Today on the Consumerism Commentary Podcast, Bryan J Busch talks to Kathy Pickering, Executive Director of H&R Block’s Tax Institute.
They discuss the difference between smart investments vs. emotional decisions, the importance of financial planning, and how most people are better off just buying an index fund and ignoring investment gurus.
Table of contents
[00:00] Introduction from Bryan J Busch
[00:34] Interview with Kathy Pickering
– [00:48] Do an annual review of life changes
– [01:26] Extending the Payroll Tax Holiday
– [02:43] Federally declared disasters and casualty losses
– [04:39] Energy efficiency credit (check the list at energystar.gov)
– [05:51] American Opportunity Credit for college students, tuition and fees deductions, and the Lifetime Learning Credit
– [08:16] Tax credits for adoption
– [11:10] Credit for some plug-in cars
– [12:10] Brokers are now required to report cost basis of the sale of stocks and securities
– [12:59] Health care reform affects on individual and small business taxes
– [17:59] Expired hiring credits
– [18:55] Changes to be aware of for 2013
– [21:31] E-filing is heavily encouraged and improved
[23:56] End
We always welcome feedback from listeners. If you have any comments for this episode or for any other, or if you have suggestions for future episodes, please leave us comments here or email us at podcast at this domain name.
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Published or updated January 15, 2012. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to the RSS feed or receive daily emails. Follow @flexo on Twitter and visit our Facebook page for more updates.
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Luke Landes founded Consumerism Commentary in 2003 and has been building online communities since 1990. Luke, also known as Flexo, has contributed to PC World Magazine, US News, Forbes, and other publications. 
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I too recommend e-filing returns. You usually get you refund faster already as the government gets the paperwork faster. The process is much simpler past the first year as you have a pin and do not have to still send in signatures on paper.
Our own Kathy Pickering on the always insightful Consumerism Commentary Podcast
Great podcast. Keep them up. I love e-filing as well. No other way! Who doesn’t want their taxes to be submitted in a more efficient and faster way? Plus, I get my money back way quicker than if it was through snail mail.
Very good podcast & ms. pickering is a terrific guest. the segment of the podcast that discussed tax changes for 2013 was insightful.