Financial Tips for May 2012

When to Review Your Life Insurance Coverage

It makes good financial sense to periodically examine your life insurance coverage to make sure the coverage is still sufficient. After all, life insurance is often a family's most important financial and estate planning tool.

With today's frequent changes in financial circumstances and goals, it's a good idea to re-examine your life insurance coverage on the occurrence of any of the following:

• Marriage or divorce;
• Birth or adoption, or acquiring a financial dependent such as a parent;
• Children leaving for college;
• Children "leaving the nest";
• Purchase or sale of a home;
• Serious illness;
• Substantial growth or depletion of assets;
• Retirement; and
• Start-up of a business.

Tip: In addition to the amount of coverage, you may need to make a change relating to beneficiaries, policy ownership, or type of coverage.

Consult with us if you think it might be time to adjust your life insurance coverage.

A Slip of the Lip May Bring on a Tax Audit

Many taxpayers have learned, to their dismay, that it generally isn't wise to talk carelessly about their taxes - especially about sensitive areas. Why? Because the wrong person overheard their careless talk and "turned informer," either for revenge or in the hope of an "informer's reward."

An informer's "tip" to the IRS will often trigger a tax audit. Even though the taxpayer has done nothing improper, he or she may have to suffer through the audit. Not only is this time-consuming, but it can also result in additional taxes due to the discovery of an innocent error on the return or the disallowance of a marginal deduction.

Tip: Most informers are disgruntled employees and former spouses or lovers.

Check Your Credit Report

Order a copy of your credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com (do not contact the three nationwide consumer reporting companies individually). Read the report carefully and report any discrepancies to the appropriate agencies. This not only ensures that the records are accurate, but also helps prevent others from obtaining credit in your name.

Review Budget vs. Actuals

Compare April income and expenditures with your budget. Make adjustments as appropriate to your May expenditures. Make sure you have invested your planned savings amount for April.

Make Withholding Adjustments

Based on the results of your prior year's tax return, make any necessary adjustments to your tax withholding by completing Form W-4 and giving it to your employer.