• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Ask Liz Weston

Get smart with your money

  • About
  • Liz’s Books
  • Speaking
  • Disclosure
  • Contact

refunds

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

November 10, 2020 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: How to turn unused credit card rewards into holiday gifts. Also in the news: Can college students booted for breaking COVID-19 rules get refunds, when to book your holiday travel, and how to get help from a food pantry.

How to Turn Unused Credit Card Rewards Into Holiday Gifts
You may be able to use rewards or credits to cover food, charitable donations, streaming services, exercise programs and more.

Can College Students Booted for Breaking COVID-19 Rules Get Refunds?
Be prepared for consequences, like suspension and lost financial aid, if you break your school’s COVID-19 rules.

Should You Book Holiday Travel Now or Later?
Booking your holiday travel early comes with more flexibility now than in past years.

How to Get Help From a Food Pantry
There’s no shame in needing help, especially right now.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: college students, COVID-19, credit card rewards, food pantries, holiday travel, refunds

Q&A: IRS pays interest on late refunds

July 27, 2020 By Liz Weston

Dear Liz: I filed my return electronically with direct deposit. I have yet to receive my refund or that stimulus relief check. We have to pay interest on any late tax payment. Will the IRS pay interest on late refunds?

Answer: The IRS has said it will pay interest on late refunds if the return was filed by July 15, the extended tax deadline. The interest “will generally be paid from April 15, 2020, until the date of the refund,” the IRS says on its site. Don’t expect to get rich: The interest rate for the second quarter, which ended June 30, is 5% a year, while the interest rate for the third quarter, which ends Sept. 30, is 3% a year.

Filed Under: Q&A, Taxes Tagged With: interest, IRS, q&a, refunds, Taxes

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

April 30, 2020 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: IRS Data shows agency, filers slow down. Also in the news: How to ask your bank or lender for help, how to protect your health with a clean car, and what to do if you get a bill for your Coronavirus test.

IRS Data: Refunds Lag as Agency, Tax Filers Slow Down
You should get in line for your refund.

How to Ask Your Bank or Lender for Help
Don’t be intimidated.

Protect Your Health With a Clean Car
Protecting your health and your investment.

What to Do if You Get a Bill for Your Coronavirus Test
Navigating your way through the red tape.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: automobiles, banking assistance, Coronavirus, IRS, refunds, Taxes

Friday’s need-to-know money news

February 14, 2020 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Haven’t filed a tax return lately? You can still get a refund. Also in the news: The ultimate travel tip for couples, a new tax form that may help simplify filing for seniors, and what Trump’s budget plan would mean for you student loan debt.

Haven’t Filed a Tax Return Lately? You Can Still Get a Refund
You’re owed what you’re owed.

Ask a Points Nerd: Our Ultimate Travel Tip for Couples
Companion tickets make it easier.

This New Tax Form May Help Simplify Filing for Seniors
The 1040-SR.

What Trump’s Budget Plan Would Mean for Your Student Loan Debt
Looking at the key cuts.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: refunds, Student Loans, tax returns, taxes and seniors, travel tips for couples, Trump budget

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

February 12, 2019 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: The biggest financial mistake women make. Also in the news: How to find the dirt on your tax preparer, nine states where you can file your taxes after April 15th, and experts reveal who is likely to get a lower refund this tax season.

The Biggest Financial Mistake Women Make
Navigating the wage gap.

How to Find the Dirt on Your Tax Preparer
Be careful who you trust.

You Can File Taxes After April 15 in These Nine States
Is yours one of them?

Here’s who is more likely to get a lower refund this tax season, according to experts
Don’t be caught by surprise.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: refunds, tax preparers, Taxes, women and money

Q&A: Credits can boost a refund beyond the taxes paid — and keep millions out of poverty

April 3, 2017 By Liz Weston

Dear Liz: A friend of mine received a 2016 tax refund of over $9,000 even though this person did not pay nearly that amount in taxes over the course of the year. My friend has a fairly low-paying job with no benefits, is a single parent of two young children and receives no support from the children’s other parent. Given this scenario, is it possible to get a tax refund in an amount greater than what you paid in taxes?

Answer: Absolutely, and these refundable credits keep millions of working Americans out of poverty each year.

Refundable credits are tax breaks that don’t just offset taxes you owe but also can give you additional money back. Most of your friend’s refund probably came from the earned income tax credit, which was initially created in the 1970s to help low-income workers offset Social Security taxes and rising food costs due to inflation.

The credit was expanded during President Reagan’s administration as a way to make work more attractive than welfare. Each administration since has increased the credit, which has broad bipartisan support.

The maximum credit in 2016 was $506 for a childless worker and $6,269 for earners with three or more children. Your friend probably also received child tax credits of up to $1,000 per child. This credit, meant to offset the costs of raising children, is also at least partially refundable when people work and earn more than $3,000.

Filed Under: Q&A, Taxes Tagged With: Earned Income Credit, q&a, refunds, tax credits, Taxes

  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Search

Copyright © 2025 · Ask Liz Weston 2.0 On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in