Book Description

• Save more for your child’s education now!
• Increase your retirement savings
• New deductions, tax breaks, and planning tips

Make the most of the new tax laws!

The tax law is constantly changing and the laws surrounding your 2002 tax return are no exception–from the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 and the Victims of Terrorism Tax Relief Act of 2001 to the Job Creation and Worker Assistance Act of 2002. Today, it’s more important than ever to watch over your tax expenses, and J.K. Lasser’s Tax Savings in Your Pocket can show you how.

Packed with up-to-the-minute facts and figures, this book will:

• Explain to you the income tax changes affecting your 2002 returns
• Help you understand the estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes taking effect in 2002
• Show you how and when to file amended returns in order to benefit from law changes affecting prior years
• Point out new rules that will take effect in 2003 or later, so that you can adopt comprehensive tax-saving strategies now
• Alert you of pending developments
• And much more

You don’t have to be a tax professional to learn which new rules to take advantage of and how to go about it. All you need is an understanding of what the new rules are. Learn what the current tax laws mean for you and your family, and find out how to use them to keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A great supporting text
An excellent supplement to JK Lasser's Your Income Tax 2003. Not only does it inform about the latest tax law changes, but predicts the likely changes in the recent future. Examples and charts demonstrate how best to utilize changes for maximum tax savings. One to keep next to your calculator. ... Read more

Book Description

Anyone who doesn't want to hand over the lion's share of earnings and income to Uncle Sam-- those with or without 401(k) and pensions, the self-employed and worker bees, homeowners and renters... the list goes on and on. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A winner
The world of investing is so complicated. Especially trying to figure out total return and whta makes sense on an after tax basis. This book does it all. It also gave me new idea's that I had not been aware of, such as Tax Credit investments. ... Read more

Book Description

The income tax wasn't integral to anything the Founders of this country had in mind and it wasn't integral to anything they designed. Your Money or Your Life: Why We Must Abolish the Income Tax shows where the income tax and the IRS came from, and recounts not only how they came to be but why. What makes Richman's analysis different is that he shows that the special evils of the IRS and income tax are not accidental, something that can be eliminated just by putting the right people in charge or by offering a few reforms here and there. They are intrinsic to the purpose for which the IRS and the income tax exist. And that's why Richman proposes that the whole thing just be repealed. This book shows how the income tax makes you poorer. Reading Richman's discussion of it will make you richer. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Review for Critical Thinking
Sheldon Richman's Your Money or Your Life: Why We Must Abolish Income Tax presents a good arguement for which income tax in America should be abolished.Richman begins his book by talking about how the IRS has tormented American Citizens.He states that income tax creates an on going battle between people and government in which people are working to get the things they desire most in life and the government is trying to take as much of people's hard earned money as it can.
Richman then begins his most important arguement by attacking income tax on a moral basis.He shows that because of income tax people do not have complete control of their own incomes and are forced to surrender to the selfishness of the government.Richman then goes on to say that this is interceeding on every person's legal right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.Income tax demotes the idea of private property.Richman refers to the ideas of Karl Marx, in which Marx states that government is creating issues of conflict between people of differing incomes.
Richman talks about the relationship between government and people.He says that even though the government has been elected it is hard to figure how people agreed with the idea of taxation.He then goes on to tell about the evolution of tax codes and to point out that with income tax the government has access to large amounts of information on its citizens.This information can be manipulated and used in the favor of the IRS.
Richman argues that we would be better without income tax.He brings that point that any money spent for government needs and politician needs is money being taken away from the wants of society.And that this is ultimatly leading to lowwer living standards.It also limits many people to having to work for others instead of themselves.
Richman ends the book by telling how income tax was develped and lists the reasons it should be ended.

Your Money or Your Life
Christine Spalding
Critical Thinking
Professor Kevin J. Browne
November 29, 2002

Your Money Or Your Life

Sheldon Richman's argument is based on the moral issue of the income tax and why this tax should be abolished.

Richman presents us with facts and claims of how our government is flawed by forcing the American worker to give up a portion of his income, though no one actually consented.Along with surrendering a percentage of our earned income, we must allow them to have access to our personal financial records of the exact amount one earns.The tax enforcers accomplish this through lies and deceit.Both which preceded and followed the Sixteenth Amendment.

The American wage earner is "commandeered", says Richman, by this taxation, and if you do not, the government will institute a fine or even have you imprisoned.His conclusion is this is theft and unjust.

Richman's other basic argument's for abolishing the income tax is as follows:

1. The state demands a sum of our money, and refusing to give it up is punishable.
2. It is a voluntary system.
3. Repercussions for not volunteering.
4. It is wasteful.
5. It illustrates the corruption and out of control spending by the government.
6. Lawmakers need a never-ending flow of cash
7. The income tax is the only tax allowed that corrupts society.
8. The income tax is a blank check for the government.
9. The income tax makes you poorer.

