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Howard J. Crane, An Accountancy Corporation Sound strategies-long term relationships howard@cranecpa.com     Business Owner   Decision Tools     Benefits and retirement plans       401(k) plans       Building a retirement plan for your business       Individual 401(k) Illustration   FAQs     Advertising a business       How can I get free publicity for my business?     Home-based businesses       Can I deduct home office expenses?       If I work at home occasionally, am I entitled to a home office deduction?   Education Planning   Articles     529 plans       529 plans and financial aid eligibility       529 plans vs. other college savings options       Estate planning and 529 plans       Income tax planning and 529 plans       Making changes to your 529 account       Opening a 529 account       The ABCs of 529 plans     Education planning basics       Can I afford to send my child to college?       Education tax credits       Finding money to pay college bills out of pocket       Going back to school as an adult       Health insurance for college students       Helping your child make the transition from high school to college       How student loans impact your credit       Research tips when choosing a college       Saving for retirement and a child's education at the same time       The best ways to save for college       The college application process   Decision Tools     Determining how much to save for college       College savings analyzer       Finding the funds to pay for a college education       Higher education figures at-a-glance     Financial aid       College application and financial aid calendar       Comparison of federal higher education loans       Financial aid calendar     Tax issues       Comparison of education tax credits and deductions       Qualified education expenses defined       Summary of tax-advantaged college savings options   FAQs     529 plans vs. other ways to save for college       How does a 529 plan compare with a Coverdell education savings account?       How does a 529 plan compare with an UGMA/UTMA custodial account in my child's name?       How does a 529 plan compare with investing in a mutual fund in my name?       How does a 529 plan compare with using U.S. savings bonds for college expenses?     529 plans: Tax issues       Can I deduct my contributions to my 529 account?       Can I use 529 funds to pay my child's college expenses in the same year I take either the Hope credit or the Lifetime Learning credit?       How does the annual gift tax exclusion apply to contributions to a 529 plan?       I intend to make tuition payments directly to my grandchild's college, and I know this will reduce my estate. But would it be better to contribute to a 529 plan instead?       I know that qualified withdrawals from state savings plans are now exempt from federal income tax. But what about state taxes?       I opened a 529 plan and my child is the beneficiary. If my mother makes a contribution to the plan, is that considered a gift to me or to my child?       I opened a state savings plan sponsored by a different state than my own. Will I get that state's tax benefits?       I'd like to make a lump-sum contribution to my grandchild's 529 account. Will I owe gift tax?       The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 contains sunset provisions. Should I be worried about this?       Will I be penalized if the money in my 529 plan isn't used for college expenses?       Will I pay income tax when the money in my 529 plan is withdrawn to pay for college expenses?       Will the value of my 529 account be included in my estate or my beneficiary's estate?     Choosing a 529 plan       Can I invest in any state's 529 plan, or am I limited to my own state's plan?       How do I know whether to choose a state savings plan or a prepaid tuition plan?       I've decided on a state savings plan, but how do I go about choosing one?     Understanding 529 investments       Does a state savings plan allow me to choose my own investments?       Is my rate of return guaranteed under a 529 plan?       What recourse do I have if I'm unhappy with my state savings plan's investment performance?       What's the difference between how a state savings plan invests and how a prepaid tuition plan invests?   Estate Planning   Articles     Assets       Asset protection in estate planning       Estate planning and 529 plans       Transferring your family business     Beneficiary designations       Choosing a beneficiary for your IRA or 401(k)       Designating a beneficiary for life insurance     Charitable giving       Charitable giving       Life insurance and charitable giving     Estate planning basics       Estate planning--an introduction       Facing the possibility of incapacity       Gift and estate taxes       Trust basics       Wills--the cornerstone of your estate plan     Life insurance       Life insurance and estate planning       Life insurance and terminal illness       Life insurance: do you need it?       Planning ahead for life insurance proceeds       The ins and outs of policy ownership     Medicaid planning       Medicaid and nursing home care       Medicaid and the principal residence       Medicaid planning basics     Probate       Bypassing probate       Understanding probate   Decision Tools     Business planning       Business life insurance needs       Business succession planning alternatives       Choosing a business entity       How cross purchase plans work       How entity purchase plans work       Number of policies needed with a cross purchase plan       Planning for succession of a business interest     Charitable giving       How a charitable lead trust works       How a charitable remainder trust works       The best property to give to charity     Probate       The probate process: 3 to 9 months after death       The probate process: 9 to 12 months after death       The probate process: initial tasks       Types of post-mortem elections     Trusts       Advantages of trusts       How a grantor retained income trust (GRIT) works       How an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) works       How an irrevocable trust protects assets   FAQs     Estate and gift tax       How can I determine what my business is worth for estate and gift tax purposes?       