Book Description

Do you understand what stock is and how stock options work? Or how stock value is created? Do you understand the tax, exercise, and financial planning issues for stock options? If you're like most people, at least some of these issues are perplexing for you. Until now, though, there has not been a book that puts this all together for the everyday employee. The Employee's Guide to Stock Options puts it all in one place in an easy-to-understand format. ... Read more

Book Description

Plan Now–Save Later

With just a little foresight, tax time can be less painful. If you’re looking to avoid unwelcome surprises at tax time, pick up J.K. Lasser’s Year-Round Tax Strategies 2004 and learn how to pay less in taxes by simply planning ahead.

Whether you invest in stocks or mutual funds, own a home, work from home, or own a business, this invaluable book provides tax-saving strategies that will guide you throughout the year–ensuring a shock-free April 15th. Plan ahead, prepare for new tax laws, and pay fewer taxes with the help of J.K. Lasser’s Year-Round Tax Strategies 2004.

This comprehensive guide provides you with:

• Detailed coverage of new tax legislation and IRS rules
• Special sections highlighting tax-planning and tax-saving opportunities for investors, business owners, and individuals planning for retirement or other special circumstances
• Plain-English explanations of income-reporting rules, tax deductions, and tax credits
• Questions and answers that illustrate tax-filing and tax-planning techniques

Book Description

Stop paying more taxes than you legally have to!

How to Save on Your Taxes Without Cheating gives you the tools to significantly lower your tax bill using fully legal and conservative strategies.

If you're a U.S. citizen, the best way to keep the IRS off your back is to pay your taxes.But that doesn't mean you can't take advantage of legitimate opportunities to reduce the amount you owe.In this book we show you many ways to legally slice major sums off your tax bill.Plus, you'll get all the latest information on how to protect yourself from the IRS's more abusive tactics. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Wealthy Do Pay Their Fair Share in Taxes
According to a January report form the National Center for Policy Analysis, the wealthy pay more than their fair share of taxes. For the year 1975, based on government statistics on taxes paid by percentile of income, the top 1% of taxpayers ($59,338 or more) paid 18.7% percent of all federal income taxes. The top 50% of taxpayers paid 92.9% of all income taxes that year, leaving just 7.1% paid by the bottom 50%. The most recent information from the IRS was made public in January and released by the Joint Economic Committee of Congress. Those figures show that the share of total federal income taxes paid by the top 1% of taxpayers has doubled since 1975. In 1999, they paid 36.2% compared to just 18.7% in 1975. The trend is noticeable for other percentile groups as well. Between 1975 and 1999, the amount of income tax paid by the top 5% percent of taxpayers increased from 36.6% to 55.5% of taxes, the top 25% percent rose from 72% to 83.5%, while and the top 50% went from 92.9% to 96%. The bottom 50% of taxpayers went form paying 7.1% down to just 4% now. Now you can understand why any tax cut will affect the wealthy the most since they pay by far the most taxes. It is just that simple.

It is never too late to start tax planning
Do not miss the chance to take advantage of tax strategies for US tax planning. It is still not too late to start seriously planning on how to ease your US tax burden for this year. If you would like more information about tax planning, this book is a good place to start. ... Read more

Book Description

A comprehensive guide for Illinois residents on how to plan their estates to minimize estate and other transfer taxes, avoid probate, and appropriately dispose of their assets. ... Read more

Book Description

This fourth revised edition of Penny Pinching is expanded and updated to include even more penny pinching tips--whether you are at the supermarket, buying a new car or major appliance, planning a vacation, purchasing eyeglasses, shopping for designer labels, remodeling or maintaining your home, dining out, getting a prescription filled, or setting up a general family budget, this book covers it all. This new edition not only offer more information in all the areas covered in the original book, but it also adds some hot new tips for warehouse clubs, fax machines and cellular phones, software programs for your home computer, advice on 401 (k) plans, planning ahead financially for your child's college education, and more. All financial statistics, addresses, phone numbers, and other specifics have all been checked and updated in this new 1997 edition. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Very resourceful information.
I found this book to be very useful in curving spending habits. It contains a great many useful web sites. It"s a keeper for anyone interested in saving some money. ... Read more

Book Description

"Rated #1...Excellent."
—USA TODAY

• America’s All-Time Bestselling Tax Guide
• The Most Complete and Easy-to-Use
• Free Supplement with Useable Forms

The Most Trusted Name in Tax

For over 60 years, more than 38 million Americans have trusted J.K. Lasser to help them save money at tax time

"The granddaddy of all ‘do-it-yourself’ tax guides."
——Accounting Today

"Rated #1. . . Winner and still champion . . . The best balance of thoroughness, organization, and usability."
——Smart Money

Benefit from These New Tax Law Changes for 2002!

