Do You Need to File an Income Tax Extension?
For Mark Roberts' Use: As you probably know, the deadline for filing your federal income tax return is April 15. But perhaps you don't have time to gather all of your supporting documentation. Or maybe you've been ill, undergoing major career changes, or moving to another state. There are a plethora of different reasons that [...]
Affinity “Mark” et Minute – March 19, 2015
Investment Commentary – March 19, 2015 Dow – 18,076.19 (3/18/15 close) S&P 500 – 2,099.42 (3/18/15 close) Nasdaq – 4,982.83 (3/18/15 close) 10-year Treasury – 1.95% (3/18/15 close) The Federal Reserve today set the stage for its 1st interest rate hike since 2006 signaling its confidence in the U.S. economy. Yet the Fed slightly downgraded [...]
Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
For Mark Roberts' Use: Identity theft is a growing problem for consumers. As soon as law enforcement officials begin to figure out criminal methods, thieves move on to newer, more sophisticated tactics. This is particularly true of cyber crime, because hackers continually stay one step ahead of law enforcement and the general public. Cyber criminals [...]
Affinity “Mark” et Minute – March 11, 2015
Investment Commentary – March 11, 2015 Dow – 17,662.94 (3/10/15 close) S&P 500 – 2,044.16 (3/10/15 close) Nasdaq – 4,859.79 (3/10/15 close) 10-year Treasury – 2.13% (3/10/15 close) February’s jobs report last Friday confirmed the strength in the U.S. labor market. New jobs numbered 295,000, well above expectations, with gains particularly evident in cyclical sectors. [...]
What are Annuity Living Benefits?
For Mark Roberts' Use: When planning for retirement, many people choose to invest in an annuity. Under a variable annuity contract, one or more payments are made to an insurance company in exchange for guaranteed income stream or lump sum payment in retirement. Only the earnings portion of an annuity is taxed as income, making [...]
Affinity “Mark” et Minute – March 4, 2015
Investment Commentary – March 3, 2015 Dow – 18,288.63 (3/2/15 close) S&P 500 – 2,117.39 (3/3/15 close) NASDAQ – 5,008.10 (3/2/15 close) 10-year Treasury – 2.08% (3/2/15 close) U.S. equities were largely unchanged last week in what was a relatively quiet 5 days, although the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index continued to push toward a new [...]
These Last-Minute Tax Changes May Benefit You
For Mark Roberts' Use: After a long period of intense negotiations, the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 finally passed through Congress in December. The act extended 55 tax provisions through the end of 2014. Although the future of the tax measures remains uncertain, for now we know that several of these provisions may benefit [...]
Affinity “Mark” et Minute – February 26, 2014
Investment Commentary – February 25, 2015 Dow – 18,209.19 (2/24/15 close) S&P 500 – 2,115.48 (2/24/15 close) Nasdaq – 4,968.12 (2/24/15 close) 10-year Treasury – 1.99% (2/24/15 close) Fed Chair Janet Yellen provided Congress yesterday with an upbeat view of the labor market and said policymakers will raise interest rates when they are “reasonably confident” [...]