How can I minimize taxes on my estate?       I just made a gift. Do I have to file a gift tax return?       What is a family limited partnership, and will it help reduce estate taxes?       What is the applicable exclusion amount?     Probate       Does property owned jointly avoid probate?       What is probate and why do I want to avoid it?     Trusts       Should I establish a trust for my child's college education fund?       What is a life insurance trust and why should I consider establishing one?       What is a living trust?     Wills       Can I disinherit relatives I don't like?       Can I transfer my business through my will?       Do I need an attorney to prepare my will?       How will estate taxes be paid if I leave no provision in my will?       I want my son to have my valuable collection of baseball cards when I die. How do I make sure he gets it?       What is the difference between a living will and a living trust?       What will happen if I die without a will?       Who should I name as guardian of my children in case my spouse and I should die at the same time?       Who should I name as trustee?   Government Benefits   Articles     Medicare and Medicaid       Coordinating long-term care insurance with government benefits       Health insurance in retirement       Medicaid and nursing home care       Medicaid and the principal residence       Medicaid planning basics       Medicare     Other government benefits       Government-sponsored disability insurance programs       Receiving unemployment benefits       What employers need to know about workers' compensation insurance     Social Security       Social Security disability benefits       Social Security retirement benefits       Social Security survivor's benefits       Understanding Social Security   Decision Tools     Medicare and Medicaid       Medicaid eligibility for nursing home care       Medicare figures at-a-glance       Medicare, Medigap, and Medicaid     Social Security       Disability income needs worksheet       How earnings affect Social Security       Social Security disability insurance (SSDI): awards and applications illustrator       Social Security figures at-a-glance       Sources of retirement income: filling the Social Security gap       What are your chances of becoming disabled?   FAQs     Medicare and Medicaid       How do I enroll in Medicare?       How does Medicare Advantage work?       I'm putting money into a 529 plan for my grandchild. But are the 529 assets subject to Medicaid spend-down requirements?       I'm thinking about placing my mother in a nursing home. Will Medicaid pay for her care?       If I'm covered by Medicare, should I have additional health insurance?     Military benefits       Can I be buried in a national cemetery even though I got out of the Army years ago?     Social Security       Are my Social Security benefits subject to income tax?       Does my 16-year-old have to pay Social Security tax on her earnings?       How can I get an estimate of my Social Security benefits?       How do I get disability benefits from Social Security?       I'm getting remarried. How will this affect my Social Security benefits?       My husband and I are divorcing after 30 years of marriage. Will I still be able to receive Social Security retirement benefits based on his earnings record after our divorce?       Should I retire now at age 62 and collect Social Security benefits, or should I wait until age 65?       What happens if I start collecting Social Security after age 65?       What is SSI?       When do I have to apply for a Social Security number for my newborn?       When I retire, how much will I receive from Social Security?       Will my children receive money from Social Security when I die?   Investment Planning   Articles     Choosing investment vehicles       Annuity basics       Creating an investment portfolio       Investing in bonds       Investing in stocks       Mutual fund basics       Other investments       The best ways to save for college       Understanding mutual fund share classes     Investment basics       Handling market volatility       Investment planning--the basics       Six keys to successful investing       Taxation of investments       Understanding investment terms and concepts       Understanding risk     Investment goals       Asset Allocation       Can I afford to send my child to college?       Common investment goals       Dollar cost averaging       Retirement planning--the basics   Decision Tools     Creating an investment portfolio       Annuities       Asset allocation pie chart illustrator       Building an investment portfolio       College funding options analyzer       Common types of mutual funds       Exchange traded funds and mutual funds compared       Investing for retirement       Major asset classes     Investment planning basics       Common investment mistakes to avoid       Consumer price index inflation calculator       Growth of annual deposits calculator       Simple rules for investing       Steps to financial planning success       What is your risk tolerance?     