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Pros and cons of itemized vs. standard tax deductions 02/10/2016 07:00pm • You don't have much choice when it comes to whether to pay your taxes, but you can decide how to approach your tax deductions -- those allowable subtractions that can lower the amount you owe in taxes. You have two options: the standard, federally defined deduction or itemizing your deductions. The Why smart consumers should celebrate Valentine's Day Feb. 15 02/10/2016 07:00pm • It began as a fluke. The young man and woman had to spend their first Valentine's Day apart. The lovebirds decided to celebrate the holiday on Feb. 15. The man then showed up at her door with his arms full of chocolate boxes, stuffed animals and flowers. "You didn't need to do this," she said -- kin More red flags spotted on Maryland tax returns 02/10/2016 05:05am • WASHINGTON — Something isn’t adding up on Maryland tax returns. In recent weeks, Maryland’s comptroller’s office suspended processing tax returns from 23 Liberty Tax Service franchises and three private preparers. Now, returns from other private tax preparation companies are being add How to save money on Valentine's Day flowers 02/09/2016 07:00pm • To paraphrase Shakespeare, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet," but may cost a lot less on Valentine's Day. As the top-selling flower type for the Feb. 14 holiday, the rose's increased demand and limited supply drive up costs throughout the industry, resulting in a higher market price Do's, Don'ts for Using College Savings Withdrawals 02/09/2016 07:00pm • One of the biggest benefits to 529 college savings plans is that they grow tax-deferred and withdrawals are exempt from federal income tax. But there's a catch: In order to avoid taxes and penalties, the money needs to be used for what are known as qualified higher education expenses at an eligible The Pros and Cons of Investing in a Vacation Home 02/09/2016 07:00pm • For the winter weary, February is the perfect month to head for the beach or slopes. And many vacationers have the same thought: "Gee, wouldn't it be great if we owned a place like this?" With improvements in the economy and housing market, the second home that seemed out of the question a few years What to Do When a Tax Refund Is Seized for Student Loans 02/09/2016 07:00pm • It's that time of year again -- tax time. While you may not look forward to the actual filing of your taxes, many consumers do look forward to getting that refund check. In fact, most start planning what they will do with that refund long before tax season.Whether you were planning on putting a down The free college aid your kids might be missing 02/09/2016 02:08pm • WASHINGTON -- Pell grants are free college assistance from the Department of Education and funded by Congress, but more than one million high school seniors never even apply for them. Last year alone, that meant $2.7 billion in federal grant money went unclaimed, according to analysis from NerdWa 10 financial perks of growing older 02/09/2016 07:00am • Aging certainly comes with plenty of problems. Wrinkles, gray hair, vision and hearing loss and general aches and pains are all common ailments. But there are also many perks of growing older, especially where your finances are concerned. Here's how getting older can save you money. Senior discou Why you shouldn't pay taxes with a credit card 02/09/2016 05:30am • Rewards junkies are always looking for a way to pile up more miles or points without getting on an airplane. The good news is that there are plenty of great ways to do that. Applying for a credit card with a big sign-up bonus is maybe the best example, but is hardly the only way. Dining in the ri The Taxability of Oscars Gift Bags 02/08/2016 07:00pm • When Oscar night arrives later this month, winners will take home bragging rights and the famous gold-plated statuette. For 21 of the nominees who don't win, their consolation prize is a gift bag worth over six figures -- along with an accompanying tax bill. In recent years, the IRS has launched an People who have visited the White House the most 02/08/2016 03:00pm • The following information is provided by Graphiq and insidegov.com: By Alex Greer In an effort to increase government transparency, President Barack Obama publicly released the White House visitor records in September 2009 — an unprecedented decision in U.S. history. At the very least, Why You Should Do a Digital Inventory of Your Assets 02/07/2016 07:00pm • Last month, several media outlets reported that Apple required a Canadian woman to get a court order before gaining access to her deceased husband's iPad. According to reports, the woman simply wanted to play card games her husband had downloaded to the tablet. While that incident seemed particular AirBnB regulations, tax rules advance in Virginia 02/07/2016 09:08am • WASHINGTON -- Virginia’s House of Delegates has passed a bill that would regulate and provide rules for tax collection on short-term room or house rentals through apps or websites like AirBnB. House Bill 812 was approved Thursday on a 75-22 vote. The bill sponsor, Del. Chris Peace (R-Mechani Tax prep software confusing Falls Church City with Fairfax Co. 02/05/2016 11:13am • WASHINGTON - There is Falls Church and there is Falls Church City, the 2.2-square-mile community which is not part of Fairfax County, and tax preparation software companies continue to confuse the two. The City of Falls Church Commissioner of the Revenue office says many tax prep software compani