Tom Werner | DigitalVision | Getty Images There’s a growing list of essential things for taxpayers to know as the IRS embarks on a challenging season with limited staffing and a backlog from 2021 that’s still millions of returns deep. There were 6 million unprocessed individual returns as of Dec. 31, according to the IRS,
Personal finance
Throughout the pandemic, 529 college savings plans have only gained momentum — even as higher-education enrollment numbers sank. In 2021, the average account size jumped to a record of $30,287, according to the College Savings Plans Network, or CSPN. Total investments in 529s also reached a record $464.3 billion last year, up nearly 10% from 2020. More
Taiwanese ethnicity man looking at the home budget and sorting out bills using his laptop in his cozy living room SrdjanPav | E+ | Getty Images Americans are feeling the impact of surging inflation, which doesn’t appear to be easing up anytime soon. For many, that means it’s a good time to revise the family
Algerina Perna | Baltimore Sun | MCT | Getty Images If you plan to drop money on a Super Bowl bet this weekend, remember that the IRS will want a piece of your winnings. Americans are expected to wager $7.61 billion on Sunday night’s matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals in Los
It started with Melissa Houston buying small indulgences online — shoes, clothes, handbags. Then, she moved on to major purchases, renovating the family room and putting a swimming pool in the backyard. She says her spending spree spiraled her family’s finances into massive debt — and she hid it from her husband. “I went off
Your grocery bill has likely been going up. That’s because food prices are rising steeply, with the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showing a 7.4% increase between January 2021 and January 2022. The cost of bacon has swelled by 18%, and peanut butter, 15%. It’s unclear when the uptick will relent.
Items on sale at a Washington, D.C., supermarket on Jan. 12, 2022. Stefani Reynolds | AFP | Getty Images If surging costs are a concern, you may consider using your tax refund to bypass the purchase limits on I bonds, a nearly risk-free and inflation-protected asset. Annual inflation rose by 7.5% in January, growing at
Brothers91 | E+ | Getty Images Tax season is underway — and the IRS is warning of a likely increase in scams targeting taxpayers. Agency officials are sounding the alarm on “IRS impersonation scams,” in which criminals pose as IRS agents to try stealing money or personal information. The latter can lead to identity theft
sturti The Covid-19 pandemic has made it difficult for people to answer big questions about their futures, and many financial planners are underestimating the financial anxiety that is causing, according to a survey. A majority of financial planning clients — 71% — report experiencing financial anxiety at least half of the time, according to researchers
Ariel Skelley | DigitalVision | Getty Images Municipal bonds, also known as muni bonds, have become a popular option for investors seeking security and tax-free portfolio income. However, these assets may also trigger a costly surprise for retirees. Demand surged in 2021 amid President Joe Biden‘s proposed tax increases, with a record $96.8 billion of net money
mediaphotos | E+ | Getty Images Tax filing season is underway. Most Americans should be able to file their 2021 tax returns to the IRS for free. About 100 million Americans, or roughly 70% of people filing taxes in the U.S., are eligible to submit their tax returns to the IRS at no cost, according
staticnak1983 | E+ | Getty Images Millions of parents who’ve defaulted on their federal student loans may get part of their child tax credit seized this tax season. The federal government has long been able to collect past-due debts, like child support, owed to state and federal agencies. This occurs via the Treasury Offset Program,