Taxes       Capital gains and dividends tax relief       Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003: Highlights   FAQs     Creating an investment portfolio       Does a state savings plan allow me to choose my own investments?       How aggressive should I be when I invest for retirement?       How do I construct an investment portfolio that's right for me?       How long should I hang on to an investment?       How much of my portfolio should I keep in stocks?       How should I structure my retirement portfolio?       What recourse do I have if I'm unhappy with my state savings plan's investment performance?       What's the difference between how a state savings plan invests and how a prepaid tuition plan invests?     Investing basics       How can I gauge my risk tolerance?       Is there any type of insurance that can protect against losses from investments?       Should I invest my extra cash or use it to pay off debt?       What is asset allocation and how does it work?       What is dollar cost averaging and how do I know if it's right for me?       What's the difference between growth investing and value investing?     Mutual funds       How does a 529 plan compare with investing in a mutual fund in my name?       Is it better to invest in a tax-free or a taxable mutual fund?       Should I invest in mutual funds or individual securities?       What is a mutual fund prospectus and how do I read it?       What is the difference between an open-end and a closed-end mutual fund?     Savings bonds       Are government savings bonds risk free?       Are savings bonds a good way to save?       Do series EE bonds offer any special advantages if used for college savings?     Stocks       Should I invest in mutual funds or individual securities?       Should I work with a stockbroker to buy individual stocks?       What are DRIPs?       What is a stock split?       Who do I call if I have a complaint about my stockbroker?     Taxes       How did the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 change capital gains tax rates?       I have investment property. What does basis mean, and how do I determine the basis of my property?       Will I have to pay tax on my investment income?   Personal Finance   Articles     Buying a car       ABCs of auto insurance       Buying a car       GAP insurance       How safe is that new car?     Financial basics       Establishing a budget       Getting started: establishing a financial safety net       Working with a financial advisor     Managing credit and debt       Choosing a credit card       Contemplating bankruptcy       Credit traps for the unwary       Debt consolidation       How student loans inpact your credit       Understanding your credit report     Owning a home       Applying for a mortgage       Buying a home       Buying a home both you and your insurer will love       Opening the door to homeowners insurance       Refinancing your mortgage       Selling a home       Tapping the equity in your home       Tax benefits of home ownership       Your home as a source of dollars in retirement   Decision Tools     Owning a car       Auto insurance analyzer       Auto loan payment calculator       How to save money on your auto insurance       Should you buy or lease your car?     Owning a home       Homeowners insurance quiz       How to save money on your homeowners insurance       Is my home mortgage interest fully deductible?       Less common mortgage options       Mortgage payment calculator       Popular types of mortgages       Should you refinance your mortgage?     Saving, spending, and borrowing       Consumer price index inflation calculator       Credit cards--advantages vs. disadvantages       Deciding which credit card to get       Growth of annual deposits calculator       Loan amortization calculator       Net worth calculator       Personal cash flow worksheet   FAQs     Bankruptcy       Can I buy a house even though I declared bankruptcy?       I can't pay my bills. Should I declare bankruptcy?       What's the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy?     Buying a home       Can I buy a house even though I declared bankruptcy?       Can I buy a house with no money down?       How much house can I afford?       How much money do I have to put down to buy a house?       Should I buy a home or continue renting?       Should my partner and I buy a house together even though we're not married?       We just bought our first home. What can we deduct from the settlement statement?       What is involved in buying a house that's for sale by owner?       What's the Homestead Act?     Buying, selling, or leasing a car       How much will my monthly car payment be?       Is there any way to get out of a car lease?       Should I buy or lease a car?       Should I pay cash for a car or finance it?     Credit basics       How can I correct errors on my credit report?       How can I figure out my net worth?       How can I get credit if I have no credit history?       How can I protect myself against identity theft?       How can I reduce my spending?       How can I repair my poor credit?       How do I get a copy of my credit report?       How long should I keep copies of my tax returns?       How much money should I keep in a savings account for emergencies?       I can't pay my bills. Should I declare bankruptcy?       Should I invest my extra cash or use it to pay off debt?       Will debt consolidation hurt or help my credit rating?     Credit cards       How can I lower the interest rate on my credit card?       How can I pay off my credit card debt?       I get a lot of credit card offers. How can I tell which one is best?       I've finally paid off my credit cards. Should I close the accounts or leave them open with zero balances?     