Every year in the United States, individuals rush at the last minute to get their taxes done. With the right planning, you can take the stress out of preparing and filing your taxes.


A person who dies leaving behind a sizable estate may owe state and federal estate taxes. While many states have repealed their estate taxes, they persist in some states such as Washington and Massachusetts.


Do Small Business Accounting Sales Taxes

Currently, there are 44 states in the USA that impose a sales tax. Local governments can levy sales taxes as well. Whether you are an accounting firm responsible for filing your clients' sales taxes or you are a small business filing your own sales taxes, there are ways to simplify the procedure.


Compare Tax Rates Between Business Structures

The federal taxes you pay as a business vary depending on the structure of your business entity. Some business structures allow income to pass through the business to be taxed as individual income.


The Internal Revenue Service requires you to prepare a 1099-MISC form for a contract worker if you paid the person more than $600 during the fiscal year.


Pay Tax As an Independent Contractor or Freelancer

While being self-employed gives you the freedom to choose your own work schedule, one major drawback is the responsibility of calculating and paying your own taxes.


In the state of Delaware, most companies and corporations that are incorporated in the state are legally required to pay an annual franchise tax. This tax pays for the privilege of being incorporated in the state, even if the company does business elsewhere.


Claim Taxes When Opening a Small Business

When you open a small business, you will need to collect and pay taxes to the federal, state and local government. The amount and structure of your taxes and tax reporting will depend on the size of your business and the number of people you employ.


In the state of Texas, franchise tax is considered to be a "privilege" tax, which is a tax that is imposed on companies chartered in Texas or doing business in Texas.


Understand Tax Rules for Deducting Business Supplies

One of the main aspects of operating any size of business is understanding how to utilize business costs and tax filing. Every year, business leadership must work to provide the right kind of details and the right strategy for using tax deductions to lower the total tax liabilities and increase final revenue for that business year.


Start Your Own Business in the Eyes of the IRS

Starting your own business is a big endeavor, and being compliant with the IRS is very important. However, starting a business doesn’t have to be overwhelming.


Take Taxes Out of Your Employees' Paychecks

If you are an employer who has one or more employees, you will most likely be required to withhold various taxes from every employee's paycheck. To set up your withholding procedures, you will need to apply for tax identification numbers with your state department of revenue and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).


Report a Person Who Doesn't Pay Payroll Taxes

Employers are required by law to withhold payroll taxes from workers' paychecks and send the withholdings to the state and U.S. Treasury. If you suspect that someone is not paying payroll taxes on behalf of his or her employees, you can report that person anonymously to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or collect a monetary award as a whistleblower.


Tax preparation needs to start immediately for small business owners. An organized bookkeeping system must be set in place in order to ensure you have accurate records and receipts for all deductions.


As a business owner, you shouldn’t pay any more taxes than necessary. For example, you should deduct all business expenses that are ordinary and necessary for your business.


If you realize a profit on something you sell, you may be subject to capital gains tax. Capital gains taxes levy a tax on income from the sale of assets as opposed to income from wages.


Even if a nonprofit organization has achieved tax-exempt status, for example under Section 501(c)(3), the organization is likely still required to file a tax return annually.


A binary option, sometimes called a digital option, is a type of option in which the trader takes a yes or no position on the price of a stock or other asset, such as ETFs or currencies, and the resulting payoff is all or nothing.


Precious metals and gold in particular have been a safe investment for thousands of years. Gold is widely recognized as the world standard in currency and can be a hedge against inflation.


The IRS is one of the most feared government agencies. However, you have nothing to fear when you need to write them a letter. Format a business letter and remember to get to the point.


Commodities are standardized products, such as oil, gold, and copper, that are generally used in manufacturing processes around the world. Commodities, and their related financial products, are traded on exchanges between investors and financial institutions.


Certificates of deposit (CDs) typically outperform bank savings accounts   [1]   and in the U.S. are guaranteed by the FDIC (or the NCUSIF for credit unions) for up to $250,000.


Writing a trading plan is an integral part of being a successful market trader. Whether trading stocks, currencies or commodities, a detailed trading plan helps to solidify a trading strategy and encourages adherence to a well-developed trading system.


The "payback period" is an accounting metric used for investment decision making. The metric is very simple, and is designed to estimate how quickly a company will recover a cash investment.


As a small business owner, how you manage your business taxes generally depends on where your business is located, how it is structured, and whether you have employees.


Like dollar cost averaging (DCA), value averaging (VA) is an investment strategy that helps you spread your investment risk over time. Unlike dollar cost averaging, which invests a fixed amount of money every investment period, value averaging aims to grow a position at a predictable rate, buying more as the asset gets cheaper and buying less or even selling as the asset gets more expensive.


Rental yields are used to compare various income-producing properties. Rental yields also signify the rate of return from an investment. Often you will see rental-yield figures and analysis performed by real estate agents and rental property sellers.


You are never too young to start saving and investing. People that start investing when they are young are more likely to develop habits that will last a lifetime.


It is never too soon to start investing. Investing is the smartest way to secure your financial future and to begin letting your money make more money for you.


Whether you’re looking for a house in which to spend your retirement, an investment opportunity, or simply a vacation home, buying property abroad can be an exciting and lucrative form of investment.


Use a Formula to Think Like Warren Buffet

Investor Warren Buffett increased his net worth by a factor of seven in the most recent decade. He did the same thing in the previous decade and again in the decade before that.


Managing investor accounts can be difficult when you have multiple accounts in different firms. The difficulty only increases when you can't simply move money from one account to another.


Use the Barbell Strategy to Diversify Bond Investments

The latest stock market crash taught us many hard lessons, namely that the stock market really is volatile, and the key to successful investing is to have a diverse portfolio.


Everyone wants to make more money, and an opportunity to invest in something lucrative may sound like a great way to get money without having to work hard for it.


Find Tax Exemptions for Your Small Business

Whether you have just opened your small business, or you have been operating it for a while, your goal is often to increase the amount of profit that you make.


Protect yourself from losses in the market by setting up a "stop-loss." A stop-loss is an order that will automatically sell your position in a particular stock when it reaches a certain price.


If you're looking to save money on your taxes, deductions are a great way to do so. A deduction is a tax break that you can take for incurring certain types of expenses.


A mutual fund is a pool of money collected by many investors that is managed by a Registered Investment Adviser. Mutual fund assets may be stocks, bonds, and/or commodities.


Every year, your business will have to file taxes with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The tax return you file is a summary of information, which the IRS will use to determine your business's tax liability.


You must report any profit or loss from your business to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as well as to your state taxing authority. To file your taxes, download the necessary forms and instructions from the IRS website.


The FairTax® movement advocates a consumption [sales] tax with a stated "flat rate" that assures "proportionality and transparency, as the more one spends, the more one pays."


Split Your Income Tax Refund Into Different Accounts

It is possible to split your tax refund into as many as three different bank accounts and as of 2010, it is also possible to use a portion of your IRS refund to purchase bonds.


All tax returns are examined by the IRS at several stages to ensure they are accurate. Certain entries may raise flags, and those returns are forwarded to a district office for further examination.


When you're facing a tax liability and you can't resolve it within a reasonable amount of time, the authorities will file liens (or tax warrants for some states) as an escalating step in the collections process.


EFTPS is the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System and it allows you to make payments towards your taxes free of charge, (depending on if your bank charges you or not).


The U.S. Wage and Tax Statement, commonly known as a W-2 form, is issued to employees before Jan. 31 showing the previous calendar year's wages and tax withholdings.


Form 1099-K is used to report income received from income received from electronic payments such as credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, and other third party payers.


If you owe a debt that was canceled by the lender, the IRS treats this as if the lender gave you the money to pay off the debt. The canceled debt, then, is essentially income for you, and must be reported on your tax return.


The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires that employers file a W-2 for each of their employees. On this form, you report the wage or salary the employee has earned.


Payroll tax calculations have a huge impact on both the employer and the worker. These calculations impact the total wage expense incurred by the employer.


See Whether You Qualify for Tax Deductions

Everyone is entitled to tax deductions to reduce the amount of tax they owe to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS.)  [1]   You will have to decide if you qualify for the standard deduction, whether or not it is more favorable to you to use the standard deduction, or if you should itemize your deductions.


The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is responsible for collecting federal taxes. While some of your assets will undoubtedly be subject to various federal tax laws, you may be able to protect some of your assets from taxes.


Operating income is the amount of money a company makes before interest payments and income taxes are deducted. It measures the amount of money a business earns based on the ongoing operations of the company.


The government taxes gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, alternative fuels and certain other types of fuel; however, certain uses of these fuels are nontaxable.


In most areas, there are a number of ways to pay your taxes. While income taxes on employees are usually paid via payroll deduction, other types of taxes require payment directly from the taxpayer.


Reduce the Chance of Being Audited on Your Tax Returns

Nobody likes filing tax returns, but even worse is begin tagged for a tax audit. Some people are randomly selected to be audited, so for them there is no avoiding the process.


