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Last week I received a question from a client about the cost basis of stock received from the estate of his mother, who passed away in 2010. I explained that he would receive "stepped-up" basis, meaning his cost for tax purposes would be the market value of the stock at the date-of-death. But then...

O Canada Hockey fans got a real treat with yesterday's gold-medal game between the US and Canada. A tense and hard-fought battle throughout, the US tied the score with only 24 seconds left in the game, but our Northern neighbors secured the gold with a goal in overtime. Congratulations to Canada for...

This blog is not about politics. We stick to personal finance and investing - that's been our job here for 40 years. But how long can New York State lead the world in finance without good leadership? Our current Governor, David Paterson, came into office with the resignation of Eliot Spitzer two yea...

A few weeks ago I mentioned the possibility of a debt default by the government of Greece. At that time it appeared that a bailout by Europe was in the cards. But Germany, Europe's largest economic engine, may be having second thoughts, bringing Greece back to the edge of insolvency. If Greece does...

Last time we walked you through the 3 steps to a well-planned retirement. Today we continue the list with 4 more ways to ensure you're ready to retire: What is the status of any pensions you might have? How much will they pay you? When are you eligible to start drawing on them? Analysis of debt. Ho...

What can be deducted as an investment expense on your tax return? Well, if you itemize your deductions, you can include investment expenses under miscellaneous itemized deductions on schedule A. Unfortunately, your miscellaneous itemized deductions have to exceed 2% of your adjusted gross income be...

I first subscribed to The Wall Street Journal in the late 70's on a cut-rate student subscription. That was during the Carter administration and some things were going up, up, up. Problem was, those things were interest rates, inflation, energy prices, and gold. It was not a good time for investors,...

Deciding when to retire is one of the most important decisions you will make during the course of your life. It is one that should not be taken lightly or made hastily. Before you make the decision to call it quits and enjoy some well deserved relaxation, there are a few questions you should ask you...

Think that the time to plan for the 2009 tax year has come and gone? It's true that the door to almost all tax-saving moves for 2009 closed on Dec. 31, 2009. But there are still a few things you can do that will lower your 2009 taxes: Make regular IRA contributions. Contributions to traditional IR...

By now everyone has heard and read plenty about the bad loans of the big banks, their trading against their own customers and bonds deals, and their collapses and near-collapses. The giant bailouts have been exhaustively chronicled as have the banks' robust rebounds. But the history of the last 30 m...