Dear Liz: My daughter (51) blames me (74) almost daily for her financial problems. She says I didn’t teach her about money matters. I say she didn’t pay attention and made her own bad choices. She moved out more than 30 years ago and has had ample opportunities to learn. Answer: You didn’t ask a question, but […]
Recent Blog Posts
Q&A: Another way to get help with a stubborn IRS problem
Dear Liz: I read your advice about what to do when a refund is delayed. We overpaid our 2025 federal taxes by $16,200. It was the first year my husband was retired and we wanted to make sure enough tax was withheld from his pension. Our professionally prepared, e-filed return should have been very simple. Yet, […]
Q&A: How a congressional inquiry can help with an IRS problem
Dear Liz: I agree with the writer who suggested contacting elected officials for help with IRS issues. I worked for the IRS as a criminal investigator for 25 years and dealt with the majority of divisions. An inquiry forwarded by a member of Congress on behalf of a constituent is known as a “congressional.” When a […]
Q&A: How to protect QCD checks from mail theft
Dear Liz: In response to a reader whose check to the IRS was stolen from the post office, you (again) warned readers that mail theft and check fraud have soared and that electronic payments are now the safest way to send money. I’ve been making my charitable donations using qualified charitable distributions from my IRA. My […]
Q&A: Why a fireproof safe may not protect your estate documents
Dear Liz: I’d like to add to the conversation about where to store estate documents. Having lost my home, studio, office, and all the contents in the Eaton fire of January 2025, I can tell you that the temperature of our urban fire was high enough to incinerate the contents of many “fireproof” home safes in […]
Q&A: Delayed tax refund? Contact your lawmaker
Dear Liz: A reader requested advice regarding a delayed tax refund. I had a similar problem a few years ago. The IRS owed me a substantial refund. I tried calling the IRS but couldn’t reach a person. The automated system insisted my refund had been sent. I wound up calling my congressman’s office. They assigned a […]