Richman presented clear and convincing arguments for his reasons to abolish the income tax.Richman also makes an interesting comparison of the government being like a mugger who "occasionally shines his victim's shoes", and a membership to a club has access to certain amenities only if the dues are paid, it not one is not allowed in, not arrested. By the same token, a property owner who is not "actively using the government's services" still owes the taxes.

This argument ofwhy the income tax should be abolished by Richman is deductively strong.Mr. Richman used statistical evidence as well as causal arguments through out.

A must read for every single American
This book is one of the best written on the subject of abolishing the income tax.

As Americans, we have been taught that paying our fair share of income taxes is the American way and our patriotic duty. Nothing could be farther from the truth. In fact, the income tax is 100% against the American way and violates our very own Constitution.

This book exposes the complete history of the income tax, and its tyrannical, Gestapo like collection agency, the IRS. The IRS is the most feared organization American has ever known and they operate outside the bounds of the Constitution that is supposed to protect us from tyranny in government. What happened? Read this book to find out all of the sordid details.

Not only is this book a history lesson, but more importantly, it shows that we can survive without the income tax as we did for more than one hundred and fifty years before this form of communism was implemented into our lives.

If every American read this book, there would be a revolution by tomorrow morning.

Every American Should Read This Book!
Sheldon Richman's concise and informative book, Your Money Or Your Life, explains how the income tax is one of the greatest threats to the liberty of the American people ever devised.By making our employers surrogatefederal tax collectors, most Americans don't feel the pain because theyreally don't know what they're losing.But even worse, as Richman pointsout, by having access to our paychecks, the government can tap into analmost limitless pool of money to expand its size and scope.We need toscrap the income tax and replace it with a tax on consumption.

Unassailable Polemic! Richman Crucifies Income Taxtation!
So much writing about income taxation are shaggy dog works of politicians and those who would appease them. This work is for the mind what a shower is for the body after a hot day of shoveling elephant and donkey manure, ifyou know what I mean.

Richman shows that the ideas behind income taxationare evil. Like an evil tree, you can try pruning it, but it will bear evilfruit again inevitably.Therefore the only solution is to cut it down!

Aconsistent version of the American political idea would not tolerate incometaxation, for it is too invasive and exploitative.It facilitatesmisspending and unaccountability.

Almost without exception, when the boysin Washington declare war on anything or anybody, it's a diversion.Youshould know that while we're being told to "prepare for a long longwar on terrorism," the IRS is trying to tool up to take over you lifeas never before, via advances in computer technology coupled with nomeaningful change in the tax system.

Now we're being told that not onlymust we bomb in Kosovo, but we may also follow up this action with somepunishment of war crimes.In contrast, when IRS comissioner CharlesRosotti was asked whether the known abusive agents of the IRS would bepunished, he said that they'd be look into it, but didn't want to be toohasty because acting hastily had caused problems in the past.(Am I theonly one who finds a pattern with this President's administration whereinit betrays those closest to home while focusing much attentionelsewhere?

Buy this book. Muster some courage. Vote Libertarian. Let's gointo the new millenium as a free country for the first time in over 80years! ... Read more

Book Description

The bad news is, if you invest, you pay taxes.The good news is—you don'thave to! The IRS reports that in 1997, 1,746 of the richest Americans didjust that. These lucky winners all earned over $200,000—without paying adime in federal income tax. The Investors TaxTuneup reveals their secrets andshows you how to do it too. The book includes seven chapters covering gettingstarted, debt, equity, family tax planning, retirement accounts, and lifeinsurance/annuities. You'll discover tax-saving strategies for every part ofyour portfolio.

• The single most important investment decision you make--and how it governs the tax you pay
• The 3 Commandments of tax-efficient investing
• Where to stash your cash
• Proven strategies for buying and selling stocks and bonds
• 7 tax-advantaged ways to beat CDs
• How to pick stocks
• Tax crimes you commit against your portfolio
• The best tax strategy for day traders
• 6 ways to avoid capital gains
• J.P. Morgan's mutual fund strategy
• 6 ways to choose tax-efficient mutual funds
• 9 ways to buy and sell funds
• 6 tax-advantaged college saving strategies
• The IRA mistake that could cost you thousands
• Avoid penalties on early IRA withdrawals
• 5 questions to ask before you buy a variable annuity

You could easily pay your financial planner or CPA over $1,000 for thisinformation—if they even have it! The Investors Tax Tuneup costs less thanlunch with your broker. That's a tiny down payment to make on thousands ofdollars in tax savings.

Book Description

Includes all the latest updates and changes to the 2002 tax code

"Might very well be the IRS's worst nightmare. . . . If there's a tax break allowed out there, it's in here."­­New York Daily News

Publishers Weekly called it "a can't-miss title." The New York Daily News praised it for "pushing the envelope" and taking "a consumerist approach that's helpful during all the other months before next April." Best of all, more than half a million people have consulted How to Pay Zero Taxes for solid guidance on paying less to the IRS.

