Documents recently released in litigation between the estate of pop star Michael Jackson and the IRS showed that a large part of the dispute revolves around the value of Jackson’s image and likeness. While the estate assessed the value of his image at $2,105, the IRS’s valuation was more than $430 million. When it comes […]

“There are things you can do to minimize—or with the right set of facts—eliminate taxes,” says Timothy Jessell, a tax lawyer with Greenberg Traurig in Tysons Corner, VA whose client base is people buying and selling companies. In one case, a client who is selling his consulting company will save $3.8 million in taxes “simply […]

In the end, you can think of the RISE system as a basic question: Is this organization built to get the job done? And, will it help you get your job of doing some good in the world done right? Giving to a good cause can have a substantial impact on the need at hand, […]

“The presumption is that everyone has someone available, someone most likely younger or in better health, and better able to carry out one’s wishes or make decisions with your guidance…” But not everyone does. When it comes time to make life-and-death health decisions on your behalf, what do you do if you have no “family” […]

In the survey, conducted by Interest.com, a financial planning site, just 27 percent of respondents age 18 to 59 said they expect to receive an inheritance from their parents or other family. Even those who believe there will be something left over for them aren’t expecting a huge windfall. Did the recession ruin the chances […]

Federal officials are eager to get the word out that seniors and disabled individuals enrolled in Medicare Part A — which covers hospitalization and limited nursing home care and is free for most beneficiaries – do not need to buy a marketplace plan, because they are already meeting the insurance requirements. Changes in healthcare can […]

All too often, an entrepreneur convinces himself no one will notice these issues and, once the sale is finalized, they all will be resolved. But as deals are negotiated between buyers and sellers, these top five truths surface over and over again. If you are a business owner and thinking of selling … are you ready? […]

Growing numbers of families – as older parents move into their 80s and 90s – are finding themselves grappling with the transfer of second homes. If you have a family vacation home, have you considered what will happen to the property after you are gone? While you are undoubtedly enjoying the memories you are making […]

Nine out of 10 Americans say they want to grow old at home and keep living in their communities as long as possible, according to AARP. Eventually requiring some form of care is just a fact of aging. But proper planning in advance can give you more options if done right. For instance, would you […]

Check out these strategies to bypass capital gains altogether or at least lessen the bite. Unless you’ve been paying close attention to capital gains and your expected 2013 tax, then you may not realize a potentially large “bite” until tax season. For those in the know, however, there is still time to beat the capital […]