Wade Michels
Money is Wade Michels' passion, so much so that he’s been studying finance for over 15 years. Recently, that passion became an obsession when he dropped everything to become a stock analyst for the Motley Fool in Alexandria, Virginia. Now he comes to us with a new purpose; to help others build lasting wealth. Believing that a firm understanding of personal tax law is critical to stretching out the almighty dollar, Wade humbly serves as our lead writer and analyst. When he’s not cracking the tax code, Wade enjoys spending time with his wife Diana and dog Jager.
Articles by Wade Michels
Delaware Form 200-01 Line by Line Guide
If you live in Delaware, don’t miss our breakdown of Form 200-01, Delaware’s personal income tax return, as always it’s going to be a jolly good time.
Washington DC Form D-40 Line by Line Guide
If you live in Washington DC, don’t miss our breakdown of the D-40, the District’s own individual tax return.
H&R Block at Home Review
You can affordably do your taxes in your pajamas and on your own schedule with H&R Block at Home. There are several tax software providers, read our guide on H&R Block at Home to find out if H&R is right software for you.
Mississippi Form 80-105 Line by Line Guide
If you live in Mississippi, don’t miss our breakdown of its individual income tax return.
Connecticut CT-1040 Line by Line Guide
If you live in Connecticut, you won’t want to miss our breakdown of Form CT-1040. And that’s a good thing because this form is a bear.
Arkansas AR1000 Line by Line Guide
If you live in Arkansas, you won’t want to miss our breakdown of AR1000, the Arkansas Individual Tax Return. And that’s a good thing because this form is long, complicated, and sure to cause you some duress.
Energetic Credits - Form 5695 Line by Line Guide
Have you recently spent money on your home to reduce your energy usage? Learn how to harvest tax credits for improvements such as windows, siding, and going green.
Georgia Form 500 Line by Line Guide
If you live in Georgia, don’t miss our breakdown of Georgia Form 500, the Individual Income Tax Return. You know you’ll love it.
California Form 540 Line by Line Guide
If you live in California, don’t miss our breakdown of Form 540, the California resident income tax return.
Wisconsin Form 1 Line by Line Guide
If you live in Wisconsin, don’t miss our breakdown of Form 1, Wisconsin’s Personal Income Tax Form.
1040 from A to EZ
Ever wondered about the differences between the major tax forms? Go from A to EZ with this article.
Moving Expense Tax Guide
Employers are loosening up; people are starting to get back to work. Learn how to get a deduction for all the expenses laid on you while relocating for your new job.
Guide to Form 8917 Tuition and Fees Deduction
If you've spent a ton on educational expenses, a $4,000 deduction will go a long way toward buying books or supporting your kid’s meal plan
Colorado Form 104 Line by Line Guide
If you live in Colorado, don’t be left out in the cold and miss our breakdown of Form 104.
Hawaii Form N-11 Line by Line Guide
If you live on of the beautiful islands of Hawaii, don’t miss our breakdown of Form N-11, Hawaii’s individual income tax return.
Maryland Form 502 Line by Line Guide
If you live in Maryland, don’t miss our breakdown of Form 502, the Resident Income Tax Return.
Louisiana Form IT-540 Line by Line Guide
If you live in Louisiana, don’t miss our breakdown of Form IT-540, Louisiana’s own residential tax form.
TAS: A Taxpayers Best Friend
The Taxpayer Advocate Service is one of the kept secrets within the IRS. So if you have a tax problem, take the time to look it up, because TAS will help you in your time of need.
How to Beat the IRS
Have you received a letter from the IRS requesting money? Here’s what you should do if the IRS comes a calling.
Idaho Form 40 Line by Line Guide
If you live in Idaho, check out our breakdown of Form 40 the Idaho individual income tax return. It won’t take long.
IRS Audit: The Tax Audit Process
Learn what to expect if you have a run-in with the IRS.
New Mexico Form PIT-1 Line by Line Guide
If you live in New Mexico, don’t miss our breakdown of Form PIT-1, New Mexico’s Personal Income Tax Return.
Illinois Form IL-1040 Line by Line Guide
If you live in Illinois, don’t miss our breakdown of Form IL-1040. So what are you waiting for? The Cubs to win a World Series?
Heavy Levy
Even in the freest of nations, you are still subject to government seizure. Learn why and how the IRS will levy your property.
First-time Home Buyers Tax Guide
First Time Homebuyers Tax-Guide: If this is your first time buying a home learn how to get $8,000 back at tax time. If that doesn't move you, what will?
New Jersey Form NJ-1040 Line by Line Guide
If you live in New Jersey, don’t miss our breakdown of the NJ-1040, Jersey’s residential tax return.
Oklahoma Form 511 Line by Line Guide
If you live in Oklahoma, don’t miss our breakdown of Form 511, Oklahoma’s own personal income tax return.
Indiana Form IT-40 Line by Line Guide
If you live in Indiana, don’t miss our breakdown of Form IT-40. So what are you waiting for? Agriculture credits?
North Carolina Form D-400 Line by Line Guide
If you live in North Carolina, don’t miss our breakdown of D-400, the North Carolina individual tax return.
Oregon Form 40 Line by Line Guide
If you live in Oregon, don’t miss our breakdown of Form 40, Oregon’s Individual Income Tax Return.
Taxes & Buffett
Warren Buffett, aka the Oracle of Omaha and the $45 Billion dollar man, recently sat down to discuss his ideas for increasing tax revenue and growing the economy.