• Tax advantaged 529 college saving plans
• Lower income tax rates
• Increased contributions to retirement plans including IRAs and 401(k)s
• Bonus depreciation for business owners

Save Money by Taking Advantage of These Tax Laws!

• Home office deductions
• Special capital gains rates
• Roth IRAs
• Tuition tax credits
• Family gift and estate tax savings plans
• IRA deductions
• Tax-free home sales
• Medical expense deductions
• Filing options for married couples
• Education savings plans

Easy-to-Use Format Explains Complex Tax Laws

FILING TIPS and FILING INSTRUCTIONS help you prepare your 2002 return

PLANNING REMINDERS highlight year-end tax strategies for 2002 and planning opportunities for 2003 and later years

CAUTIONS point out potential pitfalls to avoid and areas where you might expect IRS opposition

LAW ALERTS indicate recent changes in the tax law and pending legislation before Congress

COURT DECISIONS highlight key rulings from the Tax Court and other federal courts ... Read more

Book Description

Praise for Wealthy Choices

"If you are at all interested in achieving financial freedom, you must read the powerful book, Wealthy Choices, by Dr. Penelope Tzougros. It will make you think about money in a different way and help you uncover some of the roadblocks preventing you from having a life of prosperity and abundance."
–Robert G. Allen, author of the New York Times bestsellers, The One Minute Millionaire, Nothing Down for the ’90s, Creating Wealth, Multiple Streams of Income, and Multiple Streams of Internet Income

"I’m planning to give this book to my friends.It is important and will enhance their lives. . . . So many people I know don’t have a handle on their finances, and it just boggles my mind that they don’t even think about this for the future.I saw myself in so many of the examples, even though I thought that none of the situations would ever apply to me."
–Patty Wagstaff, first woman to win the title of U.S. National Aerobatic Champion and six-time member of the United States Aerobatic Team

"To many questions about money, Penelope Tzougros gives common- sense and illuminating answers.Most individuals would benefit much from reading this book."
–Jean-Marie Eveillard, Copresident, First Eagle Funds, and manager of several mutual funds

"Here is a truly helpful book on how to deal with our finances. Tzougros’s years as a financial planner and sympathetic listener give her advice a special and convincing authority. If you’re afraid of money, this book teaches you how not to be. If you’re fortunate enough to have no serious money worries, you might enjoy reading this just for its good stories and sound, reassuring judgment."
–Lloyd Schwartz, Pulitzer Prize winner, NPR commentator, and author of Goodnight, Gracie ... Read more

Reviews (8)

An impressively accessible financial self-help guide
Wealthy Choices: The 7 Competencies Of Financial Success by Boston-based financial planner Penelope S. Tzougros is an impressively accessible financial self-help guide to easy and small steps that any for non-specialist general reader can take to improve his or her financial situation. From dealing with problems paying the bills; to guarding against financial losses; to realistically evaluating financial dreams and lifestyle aspirations; to dealing with gift obligations in a thoughtful yet affordable way, and so much more, Wealthy Choices is a superbly presented resource for people of all financial standings which offers a wealth of tips, tricks, techniques, and insights to balancing fiscally related responsibilities and conserve hard earned dollars.