This fully updated 20th edition contains all the latest tax changes and delivers more tax-saving tips than any other guide. It outlines the easiest, most practical strategies consumers can use to lower their taxes this year, next year, and beyond­­by focusing on hundreds of legal ways to preserve pretax income and profit. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

A Book as Dense as Taxes Themselves
Schnepper's book is not without its nuggets of ideas. However, to lead the reader to believe he or she will pay zero taxes is a bit misleading. This book is much too wordy and dense for the average reader. It's best to give it to your tax advisor and let them sort through the material. Schnepper devotes much of the book to case law, which is of more interest to tax attorneys than general consumers. Particularly frustrating is that the index must be from previous editions of the book. As I tried to reference various topics, the pages cited were not where the information I needed was. In short, this book is not particularly user-friendly and excessive attention was devoted to random topics.

Great Reading
This book should be required reading for everbody. This book gives you valuable tips to avoid paying taxes to IRS LEGALLY. By helping you to understand the tax system you'll better appreciate why we pay taxes, how to pay them correctly, how to pay ONLY what you owe, and how to AVOID TAXES LEGALLY. It is written in PLAIN english. Simply superb. A must read for everyone.

Why look for a Tax break? When there is No income tax
There is no law to make a person liable to pay income tax. No one has put forth the research and "know in your heart it's the truth" information like Irwin Schiff's - "The Federal Mafia"

I personally have not paid income tax in over 8 years. I received one letter from the IRS to which I replied and informed them that I did not pay taxes for the years in question because I am under no obligation to do so (I included other statements with knowledge I gained from this amazing book.) I have never heard from them again & I never have had an IRS agaent come to my house. Don't let the IRS use their scare tatics to steal your hard-earned money, illegally seize your propery, and bank accounts. Ignornance of the average American is what they prey upon. Get the knowledge to See The Light.

Mr Schiff's book will greatly change your opinions of our Government. (NOT THE BOOK THIS REVIEW IS WRITTEN UNDER)
I highly recommed all of Irwin Schiff's books. Extremely imformative / easy to follow / and above all undoubtely proves that there is No Income Tax.

The IRS - "The greatest organized crime outfit of all time."

Somewhat Helpful But Misses the More Important Point
A really good tax book would tell you how complicated and unfair the current system really is. It would tell you that the current system costs Americans hundreds of billions of dollars annually in man hours for compliance and makes a parasitic class of politicians, lobbyists, lawyers and tax accountants quite rich. It is no wonder that books like this don't tell you any of that then is it? Instead of jumping through all kinds of hoops and frantically arranging your affairs to suit the taxing authorities why don't we demand a simplified system that puts all of these leaches out of work and puts our wealth to work creating jobs that make working people better off?

A book like this may be useful under the current system, but, there is the danger that it will keep you so busy chasing deductions and exemptions that you will forget what the real problem is.

This is a good book...BUT there are better ones available
Being a CPA and attorney,I am a saavy financial person and read a lot of tax and financial books.

How To Pay Zero Tax has been out for quite a while and is actually one of the first tax planning books that I have read. It is fairly comprehensive and actually better than most of the tax planning books out there. However,there are two main problems with it though for the average reader.

First, it is literally much too much. It has over 600 pages and some of it isn't clear. Mr.Schnepper tries to be all things to all people, which doesn't really succeed. I guess a point in all directions is a circle. In fact, despite its length,some of the discussion on topics tends to be too brief.

The second problem that has been noted by other reviewers is that this book hasn't be kept up to date. I guess Mr. Schnepper is "resting on his laurals."

Let me be clear about this: it's not that I disliked this book. It is just that there are a number of other, more up to date and better written tax books that I would recommend instead such as Lower Your Taxes: BIG TIME by a Mr. Botkin. ... Read more

Book Description

Even after a lifetime of paying taxes, you still aren't home free-the IRS may take half or more of whatever you have left when you die. Disinherit the IRS reveals the simple, legal ways to avoid these taxes, possibly for generations, while allowing you to protect your children, grandchildren, and future heirs from predators and claims from lawsuits and divorce. You will discover how to:
- Get the IRS to effectively pay your life insurance premiums. Remove assets from your taxable estate without losing control of or income from them.
- Make a profit by donating to charity.
- Effectively exempt your entire estate from state taxes.
- Avoid capital gain taxes on the sale of your appreciated property.
- Leave what you have to whom you want, when you want, and in the way you want, while at the same time paying the least possible court fees, attorney fees, and estate taxes. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Minimizing or eliminating personal estate taxes
Now in a newly updated, revised, and expanded edition, Disinherit The IRS by chartered financial consultant E. Michael Kilbourn (President of Kilbourn Associates and Chairman of the Wealth Protection Network, Naples, Florida) is a very practical and "user friendly" guide to minimizing or eliminating personal estate taxes in order to ensure that the money and possessions left to the people and causes intended is not unfairly or unnecessarily eroded by estate taxes or any other form of taxation. Solid and practical advice for protecting personal finances against claims from lawsuits and divorce actions also fill the pages of this useful and informative compendium. Other chapters address such financial planning issues as life insurance, the usefulness of trusts, and sound steps anyone can take to protect their assets. If you have amassed a lifetime of wealth and wish to lawfully minimize the tax man's demands upon it, then acquire and carefully give a serious reading to Michael Kilbourn's Disinherit The IRS! ... Read more

