distributions

Nobody likes to pay taxes, but its worse when you're stuck paying them on income you never earned. Unfortunately, that's exactly what happens to many of us every year around this time, thanks to a quirk in how mutual funds operate and are taxed.

Think of 2010 as the year of the Roth IRA. Beginning January 1, the rules governing who can invest in a Roth will be modified, allowing anyone with an existing traditional IRA to take advantage of a Roth -- and the special post-retirement tax breaks that this investment vehicle offers. The more...