Anyone in business as an independent contractor or a sole proprietor needs to file an addendum to your personal tax statement (Form 1040) called Schedule C. While your 1040 is a statement of  all  of your personal income, the Schedule C form is a detailed record of your  business income  and business expenses.


You should have an SSN or an ITIN to pay self employment tax. If you do not have an SSN, you can easily obtain one at any Social Security office. Apply for the SSN using a Form SS-5 from the Social Security office.


If you cannot pay your federal income taxes, which are due when you file your tax return, your options will depend on the amount you owe and your financial situation.


An IRS tax audit can be emotionally draining and may be expensive for your business. Knowing how to avoid an audit can save you money and protect your financial future.


Employers must withhold certain taxes from their employees’ wages and then deposit them with either the federal or state government. These are called “payroll taxes.”


Paying taxes is a stressful time for most people, but it doesn't have to be like pulling teeth. With some planning and preparation throughout the year, you can significantly reduce the amount of taxes that you owe.


In the United States, your business has about a 1 in 100 chance of being audited by the IRS. If you run your business from home, your chances go up about four times.


When you are the executor or personal representative of an estate, your responsibilities include filing income tax returns for the estate if the estate earns income over the year.


A mutual fund is a regulated investment company that pools funds together from a number of investors. You, as an investor in a mutual fund, will have the advantages of a diversity of investments and qualified asset management.


When a person earns income in the year they die, the executor or personal representative of their estate typically is responsible for filing their final income tax returns.


Whether you prepare your own tax return each year, use a software program, or hire a tax professional, you need to be thinking ahead to maximize your allowable deductions.


When you inherit money, you have to pay taxes on the money. In the United States, you have to pay “estate tax” to the federal and state governments.


Estate tax is a federal tax on your right to transfer property upon your death. Because the tax does not currently kick in until a decedent’s taxable estate, plus his or her lifetime taxable gift transfers exceeds five million dollars ($5,000,000), federal estate tax affects only the wealthiest two percent of Americans.


When someone dies, the money and property left to beneficiaries is subject to an inheritance tax. Yet, with some planning, anyone can learn how to avoid inheritance tax, or at least minimize the impact.


The estate of a deceased person is considered a separate legal entity from the person for tax purposes. If you are the executor or administrator of an estate, you probably will have to file the final personal income tax return for the deceased person.


Determine if an Estate Must File an Income Tax Return

When a person dies, he or she becomes a decedent and might leave behind a will. If a will is present, the assets left to be distributed make up the decedent's estate.


After paying taxes to the federal government and filling out a 1040 form, you might find that you’re also required to pay a state tax. This requires that you use a completely different set of forms from the ones you filled out for the federal government.


Any individual who resides or is employed in the United States is subject to paying federal income tax depending on their earnings. The same holds true for all U.S. citizens who are living abroad.


You can prepare your income taxes online with easy and simple income tax services. Filing online saves time and money. Prepare, print, and e-file your federal and state income taxes online to get a fast tax refund.


We go through this process step-by-step, from the largest and most commonly applicable items to the smaller ones. We also tell you how to verify if you have indeed got the benefit.


TurboTax is tax preparation software that guides you step-by-step through the process of filing a tax return. There are currently various versions for US federal and state income tax returns, as well as Canadian versions in both English and French.


Do you want to learn how to file your income tax return in the simplest, smartest and fastest way? If yes, then this article is for you! The best way is to do it online.


When it comes to the time for paying income tax, do you know what to do to calculate the amount owed to the Government of India? Calculating your income tax can be done with greater ease following this suggested approach.


Use Disclaimers in Political Advertising

Political advertising includes print ads, radio ads, television ads and digital advertising which promotes the election or defeat of a particular candidate, political party or public policy issue.


Politics is a broad, complicated subject. It involves issues like diplomacy, statesmanship, peace/war, government finance, safety regulations, law enforcement and assurance of your "natural rights" of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.


Understand Different Political Ideologies

Understanding different political ideologies is a case of doing your homework and being open-minded. Being prepared to learn about different political ideologies is a mark of somebody who values people and their beliefs and it sets you well in all walks of life because you are able to better understand just where other people's views and actions are coming from.


Tell if a Person Is Republican or Democrat

Knowing someone's party affiliation is a good start to understanding their political views. As a general rule, Republicans tend to be economically and socially conservative, while Democrats tend to be liberal.


"Commodities" is a broad term referring to raw materials and produce; metals like silver, gold and copper; and crops like corn, soybeans and grains.


Tell Whether You're Right Wing or Left Wing

Knowing whether you are a right wing or a left wing can be helpful in shaping your future perspective. Generally left wing guys are the people who strive for social equality whereas right wing people strive for a national patriotism.


In the United States a Roth Individual Retirement Arrangement (or Account) (“IRA”) is a type of investment that offers participants a tax-free income after retirement, while allowing any investments in the account to grow tax-free.


Freedom of electronic media publishers and communications may compare to that of the press news media and printing -- which are unlicensed enterprises in the U.S.A. and compare to all kinds of speech communications regarding:  "Congress shall make 'no' law" restricting the freedom of speech and the press according to the U.S. Constitution?


To pay taxes in the United States, the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") requires each individual or entity submitting tax returns to use a Taxpayer Identification Number ("TIN") when filing.


Employers must provide wage and tax statements, or W-2s, to their employees each year. This form isn't sent directly to the IRS, however. Employers first send the form to the Social Security Administration (SSA), which transmits the federal information to the IRS.


Preparing to file income taxes is often a stressful experience. Tax payers are often fearful of how much they will be required to pay to the government.


Free File Your Federal and California Income Tax Returns

As tax season comes around, you will need to find an easy and affordable way to file your federal and state income tax returns. Depending on your income, you may be eligible to use free online services that make filing your federal and state income tax returns simple and affordable.


Find Values for Items Donated to Charities

If you donated non-cash goods to a charitable organization, the IRS has established several ways for you to calculate the fair market value for those items.


Take Over the Local Party Precinct (U.S.A.)

Do you want to get into and take over your Party community organizing or the TEA Party movement, at the grassroots political level to change things for your party such as the Democratic or Republican party or as an independent -- for your nation, economy and expressing your organizational rights.


Schedule K-1 is a reporting document, similar to a 1099 or a W-2.  [1]   You must fill out a Schedule K-1 individually for each partner in a partnership or shareholder in a corporation.


IRS Form W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement) is used by employers to report employee compensation and withheld takes to the Social Security Administration (SSA).


In the event that there is an error on your 1040 tax return, don't panic, the 1040-X comes to the rescue. Following a few simple steps, you will be able to correct most mistakes.


It's said that the only sure things are death and taxes, but even death doesn't save a person from having to pay taxes. If you're the executor of a deceased person's estate, your responsibilities include filing that person's final personal tax return.


File Taxes if You Worked in 2 Different States

Filing taxes can be complicated, especially when you work in two different states. This circumstance can affect the way you file your taxes. While your federal tax return won’t be affected much, filing your state returns can be a confusing process.


Most people receive W-4 forms from their employers when they begin working. Payroll departments use the information employees provide on their W-4 forms to determine how much money should be withheld from their paychecks for federal taxes.


File Taxes as a Qualified Widow or Widower

When dealing with the loss of a spouse, the last thing you want to think about is filing your taxes. However, the IRS offers a way for widows or widowers to reduce their tax burden by filing as a qualified widow(er) for up to two years after the death of their spouse.


The thought of filing your taxes can be a little overwhelming for most people, especially if you plan to prepare and file them yourself. Organization is key in simplifying this process.


Make Lots of Money in Online Stock Trading

Investing in the stock market can be a great way to have your money make money, particularly in today’s economic climate where savings accounts and long-term bank notes do not offer significant returns.


On any given day in the market, the actions of investors in oil shows the current opinion on the state of oil. Investors make billions of dollars on these opinions.


Married couples may choose to file their taxes jointly or separately. So long as you were married by December 31, you may file jointly if you choose.


Stocks  and  bonds  are time-honored investments that generally rise in value if you give them enough time. If you want to invest but lack the time to invest actively by selecting individual stocks and bonds, you can invest passively using index funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to obtain stock- and bond-market returns.


Self-employed authors are generally considered small business owners under the U.S. tax code. This means that you must pay self-employment tax and pay income tax on your writing income.


For investors, fees are an ever-present issue that can greatly affect your return on investment over time. Even fees that seem small can add up if you hold your investments for decades.


Prosper.com is a peer-to-peer lending site which allows U.S. residents to lend money to and borrow money from each other without the intercession of a bank or other financial institution.


Northern Trust is a publicly-held investment company that originated in the year 1889. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Northern Trust provides investment services that include asset management for corporate entities, personal investments for individuals and families, and much more.


While it tends to play “second fiddle” to gold, silver can make a great addition to anyone’s investment portfolio. People who invest in precious metals tend to appreciate the sense of permanence, stability, and tangibility that comes with owning an item like silver, whether it is sitting in your home safe or a huge vault somewhere.


Investing in real estate may seem like a huge risk. However, many people believe that investment properties are an important part of a diversified portfolio.