Book Description

This 30th anniversary edition of B. J. Worth's tax guide is completely updated. It's indispensable for pastors, church board members, and tax preparers who need to know the special rules that apply to ministers' tax returns in the United States. The book is updated and reprinted each year in December. ... Read more

Book Description

A major work of history, The Great Tax Wars is the gripping, epic story of six decades of often violent conflict over wealth, power, and fairness that gave America the income tax. It's the story of a tumultuous period of radical change, from Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War through the progressive era under Theodore Roosevelt and ending with Woodrow Wilson and World War I. During these years of upheaval, America was transformed from an agrarian society into a mighty industrial nation as great fortunes were amassed, militant farmers and workers rebelled against concentrations of vast wealth and power, class war was narrowly averted, and America emerged as a global power.

Award-winning journalist Steven R. Weisman begins his narrative with the Civil War, when Lincoln imposed the nation's first income tax to pay the Union Army and dampen dangerous resentment against bankers, merchants, and factory owners who profited from the war. Repealed by Congress after the war, the tax was reenacted in 1894 to deal with the nation's worst economic collapse until that time. By reducing the government's heavy reliance on tariffs for revenue, the tax benefited farmers in the West and South who were rebelling against the high cost of imports and goods manufactured in the North and East. But a year later, the Supreme Court declared the income tax unconstitutional, plunging the court into one of the worst controversies it has endured and once again pitting region against region and workers and farmers against industrialists. The court's decision also handed populist congressman William Jennings Bryan of Nebraska, who was a champion of the tax, a major issue in his unsuccessful campaign for president in 1896.

The turn of the century brought an outpouring of progressive reforms under President Roosevelt. Toward the end of his term, T.R. proposed an income tax to help break the excessive power of the wealthy and the trusts and banks they controlled, but it took a deal between President William Howard Taft and Congress in 1909, and then ratification of the Sixteenth Amendment to the Constitution, to finally get the tax enacted in 1913. The tax took effect just as Wilson entered the White House and in time to finance America's involvement in World War I.

The Great Tax Wars features an extraordinary cast of characters, including the powerful men who built the nation's industries and the politicians and reformers who battled them -- from J. P. Morgan and Andrew Carnegie to Lincoln, T.R., Wilson, Bryan, and Eugene Debs. From their ferocious battles emerged a more flexible definition of democracy, economic justice, and free enterprise largely framed by a more progressive tax system. Drawing on their words and on newspaper and magazine accounts of the time, Weisman shows how the ever-controversial income tax transformed America and how today's debates about the tax echo those of the past. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

easy taxation reading
The book does a very good job describing a historical background between civil war and the end of first World War that led to the introduction and changes in the tax laws. It provides an interesting portraits of people involved in making these decisions. It is not an academic book and intended for mass audience since it's quite easy to read. The only issue I have with this book is that it seems that sometimes the author wanders away from the main subject of the book and although it is usually still interesting observations it doesn't always serve the purpose of this book. But even despite this the book is an easy and interesting read on complicated subject.

Taxes can be a taxing topic
While some reviewers have indicated that this book, in addressing the topic of the history of the income tax, is not really taxing to read, the battles of the income tax tend to be some of the less interesting components of the story. Weisman does an excellent job of providing the historical context in which the battles over income tax take place, and it is this context that is much more interesting than some of the battles that took place in establishing the tax as a permanent component of the American government.

What is truly interesting about the battles over the income tax is the almost verbatim arguments that have occured against the tax, extending almost to the supply side economics argument popularized by the Regean campaign of 1980. This is fairly close to the arguments that were made in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Seeing that the basis of the tax argument, on either side hasn't changed much is enlightening when examining current policy debates.

Weisman also provides some interesting insights into the administrations of Roosevelt and Wilson and the politics that surrounded both of them, beyond the taxation issue. Especially noteworthy is Roosevelt's general feeling toward Wilson which extends beyond the issue of raising taxes.

Ultimately, for the discounted price the book is worth the time to read. Buying it at full price, it might not be as worth while.

