Getting help from the IRS this tax season is going to be a challenge. The IRS has finally opened the 23.4 million pieces of mail that piled up after the pandemic shuttered its processing centers last spring. But the agency still has a backlog of paperwork from last year even as it ingests this year’s […]
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Tuesday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: How to pick the right credit card for a major purchase. Also in the news: How to adjust your credit card strategy for 2021 travel, three factors to consider (and one to ignore) when choosing investment funds, and how you can deduct masks as a medical expense on your taxes. How to […]
Monday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: 5 pandemic-driven financial habits worth keeping. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on spring cleaning and COVID taxes, life insurance options when living with HIV, and be on the lookout for streaming service price hikes. 5 Pandemic-Driven Financial Habits Worth Keeping Americans have picked up new […]
Q&A: Where to find the most bang for your savings buck. Spoiler: On Wall Street
Dear Liz: I recently sold my home and want to put away funds for my daughters. I want to place $130,000 each in an account that will earn 7% to 10% interest for 30 years or so, providing them with a comfortable retirement fund. I’m thinking of having them start with a low-cost index mutual […]
Q&A: Roth IRA contributions
Dear Liz: I am a retired public employee and receive most of my compensation in monthly payments, for which I get a 1099R form at tax time. The rest of my compensation also comes in monthly installments and I receive an annual W-2 for that. My question is: Can I deposit my W-2 amount in […]
Q&A: Backdoor Roth Ira conversions
Dear Liz: I am 65, self-employed and have a SEP IRA as well as a Roth IRA. I’ve had a few low-income years, and I find myself in a very low tax bracket, most likely lower than when I begin to take distributions and collect Social Security in a few years. What are the steps […]