5 Tips to Pick the Best Credit Cards For Your Wallet
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.
The Child and Dependent Care Credit Explained
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.
Do You Qualify for the Mortgage Interest Credit?
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.
The Earned Income Tax Credit Explained
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 […]
Missing a W-2 Form? Here’s What to Do If Your Employer Has Not Sent Your W-2
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 […]
What is the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service
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 […]
5 Things That Will Help You Retire Comfortably
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?
6 Questions to Ask and Answer Before You Retire
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?
Credit Strategies to Avoid Falling Off Your Own Fiscal Cliff
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 […]
Beware of This Low Rate Credit Card Scam
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 […]
Why A Hedge Fund Guru Calls This Weight Loss Company a Pyramid Scheme
Herbalife is a multi-level marketing company that sells weight loss products and nutritional supplements. On the surface, there’s nothing illegal about that. But one prominent investor, hedge fund guru Bill Ackman, is convinced that Herbalife is a scam. According to Ackman, who runs an $11 billion hedge fund called Pershing Square, Herbalife is actually a “pyramid scheme.” […]
Shocking Tax Fact: Claim This One Tax Credit and The IRS Will Almost Certainly Audit You
Most Americans dread the prospect of being audited by the IRS. But the truth is that IRS audits actually happen very rarely. According to IRS data, only about 1% of the nation’s 150 million taxpayers get audited annually. So the odds are pretty good that you won’t face an IRS audit in any given year. But those […]
7 Tips for Paying Holiday Debt When You’re Broke (or Want to Keep Your Cash)
Let’s be real: Those holiday bills have rolled in and now you’re wondering how to best pay off holiday debt, right? Well, to get rid of holiday debt you have numerous options, but they all depend on your cash flow and your credit. Here’s a look at seven strategies to eliminate holiday debt and get […]
How to Survive a Rent Increase
Apartment rents are expected to rise for the fifth year in a row as the economy continues to improve. According to the latest reports from the National Association of Realtors, rent prices in the U.S. increased by 5.5% nationally in 2021, and are projected to increase by 4.4% in 2022 and 4.2% in 2023. This […]
Americans Becoming More Optimistic About Economy Despite Fiscal Cliff Drama
If all the hand wringing in recent months over the “fiscal cliff” had you worried about the economy and your own personal finances, you’re not alone. We all know that 2012 was a tough financial year. And Congress didn’t make it any easier when it took forever but finally passed a deal in early January […]