Teach Me Personal Finance

My #1 goal is to make it easy to learn about personal finances.
I believe smart money decisions come from being informed about your choices.

Tax Topic 203-A Guide to Tax Refund Offsets

What is Tax Planning: A Comprehensive Guide (2024)

Hi, I’m Forrest Baumhover

Learn More About Money, Tax planning, and Social Security

I’m a Certified Financial Planner, tax practitioner, retired Navy veteran, and writer. I love to write articles on financial topics that help everyday people learn more about money. I especially like exploring financial planning subjects that no one else has tackled before, writing about IRS tax forms, and helping people with financial questions they haven’t found the answers to.

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Learn more about your finances here at Teach Me! Personal Finance, with Forrest Baumhover

Tax Planning

Tax planning is fundamental to financial planning. These articles outline how to achieve your financial goals without paying more taxes than you have to.

Are Trustee Fees Subject to Self-Employment Tax?

5 Crucial Tax Tips For Horse Owners

9 Questions to Ask Your Tax Advisor Before Tax Season

Capital Tax Gains Harvesting: When To Trigger Short-Term Gains

Latest Personal finance Articles

My most recent personal finance tips, tutorials, and tax walkthroughs.

paper stock certificates are worth keeping for several reasons

Don’t Throw Out Those Old Paper Stock Certificates!

When I was a financial advisor, we used to get the following question: “I came across these old paper certificates. They look like some kind of stock. What should…

How Long Can The IRS Collect Back Taxes?

If you’re reading this article, you probably owe the IRS money for unpaid tax debt. And you might be wondering, “How long can the IRS collect back taxes?” While there…

VOO vs VTSAX: Which is the Best Vanguard Fund?

VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF) and VTSAX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) are two of Vanguard’s most popular funds. Each of these Vanguard funds: This article…

Can The IRS Take Your House?

Can the IRS take your house if you owe back taxes? The Internal Revenue Service can seize a variety of assets to settle unpaid tax debt. But unlike other property,…

What to Bring to a Tax Appointment

For taxpayers who are used to preparing their own taxes, it can be intimidating to go to a tax professional’s office for the first time. The most daunting task is…

irs form 8854, initial and annual expatriation statement

IRS Form 8854 Instructions

If you’re a U.S. citizen who wishes to renounce their citizenship or a permanent U.S. resident who wishes to terminate their residency, you must meet certain tax reporting and payment…

Social Security

Read these in-depth articles to learn more about how to make the most of your Social Security benefits.

Retirement Planning

Retirement planning is a fundamental part of the financial planning process. Learn about helpful and actionable insight on how to plan your retirement.

Defined Benefit vs Defined Contribution Plans

7 questions to ask a financial planner about retirement

7 Critical Questions to Ask a Financial Planner About Retirement

Why Is Retirement Planning Important? A Guide (2024)

Estate Planning

Retirement planning is a fundamental part of the financial planning process. Learn about helpful and actionable insight on how to plan your retirement.

Per Stirpes Vs Per Capita Beneficiary Designations

Benefactor Vs Beneficiary in Estate Planning

Estate Planning For Business Owners-7 Considerations

5 Estate Planning Tips to Avoid Family Conflicts

What is a Beneficiary Deed? A Complete Guide

Estate Plan Review: 9 Critical Items to Include

Divorce Planning

Retirement planning is a fundamental part of the financial planning process. Learn about helpful and actionable insight on how to plan your retirement.

7 Common Mistakes When Using a QDRO to Make A Distribution

Is Child Support Tax Deductible?

Can My Husband Legally Withhold Money From Me?

Dividing Assets in a Divorce-6 Mistakes To Avoid

Health Insurance After Divorce-What You Should Know

Investment Planning

Retirement planning is a fundamental part of the financial planning process. Learn about helpful and actionable insight on how to plan your retirement.