Despite the considerable and, perhaps, justifiable hysteria surrounding the prospect of the expiring Bush-Era tax cuts, this year-end, at its most basic level, is fairly consistent with past years when we faced prospective increases or decreases in tax rates.

FORBES: Major Year-End Income Tax Considerations

But because the profit has been taxed already at the company level those dividends are now received tax free by basic rate income tax payers.

FORBES: Obama's Budget Raises Dividend Taxes to 39.6%: This is Not a Good Idea

At the most basic level, the IRS matches your forms W-2 and forms 1099 to your tax returns.

FORBES: Where The Heck Are My Forms W-2 And Other Tax Forms?