A Different Kind of Financial Guide
Amidst the proliferation of books purporting to help us with our finances, WEALTHY CHOICES stands head and shoulders above the others because of its accessibility and practicality. The author approaches her subject in a unique manner. This is no dry as dust discussion of the mechanics of stocks, bonds, options adinfinitum. The author divides money concerns into 7 different categories - called life compentencies - Valuing,Paying the Bills, Losing, Leveraging, Growing, Dreaming, and Gifting. She then humanizes these experiences with believable vignettes of people's encounters with money in their lives. Each one is followed by her analysis to bring home salient points to the reader. This unsuual approach to the volatile ,complicated, and often anguished encounters with money tht we all have had in our lives is tremendously refreshing. It makes learning and thinking about money an enjoyable experience.Anyone who wants to learn how to use and control their money, rather than having thir money control them should read this book.

Finally, a book that doesn't talk down to me
How refreshing to find a book about personal finance that doesn't treat me like an idiot because I sometimes want to pamper myself with non-essentials like a huge TV. She also uses concepts and phrases like "cost to friendship" rather than focusing on money as the only thing that matters in life.

The use of real-life examples shows that the author knows that economic theory is one thing, and how people really live their lives is a different thing. The book doesn't make me feel like a moron because I don't have an MBA and this approach really does help me understand her explanation of savings, economics, etc. better than the other "experts."

Wealthy Choices
This book is a must for anyone seeking to explore how they arrive at choices in their lives that have financial impact. Ms. Tzougros's keen insights as well as myriad examples bring the principles for making better choices to life and provide practical ideas to make changes to achieve greater financial freedom. It is crammed with valuable insights and ideas. One of the nice things about this book is that many of the examples are ones that I have experienced and can relate to. As a businessman who considers himself fairly astute in making financial decisions, this book provided me with insights I had not thought of and will be implementing to continue to achieve financial success. This is a must read and should be in everyone's bookshelf as a resource to return to over and over again.

Best Bet!
Penelope Tzougros' book is a treasure. I have been reading it since I recieved it as a Christmas present, and by the time I was a few chapters into it, I went out and purchased several copies to give as gifts. This is a valuable gift for anyone of any age and any income. It is a pleasure to read the financial suggestions in the context that we experience them in our everyday life. Money management has a role in our lives daily and has a context. Penelope uses these contexts to teach the smart ways to be at peace with our financial interactions. Her handle on psychology and values is so apparent. I applaud her masterful efforts! I truly hope that the people for whom I have purchased these books will read it and gain a better understanding of their financial behavior. Penelope is a wonderful guide through the maze of money matters. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

all about the new ira
it amazes me how people can write books who really don't have a grasp on all of the information they write about! He at one point is advising people on which investments to put in their ira but gives a lot of misinformation. First of all, fixed annuities have no front end sales charge at all which differs from the "cheaper" investments he refers to that can cost as much as 5% of your entire assets to invest in. As for hidden fees , I think mutual fund companies have that down pat between the annual management fees and transaction commisiions! Secondly, he is speaking only in terms of what those funds were making at that time and not what someone can expect on average. How do you like Janus worldwide now, my friend!

Must read book for IRA investors
This is an excellent book.A must have for anyone interested in investingin an IRA.It clearly explains the different types of IRA's and how toinvest in them.The book is well written and not condescending to thereader. It takes you step by step through the traditional IRA and RothIRA so you can determine which one is best for you.An investment anaylsisof the two IRA's is shown so you can see the tradeoffs for differentsituations that may affect you.The book gives practical investmentstategy and selection tips.The many tables and charts help clarify thetopics.They also serve as a good investment resource. I highly recommendthis book.

A good and clearly written book on the different IRAs
This is a wonderful book the that clearly explains the different available retirement plans.While the descriptions seemed detailed, I would like to see a later volume that explains any changes in the new Roth legislation.A great book for those struggling with options. ... Read more

Book Description

One hundred eighty million Americans file income tax returns, almost as many complain about the system, yet few understand the underlying social and economic outcomes. This book carves open the belly of the income tax for Americans who never have had the opportunity to learn about it, and empowers Americans to make informed judgments about what income tax laws would be best. John Fox explains how the laws represent the most comprehensive expression of official government values. Fox also elucidates how special relief provisions far exceed in sheer dollars and importance programs funded directly through the federal budget, and why these special provisions typically fail to advance tax justice or economic growth. Fox presents a compelling argument that our nation's interests would be best served by overhauling the system through reforms that eliminate all but the most essential special relief provisions, while reducing tax rates across the board. Such reforms, he argues, are far more compatible with principles of liberals and conservatives than is today's system. Part primer, part manifesto, If Americans Really Understood the Income Taxis sure to open the eyes of tax-paying Americans and earn the respect of policy experts. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

