Bank finance articles and tips

Employee retention has been identified as one of the most crucial elements to a successful business and critical to the long-term health of a company. By following just a few simple guidelines you can help cut down on employee turn around and hang on to your best employees for as long as possible....

So you have acquired either a "Notice of Intent to Levy" or maybe an actual levy has been delivered to your bank, company or placed on another source of income.

A "Notice of Intent to Levy" is a 30 day notice left at the individual's regular workplace, house, or shipped to the last known address on file.

The IRS will move forward with delivering a levy if the tax problem is not solved before the 30 day time frame comes to an end....

When you apply for a credit card, you may have been asked by the provider if you would like to add credit card insurance to your account. If you were not initial asked during account sign up, the question may arise when you activate your new card or by a random phone call from an account representative. Credit card insurance may be portrayed as a must-have service but you should consider whether it is really necessary for you....

You know that feeling of stress that overwhelms you as you try and correctly fill out those confusing IRS forms during tax time? Well, that's nothing compared to the sinking feeling you get when a certified letter from the IRS shows up in your mailbox. In fact, it is a near statistical certainty that sooner or later in life there will come a time when you have to deal with the IRS on some level.

Whether it is something minor like substantiating a simple tax deduction on your 1040 to something more serious like a broad scope IRS audit, knowing where and how to negotiate with the IRS will greatly improve your chances of a positive and speedy outcome.

In this article series, "Negotiating with the IRS: 6 tips from a tax professional", I will cover when, where, and how to successfully negotiate with the IRS. Each topic has been written as a stand alone article, but below you will find a summary of each....

For many of us, the holiday season can not be the most joyful time of year, but instead the most stressful. A mile-long shopping list can put strain on both our personal time and our wallets. But gift giving really doesn't have to be as stressful as we make it out to be. Some basic gift giving etiquette can help to ease the stress and make the holidays easier for you this year.

One of the biggest misconceptions about holiday gift giving is that if someone gives you a gift, you must reciprocate. This can be an extremely awkward situation if someone unexpectedly gives you a wrapped box, and you have nothing for him or her. Don't worry, it is really okay if you have been surprised by someone's gesture. Just make sure to politely thank the person, and then send a hand written thank you card a couple days later. Don't say something to the effect of "I'll bring my gift for you tomorrow" because this is not only a transparent excuse, but it also makes it sound as though you are focusing on trumping the gift you have received. As long as you express your gratitude appropriately, it is okay for you to not reciprocate....

The humble ATM was once seen as one of the most important inventions of the 20th century, as it enabled customers to withdraw money from their own bank accounts quickly, easily, and without having to queue for a long time in their local bank. But in the 21st century, the ATM and the concept of it, such as how it works and what exactly makes it one of the most popular devices for the consumer have been overlooked, by the majority of the world's population. However, it doesn't have to be this way, and if you want to have a new-found appreciation for the ATM, here are a few facts about the cash machine that will put it in a whole new light....