Questions tagged [united-states]
For questions that relate to the laws, practices, and products of the United States.
13,411
questions
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My daughter got married last year in late August, can I still claim her part year?
If my 21-yr-old daughter lived at home (and I provided more than half of her support) until her wedding in late August of last year, can't I still claim her as a dependent of some sort?
Jeff Hoenshell
8
votes
2
answers
507
views
Married during the tax year, how does that work
I got married this last year in December. I had done my taxes as if I was not married and had no dependents, which was correct in January. My wife currently does not have a job. Should this effect ...
- 7,806
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vote
1
answer
146
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Are there any special rules for charging sales tax in US Territories such as Puerto Rico?
Are there any special rules for charging sales tax in US Territories such as Puerto Rico?
- 7,806
6
votes
2
answers
831
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What can I deduct while assisting in caring for elderly relatives that do not live with me?
I provide all transportation to medical appointments, do their shopping, drive them to church, do their foot care, provide some meals -weekly, assist with ecercising, house cleaning. I do not want ...
Mischelle Wilson
7
votes
1
answer
241
views
Do Americans still need extra health care / medical insurance after reform to health care? [U.S.]
Does the passage of the recent bill in the US change the way Americans budget for health care? If so who benefits?
- 6,190
6
votes
5
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2k
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Is it true that Income Tax was created to finance troops for World War I?
I remember hearing that income tax was specifically created to finance the war effort during World War I. Is this true? If so was it originally intended to be a temporary measure?
- 6,190
8
votes
3
answers
2k
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What is the best option for an occasional driver in the USA?
I never had a car before, but I'm starting to feel the need of having one.
Fortunately, I can bike to work, and would only use the car on weekends (and very occasionally on weekdays). Additionally, I'...
- 261
21
votes
2
answers
9k
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Need advice recovering money lost due to debit card fraud! Bank wont help!
I was recently the victim of credit card fraud. My number and some of my info was compromised and subsequently used to run up about $500 worth of online charges within a week's time.
This was on my ...
- 319
13
votes
3
answers
2k
views
I just moved to the United States. What should I do to develop a good credit rating, fast?
I just moved to the US for working purposes, and found out that for a lot of stuff you buy, you need to have a good credit rating (or pay more, or make a security deposit, etc).
I found out also that ...
- 261
6
votes
3
answers
28k
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An ecommerce retailer forgot to charge my credit card, & I received the package. Legally speaking, must I inform them they didn't charge me?
I recently made a large purchase from an online retailer's outlet store. The online store was having performance problems the day I ordered, but it is large trusted company so I placed the order ...
- 25.1k
5
votes
2
answers
5k
views
How do I get a US credit or debit card if I reside outside the US?
I am from Hungary and I would like to purchase sometimes from US web services like iTunes and so on. They require US cards and billing address. Is it possible to have one without traveling to the US? ...
- 2,438
20
votes
6
answers
8k
views
In what state should I register my web-based LLC?
DISCLAIMER: I understand that as a US corporation, you're required to pay taxes in whatever state you A) do business in, b) pay employees in, and c) have property in. I understand that registering in ...
- 1,200
13
votes
5
answers
2k
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What should I do with the stock from my Employee Stock Purchase Plan?
I've got an employee stock purchase plan program. The details are a little tricksy, but I basically get to buy about 2500 shares of company stock at something like $2.33/share... and the stock has ...
user296
18
votes
3
answers
875
views
Is there any way to know how much new money the US is printing?
There is a lot of talk about the Fed printing money.
Is there any way to know how much new money is being printed and when?
- 472
6
votes
1
answer
150
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What investment strategy would you deduce from the latest article from Charles Munger?
One of the most interesting article I read in the last months was from Charles Munger (vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway).
Here is a link:
http://www.slate.com/id/2245328/pagenum/all/
I would be ...
5
votes
3
answers
872
views
Is there any site to compare the security of (online) banking services?
I work in the computer industry, and I know a few things about security, like the fact that those "security questions" that you're asked for are pretty much completely bogus and not useful as security....
user296
6
votes
1
answer
232
views
Is there any site you can find out about the 'bonus features' of credit cards? [closed]
I'm doing fairly well financially, and pay my credit cards off monthly, so to me they are less useful for financing and more useful as a matter of convenience. As such, I'd like to know more about the ...
user296
2
votes
1
answer
167
views
What are good strategies to maximize cross border shopping benefits? [Canada]
Depending the length of one's visit to the US from Canada there are different limits and different exemptions. This also assumes that the price discount is worth it. What strategies have people ...
