credit: jm3

Unless you’ve got an extension, you’ve probably filed your tax return for 2008. Like many Americans, you might have missed out on some deductions simply because you weren’t aware of them – it’s a complicated system! So take a look at this list and keep in mind that some of these deductions might be available for you when you next file a return.

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photo credit: jessiphotoworld

Over at the No Credit Needed blog, a recent post looked at the writer’s financial priorities for the future. It makes for an interest list and something that a lot of people in debt are probably striving to achieve - and we know that making a list of your goals always helps you to achieve them faster and better. So let’s take a look at the key financial priorities on this list:

• Live within a budget - always have a written budget so you know where you plan to put your money
• Have insurance - always have sufficient coverage of the necessary kinds of insurance (for example, health, dental, life or disability)
• Have an emergency fund - for at least six months’ worth of living expenses
• Fully-fund retirement accounts - that makes the annual tax bill lower and increases the wealth for the retirement days
• Fund self-education accounts - the No Credit Needed blogger has three young children, and has the goal of saving enough for their college tuition
• Live without borrowing money - but with one big advantage - this guy has a house funded by his employer
• Continue to live without credit cards - he uses a debit card instead for situations where a credit card is usually very convenient.

It might be interesting to reconsider your list of financial priorities, too.

credit: Paul Keleher

Scary stuff from a recent CNN report about the inevitability that taxes will rise: Janice Revell from the Money Magazine is sure that taxes have been cut too much, too quickly and historical analysis makes it look like this is a situation that can’t last. She thinks proof is there even as recently as 1980 when tax rates for the top tax brackets were double what they are today. (more…)

credit: rick

As taxpayers scramble to get their tax returns together and forms filled out, it’s inevitable that some just won’t have time to file their taxes on time. It may be because they haven’t had time to get to the accountant or purchase tax software, or they may not have the funds to pay what they owe, but either way, if you for those that file late, late rebates are to be expected. (more…)

credit: Josh Thompson 

Whether you’re trying to reduce your own personal income tax bill or trying to develop a business, there are different parts of the United States that you might like to move to, if you want to take advantage of the nation’s best tax-free havens. Here’s a list of some states that might meet your needs:

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credit: Beige AlertTo encourage people to buy environmentally friendlier hybrid cars, the United States government has been running some tax incentive schemes. If you are one of the people who bought a hybrid car expecting a tax credit of up to $3,000, it might be a shock to find out that you may not get all of this credit after all.

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