People in the financial world have heard the same refrain many times: from big financial institutions to small trading desks, forward-thinking traders are buying into precious metals markets, equities, and financial products.


The world economy cannot run without oil, so it is often a good investment. You can buy an oil company’s stock or an exchange traded fund online with a few mouse clicks.


In addition to investing in individual stocks and bonds, American investors also have the option of using mutual funds to save for retirement and other longer-term savings goals.


Within the wide array of choices that investors have for putting money into yield-producing instruments, some might be looking at using money market funds to grow capital.


As a beginner investor, you are likely to have already experimented with the basic types of assets available to you, like stocks shares, bonds, and mutual funds.


When it comes to the newest, most popular ways to invest money for gain, more than a few investors around the world are looking at China. The most populous nation in the world is in the process of becoming a more modern and vibrant economy.


Commodities are raw materials used to make other products. These range from agricultural (wheat, corn, soy) to metals (gold, silver, copper) to energy (crude, natural gas, heating oil) and more.


Natural gas production has been on the upswing for several years in the United States and globally, and so has trading in natural gas investments. In the U.S, production increased more than 20 percent between 2002 and 2011.


Mutual funds are investment plans managed by experienced financial professionals. They allow individual investors to add their money to a larger pool of investment capital in order to get gains from a more sophisticated list of investments than an individual might be able to purchase alone.


Whether you are a first timer wanting to get involved in student government or a career politician making a run for Senator, chances are you know that one person doesn't win an election.


Presidential campaigns are where the big issues are decided. Every election cycle is important because the job of President of the United States is arguably the most important in the world.


If you care about the education of the children and teenagers in your area, one way to have a positive impact on the school system is to run for your city (or county) school board.


Running a campaign stall can be an effective way of campaigning and in some peoples' eyes, it can add an air of legitimacy to your cause.


Knowing who you're voting for is just as important as voting. Since politicians are naturally gifted at talking their way out of situations, it’s not always easy to know where a politician stands on an issue just by listening to what they say.


During campaign season, you may want to do your part to become involved in the process and support your favorite candidates – whether because someone you know personally is running for office, or because a particular candidate has an inspiring platform.


Political bias is when a reporter, news organization, or TV show slants or skews facts in order to make their personal political position look more attractive.


Petition the Australian House of Representatives

Do you have a problem that you want the Australian federal government to fix? Do you want your voice to be heard? Consider petitioning the House of Representatives, which will hear and respond to you.


When you run for public office, you will need to pay for your campaign. The money you raise for your campaign will be used to pay your staff, pay for your travel, and pay for your advertising.


An individual citizen doesn’t promote a political party in the sense they might promote a church fair or a donation drive. Political parties are organizations whose chief reason for existence is self-promotion, and they have sophisticated professional operations to do so.


What makes a great president? What is the yardstick for the measurement for greatness?


Polls can be helpful for a variety of reasons. You may be doing a scientific study and need to collect data. You may simply want to know what dates a group of friends are free.


Meet to Brainstorm a New Grassroots PAC (U.S.A.)

Have you thought of starting a new grassroots organization called a PAC (political action committee) formed by your special-interest group to raise money and make contributions to advance your political agenda and to assist campaigns of political candidates whom you support.


File State and Federal Tax Returns in Illinois for Free when You Have No Income

If you are a full-time student with no income, the following is how you as a student living in Illinois can successfully file your State and Federal tax return for free.


In order to file your federal tax return as head of household, you must meet the following qualifications: you were unmarried or considered unmarried on the last day of the tax year; you paid more than half of the cost for the upkeep of a home; and you had a qualifying person living with you in your home for at least half the year.


Enable Tax, Mileage, and Time Tracking on Expensify

Beside bills and invoices, you can also keep track of the tax, mileage, and time you spend using Expensify. Keeping close records of these items will greatly help the accuracy of the expense reports you create.


To file a complaint with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), you must contact either the  Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA)  (also available by phone at (800) 366-4484) or the  Office of the Taxpayer Advocate  (also available by phone at (877) 777-4778).


Filing taxes can be a little overwhelming for most people, especially if you plan to prepare and file them yourself. Electronic filing options have made doing your own taxes much easier and less stressful, but it can still be difficult to know where to start.


Starting in 2013, the Internal Revenue Code and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) imposed a 3.8% tax on certain net investment income. Called the net investment income tax (NIIT), it affects individuals, estates, and trusts that have income above a certain limit.


If you are not prepared to file your taxes when April 15th comes around, you can apply for an extension to file. The IRS almost never makes any inquiries as to why you are asking for the extension, so almost everyone who files is granted one, so long as they don't owe back taxes for multiple years.


As tax deadline approaches in the United States, some people may find they don't have time to submit everything by mid-April. The United States also allows a tax extension, to be filed by the normal tax deadline.


A federal tax lien is issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and is the government's legal claim against your property when you fail to pay a debt.


Determine Whether Your Legal Fees Are Tax Deductible

Legal fees related to the collecting of income or collecting, acquiring, or calculating tax may be deductible on your federal income taxes, in a variety of both business and non-business related scenarios.


Taxpayers in the United States pay federal income tax according to how much taxable money they make each year. The tax bracket, listed in a tax table or tax schedule, tells you approximately how much tax you will pay.


When you sit down to file your taxes, you need to decide how you fit into the greater scheme of things. Are you single, married? Widowed, or are you responsible for someone who is not related to you?


Asia is arguably the largest engine of economic growth in the world today, and many are looking to invest in its rise through the stock market. Of course, Asia is a very large and diverse continent with vast investment opportunities, but there are several guidelines to follow.


A 401K plan is a retirement program sponsored by your employer in which you make contributions to your retirement savings. This money is invested on your behalf and in a manner you select.


Determine How Long to Keep Your Tax Records

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recommends that you keep your tax records for a minimum of three years. However, there are many exceptions to that rule, and you should not throw away any of your tax receipts until you are certain they are no longer needed.


Determine What the IRS Considers a Charitable Contribution

Just because you gave some money or personal property to a "good cause" last year, doesn't mean you can deduct it on your federal income tax return.


When tax season rolls around, you’ll need to calculate your taxable income. Generally, most income is taxable, whether earned or unearned. After adding up your income, you can reduce your taxable income by applying certain deductions, depending on your circumstances.


Increase the Number of Possessions You Own

Everyone wants more possessions, but getting them can often be difficult. By understanding trading and money, you can increase the number of items you own.


A bull market is a rising market increasing by at least 20% from a bottom. Bull markets are times of prosperity and tend to last much longer than their counterparts, the bear markets.


Hedging occurs when an investor makes a counterbalancing investment to offset the risk inherent in another investment they've made. A hedge is primarily used to reduce adverse market risk.


The hedge is an insurance policy. Whether you're transacting business abroad or simply holding onto foreign currencies as an investment, a fluctuation in currency can cause serious losses very quickly.


People who are relatively inexperienced with the financial world may think of online investing as exclusively for big-time traders and representatives of financial institutions who trade stocks and other equities professionally.


There are thousands of people who have purchased timeshare contracts but no longer want them because of escalating fees, lifestyle changes, or loss of interest in the property.


An option is the right to buy or sell an asset at a certain price at any time before a certain date, but not an obligation to do so. Let's say that you want to buy a house, but you won't have the cash to buy it for another month.


Smart investors put their money in reputable companies and investigate new companies thoroughly before committing their money. By carefully considering the qualities of the companies you invest in and incorporating your own knowledge of the market, you can make informed decisions in the hopes of choosing stocks of good quality and value.


If you’ve recently graduated college, you are likely in the unique situation of having little disposable income, but also few major expenses (aside from potential student loans).


Technical analysis evolved from the stock market theories of Charles Henry Dow, founder of the Wall Street Journal and co-founder of Dow Jones and Company.


All the knowledge in the world about the best trading strategy won't help you one bit if you can't apply that strategy to specific stocks. That's why it's important that you locate great trading opportunities in the financial markets.


Historically, an international trading dispute had to be resolved privately between the two countries. Other countries may have been called upon to mediate, but there was no formal procedure for resolving these conflicts.


Everyone knows that a dollar today is worth more than a dollar tomorrow — this is because of inflation and the opportunity cost of what you miss out on by not having the dollar today.


You might find the perfect investment property, but before you can buy it you need to obtain financing. Many people will go to a bank and ask for a conventional loan with a repayment period of 25-30 years.


An IRA is an Individual Retirement Arrangement, known more popularly as an Individual Retirement Account. A Roth IRA is a special type which allows account holders to pay taxes on income before it is used to make contributions to the account. "


As interest rates increase, the costs of doing business increase. As a result, a side-effect of increasing interest rates is a more volatile stock market.


There are two primary types of IRAs: traditional and Roth. A traditional IRA allows you to take tax deductions for all your contributions and  pay less  in actual taxes.


Trading stocks using a system you develop yourself helps you succeed as a trader. A complete stock trading system has five basic parts or components.