- 6,190
8
votes
1
answer
3k
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What are the benefits and downsides to an LLC vs. Sole Proprietorship vs. Individiual?
As a followup to my previous question, what benefits are there for an LLC vs. a Sole Proprietorship? What are advantages and disadvantages to both and also vs. just being paid as a person?
- 799
8
votes
2
answers
17k
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How do you calculate pretax deduction savings?
I am trying to determine how much money I will save by participating in the TransitChek program. The way the program works is I can set aside a certain amount of money from my pay check before taxes ...
- 277
3
votes
3
answers
191
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For what dates are the NYSE and U.S. stock exchanges typically closed?
I just noticed the NYSE is closed today for the President's Day (Washington's Birthday) holiday.
Is there a comprehensive list of all dates the NYSE would be typically closed for? Would the dates be ...
- 31.4k
4
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Is there a legal deadline for when your bank/brokerage has to send your tax forms to you?
It is mid February and I still haven't received my 1099-div forms from my stock broker. Should I be concerned yet? Is there any regulatory requirement for them to send tax forms out to account holders ...
- 51.6k
6
votes
2
answers
2k
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Where can I get a list of ticker symbols that have stock options?
I would like to examine the option chains of almost every stock that has options. Is there some sort of stock screener or application that can give me a list of the ticker symbols that have options?
- 819
12
votes
2
answers
2k
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Bank of the Sierra: Are they legit? How can the checking interest APY be so high?
As of February 8th, 2009, Bank Of The Sierra offers a free checking account which earns a 4.09% APY. It looks like the catch is that you pretty much have to use them as your main bank. You need to ...
- 277
12
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Can you have a Roth IRA and a traditional IRA? What about two separate IRA accounts of the same type?
I'm interested in starting a new brokerage account somewhere. I would like to "test the waters" before transferring my entire IRA to them. Is there any law against having a completely separate IRA ...
- 819
14
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Offered a job: Should I go as consultant / independent contractor, or employee?
Two partners started a business, and it's grown pretty big (comparatively).
Now they've asked me to be the CTO, and I've determined it's a good position for me to take. I'll be getting 90% of my ...
- 1,200
10
votes
3
answers
642
views
Stability of a Broker: What if your broker goes bankrupt? Could you lose equity in your account?
What exactly happens if a broker runs out of funds? Could you actually lose equity in your account? If so, what should you be examining when looking at the financial report of your broker?
- 819
7
votes
1
answer
250
views
When an in-the-money stock option expires does the broker always execute it or does its value become worthless if the owner doesn't execute it?
When an in-the-money stock option expires does the broker always execute it or does its value become worthless if the owner doesn't execute it?
- 819
6
votes
1
answer
67
views
Fee structure when Opening Two Accounts with One Broker
I have a traditional IRA account that I want to move to a Interactive Brokers. I would also like to invest some non-IRA money with that same broker. However, there's a minimum balance and minimum ...
- 819
7
votes
2
answers
206
views
How do I find a tax advisor or "tax man"?
Since I graduated college a few years ago, I've been giving a lot of thought to getting a "tax man" instead of doing taxes myself through TaxCut or TaxAct.com. I'm not so much interested in having ...
- 172
9
votes
2
answers
569
views
Are defined benefit (DB) pension plans guaranteed in the U.S.? What happens if the sponsor company goes bankrupt?
Are defined benefit (DB) pension plans guaranteed in the U.S.?
What happens to a DB pension plan and plan benefits if the sponsor company goes bankrupt?
Where can somebody find more information on ...
user178
11
votes
2
answers
32k
views
US Bank placing a hold on funds from my paycheck deposit: Why does that make sense?
I've just received my first paycheck in four months (yay!). In the meantime, my bank account went about $150 negative. That's one of the reasons I deposited my paycheck into that bank account - I ...
- 213
29
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Are credit card rewards taxable?
There have been several questions about reward point/loyalty programs offered by credit cards
Best Travel Point Credit Cards
Best Reward Benefit Credit Cards
Easy Comparison of Reward Benefit Cards
...
- 6,190
34
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Started new job. Rollover previous employer 401k to new 401k, IRA or Roth IRA?