Mortgages       Can I use a piggyback mortgage as an alternative to private mortgage insurance?       Can my mortgage lender require me to have an escrow account?       I am behind on my mortgage payments. Will my lender begin foreclosure proceedings?       I'm a first-time homebuyer, and I don't have a lot of cash to put down on a house. What type of mortgage would be best for me?       I'm having a hard time selling my home. Should I take out a reverse mortgage?       My mortgage includes a statement that a penalty may be imposed for early payoff. What does that mean?       Should I choose a mortgage with no points and pay a higher interest rate, or should I put money toward points to lower the interest rate on a mortgage?       Should I pay off my student loans early with a home equity loan?       Should I take out a home equity loan to pay for my child's tuition?       What are the advantages of making biweekly mortgage payments?       What's involved in getting a VA mortgage?       What's the difference between a home equity line of credit and a second mortgage?       Which mortgage is better--fixed rate or adjustable?       Why do I have to purchase homeowners insurance in order to obtain a mortgage?     Private mortgage insurance       Can I use a piggyback mortgage as an alternative to private mortgage insurance?       What's private mortgage insurance , and can my mortgage lender require me to have it?     Refinancing a mortgage       Do I need to let my homeowners insurance company know that I'm refinancing a mortgage?       I refinanced my principal home last year and paid points. What are points, and can I deduct them on my tax return?       Should I refinance my home mortgage?     Selling a home       How do I figure the tax on the sale of my home?       I'm having a hard time selling my home. Should I take out a reverse mortgage?       I'm retired now and own my home outright, but I need money to live on. How can I use my home to raise some money without selling it?       Should I sell or rent out my present home?     Spousal credit issues       Am I liable for my spouse's debts?       I'm marrying someone with bad credit. How will this affect me?       Should I open a joint checking account with my spouse?       What's the difference between an "injured spouse" and an "innocent spouse"?   Protection Planning   Articles     Disability insurance       Beyond the basics: disability income insurance riders       Disability income insurance: typical policy features       Do you need disability income insurance?       Group disability insurance       How disability income insurance policies define disability       How much disability income insurance should you have?       Long-term vs. short-term disability income insurance       Lowering the cost of disability insurance       Surviving the underwriting process for disability income insurance       Tax planning tips: disability insurance       Understanding waiting periods       Where to get disability coverage     Health insurance       Alternative therapies       Archer medical savings accounts       Buying short-term health insurance       Comparing health insurance plans       Coping with medical bills       Coping with rising prescription costs       Dental insurance       Getting health insurance when you're hard to insure       Group health insurance       Health insurance and COBRA: sometimes you can take it with you       Health insurance and divorce       Health insurance for college students       Health insurance for travelers       Health insurance in retirement       Health insurance made simple       HMOs and PPOs: what's the difference?       Individual health insurance       Limitations, exclusions, and riders       Lowering the cost of health care       Making the most of your group health benefits       Mental health benefits       Planning a family? Get to know your health insurance policy       POS plans       Prescription plans       Preventing sports injuries       Tax tips: health insurance       Trends in managed care       Understanding managed care       Understanding your health insurance policy       Vision care insurance       Where to get health insurance     Life insurance       Cash value life insurance       Claiming life insurance benefits       Comparing life insurance policies       Credit life insurance       Designating a beneficiary for life insurance       How does cash value in a life insurance policy really work?       How much life insurance do you need?       Life insurance and charitable giving       Life insurance and estate planning       Life insurance and terminal illness       Life insurance at various life stages       Life insurance basics       Life insurance for children       Life insurance: do you need it?       Life insurance: the application process       Making policy loans and withdrawals       Planning ahead for life insurance proceeds       Reading and understanding your life insurance policy       Shopping for life insurance       Surrendering your life insurance policy       Tax planning tips: life insurance       Term life insurance       Term vs. cash value life insurance       The ins and outs of policy ownership       Traditional whole life insurance       Types of life insurance policies       Understanding insurance company illustrations       Universal life insurance       Variable life insurance       Variable universal life insurance       Viatical settlements   Decision Tools     Automobile insurance       Auto insurance analyzer       How to save money on your auto insurance     Disability insurance       Disability insurance benefit period       Disability insurance cost-of-living rider       Disability insurance waiting period       Disability insurance waiver of premiums       How much disability insurance can you buy?       