Roth IRAs (individual retirement accounts) are accounts where withdrawals are tax free while money going into the account has already been taxed. They are ideal for younger, low-income workers who expect that when they reach retirement age they will be in a higher tax bracket than they currently are.


Typically, making an agreement with someone – whether to buy something, provide a service, or enter into a partnership – is a positive moment for both parties.


When the tenant of a particular piece of property wishes to give his or her rights under the lease to another party, the situation warrants a sublease.


Write a Small Business Employment Contract

Typically you don't need employees to sign a written contract when you hire them to work for you. However, in some situations you may want to lock in a particularly valuable employee and ensure they'll stay with you for a set period of time.


Decide on a Career in Public Administration

Public Administration is the work of civil servants who carry out government policies at the federal, state and local level. The term also applies to other organizations providing public services, such as Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).


Whether you are looking for the security and stability of the civil service or want to better yourself through public service, there is a government job to suit your goals.


Compete in the Demo Category in Forensics

Forensics is a wonderful activity where you stand in front of a judge and make a speech or read a piece. Demo is a category in this activity where you tell how to do something.


Powerful people are put into positions of power by other people, but that doesn't mean they stay inactive during the whole process. To become powerful, you'll need to demonstrate the characteristics and actions common to people who possess authority and influence.


Operations Officers (abbreviated as “OO”) are certified in a category of human intelligence agents called “core collectors” by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).


An immigration officer is a government employee who enforces laws relating to immigration, borders, and customs. As specialized law enforcement agents, immigration officers are required to have both basic police skills and specific knowledge of international trade and immigration issues.


The successful interrogation of a suspect is mostly about psychology and quick thinking. You shouldn't try to interrogate anyone if you lose your nerve or have a prejudice as to the innocence of the person.


Despite common use of the term in media, the FBI does not have a job called “profiler.” Instead, agents at the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC) at Quantico, Virginia, have job duties that are similar to the common depictions of “profiling.”


An auditor is responsible for reviewing an organization's financial information and assess the company's internal controls to prevent theft and data manipulation.


Working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation is not only a prestigious position but noble. The FBI is one of the six agencies represented by the Justice Department and enforces federal laws.


Many people are familiar with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the federal agency that oversees worker safety in the United States.


The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is a U.S. Federal law enforcement organization and is part of the Department of Justice.  [1]   Special Agents with the ATF are not only charged with the task of preventing and investigating federal offenses involving alcohol, tobacco or firearms, but also with regulating the interstate commerce of firearms and explosives.


The Tea Party is an American grassroots movement known to support limited government. Study the movement to determine whether it's the right fit for you.


Lobbying is the act of attempting to influence the opinions, decisions, or policies of an elected government official. Lobbying is done by individuals, interest groups, communities, or companies and organizations to address their concerns on a wide range of issues from global human rights to local community development.


The Republican Party, or the Grand Old Party (GOP), is one of two major political parties in the United States. Famous Republican presidents include Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, Dwight Eisenhower, Abe Lincoln, and Calvin Coolidge.


Citizens that participated in Occupy Wall Street identified themselves as the 99%. This was in reference to the disparity in wealth held by the "top 1%" and the the lesser amount held by all the remaining people in the country or around the world.


While nonprofit organizations are prohibited from getting involved in political campaigns and activities, they are allowed to lobby for causes and legislation that they believe in.


In the United States, a series of televised debates traditionally mean the campaign season for the quadrennial presidential election is officially underway.


Some companies and organizations partner with vendors to provide a better product or service. Other businesses use vendors as contractors, providing something they need either on a one-time basis or an ongoing schedule.


Studies have found that many married couples share similar political points of view. Whether this is true in your marriage or not, you may respect and encourage political involvement in your family.


A contract is an agreement that is legally enforceable. Although the word "contract" often refers to a written document, writing is not always necessary to create a contract.


Have a Block Walking Party for Your Candidates or Party (U.S.A.)

Have a fun "hoot", a laugh and do a  "Block Walking Party" , "T.E.A. Party" such as  a party for [your] Party , (  grassroots PAC  ), or candidate, your local or national T.E.A. Party, and/or as a Democrat, Republican, or independent.


Write Contracts Between Bands and Managers

While a recording agreement may be considered the most important contract in the music business, the management contract actually impacts the lives and careers of the bands in a more significant way on a daily basis.


When thinking about your political affiliations, do you  favor  one candidate or party? Do you believe that you and  your influences  are on the right side?


Write Contracts Between Bands and Booking Agents

A booking agent agreement is a contract between an artist and the person who will act as the artist’s agent with regard to scheduling venues for performances.


Find Yard Sign Locations for a Political Campaign

Yard signs can be an important part of local and legislative elections. Signs may help very quickly raise name identification, create a sense of momentum, and help create an organizational structure for a campaign.


A new or re-elected president is sworn in, or inaugurated, every four years on the 20th of January. It is a public ceremony, and takes place in the nation's capital, Washington, D.C. If you want to get tickets for the ceremony, read this wikiHow to learn how.


Getting to know your congressman can help you feel you have a say in your government. If you are consistently politically involved, you can develop a relationship with local politicians.


Fund Legal Costs of a PAC or Candidate in Politics

Any qualified citizen can run for office to  try to take over local politics , state or national offices and have a "legal" defense fund for that or  Meet to Brainstorm a New Grassroots PAC (U.S.A.)  that you could attend if you wished to, or for your chosen candidate(s) fund raising.


Encourage Voters when Running for Office

Running a campaign is hard work, and successful campaigns usually have engaged, enthusiastic supporters behind them. Encouraging your base, reaching out to new voters, and then trying to get them all out to the polls are some of the most difficult aspects of managing any campaign.


Determine if a Student Is Your Dependent

Navigating the complex federal US tax code can be confusing. One of the most important things to determine on your tax return is who your dependents are.


The United State Internal Revenue Service (IRS) allows tax payers the option to deduct some medical expenses. If you have paid 7.5 percent or higher of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) toward medical costs during the current tax year, you can choose to itemize your deductions and deduct a portion of those costs from the taxes you owe.


Cost basis is the original cost of an asset after it has been adjusted for stock splits, dividends, and return of capital. You need to know the cost basis if you plan to sell an asset because this will tell you what the capital gain or loss will be.


Closing costs are comprised of various fees for services associated with the purchase of a new home such as real estate taxes, homeowners insurance, title searches and title insurance fees, real estate appraisals, private mortgage insurance, and recording costs.


Hardworking families can save on their taxes by claiming the earned income tax credit (EITC). The amount you earn will be based on the number of qualifying children you have and your income.


A W-9 Form is a common IRS document. If you were hired by someone as a regular employee or independent contractor, you would have to fill out a W-9 Form.


Decide Which Mileage Tax Deduction is Best

If you have a vehicle that you use for business purposes, even if you also use it partially for private purposes, you will be entitled to claim a tax deduction for the business use.


If you’ve been audited, are having a difficult time paying your taxes, or have a question about forms or filing, you may need to contact the IRS. Simple questions can be answered using the IRS’s Interactive Tax Assistant online, but for more challenging issues, you will need to call one of their help numbers or visit a local Tax Assistance Center.


Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Form 8949 and Schedule D are the Capital Gains and Losses section of the Form 1040. Schedule D is used to calculate and report the sale or exchange of a capital asset.


If your address has changed since the last time you completed your taxes, you must notify the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) to make sure that you receive any IRS refunds or correspondence.


If you are due money back on your federal or state taxes, you'll want to know when you can expect that refund check or direct deposit to arrive. If asking about a tax return filed with the United States federal government, you can check either online ( www.irs.gov/refunds ), via an IRS smart app ( IRS2Go ) or by phoning the IRS refund information hotline directly ( 800-829-1954 ).


Claim a Church Deduction for Federal Taxes

The Internal Revenue Service allows an individual or business to claim federal tax deductions made to a church or other qualified charitable organization.


Created in 1969, the purpose of the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) is to make sure that high-income taxpayers who enjoy special credits and  tax deductions  pay at least a set minimum tax every year.


Change Your Address With Canada Revenue Agency

When you move, it is important to change your address with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). This should be done either prior to your move, or shortly afterwards.


Calculate Taxes Owed on Hardship Withdrawals

Hardship withdrawals from your 401(k) incur penalties and taxes that cause the money that goes into your pocket to be much less than the amount you originally deducted.


Compare U.S. Income Taxes of the Wealthy to Other Levels

Do the  higher income earners , in the USA, on average and on total, and by percentage pay more Tax -- yes or no?
Some say that the  "rich should"  pay higher income taxes than lower income earners, on average, based on IRS data by the total Federal income taxes and of the total of all Federal taxes and by their percentages.


Calculating your own French income tax requires several steps. First, you must determine the gross income, which is all income received, i.e. wages earned /property income/pensions received/benefits/agricultural and sales income, and many others.


If you have a qualifying child under the age of 17, you may be able to claim $1,000 as a credit against your federal tax liability. This credit is only available for taxpayers who file using Form 1040, Form 1040A, or Form 1040NR.


