Get smart with your money
Dear Liz: What is the difference between using an enrolled agent and a certified public accountant to file income taxes? I have used a CPA in the past to file my federal and state income taxes but I need to find a new person for this job. My financial situation is fairly simple: single, no dependents […]
Continue reading...
Dear Liz: You recently wrote about check theft and the fraud possibilities when paying with checks through the mail. The largest checks that I send are to the IRS and California’s Franchise Tax Board. Is there a way to send in tax payments electronically rather than by check? Answer: Absolutely, and tax authorities typically encourage you to use these […]
Continue reading...
Dear Liz: Personal checks are not stolen while in transit; they’re stolen from mailboxes which are, for the most part, unprotected and not covered by security cameras. So, if you want your check to go through the mail, walk it into the post office. More than once I’ve found that previous mailers had just slipped their […]
Continue reading...
For Ambus Hunter, what started as a fun trip to Las Vegas when he was 25 soon turned into a gambling addiction. “I got consumed with the vibes,” he says, recalling how he loved the feeling of winning at first. He began gambling back home in the Midwest and on business trips, playing roulette whenever […]
Continue reading...
This week’s top story: Life insurance living benefits. In other news: What you can do dealing with FAFSA glitches and confusion, what you can do when no-warning credit limit cuts happen, and more student loan changes are on the way. What Are Life Insurance Living Benefits? Life insurance living benefits provide extra financial security while you’re still […]
Continue reading...
Dear Liz: My husband died in November 2022. I was told that if I sell the house within two years of his death, I can benefit from two capital gains exclusions, his and mine, each for $250,000. The house was appraised at $912,000 based on his date of death. I don’t imagine it would sell for […]
Continue reading...
Dear Liz: You said 529 accounts could not be used for groceries. I searched on the internet and found that students can use 529 money to purchase meals off campus and buy groceries. Which is correct? Answer: The original letter writer’s child lived on campus, so the amount the family can withdraw tax free from the 529 account is limited to what they […]
Continue reading...
Widows and widowers are often told not to make any major decisions for a year or more after a spouse’s death. Grief can cause you to make choices you later regret. Some financial tasks, though, shouldn’t be postponed. Revising your budget, meeting with a tax pro and securing access to credit can help protect you […]
Continue reading...
This week’s top story: White House touts U.S. economy’s strength as election year begins. In other news: 5 signs you should consolidate your credit card debt in 2024, the cost of literally keeping your chin up, and 5 cities where you can book a 5-star hotel for cheap. White House Touts U.S. Economy’s Strength as Election […]
Continue reading...
Dear Liz: The beneficiary on the 529 college savings account I manage has no education plans so they cannot use the 529 funds without tax penalty. They also do not work, so I cannot roll the money over into a Roth IRA for them because there is no earned income to qualify for the rollover contribution. However, I […]
Continue reading...