Good Overview but it lacked something
Weisman does a good job review the creation of the income tax and an even better job pointing out the form of taxation that came before. This was mainly tariffs on imported goods that served to increase the prices of goods for everyone. It was surprising to read that before the income tax, up to 40% of an average person's income could have went for Federal Taxes because of the prices he had to pay for basic goods such as farm equipment, coffee, sugar, & other items.

The original income tax was actually a tax cut for many Americans, which may be surprising to modern day anti-tax crusaders. Where Weismann falls flat is examining specifics of how the tax code functioned in the early days and attempting to assess its impact. He seems to devote more energy into providing historical overviews of the period from the Civil War until around the time of the Great Depression (in the end he runs through major changes in the code until the present).

The strongest chapter is probably the review of the the Confederate experiments with various tax schemes and their desperate attempts to keep some financial solvency to their short lived government.

Quite good, but not great
For the price, this book truly is a bargain.

The author starts off very strong with the historical presentation of Lincoln, but there are many places where it flagged -- the author lost focus and went on tangents about other, seemingly unrelated historical things, often for "miles and miles" of pages. I'm sure he faced a tough decision in what to include and what not to include, as is the case for any history book because to put it into true perspective you want to include everything -- but you can't. There should have been more judicious cutting here.

The editorial review is also correct: the author didn't ask many important questions in his book, whether overtly or in a more subtle manner. In fact, I kept waiting for the history lesson to end and some more of the author's personality and thoughts to come through, but it didn't happen after the first 1/3 of the book.

Reading this book was quite a lot like watching a (historical re-enactment-style) movie, to be honest, which is good if you just want to know what happened but not if you're looking for an intellectual discussion of "why?" It was a good history lesson, but I will look for other books with a more discussion-oriented bent to round out my newly developed knowledge.

an educational and enjoyable book
This book was reviewed in Time magazine by Lance Morrow in the November 04, 2002 issue. Mr. Morrow usually writes essays but occasionally writes about books and when he does they are usually worth looking into.

This book proved no exception. Though the subject matter may seem dull (the writer's children evidently thought so), Weisman does an excellent job at making the story lively and engaging. Though perhaps not an exacting historical text, the book paints a broad overall picture of the government's role in the development of the economic framework of the United States.

I personally enjoyed learning how the government was financed through the years, how government policy changed with the thoughts of the public, and the ensuing battles in Washington. As I read the book and watched the welfare state begin to emerge it made me a little more sympathetic for the ideas of conservatism. The welfare state we enjoy today, with its genesis in the progressive era, is a wonderful achievement; yet I can see that we need to constantly re-examine its aspects to insure we are not needlessly spending the taxpayer's money.

If you are interested in finance or history this book should prove enjoyable. ... Read more

Book Description

Plain-English explanations of the new tax laws

Each year, complicated new tax laws are created–and this year is no exception. From alternative minimum tax relief through higher exemption amounts to higher standard deduction amounts for nonitemizers, the rules of the tax game are constantly changing. The question is: will you have a strategy in place to make the most of these changes?

Written by the recognized authority in taxes, J.K. Lasser’s New Tax Law Simplified 2004 transforms the complex new tax laws into simple English that any taxpayer can understand. Filled with up-to-the-minute facts and figures as well as numerous examples and tables, this book makes it easy for you to understand–and profit from–the laws that govern your taxes.

With this book, you’ll understand:

• The new tax treatment of capital gains and dividends
• The key tax changes that affect you right now
• Rules being phased-in over the next several years
• Changes to various deductions, tax breaks, and credits
• New tax breaks to improve your family’s education
• Faster, easier retirement savings options
• And much, much more!

Book Description

This is a useful and readable book on its own, but its bonus value is as a reference for the Trust documents available free on the publisher's web site. Step by step instructions are given for avoiding the high legal costs and delays of Probate by the use of these free Living Trusts for Married and for Single persons. These forms provide the protection everyone wants and should have for the surviving spouse, children and other heirs.

If you own a home or have other assets, you need to consider a Living Trust. If you currently have a Living Trust, you owe it to your family and heirs to compare the boilerplate provisions and generalities in your document with those given at our web site and in the book. Both recommend specific provisions that clearly express the intent of the Grantor.

Most existing Trusts do not provide an adequate income for your surviving spouse; nor do they properly provide for your children and other heirs. You need a Trust that does these things.

Are you aware that many states require your Trustee to annually file and pay a special tax on your Trust? You can avoid this by including an important provision shown in Chapter 4. It allows you or your heirs to change the state that controls your Trust and avoid these annual taxes on your estate. Does your Living Trust contain this provision?

As a son or daughter, you can help your parent to use our Living Trust. The easy to understand explanations in the book show how to include important provisions that should be part of every effective estate planning document. These key options are unique to this book. You will not find them in the forms or in the text of other books on this subject.

