| With April 15 just round the corner, you will be thinking | | | | income limit for Roth has been removed. However, |
| about paying off your taxes for the previous year and | | | | you will have to pay taxes on the untaxed amount. |
| getting on with your life. However, this is the correct | | | | The good news is that you can pay half of the |
| time to start your tax planning strategies for 2010 so | | | | conversion cost in the 2011 taxes and the other half in |
| that you can lower your tax liabilities this year. | | | | the 2012 taxes.o If you make your home more energy |
| Here are some steps that you can take reduce your | | | | efficient, you can get some of the costs for converting |
| taxes this year.o The real estate market is facing a | | | | returned in the form of energy tax credits. You can |
| slump and home prices are at an all time low. At least | | | | get up to 30 percent of the first $5,000 spent on |
| they are lower than what the prices were a few | | | | making your home energy efficient. If you install a solar |
| years ago. If you have not owned a home for the last | | | | heating system in your home, you can get more tax |
| three years, you will be considered a first time home | | | | credits. This is most probably the last year when the |
| buyer. This entitles you to claim tax credit of up to | | | | government will allow this credit. So, this is the best |
| $8,000. While home owners who already have a | | | | time to benefit from it.o You can get tax credit for a |
| home and have lived in it for around 5 years can claim | | | | hybrid car even in 2010. The only catch is that you |
| up to $6,500. First time home buyers need to sign a | | | | have to buy it from a manufacturer who has not sold |
| contract before April 30, 2010 and then close the deal | | | | 60,000 cars. So, find out which manufacturer has |
| latest by June 30, 2010 in order to claim the tax credit.o | | | | managed to sell the required number of cars and then |
| This is the best time to covert your traditional IRA to a | | | | buy one from that manufacturer to qualify for the tax |
| Roth. In 2010, anyone who has a traditional IRA can | | | | credit. |
| covert the account to a Roth retirement account. The | | | | |