Ask Liz Weston

Get smart with your money

tax deductions

Monday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: Should your student loans and your spouse’s get hitched? Also in the news: Investing vs paying student loans, the blunt truth about medical expenses, marijuana, and your tax returns, and how to figure out your finances when you’re single.

Should Your Student Loans and Your Spouse’s Get Hitched?
A look at the pros and cons.

SmartMoney Podcast: ‘Should I Invest or Pay Down My Student Loans?’
Where should your money go?

Blunt Truths About Medical Expenses, Marijuana and Your Tax Return
The IRS needs to chill.

How to Figure Out Your Finances When You’re Single
Making the budget that works solely for you.

Your 401(k) just got more valuable

By

If your tax refund this year was disappointing, you may be able to do something about it: Contribute more to a retirement fund.

Tax-deductible contributions to 401(k)s, IRAs and other retirement accounts are among the few remaining ways to reduce taxable income if you don’t itemize deductions. And few of us do these days: Only about 1 in 10 taxpayers is expected to itemize now that Congress has nearly doubled the standard deduction, tax experts say. That’s down from about 1 in 3 before the law changed.

As a result, many of the traditional tips and tricks for reducing tax bills either no longer work or are of limited help.  In my latest for the Associated Press, how to use your 401(k) to reduce your taxable income.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: 12 African-American financial gurus to follow in 2019. Also in the news: How minimalism can declutter your finances, 11 Presidents Day sales to shop this weekend, and 6 small business tax deductions.

12 African-American Financial Gurus to Follow in 2019
Personal finance experts share their best advice.

Minimalism Can Declutter Your Finances, Too
Debt does not spark joy.

11 Presidents Day Sales to Shop This Weekend
Good time to buy a new mattress.

6 Small Business Tax Deductions
Don’t skip these deductions.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: How to manage student loan debt without making it worse. Also in the news: How to get credit when you have none, why it may be time to stop itemizing your tax deductions, and the state most burdened by credit card debt.

How to Manage Student Loan Debt Without Making It Worse
Don’t let interest get out of hand.

How to Get Credit When You Have None
Starting from scratch.

It May Be Time to Stop Itemizing Your Tax Deductions
The standard deduction could be enough.

This state is the most burdened by credit-card debt
Is it yours?

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: How bad credit can increase your car costs. Also in the news: Owning Bitcoin creates a complex tax situation, 13 last-ditch ways to avoid the poorhouse in retirement, and the top 7 tax deductions and credits people forget.

Good Driver, Bad Credit: What Makes Your Car Costs So High
It’s not just the monthly payment.

Owning Bitcoin Creates a Complex Tax Situation
Taxing cryptocurrency.

13 Last-Ditch Ways to Avoid the Poorhouse in Retirement
Before it’s too late.

Top 7 Tax Deductions And Credits That People Forget
Leave no deduction behind.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: 7 signs you’ve gone from frugal to cheap. Also in the news: 7 ways to avoid becoming a scary student loan statistic, following the lead of Millennials to save more for retirement, and retirement community fees that can be deducted as medical expenses.

7 Signs You’ve Gone From Frugal to Cheap
A slippery slope.

7 Ways to Avoid Becoming a Scary Student Loan Stat
Don’t become a statistic.

To Save More for Retirement, Follow These Millennials’ Lead

You can deduct these retirement community fees as medical expenses
Unexpected savings.