I recently started a new job and have a 401k from my previous employer that I don't know what to do with. Should I roll it into my new employer's 401k, a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA?
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31
votes
4
answers
18k
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When should I start an LLC for my side work?
I am doing quite a bit of sidework this year and wondering at what point would it be a good idea to "start a business" and bill through that.
- 799
10
votes
2
answers
545
views
What is Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) and how does AMT get calculated? [U.S.]
What is Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) in the U.S.? How does Alternative Minimum Tax get calculated?
What conditions are likely to trigger an AMT assessment versus a regular tax assessment?
Are ...
user178
10
votes
4
answers
848
views
When will Canada convert to the U.S. Dollar as an official currency?
(note I really don't want this to sound argumentative, I'm genuinely interested. The title is simply a follow up to this question and my answer.
To the Canadian users of this site, would you agree ...
- 3,893
4
votes
2
answers
592
views
U.S. income tax & charitable donations: How much is income tax reduced by donations?
In the U.S., how much is income tax reduced by charitable donations?
When filing, are there any special requirements to qualify for the deduction or credit?
- 31.4k
9
votes
2
answers
1k
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How are 401(k), 403(b), and 457(b) tax-advantaged retirement plans different? How are they alike?
How are 401(k), 403(b), and 457(b) tax-deferred retirement plans different? How are they alike?
user178
6
votes
3
answers
22k
views
Can I use funds in my 403(b) retirement plan for a first-time home purchase?
Can I withdraw funds from my 403(b) retirement plan without penalty, for the purposes of purchasing a first-time home?
If not, are there other retirement plans from which I could withdraw without ...
- 383
11
votes
5
answers
931
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How can I increase my hourly pay as a software developer?
I am a PHP developer with 3 yrs experience and got exposure in Joomla, CodeIgniter. What should be my hourly pay in U.S. and what should I do to increase it with a steady curve?
Thanks.
kans
14
votes
3
answers
874
views
Should I "hedge" my IRA portfolio with a life cycle / target date mutual fund?
I'm fully contributing to my Roth IRA every year into a brokerage account that is 100% in mutual funds.
I've done basic mutual fund research and picked about 5 different funds that match what would ...
- 906
12
votes
5
answers
411
views
Which U.S. online discount broker is the best value for money? [closed]
Which U.S. online discount broker is the best value for money?
Lower prices preferred, but I also like to be able to reach somebody by phone when help is needed. 24 hours not required, but after ...
newTrader
12
votes
3
answers
843
views
How can I minimize losses on an upside down mortgage for a condo I no longer live in?
I have made a good faith effort to keep up my mortgage payments on a condo that I no longer live in since Oct 2005. In 2005 I had to move out of state for my job and I listed the property for about ...
anon
13
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Has anyone found U.S. Savings Bonds to be effective investing?
Since I was a small child, my grandparents have given all of their grandchildren savings bonds on our birthdays. I'm not sure if it makes a difference, but they are always "EE" series. I had to use ...
- 233
4
votes
1
answer
197
views
What kind of traditional IRA should I use to hold funds from old employer 401K plans?
Further to another question I asked , if I am going to open a traditional IRA to hold funds consolidated from old 401K plans, what should I be looking at for the most flexibility? There are lots of ...
mgnorton
8
votes
3
answers
412
views
What's the best way to manage all the 401K accounts I've accumulated from my past jobs?
I should be managing my retirement money better and one problem is the number of accounts I have (4). Would it be better for me to consolidate and what's involved in doing so?
mgnorton
45
votes
7
answers
3k
views
How can one get their FICO/credit scores for free? (really free)
TV and the web are filled with ads promising to give you a free copy of your credit report. Unfortunately, instead of being wholly free, they are actually free trials, which means:
You only get them ...
- 2,209
18
votes
2
answers
3k
views
What does Chapter 11 Bankruptcy mean to an investor holding shares of a Chapter 11 Company?
If I currently have shares in a company that has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection what impact does this have on me? Does this mean the shares stop trading? If the company successfully ...
- 6,190
7
votes
1
answer
740
views
How can we use up our Flex Spending Account (FSA) before the end of the year?
My husband and I signed up for a Flex Spending Account for the first time this past year. We've got about $100 left over now, in mid-November, and I've been told that money will disappear if we don't ...
- 2,286