Tax-Smart Retirement Planning
In the past, companies supplied retirement funds for their employees through defined-benefit pension plans that paid a set amount to retirees. Today, those plans are rare, and employers are increasingly shifting the responsibility for retirement savings to the employee. That means that workers must take an active role in planning-—and saving--for their retirement. The good news is that there are many tax-advantaged options that can enhance the growth and earnings power of your retirement nest egg, according to the Texas Society of CPAs. 

Deductible Investment-Related Expenses
Do you invest in stocks, bonds or mutual funds? If you do, you may be able to deduct certain expenses related to your investments. To be deductible, the expenses must be ordinary and necessary and related to the production of taxable income, or for the management of property held for the production of income.

Did You Get A Gigantic Refund This Year?
According to Internal Revenue Service statistics, the agency issued refunds to more than 100 million taxpayers who overpaid their 2004 taxes. If you received or expect to receive a refund, the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants recommends that you adjust the amount of taxes your employer withholds from your paycheck.