The Net Asset Value (NAV) is the calculation that determines the value of a share in a fund of multiple securities, such as a mutual fund, hedge fund, or exchange-traded fund (ETF).


Calculate the Standard Deviation of a Portfolio

The standard deviation of a portfolio represents the variability of the returns of a portfolio. To calculate it, you need some information about your portfolio as a whole, and each security within it.


Maturity value is the amount payable to an investor at the end of a debt instrument’s holding period (maturity date). For most bonds, the maturity value is the face amount of the bond.


Many analysts believe that the market price of a particular stock does not represent the true value of the company. These analysts use intrinsic value to determine if a stock’s price undervalues the business.


It's often useful to know if two stocks tend to move together. To build a  diversified portfolio , you would want stocks that do not closely track each other.


When a company makes money, it usually has two general options. On one hand, it can reinvest this money in the company by expanding its own operations, buying new equipment, and so on. (


Calculate the Income Distribution Deduction for Distributions to Beneficiaries

As the executor of a large estate, or trustee of a trust with income-generating investments or assets, you must file an income tax return for the estate.


The value of money fluctuates over time. Interest rates and inflation increase and decrease the value of money. You can calculate the future value of money in an investment or interest bearing account.


Calculating free cash flow to equity (FCFE) provides you with a measure of a company's ability to pay dividends to its stockholders, cover additional debt, and make further investments in the business.


Market value of equity, also known as market capitalization, is calculated in order to determine the total currency value of all the outstanding shares issued by the company.


Debt service is the total amount paid in interest and principal on debt during a specific time frame, usually a year.  Businesses may be required to disclose their total debt service to lenders when applying for a loan.


Beta is the volatility or risk of a particular stock relative to the volatility of the entire stock market.   [1]   Beta is an indicator of how risky a particular stock is, and it is used to evaluate its expected rate of return.


Vanguard is an American investment company that provides a series of financial products, primarily mutual funds.  [1]   In addition, the company provides access to exchange-traded funds, stocks, bonds, and a wide range of brokerage services as well as retirement and college funds.


When a general contractor hires someone else to do parts of the work he was contracted to do, that person becomes a subcontractor. The subcontractor answers to the general contractor rather than directly to the property owner or person who hired the general contractor.


A non-disclosure agreement (NDA) is a common type of legal contract in which two parties agree to limit the use of any information they share. These agreements are also known as "confidentiality agreements," "proprietary information agreements," or "secrecy agreements."


Arbitrage trading takes advantage of momentary differences in the price quotes of various forex (foreign exchange market) brokers and exploits those differences to the trader's advantage.


When you put money into a savings account, the bank generally reports the annual percentage rate (APR) and the frequency of compounding interest. A lower interest rate with more frequent compounding could result in higher earnings.


When you have an annuity, you invest money for a specific period of time and are guaranteed that the money will be returned with interest. You are essentially loaning money to an insurance company, which invests that money and later pays it back with interest over a specific period.


A memorandum of agreement, or MOA, is a written document that describes and defines the cooperative relationship between two parties who want to work together to achieve common goals.


A loan agreement is a legally binding agreement that describes the terms on which a loan will be extended and repaid. You may need to draft a loan agreement if you are loaning money to (or borrowing from) family, friends, or a small business.


A legal memorandum is a document written by a lawyer for the benefit of a client. It explains a specific area of law, analyzes a given fact pattern in light of the law, and makes a recommendation for a course of action based on the analysis.


When you loan money to someone, it is important to create a legal document that lays out how the loaned money will be repaid. This is the case even if you are loaning money to a friend, colleague, or relative.


Write a Legal Disclaimer for Your Business

Getting a legal disclaimer drafted for you can be expensive, especially for a small business owner or freelance worker. Luckily, you can learn how to write a legal disclaimer for your business on your own.


A consignment business is one in which a store (either online or brick and mortar) gets its inventory by entering into agreements with individuals who wish to sell their own personal property.


When you own a home and wish to sell it without the assistance of a realtor, you must write a contract for the sale of the property. This type of contract is commonly referred to a “For Sale by Owner,” or FSBO, contract.


A contract creates legal obligations between two or more “parties” (individuals, businesses, institutions, etc) involved in the contract. Contracts are agreements to exchange something of value (usually goods or services) that are enforceable in court.


Home improvement can range from painting and decorating to major structural improvements. A well-crafted contract protects both parties by eliminating as many misunderstandings as possible before your home is is a maze of demolished walls and disconnected appliances.


Confidentiality agreements are used in many contexts. Perhaps you’ve hired or contracted someone to work for you and worry about the security of your client lists and proprietary processes.


If you suspect someone of benefit fraud, you should try to confirm your suspicions. There are many benefit programs, each with its own eligibility criteria.


Get Housing Assistance for Children of Incarcerated Parents

There is no federal housing program that provides assistance specifically to children with incarcerated parents. Instead, housing is provided to the child and his or her family using other programs.


A buy-sell agreement, also called a “buyout” agreement, allows a business to continue after the death or withdrawal of one of its owners. Partnerships, closely-held corporations, and limited liability companies often have buy-sell agreements.


After training your employees, you may be afraid that they’ll jump ship to a competitor where they could use your trade secrets and business contacts.


If you've decided to dissolve your small business partnership, a written agreement can prevent confusion or mishandling of business assets later on.


Prepare for Life Under a Welfare State as a Recipient

The suggested preparation is divided between two cases, kinds of individuals, to attempt to work within and be active in a necessarily highly taxed, welfare state: (1) recipients and (2)  providers .


Filing for unemployment and understanding your benefits can be stressful. In order to claim unemployment benefit, some states will require you to physically attend a meeting at a specified date and time.


Prepare for Life Under a Welfare State as a Provider

The suggested preparation is divided between two kinds of individuals to attempt to work within and be active in the progressive (highly taxed) welfare "state" (some facts may apply to a nation, state or city).


Get Government Assistance for Single Mothers

Despite the fact that there are millions of single mothers in the United States, life can still be very difficult for them. Single mothers often work long hours, don't finish school, and have financial difficulties.


The federal government offers a monthly discount on landline and cellphone service to select Americans in low-income households. The Lifeline Program, popularly called “Obama Phones,” can help lower or eliminate your monthly phone bills.


Approximately one in four residents of New Mexico are likely to become disabled before they reach retirement age. Disabilities can result from accident, illness, or a chronic birth injury.


The U.S. government’s Small Business Administration runs various programs for veterans who want to start a small business. These programs are offered by Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs), which are located throughout the country.


Whether you have invented the next world-changing product or you have invented something that will change just your corner of the world, finding the right patent attorney is critical in making sure that you get the credit (and payment) that you deserve.


Write a Letter to Your Attorney About Followup Meetings

If you have already met with your attorney, you may want to write them to ask for another meeting. You can email them, or call them, but you may choose to write a letter.


If you’ve been injured as due to healthcare provider’s negligence, you may need to find a medical malpractice lawyer. You may also be looking for someone to help you get justice for a loved one who has passed away due to substandard care.


Retaining an attorney can be very costly. Attorneys usually create their fee agreements based on an hourly rate. In some instances, attorneys can be retained based on a flat fee agreement or a contingency agreement.


When you are considering hiring an attorney, the attorney’s fees should be part of your decision-making process. When you meet with an attorney, you should discuss the attorney’s fees and be prepared to negotiate the terms of the fee structure.


Criminal and civil defense can be hampered by a lack of funding to pay for the best lawyers. Whether you want to raise money for the legal defense of a particular person, or for everyone standing up for some cause, you can do so by forming a charitable trust to manage the money you raise and distribute it to attorneys and other members of the legal defense team.


Alaska State Troopers enforce federal, state and local laws throughout Alaska. Alaska State Troopers are responsible for drug and alcohol enforcement, major crimes investigations, wildlife enforcement, training, highway traffic enforcement, and rural law enforcement.


Identify Attorney Client Privilege Exceptions

The U.S. legal system recognizes a broad confidentiality that extends to communications between an attorney and that attorney's client. Attorney-client privilege ensures that clients feel free to be completely honest with their attorneys, knowing that nothing they say can be used against them.


Costs can accumulate quickly when you retain an attorney's services. Most attorneys charge for their time through hourly billing, flat-fee agreements, or contingency agreements.


There are many paths to becoming an archivist, but a useful first step is getting an advanced degree (either a master’s or doctoral degree) in a relevant field.


The Warrant Officer (WO) administers, maintains, operates and manages equipment that requires advanced and specialized training. Becoming a warrant officer is a long term commitment.


Sheriffs are responsible for general law enforcement, with duties that include arresting criminals and operating county jails. In most jurisdictions sheriffs are elected to the position to serve a four-year term.


Enlisting to serve as a state police officer requires meeting certain physical, mental and educational criteria. The requirements vary from state to state.


Being a state police officer can be a rewarding career. State troopers across the country patrol highways and other streets, respond to accidents and investigate crimes as needed.


Becoming a police officer in Florida can be a rewarding job with good pay and benefits. It’s a competitive profession, though, and there are many certification and training steps you will need to complete to qualify.


