More than nine million people have their identities stolen each year, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The amount of money and time victims lose varies widely. But one thing is for certain: It’s important to keep a close eye on your credit.

Free reports are available from Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union every 12 months. For extra vigilance, request a report from one of the three bureaus every four months.

Several noteworthy individual tax provisions expired at the end of 2011. Congress may retroactively reinstate some of them. But for now, they’re off the table.

Students and parents of college-age students, take note: Above-the-line deductions for up to $4,000 of qualified tuition and related expenses are a thing of the past. So are above-the-line deductions for up to $250 worth of professional expenses incurred by elementary- and secondary-school teachers.

Most people store vast amounts of information on computers and online. Yet few think about what will happen to their digital assets after they’re gone.

Digital assets range from online financial accounts to e-mail and social networking accounts and domain names. Photographs, documents, and other files also belong to this category.

The year is almost over, but there’s still time for 2011 tax planning.

There are several ways to reduce the likelihood of liability for the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), a nearly flat tax on taxable income. Individuals must pay the greater of a regular income-based tax or the AMT.