The Tax Connection
Fox gets right down to two essential questions: "First, can the income tax be made reasonably fair, simple and economically efficient?" and "Second, are its flaws worth repairing, or would it be preferable to adopt a very different tax system?" He explains, in the clearest - non-polemic - way, what the tax picture really is. Early on he gives an example, the taxes of the Gepetto and Anton families - an example that lights up the rest of the book. The exposition is very clear and yet detailed enough to illustrate the nitty-gritty of several issues, including homeownership (where I got a tip or two) and the capital gains controversy. Fox is broadminded and flexible in his approach - perhaps an endangered species writing about such a hot topic. There is immediacy about his writing making the book a gripping page-turner rather than pedantic.

great book
This book finally made me understand what this talk about income taxes is all about and did so in a way that was interesting, easy to follow and sophisticated at the same time. I hope that so many people read it that the hoped for impact on our lawmakers will indeed be felt. Thank you, John Fox.

Must read
John Fox's take on taxes is a must read for anyone who cares about tax equity and the well-being of the body politic. When I first studied taxes as an employee of the California Legislature -- now nearly four decades ago -- we learned that simple equity -- equal treatment of equals -- was the first principle of a fair and just tax system; absent equity the system would be manifestly unfair and eventually would lose its legitimacy, the greatest danger a democratic republic can face. As Fox points out,that's exactly what's happening with modern tax policy -- regressive, unfair, unjust are the attributes that leap out at you. But Fox does more than point the finger of blame; he offers constructive suggestions to get the system back where it belongs, to restore fairness and legitimacy.

Income Tax Ignorance
Plain and simple, the Amercan people know nothing when it comes to Income Taxes.They know nothing about their Constitutional Rights with regards to the Income Tax and they do not know how to use the three Internal Revenue Code Sections in the Prvacy Act Notice in the 1040 instruction booklet. An old saying is quoted by judges; "Ignorance of the Law is no excuse". The very first IRC section in the Privacy Act Notice is 6001. Most people would not know where to search for the information of this code section. The very first sentence implies Liability. In looking in the Index of the IRC under Liability for Tax, you will find all of the subjects that are taxed. Income is NOT one of them. For tax purposes, Income is defined by the Supreme Court as a Gain or Profit earned by Privlege. Every citizen of the USA has a Right to work for compensation. I rated this book low and the little bit of expose offered is proof that the author does not know or implies he does not know the Truth about the Income Tax.

My wife took my copy and I will have to buy another.
This is an excellent book. It has been written in a comprehensive style that can enlighten taxpayers as well as tax professionals. Every one can benefit from the collected information and well-conceived opinions of Mr. Fox. This book can serve as a wellspring to initiate questions, debate, or perhaps a citizen's revolt against our present archaic, confusing, and unequal tax system. Mr. Fox has obviously been working on this book for several years, but his phenomenal foresight has placed this brilliant work in our hands at just the right moment when we consider the major tax law changes now being considered by the U.S. Executive and Legislative branches of our government. The proposed changes could have a profound negative effect on our children and us. In the 18th century American citizens had a tea party in Boston because of unfair taxes. What will our generation do? Whimper and complain or become informed and proactive? ... Read more

Book Description

Answers to how, why, and where to set up offshore business arrangements that secure assets and personal privacy are revealed in this guide to tax havens. Individuals will learn why more than 50 percent of global wealth is safely deposited with offshore banks, trust companies, and investment firms. International Business Companies are discussed at length, as are secrecy laws, trusts, and recommendations regarding countries and financial institutions in which to carry on banking and investment trading. Investors will learn how taking control of their financial destiny may involve the use of a tax haven. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Simple But yet informative!
Let me warn you so called "experts" of tax havens this book is very simple. Maybe, just maybe thats the reason why this book is very good in my opinion. It explains all the terms that you NEED to know in layman's terms. A lot of tax haven books are full of lawyer jargon! This book also does a pretty good job explaining things that people might not even think about when considering offshore activities such as choosing a haven with a time zone exactly like yours or similiar to it. It also explains how tax havens with U.S economic ties are a NO-NO if you really want to protect assets! And for all you really patriotic people( sorry im not!) he expalins why the U.S. is really a slavemaster taking allor most of your income and how if they lowered taxes it will actually add dollars to the economy because rich people would keep their money in the U.S.!
Do yourself a favor Buy this Book and mOve OFFSHORE!