Individual/group disability policy alternatives       Likelihood of suffering a disability by age 50       Noncancelable and guaranteed renewable disability policies       Recurrent disability provision       Residual and partial disability benefits       When do you qualify for disability benefits?     Health insurance       Comparison of typical health plans       Which health plan is right for you?     Life insurance       Advantages and disadvantages of cash value insurance       Advantages and disadvantages of term insurance       Comparison of level term and annual term premiums       Comparison of men's and women's mortality       Comparison of types of life insurance       How insurance companies are rated       How traditional whole life insurance works       How universal life insurance works       How variable universal life insurance works       How variable whole life insurance works       Life insurance needs analyzer       Net worth calculator       What is your life expectancy?       What is your life insurance rating?   FAQs     Disability insurance       Can I buy short-term disability coverage through my employer?       Do I need disability insurance?       Do long-term disability insurance premiums depend on the nature of my job?       How can I reduce the cost of disability insurance?       How do I apply for workers' compensation benefits?       I broke my leg and can't work for two months. Am I entitled to file a disability claim with my employer?       If I have long-term disability insurance coverage through my employer, do I need my own policy, too?       Many years ago I was treated for cancer, but now it's in remission. Do I need to disclose this when I buy disability insurance?       Will I have to pay life insurance premiums if I become disabled?     Health insurance       Can I see a specialist outside of my HMO provider network?       Do I need cancer insurance?       Does a typical dental insurance policy cover braces?       Does my health insurance cover prescriptions filled by an on-line pharmacy?       How can I get affordable health insurance if I'm self-employed?       How long am I covered under my parents' health insurance policies?       How much health insurance coverage do I need?       I'll be changing jobs next month, and I'm pregnant. Will I qualify for health insurance coverage with my new employer?       I'm planning on living in Europe for several months. Do I need special health insurance?       If I leave my job, will I lose my employer-sponsored health insurance?       If my employer goes out of business and discontinues its health insurance plan, am I still eligible for COBRA benefits?       Is dental care covered under Medigap insurance?       Is prescription drug coverage part of my medical coverage?       My husband and I are getting divorced. How do we decide whose health insurance policy will cover the children?       What are health reimbursement arrangements?       What happens if my Medicare HMO goes out of business?       What is critical illness insurance?       What is Medigap?       What is prescription insurance?       What recourse do I have if my insurer will cover only the generic version of a drug my doctor has prescribed?       What's the birthday rule all about?       What's the difference between an HMO and a PPO?       Which is better, an HMO or a PPO?       Will Medicare alone be enough to cover my health-care needs in retirement?       Will short-term health insurance cover all my medical expenses?     Life insurance       Are withdrawals from a cash value life insurance policy ever tax free?       Can an insurance company require me to submit to a medical exam before granting me a life insurance policy?       Can I change the beneficiary on my life insurance policy? If so, how do I do it?       Can I convert all or part of my term life insurance to permanent life insurance?       Can I ever have too much life insurance?       Can I use life insurance to help me save for retirement?       Do I need life insurance if I'm single?       Do I need to name a relative the beneficiary of my life insurance policy, or can I name a friend instead?       How can an insurance company really tell if I smoke?       How can I reduce the cost of life insurance?       How do I decide if I should replace my existing life insurance policy with a new one?       How much life insurance do I need?       I have enough life insurance right now. But I might need more in the future if I decide to start a family. Will I be able to buy more later, even if I develop a medical condition?       I smoke cigars occasionally, but not cigarettes. Will I be charged smokers' rates for life insurance?       If I leave my company, can I take my life insurance policy with me?       Is it less expensive to buy life insurance while I'm young?       Is it possible to name a charity as the beneficiary of my life insurance policy?       Is there any way I can use life insurance to help cover my expenses if I become terminally ill?       Should I buy life insurance on my child?       Should I buy term or cash value life insurance?       Should I replace my permanent life insurance policy with another if I'm unhappy with the rate of return I'm getting?       What are the pros and cons of buying life insurance through my employer rather than buying my own policy?       What happens if my life insurance company files for bankruptcy?       What is group life insurance?       What is term life insurance?       What is whole life insurance?       When I die, is my beneficiary required to take a lump-sum payment of my life insurance death benefit?       Why do I need life insurance?       Why does an insurance company require an insurable interest before I buy a life insurance policy?       