LibGuides: Small Business Resources: Money & Taxes

Money & Economic Basics

Can the government control a stock market crash?
In a free market economy, the law of supply and demand dominates. But if the economy is in a downward spiral, could the government really save it?
How Bartering Works
Imagine a world without cash or credit cards. You'd barter to get what you need and want. Today, people and businesses are still trading goods and services. But can these cash-free transactions be taxed?
How Currency Works
What is currency, exactly? We all know currency is a piece of paper or metal you can trade for stuff you need or want, but who decides what your money is worth? And why does its value fluctuate?
How Exchange Rates Work
What exactly is the cost of money? What are the fundamentals of exchanging dollars for other currency? We'll explore these questions, plus give tips for money-changing travelers.
How Interest Rates Work
Interest rates are simply the cost of borrowing money. Without them, lenders would have no reason to let you borrow money.
How the Fed Works
The Fed: It's a very mysterious part of the government. But if you own a house, have a bank account or write checks, the Federal Reserve System affects your life every day.
How Bankruptcy Works
It's bad enough when an individual has to file for bankruptcy, but filings by high-profile companies like Adelphia can have a big impact on the economy. What exactly does it mean to file for bankruptcy?
What are the differences between the various chapters of bankruptcy?
Bankruptcy chapters can be really confusing -- there are specific chapters for both business and personal filing. What do they all mean?
Is a free market "free" if it's regulated?
A free market is subject to peaks and troughs in a bustling or failing economy -- no one regulates it. Learn how a free market works and theories behind it.

Issues & Ethics

How Cooking the Books Works

Business Ethics and Issues explores ethical issues that arise in the business world.

Banking & Credit

You put your bank card in, you take your bank card out. Wait for the beep and wave your dollars all about. Learn more about Banks, lines of credit and more.

Budgeting & Saving

Fixed and Variable Expenses: What They Are and How to Save Them

A dollar here, a dollar there ... it all counts. Whether it's learning to drive economically, handling your bonds or building a strategy to be a millionaire, we've got information here on budgeting and saving.

Taxes

What if I didn't file and pay my taxes?
The American tax system is a huge machine with a tax code that seems more complex than rocket science. Many of us have come to dread April 15th: Tax Day. So what if you just didn't file them?

Taxes are inevitable, but if you are educated, you can soften their impact. Learn about tax and money organization, income taxes and other topics.

How Tax Cuts Affect the Economy
Find out the ways in which tax cuts affect the overall economy.
How Capital Gains Tax Works
You already know that when you sell your stocks, you've got to pay taxes on the profits. But did you know you're supposed to pay taxes for selling your old comic books, too?
How Filing Tax Amendments Works
You sign your Form 1040, seal it up in an envelope and send it off to the IRS. But then, you're shuffling through your file cabinet when you come across a W2 you forgot to file. What now?
How Filing Tax Extensions Works
April 15: People rush to complete their tax forms and race to the post office to mail them. If you get your envelope postmarked before midnight, you're in the clear, nothing to worry about. But what happens if you don't?
How Income Taxes Work
If you've ever filled out a 1040, you know the U.S. tax system and the agency that keeps it going are complex and mystifying entities. Get the lowdown on this essential piece of the U.S. government.
How Tax Shelters Work
Tax shelter. It sounds like a nice idea. After all, if you want to take shelter from something, storms and taxes are the first two things on the list. There are many legitimate tax shelters. But, as with most things, tax shelters can be used for wrongdoin
How Tax Deductions Work
You've probably heard the phrase "tax deductions"" a hundred times. But what does it mean? What are tax deductions and how do they work? And why are tax deductions so important?
How to Organize Your Taxes and Money
The first key to financial sanity is organization. Our downloadable daily references help you keep up with all your important information so you can start budgeting and focusing on your future.
What's the difference between a flat tax and a fair tax?
The flat tax and fair tax are two suggestions people have made for reforming the tax code. Learn more about flat tax and fair tax.

Stocks & Trading

Investing in the stock market, online trading, mutual funds -- these topics are overwhelming. No worries. We'll give you accurate, easy-to-understand information.