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• Burns at Large
• Financial Planning
• Retirement
• Social Security

• Meet the Diabolical Tax, the Alternative Minimum Tax for the Retired

  By Scott Burns Q. What triggers taxation of Social Security benefits and what does not? Can the tax be avoided? ---L.M, by email A. The only proven way to avoid the tax is to have little or no income beyond Social Security benefits. I call this the Diabolical... Posted Aug 06 2008, 03:00 PM by admin with | with 2 comment(s) Filed under: Q&A (from print), Taxes & Other Disasters, Government

• Taxes: Government's Way of Telling You not to Work

  Q. I am in the top tax bracket and contribute the max to my 401k. The phase out rules and limitations of Roth IRAs close that option. I am trying to decide whether a low-cost Fidelity annuity is better than investing in a tax efficient mutual fund. Is... Posted Aug 17 2006, 03:38 PM by scottb with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: Q&A (from print), Taxes & Other Disasters, Government

• Should You Save, or Spend, in your 50's?

  Q. Would you please write about empty-nesters who put their retirement in jeopardy or delay it by moving up to more expensive homes, buying boats, vacation homes, etc.? Many people (including my husband) have a golden opportunity to catch up with their... Posted Aug 10 2006, 03:46 PM by scottb with | with no comments Filed under: Q&A (from print), Retirement, Taxes & Other Disasters, Government

• Learn How To Avoid "Taxable Events"

  Q. Most retirement investment advice assumes a person's savings are in taxable accounts or a combination of tax deferred and taxable accounts. What is the advice for a retiree when all of their savings are in tax deferred accounts? Is it wise to convert... Posted Jun 15 2006, 10:34 AM by scottb with | with no comments Filed under: Q&A (from print), Retirement, Taxes & Other Disasters, Government

• No, It isn't OK to lie on your tax return

  Q. I have a question regarding my tax return. A co-worker heard from a friend of his about a tax consultant who has helped his clients receive "more than normal" refunds. He said that the consultant can claim up to 10 percent of the total income as a... Posted May 11 2006, 11:32 AM by scottb with | with no comments Filed under: Burns at Large, Q&A (from print), Taxes & Other Disasters, Government

• Social Security, Taxes, and ‘The Common Good’

  Q. Social Security and privatization of part of the system are sure to get lots of discussion this political season. What ever happened to the idea of the common good? Have we lost the notion of a common good to benefit our society? Why do working class... Posted Nov 02 2000, 01:28 PM by scottb with | with no comments Filed under: Q&A (from print), Social Security, Taxes & Other Disasters, Government

• Many People Don’t Benefit from Tax Deductions

  Q. I will most likely be receiving a large inheritance ($100,000) sometime in the near future. I currently contribute the maximum to my 403b and also contribute to a Roth IRA. I am a homeowner with about $85,000 left on my mortgage, which has an interest... Posted Oct 26 2000, 01:58 PM by scottb with | with no comments Filed under: Financial Planning, Q&A (from print), Taxes & Other Disasters, Government