L. E. Smith & Associates, Inc.

IRA Eligibility

Use this calculator to determine whether you qualify for the different types of IRAs.

Home Affordability

Estimate of the maximum amount of financing you can expect to get when you begin house hunting.

Mortgage Refinancing

Determine whether you should consider refinancing your mortgage.

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Tax Law Keeps S Corporations Attractive

S corporations are more common than C corporations and partnerships, perhaps because they are not subject to the corporate tax. Instead, profits and losses flow directly to shareholders, who are currently taxed at lower individual income tax rates. Read why reorganizing as an S corporation may be a smart move.

Giving Strategies That Can Give Back

Americans gave more than $290 billion to charity in 2010, despite the slow economy. About 73% of charitable donations came directly from individuals. This article explains how a charitable remainder trust and a charitable lead trust could be used to provide more control over gifts while potentially benefiting the giver and his or her heirs.

HOT TOPIC: Current Economic Conditions and the Prospect for Inflation

Inflation jumped up to 3.2% in April. That’s still below the 50-year average but it may be little consolation for anyone who has been to a gas station or a grocery store recently.

Insurance for Two Could Benefit Your Heirs

Survivorship life insurance offers a way to help a couple's heirs pay estate taxes, probate costs, and other final expenses — and could be especially important after 2012 when the federal estate tax is scheduled to be significantly higher. Even if the estate tax doesn't apply to an estate, the insurance proceeds could benefit heirs or a favorite charity.

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