Becoming a police officer is a rigorous selection process that takes patience, time, and training. Before you apply, make sure a profession in law enforcement is right for you by talking with police officers about their experiences on the job.


Become a Private Investigator Where You Live

A private investigator (PI) is hired by attorneys, corporate entities and private citizens to conduct surveillance, gather evidence or investigate suspicious behavior.


Thinking about starting your career as a police officer in Arizona? There are several ways to go about getting your foot in the door. These include applying directly to the police agency as a new recruit, starting out as a reserve officer, and attending a community college open enrollment program.


Becoming a police officer in Ohio is a lot of work, but it can be immensely rewarding. While a police officer’s job is difficult, you are ultimately there to serve and protect the public.


The Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Commission has several programs that help aspiring candidates pursue their dream in becoming a police officer in Nebraska.


If you are interested in law enforcement and are looking to start a new career or change or change your professional path, you might consider becoming a police officer in New Jersey.


The Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC) sets the standards and requirements for individuals who wish to become police officers in the state of Alabama.


Mineral rights are legal rights to any mineral on a piece of land. Minerals include gold, silver, coal, oil, and gas.  [1]   If you want to transfer the rights to these minerals to another party, you can do so in a variety of ways: by deed, will, or lease.


Montana is rich in minerals. In addition to gold, there is abundant silver, coal, and talc. To find out who owns mineral rights, you will need to do a property search.


If you own land in the United States, you also may own the rights to the minerals in the ground beneath the surface. Unlike most countries, most real estate in the U.S. is transferred as a fee simple estate, meaning the purchaser has complete ownership of the land both above and below the surface.


The term "mineral rights" not only refers to the ownership of minerals but also  valuable rocks , gas, or oil found below the ground on a piece of property.


Mineral rights, also known as a “mineral interest,” are property rights that permit a person or entity to explore and extract rocks, minerals, oil, or gas found below the surface of land.


If you think that you might have minerals on your property, then you will want to check if you still own them. Sometimes, a prior owner might sell off the mineral rights to a piece of land.


Calculate an Oil and Gas Royalty Interest for a Lease Well

Calculating an oil and gas royalty interest can become quite complicated for some wells, for a number of reasons. Understanding the fundamental formula and reasoning behind the royalty interest calculation can help an oil and gas royalty owner be more skilled at determining if they are being paid royalties correctly.


Do you aspire to become a police officer? Police officers protect the community by enforcing laws and maintaining peace. The job requires excellent judgement, extraordinary courage and the ability to think quickly under pressure.


The phrase “mineral rights” means the right to mine, drill or otherwise use minerals that exist in or below a piece of land. “ Mineral rights” are different from “surface rights.”


Medicare auditors are also called Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs), and the position is a relatively new one. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) employs these contractors and auditors to help find discrepancies or errors in payments made to Medicare providers.


Become a Ohio State Highway Patrol Officer

OSHP officers are expected to live by their core values each and everyday they go on duty. These core values include: Honesty, Sense of Urgency, Attention to Detail, Team Oriented, Professionalism, Adaptability, Self-discipline, Performance Driven and Officer Safety.


Living the life of a homicide detective is not as easy as it looks in your favorite crime drama. Being a good detective requires an extreme intellect, excellent communication, and a variety of other skills.


Congress is divided into houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate. If you have a question or concern for your representative or senator, you can email them through the official House and Senate websites.


A Notary, or Notary Public, is a person authorized by the state to take sworn statements, or oaths. A Notary may usually charge a few dollars each time he or she notarizes, or signs and seals (or stamps) a statement.


Social workers contribute vital forms of support to their communities by helping people in need. They focus on issues such as poverty, unemployment, mental health, and abuse; they also work in a diverse range of industries, including state and local government, education, health care, and the non-profit sector.


Voting is a fundamental right and an important duty in our society. Unfortunately, voter participation is too low. This has negative effects on political discourse as well as economic and social outcomes.


Political discussions can often turn into heated debates, especially if you feel passionately about a particular politician or political issue. When you are dating, or involved in a romantic relationship of any kind, politics is one of the many topics you will likely discuss at some point.


Leaflet distribution requires more effort than it seems. Appealing to receptive customers takes a lot of planning. Keep leaflets small and brief. Hand them out where the target audience can be found, taking pains to always be polite and professional.


The electoral process is the cornerstone of the democratic system. In every election - regardless of the outcome - the elected parties become responsible for the entire population of their country including those who had cast their ballots for the other side.


Deal With the Media when You Run for Office

Once it is confirmed that you're a candidate for your chosen party, you will need to face the reality that the media is going to be by your side, for better and often for worse, and you need a clear-headed approach to make this media work for  you .


With news of contentious elections, terrorist attacks, and climate change, you might feel nervous about discussing political issues with your kids. Talking to kids about political subjects may require more patience, time and creativity than talking with adults.


Create Fun at Grassroots for Your Party, Candidate, or P.A.C. (U.S.A.)

Could your greatest contribution to politics at the grassroots be to make volunteering  kind of fun  for everybody. Your party candidates may appreciate good, clean fun -- and the local Precinct Chairmen need help promoting some very good candidates for [your-party].


Politics have often been considered an unsafe topic of discussion outside the home. Many people feel emotionally attached to issues and have a hard time seeing another point of view.


Have you come to believe that your MP can no longer represent your views or the views and interests of people in your constituency? Deselection is a complicated process, but it can give you a chance to choose an MP candidate who really represents you.


Contact Your Congressional Representatives (North Carolina)

No matter whether the times you live in are good or troubling, you are likely to want to voice your opinion, from time to time, to your Senators and Congressional representative.


What is described here are the basics of creating a new political party. Usually it is a very long and complicated process that needs a charismatic personality to start it.


Employers give bonuses to employees for various reasons. Perhaps it’s a one-time reward for a job well done. Or it may be a payment made at regular intervals, based on company performance.


Convince Your City to Build Something New

You love where you live and hometown pride abounds from every pore of the city. It is possible that there are a few improvements that could greatly improve the function of the town, as well as improve its overall milieu.


Calculate Finance Charges on a Leased Vehicle

At some point, you may want or need to have a new car. You may also want to weigh the cost differences between leasing and buying before you make your decision.


Tax credits reduce the amount of tax that an individual owes to the government. This differentiates them from deductions and exemptions, which reduce the filer's amount of taxable income.


Calculate Self Employment Tax in the U.S.

The Self Employment Tax is a Social Security and Medicare tax on the net earnings of self-employed individuals in the United States. The self-employed are responsible for paying the entire tax, as they essentially serve as both employer and employee.


Exit polls are used to gauge how well candidates are doing in elections. It is actually very simple to conduct a low cost exit poll for local races.


Whether you are conservative, moderate or liberal you can help your political ideals and candidates to gain or regain power. What are some strategies, tactics, ideas to utilize in politics to overcome an apparent defeat and get back to the lead in your political interests?


Choosing a political party can be very important. Using some common sense and deeper thought, you can find your kind of political party.


If you are an employee or self-employed worker who uses a vehicle for business purposes, unreimbursed mileage expenses are a possible itemized deduction.


Calculating federal tax withholding — though it's something the majority of people have to do regularly, the process can be surprisingly frustrating.


Sometimes you want to predict how much you will owe in taxes before the end of a calendar year. To calculate federal income tax, you need to first estimate your adjusted gross income (AGI).


Yield is an investment concept that puts the earnings of an investment vehicle into context. It states earnings as a percentage of the initial investment.


Probate is the legal process of collecting and distributing a person’s assets after his or her death. Because attorney fees, Court costs, and probate fees or taxes can be expensive, many choose to plan their estate in order to avoid probate.


Fortunately, the State of California provides an online tax calculator to calculate California state  income taxes . There are 2 major pieces of information that are needed to make this calculator work properly.


The after-tax yield is the amount an investor can expect to receive from an investment after paying taxes. It is often calculated to help investors compare the profitability of taxable investments with that of tax-free investments, like municipal bonds.


Tax issues can cause major problems in your life. No one wants an audit, and no one wants to be fighting tax bills for years--and those consequences are relatively mild.


The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) was designed by the United States government as a way of ensuring that high-earning individuals and corporations do not avoid paying tax due to the numerous deductions and exemptions that are available each year.


In the United States, individuals are taxed for property transfers from one person to another for less than market value. There are many reasons to transfer property for free or for a reduced price, and understanding gift tax laws before you make the gift can help you reduce or avoid hefty taxes if possible.


Avoid Steep Interest and Penalties from Accumulating on Delinquent Tax Returns

Unfiled delinquent tax returns can weigh on you like a disease, year after year, compounding fear until you feel hopeless. If you've got a delinquent tax return, follow the simple steps outlined in this article to prevent additional interest and penalties from accumulating!


A process patent is a patent that covers a specific method of production, usually in the industrial field. Filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, a process patent (often called a "method patent") will guarantee the holder of the patent all rights over the sale and implementation of the process, as well as a claim to any products produced by the process.