The author of Estate Planning & Living Trust Secrets has been teaching these provisions to attorneys in state approved Continuing Legal Education courses over 12 years. Take advantage of the expertise he offers by reading the book and using the web site.

You can then download the free Living Trusts, insert your name and the names of your family and other beneficiaries, include the options from the book that you want, and then sign your name. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A Great Find and Clear Read
I was happy to find ,in this book,that I could have the provisions I wanted in a Living Trust.They are so important to me and my family. If you want to see if provisions can be had to fit your particular situation I recommend you do what I did.First,I reviewed the example of a Living Trust offered by the book's authors on the web site CCMTRUST.COM. It was easy to understand. Rights I needed to know about to really provide for my family I found in the draft at the web site- and it's free.Key directives are explained briefly and clearly, and page references to the book helped a lot when I wanted more detail. I have now included these directives in my Living Trust.Personal input is important for the protection of my own family

Great Estate Ideas
The book Estate Planning & Living Trust Secrets: What they don't
want you to know is one of the best Estate Planning Guides I have ever read. Clients of mine with rather complex estates and
investment portfolios have always benefited from Mr. Croke's
review of significant trust related issues. The checklist of 24
questions to ask enables my clients to review their existing trust documents to ensure they have not overlooked major planning benefits or have omitted important rights in their
trust documents.

Mr. Croke's book is readily available in local libraries if the reduced price is too expensive. I have a copy in my office for reference purposes during client sessions. Mr.Croke has provided great insights to me when I drafted my own will in recent years. The book should be required reading for all estate and certified financial planners. Great job take time to buy, read and use this one.

This is a great Book
I just had my trust prepared by a very fine trust attorney. The trust contains many of the recommendations from this book. So you can understand my concern when a friend told me about the negative review by a Toledo trust attorney. I showed the review to my attorney and his opinion is that the person who wrote the review was not an attorney since the information given was incorrect and was carefully avoided in the preparation of my document.

My attorney also told me that there is no IRS requirement that I must use the "net income" wording to pay my wife. The wording represents the minimum to be paid, but I gave instructions (which I am allowed to do) to pay a higher annual amount. My wife must have this higher amount since she will receive half of my pension and lower social security once I'm gone. This avoids another problem. She will not have to continually make requests for money and justify her needs to her trustee, in this case our son.

Why would a person write a such a bad and incorrect review? Are they trying to stop the sale of a great book? I would recommend that everyone read this book and use the helpful check list for items they want for their family. These are important options to consider and discuss with your attorney. Do yourself a favor, read the book.

I Hope Frank Does Not Make Much Money From This One!!!
Frank's attempt to "place fear" into cleints, by telling them the state's "defaut rules" are "bad" is misplaced and a fraud on the readers, in my opinion. Frank warns the readers that an estate attorney is attempting to "hold-out" on secrets. That is "bunk, unless they used him, perhaps."

Yes, I am an estate planning attorney with over 25 years of experience, No I am not afraid of Frank's book, because no one in their right mind would fall for his "BS."

What some people will do to scam money from others, and yes, I bought the book, but I wish I could get my money back.

I will not even attempt to resell it, it is not worth the shipping fee.

In our day and age when flexibility is the key to a good estate plan, e.g one that ought to last for several generations, for tax and creditor protection reasons, one can not draft for ever unforseeable and unknown event that may take place in the future, without paying big big big bucks to an attorney.

Frank suggests that if one finds the language set forth below, the trust is drafted poorly.

"My Trustee shall pay my surviving spouse the net income from the Trust."

Frank knows this language is necessary, if the Trust is to qualify for the federal estate tax marital deduction, and it is required by the Internal Revenue Code. Why does Frank fail to tell the reader this little tid bit????? Is is affriad to admit that the trust may have be drefted with skill and care!!

If the Trust is to be a Credit Shelter Trust, and not qualify for the marital deduction, then Frank, why force any net income or any other assets to be distributed to the surviving spouse? Why not merely name the spouse as the "distribution" trustee, and let her make distributions to herself for her heatlh, education, support or maintenance (an ascertaible standard), and give her the sole power to select (hire and fire)a friendly Independent Trustee who would be enpowered to make discretionary distributions to spouse of any amount of funds and for whatever reasons.

Also, why not give the Spouse as Trustee the power to have the Trust buy tangible assets, such as homes, cars, or any other toys, and permit spouse to use or occupy them rent free? Would the spouse like this provision???

To obligate any Trust to pay more funds to a spouse than required for her comsumption, defeats the creditor protection features of the trust.

Give the surving spouse the "power to control" the Trustee and its assets, and she will have all she ever needs, without having to guess today, how must cash will be needed many years from now.

Or would Frank has the client pay the attorney a fee, annually, to fine tune the distribution provisions?

Frank, I would be happy to review your Revocable Trust, for "defualt rules." I hope for your family you engaged the services of a skilled estate planning attorney, who did not read your book.

