Wendy Connick

If someone steals your identity, it may take you weeks or months to clear up the resulting mess. Taking a few precautions can help keep this nightmare from ever happening.

Outliving your retirement savings is a real predicament. If you choose your investments wisely and keep them up to date, you can minimize your risk of suffering that fate.

When you have little to no money saved and you're swamped in debt, figuring out your first step is the hardest part. Here's a plan you can use to get out of trouble no matter how deeply you're buried.

Like employees, self-employed folks are hoping to retire someday, but a typical microbusiness doesn't have the resources to set up a plushy 401(k). Enter the SEP-IRA.

Tax brackets determine how much income tax you pay on your highest tier of income. Here's how you can reduce your tax bill by sheltering some of your income from taxation.

If you own shares of a foreign mutual fund or other passive foreign investment company, you should be aware of the tax implications.

Expensive health insurance got you down? Consider switching to a high-deductible plan coupled with an HSA -- there's a lot to love about this option.

With free tax-filing programs widely available, why would you pay to have your tax returns done? Because the right professional might earn you enough tax breaks to pay their fees and then some.

Have you ever thought about what would happen if you became disabled and couldn't work anymore? If you're assuming you can count on Social Security to keep you afloat, think again.

As if preparing your taxes weren't complicated enough, the IRS has thrown a few new wrinkles into the process in the hopes of reducing fraud and identity theft.

A big federal refund means that the IRS has been taking extra money away from you and holding it hostage all year.

You'd think that you wouldn't have to worry about taxes after you die, but guess what -- even shuffling off the mortal coil won't protect you from the IRS or your state revenue department.

Deductions allow you to buy things and get help paying for them from the taxman. Here are some of the less well-known types of tax deductions.