Today's Tax Deadline

Today is November 16. And why, might you ask, is that important?

Well, on this date in 1914, the Federal Reserve Bank of the United States officially opened for business. (Some might argue it's all been downhill since!)

On November 16, 1945, the U.S. Army moved forward with "Operation Paperclip" and secretly admitted 88 German scientists and engineers to the United States to help develop rocket technology.

Oh, and November 16, 1964, marks the birthday of Canadian jazz singer and pianist Diana Krall. Her lush rendition of Boy From Ipanema was the highlight of her 2008 "Live in Rio" concert.

And tragedy struck on November 16, 2005, with the death of Donald Watson. Donald who, you ask? Watson, a British animal-rights activist, founded the Vegan Society, and even invented the word "vegan." Apparently his animal-free diet worked for him, as he lived to the ripe old age of 95.

But those aren't why November 16 is important. It's important because there are just 45 days left in the year.

That's plenty, right? Well, subtract out the weekends, and we're down to 34. Still plenty, right? Subtract all the holiday downtime and we're down to . . . what, 28 days? 29? Maybe 30?

That's not much time at all. Especially when it comes to year-end tax planning. Especially because so many tax breaks are a lot like Cinderella's carriage — that's right, at midnight on December 31, they turn into pumpkins. Some of them disappear for 2011 — you won't get a chance to use them again until next year. And some of them disappear for good — you won't ever get to use them again.

If you've already got a plan, that's great. Has anything changed in your life or your finances that we should know about?

If you don't have a plan, that's a different story. You don't have much time left to make one. And we don't have much time to help you!

The holidays are almost here. We know nobody wants to spend their holiday thinking about taxes. But nobody wants to waste money on taxes they don't have to pay, either. And good tax planning can help pay for a pretty nice holiday! We know your calendar is filling up fast. So is ours. That's why it's crucial to call now if you want a plan to save in 2011.