Excellent overview of offshores
I recommend this book. In my opinion, it gives a good overview of what, why and how of offshores. It doesn't go into too much detail, presumably because every case is different, but it gives enough for you to start somewhere and to know how to go on. It's also easy and entertaining to read, with real-life examples. It does feel a bit short, though.

Insightful -- a must-read.
Excellent book! It tells you about keeping your privacy, keeping offshore communications confidential, banking offshore, and just what a Trust is all about. The information presented is really practical. Overall, I thought it valuable information, and well worth my $20.

Lots of Detail-No Legalese
I thought it was a really good review of exactly how to set yourself up offshore. The other offshore books that I have read do not reveal much regarding how it all works. This book walks you through the entire process. Also liked the author's style of writing. It was easy to read and entertaining in its story-like format. I would recommend it highly.

Too general to be useful.
This book is not worth the price. You can get the same information by visiting a few web sites. This book is very general and the few examples it gives are superficial.

The book also has a number of annoying features, such as a gimmicky attempt to present the material as a conversation with a fictional "Maria." There are numerous historical stories that are included for no other reason than to fill space it seems. The author also wastes space on his personal political views, digressing for pages at a time on why governments should reduce taxes. (Of course taxes should be reduced, but I didn't buy the book to hear yet another case for tax reduction.)

The book also is very thin on references. The author lists the issues that should be researched, but he doesn't give any sources to consult. Basically you come out of the book with the message of "find a good offshore advisor."

Also, don't buy this book if you want any information about tax implications of going offshore. The author hardly mentions taxes, and when he does, it is to say that he intentionally didn't mention them because there are other books on the subject. Well, save your money and buy those other books instead of this one. ... Read more

Book Description

This tax guide provides three basic tax-saving strategies for families. One strategy focuses on the primary filer in a family situation, such as a single parent or both parents when filing jointly. The second strategy focuses on multiple filings in order to maximize the number of tax returns filed. The greater the number of tax returns filed, the more diluted the total family tax becomes. The final strategy focuses on gratuitous transfers-gifts and inheritances-from grandparents and other elderly members in a family. ... Read more

Book Description

STOP PAYING MORE TAXES ON YOUR BUSINESS–TODAY!

Small businesses are big news. They are profitable, flexible, and productive. But come tax time, most small business owners are at a loss.Let small business and tax expert Barbara Weltman help you maximize your deductions and minimize your payments with J.K. Lasser’s New Rules for Small Business Taxes.

With the new tax law in effect, many favorable tax changes have been made for small business owners–but unless you’re a tax expert, you might not realize all the ways a small business can benefit from both new and current tax laws.J.K. Lasser’s New Rules for Small Business Taxes gives you a complete overview of small business tax planning in an accessible and friendly manner.Focusing on strategies that help you use deductions, business income, and other aspects of your small business to save during tax time, this comprehensive guide is all you need to keep up with Uncle Sam.The invaluable advice and guidance in this book will show you how your actions in business today can affect your bottom line from a tax perspective tomorrow.

In this volume, you’ll find:

• Detailed coverage of new tax laws and IRS rules
• A complete rundown of available business expenses
• Comprehensive information on each deductible expense, including dollar limits and record-keeping requirements
• Clear instructions on where to report income and claim deductions on your tax forms
• Sample forms and helpful checklists that will keep you organized during tax time
• Planning strategies that can help you run a tax-smart business all year long–and avoid problems with the IRS

J.K. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Excellent book. Very helpful.
If you own a business, you have to have this book. It explains everything from employee compensation to the home office deduction. What's great is I find myself referring to it on a regular basis for both simple questions (can I deduct this?) to complex questions (depreciation expense).

