Individuals who reduce their income taxes with itemized deductions are aware that they can claim contributions to schools, religious organizations and other favorite causes. But many of them are unaware of other opportunities.

Unless Washington acts in the lame-duck session after the November elections, top rates for capital gains from most sales of assets owned more than 12 months are scheduled to increase. They will go from 15 percent for 2012 to at least 20 percent for 2013.

Income taxes are such a pervasive and everyday part of our financial lives -- and such a central issue in presidential campaigns -- that they seem to have been around forever. They have not. Their debut is relatively recent.

Contrary to what many self-employed individuals believe, long-standing regulations usually prohibit most of them from claiming bad-debt deductions on their federal and state returns when they are unable to recover amounts due from clients and customers.

How many of those surveyed aren't aware of their own tax brackets?

What's certain is that our lawmakers will enact even more complications to an already confusing tax code.

If you are one of the unlucky few who do receive a 'review' notice from the IRS, here is some important information to consider.

Getting audited by the IRS is one of the biggest fears for taxpayers. But what is the likelihood that you will be audited? And what are common audit triggers?

As we all prepare and file our tax returns ahead of this year's April 17 deadline, the sense that Big Brother is looking down at us -- making sure we ...