IRS

After the taxman takes his share of a big lottery jackpot, it's not nearly so big as it was advertised. And even a lot of people who favor raising taxes on the rich think that's not quite fair.

If you're trying to save for retirement, a Roth IRA could be one of your most powerful tools. But until recently, high earners couldn't take advantage of these retirement accounts.

Thanks to a new law, the IRS is getting help from brokers to catch tax cheats. But the result could leave you paying more taxes than you need to on your investments. Here's what you need to know about the best cost basis method, and how it can help you avoid a bigger IRS bill.

In their mad dash toward the Form 1040 finish line, late taxpayers often make costly errors. If you're among those last-minute tax filers, first, take a breath. Then take note of these common filing mistakes to avoid.

For whatever reason, celebrities often end up crossing paths with the IRS, and surprisingly, most of the problems they have with the tax man are traps anyone could fall into. Here are some common mistakes of the stars, and what you can do to avoid them.

It happens to even the best investors: Sometimes, what seems like a smart investment turns out to be a big loser. But even if you suffer a complete loss, you can still salvage something from your experience when you file your tax return.

Having your taxes done is never fun, so it's no surprise that many people postpone filing their returns. But there's a price to pay for putting off your date with the IRS: Procrastinators tend to spend more on the process.

Nobody likes paying the IRS, and we all wish there were just a few more deductions we could swing without arousing the taxman's ire. And there are: Here are a few deductions that, while they might seem to be a little out of bounds, are totally legal.

You may see your tax refund check as a choice between a crazy splurge and responsible saving. But you could also put that money to work for you less conventionally. Here are five good ways to spend $1,000 of your April windfall that you might not have considered.

Procrastinating on our taxes until the last minute is as American as apple pie. But before you resign yourself to running out to the post office at 11:59 p.m. on April 17, you should be aware of the benefits of getting your taxes done early.