You know, a lawyer who represent himself, has a bad lawyer.

A disappointed reader. ... Read more

Book Description

Details benefits of land trusts Gives the step-by-step operation of a land trust Includes information about setting up a land trustExplains how to avoid probate and litigation Discusses ways to avoid personal liability Clarifies applicable Florida laws ... Read more

Book Description

". . . The best tax guide of the bunch . . ." –USA Today

". . . Hard to Beat . . ." –Money magazine

Here is the only guide that provides complete coverage of the new tax law provisions and includes essential forms for the upcoming tax season, plus the IRS’s official filing instructions for these forms. Make the most of the new tax law by saving more money on your taxes with America’s leading tax and accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Almost as good as an accountant
This guide makes it quick and easy to find an answer to your tax question. Information is clear and concise, usually with examples of what qualifies and what doesn't. Often it includes IRS opinion and Tax Court rulings on how the law is interpreted. Contains virtually everything you need to file your own taxes, understand why or why not a deduction is allowed, and two copies of the forms you need. This is NOT a tutorial for someone who has never done their own taxes. In the past five years my 1040 has become more complex. I've bought a rental property, started investing in the market, and working from my home office. This guide is why I can still file my own return.

TERRIFIC TAX TALK
Tax time won't go away, but this book makes it easier to meet the deadline. This guide is complete, providing information on every aspect of taxes. The chapters are divided in a way that allows the reader to quickly locate the information they desire without having to sift through pages of information not relating to their individual needs. The numerous examples which accompany the clearly written information make it even easier to understand. Locating exactly what the reader seeks is quickened by the highlighted areas and bold typed titles. The sample work sheets, graphs, and tables are wonderful examples and clarify the information even more. We were flood victims in 1997 and the information was extremely helpful on dealing with our loss. Disaster areas are listed city by city, with the dates and the cause of the disaster, eliminating any questions as to what qualified. There are chapters to cover foreign citizens working in the U.S. as well as U.S. citizens working abroad. There is a chapter helping you plan ahead for 1998, explaining in detail changes and things you can do now to help later. There is a chapter, whch hopefully won't be used, explaining and guiding you through an examination by the IRS. The book begins by alerting the user to tax law changes for 1997, and some that are changing in 1998. There are lists of reminders, common errors, and frequently overlooked deductions. These pages are followed by work sheets to get you started. The glossary in the back defines any terms the reader is not familiar with in easy to understand language. The book also contains forms to fit almost all tax needs. This book could guide a novice or be a wonderful resource to the seasoned taxpayer. This is a complete guide, well written, easy to understand and use. It is a great asset.

Not much here that you can't get from IRS publications
Actually, they should call this book Taxes for Retards. I bought it with the hope that it would make doing my taxes a little bit easier this time around. No such luck.

Most of the matter covered in the book is of a very elementary nature - that much you can figure out just by reading the IRS publications for the relevant forms.

In most instances, i found that i had to go back to the irs publication whenever i had any doubt - the book only covered everything superficially.

if you had no idea that irs publishes instructions for all forms or are among the esteemed few who think taxes are optional and/or that the slavery deduction is real- this book is for you. for others who have a fairly good idea of what you are doing, save the ** bucks and spend them elsewhere.

Pricey But Worth It
This is the best tax guide on the market. We use it in conjunction with TurboTax to do our taxes, which we file electronically. The tax guide comes in handy for in-depth review of some aspects as well as having a hard-copy throughout the year (well after taxes are filed) so that we can make informed tax decisions. It is a little pricey, but the ton of information and good examples make it worthwhile.

EXCELLENT GUIDE TO TAXATION
When it comes to understanding and preparing tax returns, or understanding taxation in general, you cannot beat Ernst and Young. When Canada first implemented the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the company of Ernst and Young was among the first to come out with a publication fully explaining this often frustrating, mind-boggling and sometimes complicated tax. Their tax guides are commonly found in many accounting firms and contain excellent resource material. As one who provides information on taxation to my business management class, I have found the information contained here to be thorough and up to date. If I have a taxation question (taxation laws are forever changing,) the Ernst and Young Taxation Guide is the first place I search for the answer. This guide is an excellent book for the resource library and one any business office should have on hand. ... Read more

Book Description

Tips and strategies on how to use the new tax law to lower your taxes

The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 has affected all taxpayers–and promises to do so for the next decade. Do you know how you’re going to benefit from the new tax legislation?

When you need up-to-the-minute answers to your tax-planning questions, turn to the most reliable and authoritative source: Ernst & Young.

From the authors who brought you The Ernst & Young Tax Guide–The Ernst & Young Tax Saver’s Guide 2003 offers unparalleled advice and techniques that will help you lower your taxes. Packed with hundreds of unique, money-saving tips, The Ernst & Young Tax Saver’s Guide 2003 gives you the lowdown on the new tax law and the best year-round strategies to save more money on your taxes.

