Federal and state research credits (often referred to as the “research and development,” “R&D” or “research and experimentation” credit) are among the most valuable tax incentives available today. But many businesses overlook these tax breaks because they mistakenly believe that they don’t qualify or wouldn’t benefit.

In recent years, federal legislation has expanded the availability of the credit for many businesses. This article details the R&D credit and explains which companies are eligible for it. A sidebar explores how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act changed research and development expensing.

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One byproduct of the U.S. tax system, under which married couples file joint tax returns, is that marriage may produce a tax penalty or bonus, depending on a couple’s particular circumstances. In other words, when couples marry, their tax liability may be more or less than their individual tax liabilities combined.

Using fictional examples, this article explains how getting married can affect your tax bill. A sidebar provides financial and estate planning steps to take if you’re getting remarried.

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A person may use a qualified disclaimer to refuse a bequest from a loved one. Doing so will cause an asset to bypass his or her estate and go to the next beneficiary in line. This article examines five reasons a person may wish to turn down an inheritance.

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