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Newspapers, business news shows, and the Internet are all helpful resources that can help you gather data on publicly-traded companies. Another important source is research reports written by analysts who make a living following various companies and reporting on their financial activities. Howeve...

More than 1.4 million Americans were audited last year, a 10% increase over last year. Even more audits are expected as the Obama administration plans to spend $8.2 billion in tax enforcement initiatives in 2011. More than ever we need to be diligent in keeping accurate documentation for all tax ded...

To say that the last two years have been difficult for the auto industry would be a real understatement. We watched as GM and Chrysler went bankrupt and became wards of the state, Ford mortgaged everything (right down to its blue oval), and even auto juggernaut Toyota is suffering huge recalls and...

Last week I received a question from a client about the cost basis of stock received from the estate of his mother, who passed away in 2010. I explained that he would receive "stepped-up" basis, meaning his cost for tax purposes would be the market value of the stock at the date-of-death. But then...

O Canada Hockey fans got a real treat with yesterday's gold-medal game between the US and Canada. A tense and hard-fought battle throughout, the US tied the score with only 24 seconds left in the game, but our Northern neighbors secured the gold with a goal in overtime. Congratulations to Canada for...

This blog is not about politics. We stick to personal finance and investing - that's been our job here for 40 years. But how long can New York State lead the world in finance without good leadership? Our current Governor, David Paterson, came into office with the resignation of Eliot Spitzer two yea...

A few weeks ago I mentioned the possibility of a debt default by the government of Greece. At that time it appeared that a bailout by Europe was in the cards. But Germany, Europe's largest economic engine, may be having second thoughts, bringing Greece back to the edge of insolvency. If Greece do...

Last time we walked you through the 3 steps to a well-planned retirement. Today we continue the list with 4 more ways to ensure you're ready to retire: What is the status of any pensions you might have? How much will they pay you? When are you eligible to start drawing on them? Analysis of debt. Ho...

What can be deducted as an investment expense on your tax return? Well, if you itemize your deductions, you can include investment expenses under miscellaneous itemized deductions on schedule A. Unfortunately, your miscellaneous itemized deductions have to exceed 2% of your adjusted gross income be...

I first subscribed to The Wall Street Journal in the late 70's on a cut-rate student subscription. That was during the Carter administration and some things were going up, up, up. Problem was, those things were interest rates, inflation, energy prices, and gold. It was not a good time for investors,...