Credit monitoring is an electronic, subscription-based service for consumers who want to track their credit activity at the “Big 3” U.S. credit reporting agencies — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Credit bureaus, credit scoring firms and other companies typically sell credit monitoring services for a fee ranging from about $10 to $20 a month. But some […]
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The Adoption Credit is one of the biggest refundable tax credits offered in the U.S. tax code, and it can provide those who have adopted children with refund checks of many thousands of dollars.
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The number of fraudulent tax returns filed by U.S. prisoners has exploded in recent years, representing a growing financial problem and a headache for IRS officials and American taxpayers alike. According to a recent report from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), back in 2010, prisoners filed 77,563 bogus tax returns in a
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I can still remember when I got my first credit card. It was the 1986-1987 school year and I was a freshman at the University of California, Irvine.
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Identity theft is a crime that occurs whenever one or more individuals steal someone else’s personal information for financial gain. The stolen information could be a Social Security number, driver’s license, a credit card, bank account, or any other private data. If you are the victim of identity theft, a crook could do any or
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If you’re in the market for one or more credit cards, don’t just consider the annual fees, the interest rates, or the perks you’ll get from having certain credit cards. It’s also smart to consider your lifestyle, spending habits and how you actually use credit cards.
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The Child and Dependent Care Credit became permanent starting with the 2012 tax year – giving working individuals with kids and other dependents a major way to offset their childcare and dependent care expenses. The Dependent Care Credit allows you to deduct up to 35% of your childcare bills, up to a maximum of $6,000.
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You may qualify for a mortgage interest credit if a state agency or a local government issued you a mortgage credit certificate for low-income housing. Typically, a mortgage credit certificate is only issued when you purchase a home and take out a new mortgage – as opposed to doing a refinancing.
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Claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit on your 2012 taxes is a great way to lower your federal income tax bill – or even get a tax refund check worth thousands of dollars from the government. The Earned Income Tax Credit, commonly called the EITC, is a refundable tax credit provided to low-to-moderate income individuals
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If you are missing or have not received your W-2, you’ll need to try to get it as soon as possible, or take other steps required by law, in order to file your income taxes. By law, all employers are required by January 31 to report employee income and employment taxes withheld from employees on
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The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has developed a Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) to ensure that taxpayers are treated fairly and have a clear understanding about their rights. Many people are confused about issues related to paying taxes and have questions about filing and paying taxes. The role of the Taxpayer Advocate Services is to help
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We often hear so much bad news about Baby Boomers and others who aren’t properly prepared to retire comfortably in the U.S. But what about those who have adequately prepared, or who successfully transitioned into retirement?
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Planning for your retirement can be an exciting endeavor, but also a scary prospect if you feel financially unprepared. So how do you know if you’re really economically ready to say goodbye to your colleagues and check out of the workforce?
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Getting your finances in order in 2013 can improve your financial wellness and make it easier to manage your budget. One great way to bolster your finances is to get your credit in tip-top shape. After all, credit is a asset that can best be utilized when you manage it wisely. But when you abuse
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The Federal Trade Commission has shut down yet another l0w rate credit card scam – showing that not all balance transfer offers are created equal. This one involved a company called National Card Monitor LLC. The FTC’s action happened in December 2012, and was the sixth credit card interest rate scheme the FTC had identified
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