Will I be taxed on the growth of the cash value of my life insurance? What if my policy pays dividends?       Will my beneficiaries have to pay taxes on the proceeds of my life insurance policy?   Retirement Planning   Articles     Health care issues       Buying supplemental health insurance--Medigap       Coordinating long-term care insurance with government benefits       Health insurance in retirement       Medicare       Should you buy long-term care insurance?       Understanding long-term care insurance     Housing issues       Housing options for older individuals       Your home as a source of dollars in retirement     Saving for retirement       Annuities and retirement planning       Borrowing or withdrawing money from your 401(k) plan       Choosing a beneficiary for your IRA or 401(k)       Closing a retirement income gap       Deciding what to do with your 401(k) plan when you change jobs       Estimating your retirement income needs       Evaluating an early retirement offer       Retirement planning--the basics       Saving for retirement and a child's education at the same time       Taking advantage of employer-sponsored retirement plans       Understanding defined benefit plans       Understanding IRAs       What to do after you've been automatically enrolled in your company's retirement plan     Social Security       Social Security retirement benefits       Understanding Social Security   Decision Tools     Health care issues       Medicaid eligibility for nursing home care       Medicare figures at-a-glance       Medicare, Medigap, and Medicaid     Retirement planning basics       Building an investment portfolio       Consumer price index inflation calculator       Growth of annual deposits calculator       How taxation can affect your retirement funds       Investing for retirement       Net worth calculator       Personal cash flow worksheet       Saving for your retirement       What is your risk tolerance?     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?       Does the federal government insure pension benefits?       How can I plan for retirement if my employer doesn't offer retirement benefits?       I teach at a school that has a 403(b) plan. Is this type of plan a good way to save for retirement?       My company has a profit-sharing plan. How do these plans work?       Should I contribute to my 401(k) plan at work?       Should I use my 401(k) to fund my child's college education?       What are my options if I inherit an IRA or employer-sponsored plan?       What does the term "qualified plan" mean?       What is vesting?     Health care issues       Can I deduct premiums paid for long-term care (LTC) insurance?       How can I pay for nursing home care?       How can I tell if a nursing home provides high-quality care?       How do I enroll in Medicare?       How does Medicare+Choice work?       Should I buy long-term care insurance?       What is long-term care insurance?       What is Medigap?     Housing issues       I'm having a hard time selling my home. Should I take out a reverse mortgage?       I'm retired now and own my home outright, but I need money to live on. How can I use my home to raise some money without selling it?       My husband just died. Should I accept my daughter's offer to move in with her?     Saving for retirement       How aggressive should I be when I invest for retirement?       How can I plan for retirement if my employer doesn't offer retirement benefits?       How can we possibly save for retirement and our child's college education at the same time?       How late is too late to start saving for retirement?       How much money should I save for retirement?       How should I structure my retirement portfolio?       I think it's time to start planning for retirement. Where do I begin?       What are catch-up contributions?       What should I do if I determine that my income during retirement won't be enough to meet my retirement expenses?     Social Security       Are my Social Security benefits subject to income tax?       How can I get an estimate of my Social Security benefits?       I'm getting remarried. How will this affect my Social Security benefits?       Should I retire now at age 62 and collect Social Security benefits, or should I wait until age 65?       What happens if I start collecting Social Security after age 65?       When I retire, how much will I receive from Social Security?       Will my children receive money from Social Security when I die?   Special Situations   Articles     Career planning       Evaluating a job offer       Evaluating an early retirement offer       Health insurance and COBRA: sometimes you can take it with you       Receiving unemployment benefits     Caring for an aging parent       Caring for your aging parents       Do your parents need long-term care insurance?       Facing the possibility of incapacity       Housing options for older individuals       Medicaid and nursing home care       Medicaid and the principal residence       Medicaid planning basics       The sandwich generation: juggling family responsibilities.     Divorce       Dealing with divorce       Health insurance and divorce       Insurance concerns of divorcing couples     Loss of a spouse       Claiming life insurance benefits       Organizing your finances when your spouse has died       Social Security survivor's benefits     Marriage       Establishing a budget       Getting started: establishing a financial safety net       Merging your money when you marry     Planning for travel       Health insurance for travelers       Rental car insurance       Travel insurance     Raising a family       And baby makes three       Planning a family? 