There is an enormous amount of uncertainty about federal taxes for 2010 and 2011. Will proposed tax cuts, such as 50 percent bonus depreciation on equipment purchases, an extension of the research credit, and an increase in the deduction for startup cost for small businesses be enacted this year? Will the Bush tax cuts expire at the end of 2010, pushing personal tax rates for ordinary income and capital gains considerably higher in 2011 and eliminating special treatment for dividends? Amid this uncertainty, there are some new rules that will take effect in 2011 and they may impact your actions for this year.
Changes in medical reimbursement plans
If your company maintains a flexible spending account (FSA), health reimbursement account (HRA), or health savings account (HSA), new rules take effect in 2011. S
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“Money talks,” especially when you’re talking about vested capital. It’s that private form of equity that successful businesses enjoy having, particularly when it comes to expansion. It’s what some aspiring entrepreneurs would die to have in their possession. Vested capital gives you the utmost in negotiating power, and being able to say “NO” to a deal (or control it) empowers the business.
Vested capital can be funds that are readily available or those that will be available in the future. It’s not to be confused with venture capital, although it can be likened to it based on what it’s used for. Venture capital is funds solicited from investors — venture capitalists (VCs). Ve
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Apple (AAPL) reportedly is going for a two-pronged approach to attack the potentially lucrative TV business. First, Appl is holding talks with the networks about offering two-day TV show rentals. The company is also retooling its current set-top box to slim it down to an affordable $99 for the device, which would stream content, according to a Bloomberg report.
For Apple, such a move would transform its Apple TV “hobby” into a potentially viable revenue stream that would leverage its iTunes service. Under its discussions with News Corp. (NWS), NBC Universal, CBS (CBS) and the Walt Disney Co. Read more…
Calls have been made for the government to put a cap on the interest rates charged on personal loans. This follows research that showed that most consumers in Britain want to see a cap on the rates of interest that lenders can charge for personal loans. The research was carried out recently by Compass on behalf of YouGov.
According to the results of the study around 68 percent of consumers believe that the government has a responsibility to protect consumers who take out personal loans by ensuring that a cap is put on personal loan interest rates. In addition to this the research found that a similar number of people, around 69 percent, wanted to see government officials promoting affordable means of credit such as credit unions.
Earlier this year a report was produced by consumer watchdog group Consumer Focus, and this showed that the popularity of ‘legal loan sharking’ was increasing. The
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Do you ever wonder if you have the smartest mortgage for your situation? With mortgage rates currently at their lowest levels since 1955, many Americans are asking themselves if they should refinance. Most homeowners admit to having doubts about their mortgage when the statement arrives. Unfortunately, most people simply pay the bill without exploring how easy it could be to have a smarter mortgage and a lower payment.
Remember, your home mortgage could be one of the largest financial investments you’ll ever make. It needs to be managed with care. Managing your mortgage can often mean keeping your eye on interest rates and other factors that can affect your payment amount.
There are a few good reasons to consider refinancing:
- If you have an ARM – Make sure you know when your rate is scheduled to adjust. If your ARM is not set to adjust for several years, it may be a good idea to refinance and lock in today’s low rate with a conventional, long-term mortgage.
- If you have a fixed-rate mortgage – Examine how your current interest rate compares to current interest rates. The Census Bureau just released figures showing that 24.1 million American’s have mortgages with interest rates over 6%. If you’re one of these Americans, you could benefit from a refinance.
- Analyze your goals – Perhaps they have changed since you bought the home you’re in and you need a more flexible mortgage. You might like to explore the possibility of taking cash out of your equity to make home improvements. Maybe you have high-interest debts you’d like to clear up? With credit card interest rates at a 9-year high and mortgage rates at 50-year lows – it could be a great time for you to refinance to consolidate debt.
To find out when you will see real savings from a mortgage refinance, first add up the costs involved. This includes discount points, processing fees, appraisal fees and title insurance. If your closing costs for a $200,000 mortgage are around $2,500 – and your Home Loan Expert can help you save $300 per month by locking in a lower interest rate – then your break-even point will come in just over 8 months. If you plan to be in the home for several more years, while continuing to save thant $300 every month, then this is a financial move that makes a lot of sense!