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February 16, 2003
Today’s headlinesHelen Huntley: Some queenly advice on when to get rich
Those of us who dispense or seek financial advice probably are predisposed to take our finances and ourselves a little too seriously -- especially on a day like today when we're pondering the serious subject of income taxes. What better moment, I thought, than to share a few pearls from The Sweet Potato Queens' Big-Ass Cookbook (and Financial Planner).
Free online filing can speed refunds
It took Bryan Marks all of an hour-and-a-half to do his tax return on the Internet this year. He could have finished more quickly but says, "I always read everything twice and back up a few times to doublecheck answers as I go along."
Study up on tax breaks for education
In their eagerness to help parents pay for college educations, federal lawmakers have created a perplexing maze of tax credits, deductions and exclusions from income. Figuring out which ones taxpayers might actually be able to use this year will be a bigger challenge than ever.
Decoding 2002 taxes
Changes in the tax code affect everything from college costs to retirement savings. And, as rates decrease, more taxpayers must beware the Alternative Minimum Tax.
Biz bits
The Sierra Club is the first national environmental group to start a mutual fund. The Sierra Club Stock Fund and Sierra Club Balanced Fund exclude any company that could hurt critters. Indeed, the guidelines are so strict that only a third of the companies in the Standard & Poor's 500-stock index make the cut. Read more about it in the Feb. 17 issue of BusinessWeek.
Tax loans speed up and shrink your refund
NEW YORK -- The signs on the front windows of H&R Block offices beckon taxpayers with the slogan "Instant Money -- Refund Anticipation Loan." Other tax preparers offer "rapid refunds" or "immediate refunds."
Money panel
ALYSE STONE: Program manager for a nonprofit, 49, Clearwater
10 tips: Don't get overcharged at the checkout line
Consumer advocates estimate that shoppers get overcharged millions of dollars each year because of electronic scanning errors at the checkout line. The following tips can help you make sure you're charged the right prices the next time you head out to the grocery store or the mall.
Latest business news
Monday's Metal Prices
Skilling, Lay optimistic as testimony ends
Wachovia shares fall on Golden West deal
GAO: Sarbanes-Oxley costs high for cos.
London's FTSE-100 index closes down 24.6
Calif. attorney general files fourth suit
Rigas sentencings reset for April
Plaintiffs in insurance fraud lawsuit
Health insurance plans claim vast fraud
Summary Box: Motorola 2Q results show improvement
Weak revenue, Venezuela hit Colgate's 2Q
Helmerich reports 3Q loss on Venezuelan takeover
At a glance: Kellogg 2Q sales
Summary Box: Colgate-Palmolive
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