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How will this affect my homeowners insurance?       I'm thinking about placing my mother in a nursing home. Will Medicaid pay for her care?       Is there such a thing as nursing home insurance?       My parents can't manage alone anymore. What should I do?       What types of nursing care does long-term care insurance cover?     Consumer protection       How can I protect myself against identity theft?       How do I stop those annoying telemarketing calls?       My radio broke two months after I bought it. I tried to return it to the store, but it won't give me a refund. What can I do to get my money back?     Divorce       Are alimony payments considered taxable income?       How do I protect my assets in the event of a divorce?       My husband and I are divorcing after 30 years of marriage. Will I still be able to receive Social Security retirement benefits based on his earnings record after our divorce?       My husband and I are getting divorced. How do we decide whose health insurance policy will cover the children?       What are the tax implications of child support payments?     Loss of a spouse       How can I find out whether my deceased husband owned any life insurance?       My husband just died. Should I accept my daughter's offer to move in with her?       My spouse just died. Who do I need to notify?       My spouse passed away this year. When I file my taxes, what filing status should I claim?     Marriage       Am I liable for my spouse's debts?       I'm marrying someone with bad credit. How will this affect me?       Should I open a joint checking account with my spouse?       Should my spouse and I integrate our health insurance benefits?     Raising a family       Can I take the tax credit for child care?       Does it make sense financially for both me and my spouse to work after our child is born?       How do I find quality child care?       How do I pay for child care?       My employer says that after my child is born, I have to come back in six weeks. But doesn't the law say that I'm entitled to three months of leave?       Should I buy life insurance on my child?       What is the difference between the child tax credit and the child and dependent care tax credit?       When do I have to apply for a Social Security number for my newborn?       Who should I name as guardian of my children in case my spouse and I should die at the same time?     Unmarried couples       Should my partner and I buy a house together even though we're not married?       Will my group health insurance cover my partner, even though we're not married?   Tax Planning   Articles     General tax planning       Am I having enough withheld?       Help! 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What can I do?       I have investment property. What does basis mean, and how do I determine the basis of my property?       I received a state tax refund last year. Must I include that amount as income on my federal return this year?       What is my tax bracket?       What is the alternative minimum tax?       What is the basis of property received as a gift?       What is the kiddie tax?       What penalties and interest will I be charged for paying and filing my federal income taxes late?       What's the difference between an "injured spouse" and an "innocent spouse"?       Will I have to pay tax on my investment income?     Tax credits       Can I take the tax credit for child care?       What are the Hope credit and the Lifetime Learning credit?       What is the child tax credit?       What is the difference between the child tax credit and the child and dependent care tax credit?       What is the earned income credit and who qualifies for it?     Tax deductions       Can I deduct home office expenses?       Can I deduct premiums paid for long-term care (LTC) insurance?       Can I deduct the cost of improvements or repairs I've made to my home?       How do I deduct and substantiate my gambling losses?       I paid my mother's real estate taxes last year. Can I deduct this on my tax return?       I refinanced my principal home last year and paid points. What are points, and can I deduct them on my tax return?       If I prepay next year's taxes this year, can I deduct them this year?       If I work at home occasionally, am I entitled to a home office deduction?       Is student loan interest deductible?       My spouse and I are filing separate returns. Can we both itemize our deductions? If so, how do we split the deductions?       My town has assessed against me a real estate betterment for new sewer lines installed in my street. May I deduct this amount on my tax return?       We just bought our first home. What can we deduct from the settlement statement?     Taxes and child support/alimony       Are alimony payments considered taxable income?       What are the tax implications of child support payments?     Taxes and home ownership       Can I deduct the cost of improvements or repairs I've made to my home?       How do I figure the tax on the sale of my home?       I refinanced my principal home last year and paid points. What are points, and can I deduct them on my tax return?       I rent my home out for two weeks each year. Do I have to show this rental income on my federal income tax return?       If I prepay next year's taxes this year, can I deduct them this year?       My town has assessed against me a real estate betterment for new sewer lines installed in my street. May I deduct this amount on my tax return?       We just bought our first home. What can we deduct from the settlement statement?     Taxes and insurance proceeds       Are life insurance proceeds income taxable?       I receive disability insurance payments. Are they taxable?