Take Action for Advertising Agency Agreement Violations

An advertising agency agreement sets the terms of the business relationship between an advertising agency and their client. If you are a small business owner and have entered an agreement with an advertising agency to handle aspects of your advertising and promotional campaigns, you may need to take action for advertising agency agreement violations.


A copyright release is a document written by a copyright holder allowing an interested party to use their copyrighted work, service, or product in a specified way.


Copyscape is an online anti-plagiarism tool aimed at finding out where unauthorized copies of your work have popped up elsewhere on the internet. The plagiarism checker is free and very easy to use.


Sue Someone Who Failed to Credit Your Work

In some situations, you can sue if a person takes credit for your work. For example, someone cannot directly copy portions of your work and pass it off as their own.


If someone is making, using, or selling your patented invention without your permission, he or she is infringing your patent. Patent holders enjoy the right to do these things exclusively.


Inventors contribute to society in many ways, and each one should learn how to submit a patent so they have recourse if their work is stolen. Product poachers search for ideas in order to generate revenue, and although curtailing these thieves might not work, a patent can provide recourse in the event of such theft.


Take Action Against the Breach of a Confidentiality Agreement

A confidentiality agreement typically states that an employee cannot reveal to other people trade secrets or other private business information. Someone “breaches” (breaks) the confidentiality agreement when they divulge the private information to a third party or to the public at large.


Once you've patented an invention, you've got two options if you want to make money off of your invention without producing and marketing the product yourself.


Choosing to buy shares in silver stocks will help you diversify your investment portfolio and guard against volatility in other sectors. Investing speculatively in silver equities can bring risks but also strong potential for financial rewards.


A copyright is a group of exclusive rights owned by the creator of a work of art. The purpose of copyright is to encourage creativity and invention by protecting the creators’ intellectual property.


Silver is a precious metal that has long been used for currency and wide range of industrious applications. Like gold, it is bought it large quantities by investors who wish to trade the commodity or use it as a hedge against economic uncertainty.


While many people are familiar with purchasing and selling off scrap gold, not as many people are aware that scrap silver is another lucrative and less tapped market.


Would you like to start a cash for gold business? The good news is buying and selling gold is very hot right now, but the bad news is you will have a lot of competition (depending on what part of the country you are from).


Gold has been the foundation for monetary systems throughout recorded history. Gold’s attraction was—and still is—its ability to retain its value even in the most difficult of economic times.


Many parents want to invest money for their children's futures that will earn good interest. Mutual funds often earn a higher interest rate than certificates of deposit (CD) or other savings accounts, although they carry a slightly higher risk.


The purchase of  gold  in general, and gold bars in particular, has long been a popular investment for banks, investors, and collectors. Gold bars offer a tangible, relatively simple way to to protect against deflation and balance one's investment portfolio.


A relatively new financial product called an exchange-traded fund (ETF) gives investors access to excellent diversification and liquidity. At the same time it combines some of the advantages of both mutual funds and individual stocks.


Buying debt is a type of financial strategy in which you purchase a debt instrument and earn profits by interest payments or an increase in the principal amount paid at redemption.


A trademark is a word, symbol, logo, or name used to identify a good or service. Many companies use these marks to “brand” products, so it is important to have a recognizable trademark.


Trademarks are symbols, words, or combinations of words that are used to represent a product or a service. Registering a trademark allows the person who registered it to control how the “mark” is used, protect their brand, and prohibit others from using the mark to sell their own products.


A trademark is a symbol, word, or phrase that represents a product or a service. If someone else tries to use it, you have the right to take legal action to protect it.


Your logo is part of your brand to identify your business. It's important to protect that brand, and by extension, the logo that represents it. How to do this is to register your logo with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as a trademark, and how to trademark a logo is explained in the steps below.


Register a Trademark Without an Attorney

A trademark identifies your goods and services to your customers. It can be a logo or a name as long as it is distinctive and connects the product to your business.


If you have a trademark, then you should be on the lookout for someone copying your trademark. Counterfeit goods are goods that look exactly like yours, including having the same logo or mark.


You've come up with a great name for a business, product or service. If someone else is already using that name, you may not be able to use it yourself.


A trademark is a word, slogan, phrase, symbol, design, or any combination of such that constitutes a brand name and is used to differentiate certain goods or services over others.


A trademark is a distinctive word, phrase, logo, graphic symbol, or other device that is used to identify the source of a product or service and which serves to distinguish it from competitors.


A trademark protects a word, phrase, symbol, or design associated with your business service or product name from being used by someone else. It does not protect an idea, as a patent does, or the expression of an idea, as copyright does.


Prevent Illegal Kids Trademark Character Parties

It is very popular these days for businesses to offer famous character appearances to delight small children at birthday parties. However, many of these appearances are unlicensed and violate intellectual-property ("IP") law because these businesses are using characters that are copyrighted or trademarked by someone else.


A trademark is a symbol, word, phrase, or design that has been registered to prevent its use by other entities. In the United States, trademarks are regulated by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO").


If you are using a word, symbol, phrase, or design to identify your product or service and distinguish it from other companies’ products or services, then you may already have a trademark.


Trademark law protects trademarks that are actively being used. If you fail to use your trademark, or if you do not follow trademark law with regard to your use of the trademark, you risk abandonment of the trademark.


A trademark is a symbol, word, or words that represent a company or product. In order to process a claim for trademark protection, the United States Patent and Trademark Office will conduct a search to determine if another person has already registered an identical or very similar trademark.


Commodity investing is a useful skill for any investor to know. Commodities can provide opportunities for both diversification and profit, but also come with significant risk.


Buy low, sell high. That’s the golden rule for any financial venture including buying corn commodities. Corn is one of the world’s most widely farmed crops, in part, because corn is needed for foodstuffs, plastics, and biofuel around the world.


Defend Yourself in a Trademark Counterfeiting Lawsuit

If you sell or make goods which bear fake trademarks, then you could be liable for trademark counterfeiting. Accordingly, you can be sued in civil court for money damages.


Defend Against Online Trademark Disputes

A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol, design, or some combination of those things that identifies and distinguishes the source of one set of goods from another.


Trademarks usually protect brand names and logos (e.g., the Nike Swoosh logo or the brand name Kleenex) that you use in association with a service (e.g., a carpet cleaning service).


The keys to long-term wealth building are formulating a good plan, sticking with it, and gathering together a well-diversified portfolio. Consider the following when determining what to do with your serious, long-term money.


Commercial notes (also referred to as commercial paper) are a form of short-term debt issued by corporations to raise money to meet immediate needs.


A bond is an investment that involves loaning money to a corporation or government for a specified period of time. The interest rate on the debt is fixed.


The Morningstar service is well-known for its "star ratings" of mutual funds. What is not commonly realized is that it is a great place to get some important fundamental information on stock investments.


Anyone wanting help in making money in the stock market will be interested in finding a trading system. There are plenty available. Unfortunately, there's so much baloney in the trading system marketplace that it makes you want to follow Mark Twain's advice about how to double your money: "fold it over once and put it back in your pocket."


Trading in the stock market can be very profitable or painfully unprofitable. Many professional traders can make a few hundred to a few hundred thousand dollars a year, depending on the trader's competence and the trading system used.


To some experienced traders, buying and selling stock on the Internet is a cakewalk. But for beginners, trading stocks online is a total mystery. The emergence of online brokerage accounts and software tools for the stock market has made online stock trading simpler, but it has also led to some complexities and some liabilities for the home trader.


The ability to track stocks effectively can increase a trader's chances of profiting from prevailing economic and corporate conditions. Daily fluctuations in a stock can turn profits into losses at a moment’s notice, and vice versa.


If you find yourself in possession of old stock certificates, you have a few options for selling them. You can cash them in through the transfer agent of the company with which the stock is owned.


Penny stocks, or low-grade securities sold for less than $5 a share, are a high-risk investment alternative to traditional stock and bond trading. Penny stocks are generally investments in small companies, and present the high risk of loss, but also a higher return if the underlying business succeeds.


If you have a job offer from a startup company, chances are it doesn't include the level of cash compensation you might get from a more established firm.


Investing in penny stocks is one of the riskier behaviors that traders and investors may engage in within the greater stock market. Experts define penny stocks as stocks with a share price under a certain amount, usually under $1 per share.


Having a last will and testament is crucial for parents to have because minor children are completely reliant on the parents emotionally and financially.


Stock charts contain a wealth of essential information about action on the stock market. You will be able to find out opening and closing prices of stocks, along with the net change in prices, highs and lows, and the volume of stocks traded.


A will is something that most people don't want to think about, especially when they're young. In fact, the typical person does not consider making out a will until he or she is almost fifty.


The decision as to when to sell a stock is one of the most difficult components of investing While the the popular "buy-and-hold" approach to investing involves holding quality stocks for an indefinite time period, this does not mean there are not occasions in which to sell.


A will is a document that provides instructions for managing the estate of a testator (i.e. a person who has died and has left a will).  [1]   Although people in the past often relied on the help of lawyers to draft a will, writing one’s own will has become increasingly common because writing one's own will is less expensive.


