Author Archive



A Gold Standard?

The gold standard discussion in the mainstream media over the last year or so has been driven by the extreme measures taken by the Federal Reserve to shore up our banking system during the credit crisis.  Brad Delong, an economics professor at U.C. Berkeley has an interesting summary of why the gold standard monetary policy [...]

Will the 2010 Estate Tax Repeal Impact You?

When Congress left town on Christmas Eve, it failed to address a major issue – the repeal of the federal estate tax…

Year-End Tax Planning Tips for 2009

Even though 2010 is almost here, you still have time to take advantage of some 2009 tax planning strategies.  Here are some suggestions to consider before ringing in the New Year.

Should you take losses or pull in capital gains?  It depends on your likely tax bracket…Take a look at [...]

Will Holt Quoted in The Saturday Evening Post

Will Holt, CFP®, CPA was recently quoted in the Saturday Evening Post.
Will discussed tax-loss harvesting, an important but often over-looked tax strategy.  Click here to read the article, “Taking the Sting Out of Investment Loses” by Russell Wild, MBA.

Weak Dollar: Good or bad?

Given current economic conditions, is a weak dollar a good or a bad thing?  There are strong opinions on this matter from both sides of the issue.  Paul Krugman, an economics professor at Princeton and a columnist for The NY Times makes a compelling case for a weakening U.S. dollar being good news.
He writes:
“The truth [...]

Education Credits and 529 Plan Benefits Expanded

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides better education cost breaks to more taxpayers for 2009 and 2010. Computers, certain software and internet access can be covered by tax free 529 plan distributions as long as they are used by an eligible student while enrolled at an eligible institution.  The ARRA also replaces the Hope [...]

Risky Business

New research has found that men are more likely to take larger risks in their financial decision making than women.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Tax Credits

The following article is written by Financial Symmetry’s Will Holt, CPA.
For me, one of the neatest things about living in the Avent West community has been observing the transformation of homes through remodel, refurbishment and even reconstruction.  In fact, the same could be said about the entire city of Raleigh as it certainly looks a [...]

RMDs Can Lead to Tax Planning Opportunites

Distributions from your retirement accounts are not required by the IRS for 2009 but does that mean that they aren’t necessary? For those who have other sources of cash flow, this waiver does present opportunities for tax planning purposes.

The Tax-Man can Wait!

Tax day will soon be upon us. But don’t stress out if you haven’t yet figured out how you’re going to get your return filed by April 15th. You have an option that millions of taxpayers use every year: the Extension.

FSI News & Views

This news site includes independent analysis and commentary by Financial Symmetry on the global economy.
We view all market developments through the same filter, "How will this affect our clients?"

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