• "Changes in the Law You Should Know About" covers the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, as well as phase-in laws that may affect future tax years
• "Tax Savers," "Tax Alerts," and "Tax Organizers" offer helpful tips and reminders
• A special life-events index helps you minimize taxes associated with marriage, home-buying, retirement, and more
• Year round tax-planning strategies and last-minute, year-end, tax-saving ideas help reduce your overall tax bill
• A special mutual fund chapter covers when to make new investments, and how to treat distributions, transfers, and redemptions
• Charts and tables clarify confusing tax issues

Plan now so you don’t have to pay later. Put the experience of the nation’s leading professional services firm to work for you with The Ernst & Young Tax Saver’s Guide 2003. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A savings tip on every page!
This book is excellent for two reasons.

1. It's easy to use. Right in the front of the book are the things you need to know right away: tax law changes, an index of life events that might change your tax status (in addition to table of contents) and the page where you'll find that info, and the top 10 tax saving tips.

2. It's full of savings information. Each page has a savings tip highlighted in blue with "Tax Saver" tips -- all of which are really useful.

Important for anyone who is prudent enough to be concerned about tax savings year-round. ... Read more

Book Description

A detailed guide to preparing an estate and passing wealth on to the next generation

Estate planning goes far beyond finance and tax issues. Who better to help individuals navigate these difficult waters than one of the world’s leading accounting and tax firms? Over the years, PricewaterhouseCoopers has guided thousands of individuals through the intricacies of estate planning, but their services have normally been accessible only to the very wealthy. Now, they bring their expertise to a wider audience. Filled with in-depth insight and practical advice, this comprehensive resource will help readers determine the best ways to pass their assets on to their loved ones. More than just an exercise in number crunching and tax law, this book takes a complete look at estate planning–from the often touchy and difficult task of personal issues to how to best maximize tax efficiency.

PricewaterhouseCoopers is the world’s largest professional services organization–helping clients build value, manage risk, and improve performance. PWC has over 9,000 partners and over 150,000 employees in more than 150 countries worldwide. ... Read more

Book Description

How Social Security Picks Your Pocket exposes how Social Security is implemented - who wins, who loses, and how the game is played; and offers suggestions for improvements to the system.

Issue-by-issue, the book gives a guided tour of a system of staggering waste and blatant inequities.You’ll learn how average retirees are robbed of benefits – benefits that are redirected to wealthier, non-paying beneficiaries.You’ll learn about the millions of people who pay lip-service to Social Security – but pay nothing else.They don’t participate in the system described as their "worst nightmare."

The tour includes a visit with the teachers who become janitors for just one day, to qualify for $100,000 in Social Security benefits – each.The book also reviews the amazing 115% tax, inflicted on working seniors.Yes, these people can effectively pay more in tax than they earn.

The tour also includes the growing disability programs.Are you a hypochondriac?Good!You just may qualify for disability benefits. (Check out section 12.07 of the Social Security "Blue Book.")Did you know that one third of all workers getting disability benefits claim to have a mental impairment?Are you up on the latest designer diseases?And, did you realize that only one in every five hundred disabled workers recovers and returns to work – despite our miracle cures, technology, and "reasonable accommodations"?

You’ll need your "hard hat" when visiting Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is a welfare program run by Social Security.It’s been classified by the GAO as "high risk" due to its habit of paying benefits first, and asking questions later (or never).SSI has its very own disability program, and should be in the Guinness book for once paying benefits to 181 members of one family – simultaneously.In this program, more than sixty percent of disabled beneficiaries are paid for claimed mental impairments.

Be advised that the tour includes some unsavory neighborhoods, rife with crime and corruption.There is a discussion of the different schemes and scams used to rip-off the system, and the new and threatening trends on the horizon.The Social Security Administration claims that it can’t estimate the amount of fraud in its programs.This book challenges that claim.

Of course, what Social Security tour would be complete without a discussion of insolvency, the trust fund, and Personal Retirement Accounts (PRAs)?Is the program really broke?Would PRAs help, or hurt?You’ll get the lowdown on these matters, plus insights into a great alternative plan that has been serving retirees longer than Social Security, right here in America.Comparing the benefits of this alternative plan to those of Social Security is an enlightening, if sobering, experience.

The final stop on the tour is the author's dream plan for Social Security.It’s a little different than any other proposal.Is it "Shangri-La" or Sham-ri-La?That’s for you to decide. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Generally, I liked this book
I was able to follow most of this book without too much trouble. The author has done a good job of quantifying the waste in SS. It's worth the read.

Read this book!
The author did a good job of showing why we need to update Social Security. Benefits are transferred illogically. Why give extra benefits to rich people at the expense of middle class workers? Also, the stuff about the Texas teacher scandal is infuriating. This rip off should be stopped! ... Read more