I would recommend this book to anyone with a business

Excellent book, very helpful.
If you own a business, you have to have this book. It explains everything from employee compensation to the home office deduction. What's great is I find myself referring to it on a regular basis for both simple questions (can I deduct this?) to complex questions (depreciation expense).

I would recommend this book to anyone with a business.

Not very revealing information
This is a very basic book that unearths nothing we don't already know. Wow, a SEP-IRA is deductible? And so is health insurance and advertising? C'mon... give me something I can use!

There is nothing in this book that can't be found for free at a number of sites. In fact, Quicken.com may be more detailed, and its free.

Unless you were born 2 days ago, and started a business yesterday, this book will reveal very little. ... Read more

Book Description

Taxation is a grim reality of life. But few realize the impact that taxation has had on society. This serious, but often amusing, book focuses on the enormous influence that taxation has had on the structuring of society throughout the ages and around the ... Read more

Reviews (12)

The best book ever written on the history of taxation.
Every single person who has ever paid taxes should read this book. No ifs, ands, or buts.

A must read for every citizen
It's unfortunate that so many American citizens are guilty of imposing willful ignorance upon themselves, otherwise our political leaders would be subject to a tighter leash. Charles Adams wrote this most informative book in the early 1990's and it has resonated with me ever since. He covers the history of taxation from the time of the first recording of history. Indeed the Rosetta stone was a tax document, and like the rest of the book it's a follow-the-money theory of history.

As Adams points out, figurative "mafia families", who have always run countries, have managed to compensate their armies by taxing the productive capacity of their subjects. Adam's central theme is that governments who overtax their citizens are nearly always "hoisted on their own petard." He cites ancient Greece, Rome, indeed governments from all over the world. His end game is to warn America's political elite that they've gone too far in a game where all great cultures have collapsed from within i.e. rotted at their moral core. And, he's right!

This book has many pages of cites and a long bibliography. It's a bit repetitious to read as he covers so many examples to make his point, but it's well worth the attention of every citizen if only they would spare the time.

A sweeping historical narrative of taxation since Babylon
I read this book sometime ago, but still recall it quite vividly. For good and evil- taxes seem like there here to stay. Adams, a tax attorney by trade, offers an intriguing narrative history of taxation since ancient times. Moreover, he illustrates how their is a fine line of how much sustained taxation a civilization can endure before it collapses, (hence the Laffer Curve.) He points out the pitfalls the befall ancient Rome and Egypt when they engaged in confiscatory taxation policies.

Additionally, he shows how high taxes feed a vicious cycle of statism, corruption and more taxes and economic collapse as demagogues rise to the power. Indeed, this book makes it clear that taxation has "the power to destroy" as it has brought mighty empires to their knees. (Granted, some might say its the effect, not the cause of a debased culture. Morality and tradition play a role as well in the collapse of civilizations.)

Also recommend: When Nations Die by Jim Black.

Many of the other reviews miss the point
Many of the reviews posted are so obviously biased for and against taxes or big governement as to make their review worthless.

The book has 38 chapters, nearly every one discusses taxation in a different society starting in ancient Egypt and disucsses taxation by the Greeks, Roman, Russians, French, English, and finally Americans among others. The point is not that taxation is bad, but that corrupt systems of taxation are bad and that taxation above a certain level is bound to fail since people will find ways to avoid it. This is not made up history, there are 23 pages of endnotes and a twelve page bibliography.

There are a number of illustrations, as well as, well written stories from the Rosetta Stone (it was actually a grant of tax immunity); to how Muslims taxed infidels more in order to get them to convert; to Lady Godiva (she made her ride get the King, her husband, to remit the heavy taxes he imposed on the Coventry);, to taxation as one cause of the Civil War that few are aware of (there are 16 endnotes on this chapter alone, many from articles written during the Civil War).

This is a facinating book that should be required reading for every member of Congress.