While many aspects of a will may remain the same as you go through life, some things may change, prompting you to make changes. Rather than totally rewriting a will, some people opt to write a codicil.


Once the personal representative (or executor) of an estate has collected all of the estate’s assets, paid all outstanding liabilities, and filed all income tax returns, he or she will need to wind up the estate.


Undergo Ancillary Probate for Out‐of‐State Assets

American probate law is state law. This means that as executor for the estate of a deceased person, you may have to go through probate in more than one state if the person owned property in multiple states.


When a property owner dies, his or her assets must be distributed to the people that are named in the decedent’s will or are the decedent’s heirs under state law.


Split Your Estate Fairly Between Your Beneficiaries

Few issues cause as much disagreement between family members as inheritances. Although you might want to divide your estate equally, this might not be the best solution in all situations.


It's a sad thought, but you're going to die one day. When that happens, a relative may need to set up an estate to take care of expenses and distribute inherited property to the new owner(s).


Planning your estate involves deciding what will happen to your personal property and real estate after you die. The law provides a default scheme for disposing of property, but relying on that involves a lengthy court process and potentially hefty tax consequences for your heirs.


Solve Inheritance Disputes with Binding Arbitration

Binding arbitration most often is associated with contracts and consumer disputes, but parties have begun using it in other contexts, including to solve inheritance disputes.


Resolve Disputes Between a Surviving Spouse and Children of Another Marriage

Incomplete estate planning and conflicting documents may lead to disputes between a surviving spouse and children of another marriage, particularly when significant assets are at stake.


Secure a New EIN After the Business Owner's Death

With the death of a business owner who was operating their business as a sole proprietorship, the executor of the estate typically must secure a new employer identification number (EIN) to wrap up the business.


Select an Executor for Your Last Will and Testament

Your executor will be the person who guides your will through the probate process after you die. The job is difficult, time-consuming, and stressful – but also extremely important.


Although the laws governing decedents' estates vary greatly from state to state, the basic process is fairly simple. Someone needs to collect the assets owned by the decedent, pay whatever debts and taxes may be owed, and then transfer the remaining property to the people entitled to the property.


Understand the Structure of a Simple Non Disclosure Agreement

A non-disclosure agreement (NDA) is a common type of legal contract where two parties agree to keep certain information confidential. These agreements are also known as "confidentiality agreements," "proprietary information agreements," or "secrecy agreements."


Businesses often have confidential information that is vital to their success. You will want to protect that information from disclosure to competitors and to the public.


Take Legal Action Against Contracts Signed Under Duress

If you were put under pressure to sign a contract, a judge may void that contract if you're later sued for breach of contract. If someone threatened you if you didn't sign a new contract, or sign a modification to an existing contract, you may be able to use the defense of duress.


Take Action for Franchise Agreement Violations

Through a franchise agreement, a company sells the rights to use its trademarks, image, and products to operate a location in another area. These agreements can be lengthy, and the sheer number of substantive requirements creates significant areas in which violations can occur.


A contract is a legally binding agreement between two or more parties involving multiple promises to do things each party would otherwise not have to do.


Sue for a Breach of Good Faith and Fair Dealing

Most states have contract laws that provide an implied promise for the parties to act in good faith and engage in fair dealing. This means that even if the language is not written in the contract itself, the law will require the parties to the contract to exercise their discretion and act reasonably under the terms of the contract.


Take Action Against the Breach of a Reciprocal Nondisclosure Agreement

A nondisclosure agreement is designed to protect your trade secrets and intellectual property while you work with another individual or business. If you've entered into a reciprocal nondisclosure agreement, that means both sides have information they want to protect from disclosure.


When a debtor gets significantly behind on payments, credit card companies often sell the debt to another company to pursue collections. These companies typically buy the original debt for a fraction of its face value, then focus their efforts exclusively on collecting the bad debt.


Respond if You Are Charged With Breach of Contract

After signing a contract, most people are eager to follow through on its terms so that they can benefit from the contract. For instance, one business usually sells goods or services to another business, who in turn agrees to pay a set amount for those items.


Prove Nonfraudulent Misrepresentation in a Contract

A misrepresentation is a statement of fact that is not the truth. There are two kinds of non-fraudulent misrepresentations: negligent and innocent. A misrepresentation is negligent if the person did not take due care to find out the truth before making the misrepresentation.


Whether you are purchasing cable service, starting a new job, or taking out a loan, contracts are a part of life. As you move through your adult life, you will sign numerous written contracts that address many different issues.


A notary public is a person trained and authorized by the state to certify documents. It is necessary to notarize certain legal documents in order for them to be valid.


Negotiate the Terms of a Non Disclosure Agreement

A non-disclosure agreement (NDA), also known as a confidentiality agreement, is a contract protecting against the disclosure of confidential information.


When you convey property to someone else, you are transferring ownership of that piece of property. You can transfer ownership of property from yourself to someone else in many ways.


Take Action Against the Co‐Owner of Your Property

You may have happily and voluntarily become co-owners of real estate with someone else, but now your relationship has become fraught and untenable – whether for personal reasons or because you each have different ideas of what should be done with the property you co-own.


Resolve Construction Contracting Disputes

Given that construction projects are fraught with variables, disputes are common if not inevitable. Although these disputes may vary significantly in size, nature, and complexity, what doesn't vary is the need to resolve them as efficiently and inexpensively as possible so the parties may resume their project or get started on a new one.


Protect Yourself from Liability when Signing a Contract

It’s impossible to completely protect yourself from liability when you sign a contract. After all, the purpose of a contract is to bind you to its terms.


An easement is a legal interest that one party has over the real property (land) of another person. For example, you may create an easement to allow a utility company to lay wires across your land; you may create an easement to allow a neighbor to drive across your land to reach theirs; or you may create an easement to allow a neighbor to park somewhere on your land.


Take Action Against the Co‐Tenant of Your Property

Co-tenants of real property have rights and duties that can easily come into conflict – particularly if you inherited property as co-tenant with someone you don't trust or know well.


If a trespasser damages your property, then thoroughly document the damage. Take photographs or video and call an appraiser. The appraiser can estimate how much damage was done to any buildings on your property.


Take Action Against Real Property Lease Violations

When a tenant violates a lease, you are limited in the actions you can take. For example, you can give the tenant written notification that they are violating the lease, and you can request that they fix the violation or leave the premises.


If you rent property and your landlord violates the lease agreement or the implied warranty of habitability, you can take various actions to correct those violations.


Take Action Against a Joint Tenant of Your Property

When joint tenants disagree about how to manage or handle their property, one tenant can ask a court to “partition” the property. This means the court will divide the property between the owners.


An individual entering the private property of another without permission is trespassing. You can bring charges against trespassers with proof of the incident and proper documentation.


Real estate fraud can take many forms. Generally, fraud consists of any deliberately false statement which was made to get you to purchase real estate.


Sue Your Child's School for Premises Liability

In the United States, one out of fourteen students will suffer an injury at school.  [1]   You can bring a premises liability lawsuit when your child is injured by a hazard or defect on school grounds.


The Virginia Disability Determination Services (DDS), a division within the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) works with the Social Security Administration (SSA) to determine if individuals are eligible to receive disability benefits in Virginia.


Medicare was enacted in 1965 to expand the Social Security Act by providing a hospital insurance program with supplemental medical benefits and extended medical assistance for the aged, survivors, and disabled, in addition to improving state public assistance programs.


Welfare programs are set up to help out families and individuals that are in dire need of financial aid. In the United States, "welfare" usually refers to the TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) program, although there are many specialized social service programs that may be right for your specific situation.


Various forms of public assistance are available for people struggling to meet basic needs. Assistance comes in many forms, from federal and state government programs to private charities and organizations.


Federal, state, and even local laws in some areas prohibit landlords from discriminating against tenants on the basis of race, disability, gender, religion, and a host of other characteristics.


Apply for Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program

This guide will explain what you need to have, and do, in order to receive assistance for your Gas/Electric utilities by filling out an E-HEAP (Emergency-Home Energy Assistance Program), HEAP (Regular HEAP), and PIPP (Percentage of Income Payment Plan) application. (


Apply for Section 8 Housing in California

Section 8 is a federal program that helps people pay their rent. If approved, you receive a voucher that the state’s housing authority pays directly to your landlord.


The state and federal government provide financial assistance and services to individuals and businesses affected by natural disasters. But if you are the victim of a natural disaster, it can be confusing and difficult to get the help you need.


Apply for the 8(a) Business Development Program

The Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Business Development Program has been designed to help socially disadvantaged individuals develop businesses and compete in the marketplace.


Sometimes it may be difficult to know whether you should fire your lawyer; and while you have the right to do so, it may not always be in your best interest.


Individuals are affected by natural disasters every day. In some circumstances, the President of the United States will declare your area a federal disaster zone, which triggers the availability of federal disaster assistance.


Hiring an attorney after being arrested is the single most important thing you can do. A qualified criminal defense attorney will help you arrange bail, advise you about your case, and start building your defense.