T minus seven days and counting... U.S. taxes are due on April 18 this year, and maybe those three extra days will help you find some last-minute tax deductions.

I know I'm going to be looking for them. I've been writing for the Taipan Publishing Group for a number of years now, but in mid-2009, I moved to Milwaukee. Being so far out of the mid-Atlantic region, I could no longer be considered an employee. I had to be contracted.   This means no health benefits, 401(k) contributions, or paid sick and vacation days. It also means no employer contributions to taxes like FICA.   The government requires an employer to withhold and match 7.65% of an employee's wages if they make up to $106,800 for Social Security and Medicare. According to the IRS, the self-employment tax rate on income earned in 2010 is 15.3%.   

Yesterday, we received a letter from Smart Investing Daily reader L.D. This question was different from other questions we've fielded so far...

I have been a Professor of Business Law in New Orleans, Louisiana for a number of years and have been fortunate to meet many people here in the business community.   Recently, I was asked by one of my foreign students if I ever considered becoming an intermediary or third party marketer for hedge funds. I understand that these professionals find accredited investors for hedge funds and their compensation is negotiable.   My question for you is: how does one go about finding accredited investors outside of his business, family, and social circle? If you can provide some advice on this, I will pass it on to my class. I hope to put together a lecture on this for my three business law classes. It sounds like fascinating work to me.   

Quaterra Resources: Nieves

“When you’re cry’n you should be buy’n” Dennis Gartman

I have written on Quaterra for several years now and still hold my entire position. This past week (Monday after market close) Quaterra put out drill results on its 50% owned Nieves silver property in western Zacatecas, Mexico. I received several emails requesting my opinion on the release. I must say I was very pleased with Quaterra’s drill results. Here’s how I see the situation (I have not spoken with QMM management on this yet). Today silver seems headed for $40 per ounce trading at $39.56 as I write.

Written by Michael A. Berry, Ph.D. - [ Discovery Investing Web Site ]

Maybe I am a fan of Charlie's because of his role in the movie Wall Street, which motivated my career in finance. Perhaps it's the fact that I have enjoyed his films and his comedy.

I have to admit that Mr. Sheen has been accused of (and is guilty of) actions that I do not approve of or condone, but what I have found interesting is undeniable about the man -- he speaks his truth! (As irrational as it may seem or offensive as it may be.)

Oddly, the words of Charlie Sheen have more sincerity than the majority of politicians, and corporate and world leaders. And SOME kind of truth is what this world needs right now.

The lack of straightforward, raw truth we're seeing in government and the corporate world right now might be one of the reasons the stock market is behaving the way it is, and I don't want you to get caught up in the "bull" without being informed.