For Tax Warriors: a historical frame of reference
This book is a "must read" for anyone who is serious about understanding the history of economics and taxation, regardless of point of view. If you are a libertarian you will enjoy it - and learn a lot. If you are a tax and spend liberal, you will probably just learn a lot. ... Read more

Book Description

Estate planning is an issue for almost all Americans largely because of increased pensions and inherited wealth. This book will provide planners, attorneys and accountants with a current, comprehensive guide to estate planning strategies. Wills, trusts, partnerships, property and special situations will be included. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Good overview of estate planning
Easy to read and to learn basics of estate planning. Particularly liked the graphical examples showing the flow of money with different type of trusts used. I have read other estate planning books, and the graphical method was the easiest to grasp versus just written text examples (the old saying "a picture is worth a thousand words"). Great book to learn the basics.

Best basic estate/retirement planning book I've seen.
Though I had the honor of reviewing this book before it was published, I can say it is an outstanding resource for those looking toward retirement and estate planning. Stewart Welch takes a complicated and very important subject and boils it down into understandable bites of information. The book provides the reader with explanations of various estate planning and retirement planning ideas, analyzes the applicability to the individual situation and leaves the reader with sufficient information to make an informed decision. Congratulations Stewart.

Excellent summary of general and specific "tools" to apply
Outstanding information that gives just enough detail to guide you through each of the "tools" that can be used for estate planning, without boring you to death with examples. You won't learn the exact how-to details, but the author suggests how to take the next steps, whether it be wills, trusts, or more elaborate schemes such as off-shore accounts. See NoLo Press for cheap do-it-yourself will and trust software.

A comprehensive guide to financial planning
Stewart Welch synthesizes the most vital information you need to plan for the future. Welch, III, who was named one of Worth Magazine's and Money Magazine's Best Financial Advisors, doesn't disappoint. He delivers accurate, well conceived chapters addressing estate planning, using trusts, limited partnerships, and asset protection. As an added bonus, he lists top professional advisors state by state for those seeking additional help. In the book, you'll find critical provisions that must be included in your will, planning strategies for aquiring the capital you need for a worry-free retirement, and clear instructions for maximizing the transfer of wealth to family members while minimizing taxes, among other things. This book will give you the knowledge you need to make informed decisions regarding your estate plan. Buy the book, and keep it by your bedside. Give it as a gift to someone you love. You'll enjoy having his sage advice handy through the years. Stewart is Birmingham's best!

boomers should buy this & share it with their parents
Written in plain English (a rarety); this book features wonderful case studies and insights on every aspect of estate planning - includes some very subtle but important points (that will save you money & aggravation) ... Read more

Reviews (1)

About the repercussions of tax credit policy
Making Work Pay: The Earned Income Tax Credit And Its Impact On America's Families, edited by Bruce D. Meyer (Professor of Economics, Northwestern University) and Douglas Holtz-Eakin (Professor of Economics, Syracuse University) offers an impressive selection of scholarly essays by a number of distinguished and knowledgeable contributors discussing the history of the earned income tax credit, how it is used, its ramifications upon society and the tax structure, and more. Highly recommended for Economic Studies academic reference collections and supplemental reading lists, Making Work Pay offers a series of thoughtful presentation of learned and analytic viewpoints, and is a solid resource for anyone seeking to learn more about the fundamental nature and repercussions of tax credit policy. ... Read more

Book Description

For over forty-five years H&R Block, the world's largest tax preparer, has been helping you and your family file the best tax return possible. The H&R Block 2002 Income Tax Guide will show you how to take advantage of the latest tax laws to save even more money. ... Read more

Book Description

The IRS cangenerate fear, confusion, and misunderstanding when it questions an item on a persons tax return or targets a return for a full-fledged audit.However, taxpayers have rights and they can fight backif they are well informed.The first line of defense is The Unofficial Guide to Dealing With the IRS.This book will explain how the IRS works, why the IRS might question a tax return and what to do in response. Insider tips on handling all aspects ofan IRS audit or collection actionareprovided.The repercussions of an audit can be great, but a well informed taxpayer need not be fearful of the IRS.With the expert advice and planning tips found in this Unofficial Guide, taxpayers can avoid anxiety over the uncertain outcome of an IRS audit.By either strengthening their position to win the case or at least limiting what they have to pay the IRS, the book will help save hundreds or even thousands of dollars.- How to audit-proof your return- How to handle an audit- How toavoid or limit penalties- How to get the best settlement from the IRS- Howto take your case to court if necessary ... Read more