Financial Planning

The leading firms in wealth management carefully strategize their success.

A roundup of financial planning news from the previous month

While financial independence and what you need to do in order to maintain independence is clearly important, it isn't the only thing.

Among the nation’s billionaires, one of the most sought-after pieces of real estate right now is a quiet storefront in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

The Internal Revenue Service is urging individuals and businesses that are making contributions to charity to keep in mind several important tax law provisions that have taken effect in recent years. Accountants can pass along the advice to their clients who are making charitable contributions that they can claim on their taxes next year.

Beginning on January 1, the Internal Revenue Service plans to limit the number of e-file signature authorization documents for filing Form 1041 estate and trust tax returns to a single 1041 return rather than multiple returns.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has voted to propose rules aimed at increasing access to capital for smaller companies.

Switzerland’s 300 banks have enlisted an army of auditors, lawyers and in-house workers as they race to meet a Dec. 31 deadline on whether to seek U.S. amnesty for helping American clients evade taxes.

“It’s never too late for tax planning,” a wise CPA once told me. “You’ve got till the ball drops to take action, and if you do it later than that, then you’ve got an early start for next year.”

U.S. banking industry groups are pressing regulators to clarify accounting for certain securities under the Volcker Rule after lenders complained the Dodd-Frank Act measure may force them to take writedowns.