$100 Brokerage Promotions

If you are looking to jump back into the market and are looking for a new broker, there are currently 2 active promos where you can get $100 when opening a new brokerage account. Here are the details:

$100 Tradeking Refer a  Friend Promo -  Get $100 when you open a new account, deposit $1000 and make 1 trade within 80 days. (See post for more details) – Note that this offer expires 4/14/11, so open your account today!

OptionsXpress $100 New Account Bonus – Get $100 when you open a new trading account with at least $500 and make 3 trades within 12 months of opening the account. (See post for more details) Note that it was just announced that OptionsXpress will be merging with Charles Schwab, so there is no telling if this offer will expire prior to the 12/31/11 date posted on their site.

I have accounts with both and use Tradeking for stocks and OptionsXpress for options. I really haven’t had any issues with either. I have had to call OptionsXpress’ customer service a few times but everything was resolved quickly.

Illinois Requires You Pay Tax on Out-Of-State Purchases

As I do my taxes this year, I noticed a nice new little change to the Illinois tax law. Within Turboax.com I started my Illinois return and was presented with this question…

Well isn’t that nice. Illinois is actually requiring me to pay taxes on my out of state purchases. Unfortunately this year I didn’t keep track of that, so I am assuming that I should say no. At this point I am not sure how enforced this new law will be. Am I going to get audited if I select no? Well I can’t prove that I did or did not buy anything from places like Amazon.com or Buy.com. But I might think twice during this year. I guess as more and more states are trying to get every penny they can, we may someday see the end of tax free shopping at Internet sites. For all you fellow Illinoisans, what are you answering for this question?

In related news, if you haven’t heard as well, Amazon.com and Overstock.com have dropped all Illinois affiliates, since our genius Governor has decided to ask for taxes from any companies that have affiliates in the state. It’s funny that when you bankrupt a state, you go after people’s livelihoods to make up for the fact that you can’t manage your own wallet, much less the tax payers. Hey people run government like a business! And if you suck at it, then you should get fired and replaced! I think it is time to start thinking about moving out of Illinois. Colorado, here I come!

2011 IRS Refund Schedule

If you are patiently waiting for your IRS refund, or are still working on getting your taxes done, check out the 2011 IRS Refund Schedule to see when your refund will be making its way to your bank account.

The schedule includes not only electronic refunds but paper check refunds as well. It also is in Spanish on page two. The schedule shows refund dates up through October 20th 2011, if you happen to file an extension.

And if you have an Android or iPhone, the IRS has an app for that as well. Check out the press release here

I did my taxes last weekend and it looks like I should be getting mine on 3/11.