With the holidays all around, let’s just have a light post today. This appears to be advertising Turbo Tax in a subtle way, but it’s fun all the same. Ever think you’d see people rapping about tax deductions? Watch…

This seems like a good time to remind you of some things you can do before the end of the year to lower your taxes. First, read the article I wrote last year: Tax Deduction: End of Year Savings.

Now you know what you need to do.

We’ve all been hearing about hybrid cars on the TV news. You might have even been thinking about buying one. After all, not only are they good for the environment, but they get great mileage, which can mean thousands of your dollars saved. But now the government is sweetening the pot. Check out the article below for details about how to get a tax break when you buy a hybrid car. (And remember: if you already bought that car in a previous year but didn’t take a deduction, you might be able to revise your tax return from that year. Talk to a tax preparer to find out.)

In my last post, we discussed refinancing and how taxes can play into a decision about whether or not to refinance. I also found this interesting article, which goes into some depth about debt — both mortgages and unsecured debt — and paying interest, and how to decide what to pay off first, particularly if some of the interest in tax-deductible (like on a mortgage loan).

Sorry I’ve been incommunicado for a few months. But now I’m back, and I’ll try to post a couple times a month, at least until we get closer to tax season.

Beyond the joy of homeownership, did you know that owning your own home does great things for your bottom line? It’s true. That’s mainly because the interest you pay on your mortgage is tax deductible.

It’s still December, and that means you still have a little time to make some last minute fixes to this year’s tax picture. Unless you’re one of the lucky few who’s sure they’re going to get a refund, consider doing one or all of the following to cut down your tax burden a little - and maybe change your tax due to money in your pocket.