Make sure you’re not paying the IRS more than necessary on your stock investment gains Even though stock investments can be risky, investors can realize pretty big returns. Most experts suggest creating a diverse portfolio of different kinds of stocks, and hanging on to them through various market fluctuations. But keep in mind that there…

Don’t make this critical mistake that keeps you from harvesting losses on taxable investments The silver lining to losing money in the stock market is getting a tax benefit. Recording a loss is as simple as selling the losing investment – and when your capital losses exceed your capital gains, you can take a tax…

Not only is an audit unlikely to happen – if it does, it’s rarely a huge deal Few words inspire such fear in the hearts of Americans as “IRS audit.” In fact, 27 percent of Americans said they rather get an “IRS” tattoo than deal with the agency ever again, writes Money magazine. But one…

Why diversification is critical for retirement accounts It sounds like a no-brainer for tax planning: defer as much income as you can from a current high-tax bracket to a time you are likely to be in a lower tax bracket, such as retirement. Tax-deferred accounts can be a valuable vehicle for tax-efficient retirement savings, especially…

Failing to create a plan is the most expensive mistake taxpayers can make Many people scramble to find ways to reduce their taxes as April 15 approaches – and then dive back into busy lives and don’t give them another thought until the following year. But not making time for advance tax planning is one…

Worried about taxable payouts? Here’s what you should know about taxes and bond investments For any investor, creating a balanced portfolio can take years of practice and market study – not to mention countless meetings with advisors. While bonds aren’t always the talk of the town, these usually-conservative investments do have their benefits. Bond investments…

While investment planning requires much more than IRS considerations, make sure you’re not paying too much in tax Cash investments are another way that investors can balance out their portfolios with safe, predictable options. These offer stability in returns, as they don’t fluctuate with the stock or bond markets. However, because there is low risk,…

What to do when an employee won’t play ball In our previous article, we talked about getting the right people into the right seat. This methodology is especially useful when it’s used to evaluate current employees and ensure that they are the correct person for the job. But the scrutiny doesn’t end there, of course.…

How to evaluate the right person for the job The hardest thing to manage in business is people. The Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS®) defines that businesses are comprised of vision, people, data, issues, process, and traction – but in practice, managing people represents probably sixty-percent of the effort. This is one of the reasons it’s…