Iowa Form IA-1040 Line by Line Guide
If you live in Iowa, don’t miss our breakdown of the IA 1040. It’s the Iowa individual tax form, it’s a bear, and it’s due by April 30. So don’t wait!
New York Form IT-201 Line by Line Guide
If you live in New York, don’t miss our breakdown of IT-201, New York’s own Resident Income Tax Return.
Pennsylvania Form PA-40 Line by Line Guide
If you live in Pennsylvania, don’t miss our breakdown of PA-40, Pensylvania’s own income tax return.
A Guide to Form 8829 Expenses for Business Use of Your Home
Tons of folks want to work from home but are intimidated by all the red tape. Follow along as we break down all the deductable expenses you get from a home-based business.
Rhode Island Form RI-1040 Line by Line Guide
If you live in Rhode Island, don’t miss our breakdown of the RI-1040, Rhode Island’s own resident individual income tax return.
North Dakota Form ND-1 Line by Line Guide
If you live in North Dakota, don’t miss our breakdown of Form ND-1, the North Dakota individual income tax return.
1040 Line by Line Guide
This handy guide to form 1040 will hold your hand the whole way through, line by precious line.
Divorce and Taxes
So you've made the decision to separate. Now that your marriage is over you'll need to know how the change will affect the way you pay taxes.
Kansas Form K-40 Line by Line Guide
If you’re a Kansas Jayhawk, don’t miss our breakdown of Form K-40 the Kansas Individual Income Tax. And unlike Iowa it won’t take you a month of Sundays to complete.
South Carolina Form SC-1040 Line by Line Guide
If you live in South Carolina, don’t miss our breakdown of Form SC1040, the States individual income tax return.
A Guide to Form 2106 Employee Business Expenses
Do you use your own stuff for work? Get the write offs you deserve and learn how to move through the Employee Business Expense Form.
Kentucky Form 740 Line by Line Guide
If you live in Kentucky, don’t miss our breakdown of Form 740 the Kentucky Individual Income Tax Return.
Ohio Form IT-1040 Line by Line Guide
If you live in Ohio, don’t miss our breakdown of form IT-1040.
TaxAct Software Review
Tax season is right around the corner and Uncle Sam wants his money! You could spend more than $100 visiting a CPA or are you could save money, time, and energy by using tax software. However there are several tax software options. Read our guide on TaxACT to see if their software is right for you.
Utah Form TC-40 Line by Line Guide
If you live in Utah, don’t miss our breakdown of Form TC-40.
Schedule M: Making Work Pay Credit (For Tax Year 2010; Not offered for 2011)
American workers get a gift from the federal government in the form of the Making Work Pay Credit. Learn how easy it is to get a raise payable by the government.
1040EZ Line by Line Guide
This handy guide to form 1040EZ will hold your hand the whole way through, line by precious line.
Maine Form 1040ME Line by Line Guide
If you live in Maine, don’t miss our breakdown of the 1040ME, the Maine individual income tax form. Why am I thinking about Lobster?
Vermont Form IN-111 Line By Line Guide
If you live in Vermont, don’t miss our breakdown of Form In-111, Vermont’s own Income Tax Return.
Michigan Form MI-1040 Line by Line Guide
If you live in Michigan, don’t miss our breakdown of Form MI-1040, the Michigan individual income tax return.
TurboTax Software Review
Tax software can allow you to do your taxes on your schedule. However, there are several software options. Read our guide on TurboTax to find out what's like to use their software to file your tax return.
A Guide to Form 8283 Noncash Charitable Contributions
Learn how do-gooders can get a sweet tax deduction for all the good they've done.
5 Ways to Slash Your Taxes
Do you know anyone who likes to pay taxes? Me neither.
9 Deductions and Credits Even the Pros Miss
Uncle Sam loves it when taxpayers forget about these little beauties.
Alabama Form 40 Line by Line Guide
If you live in Alabama, you don’t want to miss our breakdown of Form 40 AKA Alabama’s personal income tax return.
The AMT and You
Through an IRS audit is the way most people learn they have to pay the AMT. Don't be like most people.
Montana Form 2M Line by Line Guide
If you live in Montana, don’t miss our breakdown of Form 2M, the Montana Individual Income Tax Return. And that’s a good thing because this form is a real bear.
Why eFile?
If you haven't jumped on the e-filing bandwagon yet, you will after reading this article.
Virginia Form 760 Line by Line Guide
If you live in Virginia, don’t miss our breakdown of Form 760 the Individual Tax Return.
5 Myths Accountants Want You to Believe
Your friendly neighborhood accountant wants you hooked on his services.
The 3 Pillars of Tax Planning
Want to guess-timate your taxes? This guide is just what you’ve been waiting for.
1040A Line by Line Guide
This handy guide to form 1040A will hold your hand the whole way through, line by precious line.
Just Say No to Big Tax Refunds
Would you ever give money away, for no reason? Getting a big tax refund indicates you've given away money, free.
Arizona Form 140 Line by Line Guide
If you live in Arizona, you won’t want to miss our breakdown of Arizona Form 140, the resident personal income tax return. And that’s a good thing because this form is long, complicated, and sure to cause a few sleepless nights.
Nebraska Form 1040N Line by Line Guide
If you live in Nebraska, don’t miss our breakdown of Form 1040N, Nebraska’s Individual Income Tax Return.
New IRS Tax Law Bonanza!
Read about the new laws that impact the cash you made in 2011.
West Virginia Form IT-140 Line by Line Guide
If you live in West Virginia, don’t miss our breakdown of Form IT-140, the West Virginia Income Tax Return.
