to be aware of when moving from the 15% [...]

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The Fiscal Cliff

This past summer, my wife Jamie and I visited High Cliff State Park. The cost of admission was $7. I’m ashamed to say I grew tired climbing the path to the 40-foot observation tower at the vantage point of the cliff.   From the observation [...]

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When you have ideas of starting a retail business, you dream of the storefront, what you’ll sell, and how much you’ll charge for it.   The last thing on your mind is the first thing you have to accomplish.   That is letting your State and Federal Government know that you are doing this.   [...]

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Form 1040

On February 19, 2012 By

“Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”

The above Benjamin Franklin quote highlights the certainty of taxes.   Taxes will always be there in some form or another.   The first personal income tax [...]

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2011 Tax Season

On January 10, 2012 By

Hello Everyone!

The tax time is just around the corner!   I hope everyone had a wonderful 2011 both tax-wise, and more importantly, lifestyle wise; spent with happy moments with family, friends and you all are in a better position now than one year ago.

2011 was a year that was very good to me. [...]

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The last first time ever leaving the country occurred at the same time for both my wife and me.  Our honeymoon in Cancun kicked off with advice from an airport employee in Chicago: “Tear off all information on your travel bags that might give away who you are or where you live.   Always keep [...]

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The first thing I do when I get home from work is check the mail box.   I don’t know, it just seems like the right thing to do.   There’s usually 3-4 mail pieces in there.   In the pile of newly acquired mail, I would peg the average [...]

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Rummage Sales

On September 10, 2011 By

Something I really enjoy doing, that I don’t do nearly often enough, is driving around neighborhoods on the weekend in search of rummage sales.   Garage sales!   It’s best when they have signs from a main road that just guide you in.   Today I bought Tom Clancys: Rainbow Six.   [...]

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