See If You Qualify for Free File Tax Software

If your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is $57,000 or less, you may qualify to use a brand name tax software to prepare and e-file your taxes for FREE.

Answer a few questions on IRS.gov to help you determine your eligibility to use Free File tax software. http://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/jsp/wizard.jsp?ck

If your AGI is more than $57,000, you can still use Free File fillable forms for your federal tax return.

Tax Time -- remember the EITC

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC, or EIC as it’s sometimes known) puts money back into the pockets of qualifying low- and moderate-income working taxpayers when they file their tax returns. Higher income limits and credits this year mean more filers will qualify for the EITC, and those who do qualify will get a bigger check.

Consumer Action’s brochure Get Credit for Your Hard Work provides the EITC information your clients need, including income limits, eligibility criteria and how to file. Updated for the 2012 tax year, this resource is available free online or as a printable PDF download in English, Spanish and Chinese.

The IRS is also making it easier for qualifying taxpayers to get help preparing their returns this year. For example, taxpayers who make $57,000 or less can choose from 15 free, brand-name tax preparation software packages offered through the IRS Free File program.

Free Tax Return Preparation -- See If You Qualify

Do you need help preparing your tax return? Learn about the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs.

VITA Program: If you make $51,000 or less, IRS-certified volunteers can inform you ab...out tax credits for which you may qualify, and prepare a basic tax return with electronic filing.

TCE Program: If you are 60 years of age or older, you may qualify for free tax help from IRS-certified volunteers who specialize in issues that pertain to seniors.

http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax-Return-Preparation-for-You-by-Volunteers

Get Help Paying Your Home Heating Bills this Winter

If you can't afford to pay your winter heating bill, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) may be able to help with:
• Home energy bills
• Energy crisis
• Weatherization and energy-related home repairs
Assistance is available to low-income families who spend a large portion of income on home heating and cooling.

Contact your state or Indian tribe or tribal organization agency for eligibility requirements and to apply. Wyoming information is at http://www.liheap.ncat.org/profiles/Wyoming.htm#state

For help applying, you can also call 1.866.NRG.NEAR (674.6327).

Time Change Sunday

Sunday, November 4 marks the end of daylight saving time (DST), so remember to turn your clocks back one hour, starting at 2:00 AM on November 4.

Beware of Phony IRS Websites

Beware of Phony IRS Websites
The IRS is warning the public about a new taxscam that uses a website that mimics the IRS e-Services online registration page. The real IRS e-Services page offers Web-based products for tax preparers and payers—not the general public. The phony Web page looks almost identical to the real one.

The official IRS website is www.irs.gov. Some of the phony websites end in .com, .net, .org or other designations instead of .gov. If you find a suspicious website that claims to be the IRS, send it to phishing@irs.gov; put "Suspicious website" in the subject line.

September is National Preparedness Month

Have you taken steps to prepare for an emergency?

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), three elements of good preparation are:

• Being Informed -- Learn about the potential emergencies that can happen where you live and know the appropriate ways to respond to them.
• Making a Plan -- Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to plan what you would do in different situations. How would you get to a safe place? How would you contact one another and get back together?
• Building a Kit -- Find a list of suggested items to include in an emergency supply kit.

A Child Born in 2011 Will Cost $234,900 to Raise

USDA released the annual report Expenditures on Children by Families, finding that a middle-income family with a child born in 2011 can expect to spend about $234,900 ($295,560 if projected inflation costs are factored in) for food, shelter, and other necessities to raise that child over the next 17 years.

The results come from the Consumer Expenditure Survey -- check out the "Cost of Raising A Child" calculator at http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/.

PS Don't forget to open a 529 plan to help pay for a college education. If you start early (when your child is quite young), then time is on your side.

Saving for Retirment vs Financing Young Adult Children

If you find yourself in the quandry as to whether to continue to support your adult children you may find it interesting to note that a recent study conducted by Pew Research Center indicates that only 54% of Americans aged 18 to 24 have a full time job.  This is the lowest level registered since the government began collecting data in 1948.   Kevin McKinney, the author of the book, Make Your Kid a Millionaire  offered several suggestions in a recent article he posted on line.  I think these are worth noting.

Show them the (lack of money).  When parents learn that their benevolence today can mean a short and frugile retirement, saying no to paying for childrens wants and needs may become easier.

Cap College Costs.   High Schoolers are starry eyed about their "dream" school.  This week I sat through interviews with  High School Seniors applying for scholarships from a scholarship committtee I serve on.  We always ask where they plan to attend school, what they plan to study and how much will the school cost.  Our committtee is concerned at the lack of understanding of the long term consequences to a $40,000 a year tuition  in a "neat" sounding school.  It sounds like parents and kids are  clueless to what this "dream" school is going to cost or they haven't thought through what a quarter of a million dollars could do to financial security in later life. 

Set a cut off date.  If cutting off the cash flow seems unpalatable a suggestion is to decide upon a schedule of diminishing parental support.    This allows parents to provide an ultimate "teachable moment" regarding life's expenses and enable their adult children to start earning more, or balancing their needs and wants with their own income sources.

Blame the financial advisor.  If you know that you have to garner the courage to say "No" to your kids about their hands in your purse you could try this:  " Honey, we would love to help you out, but our financial advisor says its not a good idea right now."  or " Honey, we would love to help you out, but our financial goals and obligations don't provide for this expenditure right now."


