Planning Tools

Business Owner   Articles     Benefits and retirement plans       Benefit plans for small businesses       Retirement plans for small businesses       Understanding individual 401(k) plans     Starting a business       Advantages and disadvantages of self-employment       Choosing an entity for your business       Record keeping for your own business     Transferring or selling a business       Transferring your family business   Decision Tools     Benefits and retirement plans       401(k) plans       Comparison of types of educational assistance     Business planning basics       Net worth calculator     Choosing an entity       Choosing a business entity       Comparison of LLCs, LLPs, and professional corporations     Insurance planning       Business life insurance needs     Tax planning       Accelerating deductions/postponing income       Accelerating income/postponing deductions     Transferring or selling a business       Buy-sell agreement analyzer       Buy-sell planning questionnaire   FAQs     Employee benefits and other issues       What are health reimbursement arrangements?       What are incentive stock options (ISOs)?       What benefits should I offer to my employees?     Starting a business       Is buying a franchise a good way to get into business?       Should I buy or lease assets for my business?     Valuing a business       How can I determine what my business is worth for estate and gift tax purposes?   Estate Planning   Articles     Estate planning basics       Estate planning--an introduction       Gift and estate taxes   Decision Tools     Charitable giving       How a charitable lead trust works       How a charitable remainder trust works       The best property to give to charity   FAQs     Estate and gift tax       How can I minimize taxes on my estate?       I just made a gift. Do I have to file a gift tax return?       Will the value of my 529 account be included in my estate or my beneficiary's estate?     Estate planning basics       How often do I need to review my estate plan?       Isn't estate planning only for the rich?       What makes up my taxable estate?   Retirement Planning   Articles     Saving for retirement       Borrowing or withdrawing money from your 401(k) plan       The Roth 401(k)     Social Security       Social Security retirement benefits       Understanding Social Security   Decision Tools     401(k) plans       Differences Between a Roth 401(k) and a Roth IRA       Individual 401(k) Illustration     Retirement planning basics       Net worth calculator       Retirement Savings Calculator     Social Security       How earnings affect Social Security       Social Security figures at-a-glance       Sources of retirement income: filling the Social Security gap   FAQs     Employer-sponsored retirement plans       Can I roll a retirement plan distribution into an IRA?       Can I still have a traditional IRA if I contribute to my 401(k) plan at work?       What does the term "qualified plan" mean?     IRAs       Can I avoid the 10 percent penalty tax for early withdrawals from a traditional IRA?       Can I still have a traditional IRA if I contribute to my 401(k) plan at work?       What are required minimum distributions and how are they calculated?     Social Security       How can I get an estimate of my Social Security benefits?       Will my children receive money from Social Security when I die?   Tax Planning   Articles     General tax planning       Tax planning for the self-employed       Year-end tax planning     Tax credits and deductions       Education tax credits       Understanding personal tax credits   Decision Tools     General tax planning       Accelerating deductions/postponing Income     Tax credits and deductions       General business tax credits   FAQs     General tax planning       Do I have to file a federal income tax return?       What is the alternative minimum tax?       What is the kiddie tax?     Tax deductions       Can I deduct the cost of improvements or repairs I've made to my home?       I refinanced my principal home last year and paid points. What are points, and can I deduct them on my tax return?     Taxes and child support/alimony       Are alimony payments considered taxable income?       What are the tax implications of child support payments?