As a 58-year-old woman on disability, Robin Short of Wallingford, Connecticut, relies on her tax refund to catch up on bills. She filed her return electronically in February, opting for direct deposit so she could get her $773 refund quickly. She’s still waiting, as are millions of others. In my latest for the Associated Press, […]
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Tuesday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: Five credit card benefits you probably have but don’t know about. Also in the news: A bargain hunter’s guide to used car shopping, Millennials share their top financial regrets, and where to find free tax filing options. Five credit card benefits you probably have but don’t know about Don’t leave money on […]
Monday’s need-to-know money news
Today’s top story: How new grads can handle 3 essential post-college questions. Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on money goals and bank bonuses, the possibility of another stimulus check, and everything that goes away when coronavirus benefits end in July. How New Grads Can Handle 3 Essential Post-College Questions […]
Q&A: The IRS is finally staffing up. Here’s how to get your coronavirus stimulus money
Dear Liz: We do not make enough income to file tax returns, so we used the IRS site to apply for our economic stimulus payment ($1,700 for one adult and one teenage child). We received a response email stating our information was received successfully by the IRS several weeks ago. We included our bank deposit […]
Q&A: The ups and downs of reverse mortgages
Dear Liz: I have been a reverse mortgage specialist for the last 12 years and had some thoughts about the writer who complained that the $40,000 she initially borrowed had grown to a debt of $189,000, or more than her home was worth. Using a compound interest calculator, it would take about 16.5 years for […]
Q&A: Tapping IRA creates a taxing problem
Dear Liz: I took $250,000 out of my retirement account in 2019 to set up five 529 accounts for my young grandchildren. As a result, my federal and state tax bills are $80,000. I’ll need to take that money out of my IRA. Will I keep having to pay large tax bills in order to […]