 

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Tax Time is Near!

This year, federal tax returns must be filed by April 17, 2012. The deadline was extended by two days because April 15 falls on a Sunday and April 16 is Emancipation Day, which is a holiday in the District of Columbia.

 Shrinking net worth is a "ticking time bomb" for Americans

U.S. households are still suffering from financial distress, according to the latest Consumer Distress Index, which measures housing prices, joblessness, budgeting, net worth and credit. Americans' net worth, an indicator of retirement readiness, has registered poorly since the counseling group CredAbility began the index 31 years ago. "The net worth number is the ticking time bomb," said Mark Cole of CredAbility. Read the full article on the Huffington Post.

Valentines Day Budget

Love is on a budget in 2012.   A new survey by Visa Inc. finds that Americans will spend less
on Valentine’s Day gifts, flowers, dining and other items this year. Americans plan on spending
$117 this Valentine’s Day, down 3% from $121 in 2011.   The survey indicates women are spending 14% less on their Valentines $87 in 2012 compared to $101 in 2011.   Men are actually planing on spending more this year, $149 compared to $140 in 2011---an increase of 6%.
 
There are lots of  meaningful ways to say I Love You to your Valentine, that don't put a punch to the wallet.

W-2's in the mail

You should receive your Form W-2 by January 31. If you do not receive it, or have questions about the information on your W-2, contact your employer or the IRS.

January is the month we all begin with our earnest New Year's Resolutions.  I found a list on line of Financial Resolutions which have helped me add to my list.  The 15 Simple financial resolutions listed on practical money's site are worth a read.   http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/personalfinance/tipsandtrends/15resolutions.php
I also think the list should include revisiting our Record of Important Papers:  Updating our home inventory list;  Making sure our insurance coverage is still adequate;  Updating contact information in our address books and  electronic address files(backing them up).  Changing batteries in our home alarms.    In my financial literacy classes I remind my participants that those of us who live away from our family,  need to create a list within our address books of who they should notify should they are having to wrap up our affairs upon our death.  None of us are planning to die, but unfortunatley might.    This advise came close to home for me this past year when my brother died, I had no idea of who his friends and coworkers were and I felt badly about that.   His life had included working and residing in four different states.   Mine has been in yet another.   We saw each other at family events and talked regularly on the phone, yet I didn't know who all the people were that made up his life.     I certainly could have been more honoring of him, had I had a list of those that mattered to him ( outside of his  immediate family).  A final  suggestion---take a finacial literacy class  and learn how to use a financial literacy tool.

Baby Boomers: Caring for three generations?

Baby Boomers, are the next generation set to retire. Saving for retirement continues to be the top priority for this group also known as the Sandwich Generation.  Some of Baby Boomers’ stress could be because saving for their own retirement isn’t their only priority. According to the sixth annual Scottrade American Investor Survey, nearly one in four Baby Boomers (born 1945-1966) reported they are financially supporting an adult child and their sandwich is growing. Grandchildren are being added to their financial demands; 9 percent of Baby Boomers surveyed reported they hold a college or education savings account, an increase from 4 percent in 2010. And, while most (72 percent) continue to name retirement as their primary reason for investing, they also reported saving:

• For their own or a family member’s education expenses (11 percent)

• To build an emergency fund (36 percent)

• To reduce their debt (21 percent)

See full article from DailyFinance http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/12/08/the-triple-threat-to-baby-boomers-retirement-plans/

A recent Wells Fargo survey finds that Americans are expecting to work longer to ensure they have enough money for retirement, 80 may be the new 65 for many American retirees. Of respondents age 40 to 59, 54% indicate they need to work in their retirement years, while only 34% of the 25 to 39 age group indicates they will be working in retirment.





At one of my last Managing Money in Tough Times workshops the financial reality facing retired Wyomingites became very apparant. We haven't been unaffected by the financial turbulance experienced in our country in recent years. It is a very real and difficult financial challenge for seniors who find themselves facing the reality of having outlived their retirement savings.





A tip from the class.... if at all possible, practice living on your retirement income before making the big decision to leave the workforce.

Retirees aren't planning far down the road, study finds

Many retirees overlook important issues such as health care costs in their planning, according to a study by the Society of Actuaries. "The study highlights the importance of retirees educating themselves on how to successfully plan for their retirement years while understanding the value of partnering with a trusted financial advisor for guidance," according to the society. Retirees with financial advisers increased to 61% this year, from 56% in 2008.

Strategies for taking required minimum distributions

Older investors who must take minimum distributions from retirement plans should consider taking them from the smallest of multiple retirement accounts or taking the distribution in-kind if they don't need the cash, certified financial planner Gary Brooks writes. Another tip: Consider taking more than the required minimum in order to shrink a future tax bill, when income tax rates may be higher. Read the full article from The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.)

Evaluating buying vs. renting

Renting a home can be a better option than buying, Walter Updegrave writes. Potential buyers should consider that the housing market probably hasn't bottomed out, the job market is unstable and a down payment and other costs could leave buyers without enough cushion, Updegrave writes. In addition, renting offers more flexibility. Read the full article at CNNMoney.com

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 29

The Drug Enforcement Agency has scheduled National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 29, 2011, from 10am-2pm for persons who want to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs.

More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Each day approximately 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.

Find a disposal site at dea.gov.