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tax refunds

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How Millennials can take their money beyond the basics. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on spring money tasks and debt strategies, using your tax refund to pay down debt, and how fear, doubt and uncertainty can derail crypto and investing plans.

How Millennials Can Take Their Money Beyond the Basics
You’ve mastered money management fundamentals, which served you well for a time. But a few tweaks to your finances will make a big difference as you approach your 40s and beyond.

Smart Money Podcast: 3 Spring Money Tasks, and Debt Payoff Options
Check on your money goals. Then learn about several debt payoff strategies, which vary in their effectiveness.

Use Your Tax Refund to Knock Down Debt, Lift Your Finances
Bringing balances down can save on interest, help your credit score and clear the path to reaching financial goals.

FUD: Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt Can Derail Crypto, Investing Plans
Cryptocurrency investors commonly use the term FUD to describe what they see as unfounded skepticism.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Tips for appealing s denied health insurance claim. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on pet insurance and tax refunds, learning about your money in small steps, and big expenses you could face in retirement.

Tips for Appealing a Denied Health Insurance Claim
You have some recourse to get the insurance company to reverse its decision.

Smart Money Podcast: Using Your Tax Refund, and Is Pet Insurance Worth the Cost?
If you’re expecting a tax refund, it might be late. Plus, thinking through health care costs for a beloved pet.

Learn About Your Money in Small, Manageable Steps
April is Financial Literacy Month.

4 Big Expenses You Could Face in Retirement
Retirement planning is part savings, part guessing game.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: What to do if your refund is delayed and your bills aren’t. Also in the news: Former Simple customers undergo a rough transition to BBVA, why a credit card’s looks aren’t everything, and how to keep health insurance after losing your job.

What to Do If Your Refund Is Delayed and Your Bills Aren’t
The IRS is running behind.

Former Simple Customers Undergo Rough Transition to BBVA
Things haven’t gone smoothly.

Why a Credit Card’s Looks Aren’t Everything

How to Keep Health Insurance After Losing Your Job
A look at the options.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Start early to get your house retirement-ready. Also in the news: Why these federal student loan borrowers are out of luck, 5 options for people who can’t afford their tax bills, and why big tax refunds aren’t as great as they seem.

Start Early to Get Your House Retirement-Ready
Most homes aren’t ready for “aging in place,” but you could take steps now to make your home better for retirement.

These Federal Student Loan Borrowers Aren’t Getting Relief
FFEL borrowers are out of luck.

5 Options for People Who Can’t Afford Their Tax Bills
If you can’t afford your tax bill, consider an installment plan or an offer in compromise if you qualify.

Why Big Tax Refunds Aren’t As Great as They Seem
You’re giving the IRS a loan.

Q&A: 2020 taxes bring another stimulus shot

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Dear Liz: My 2019 tax return was electronically submitted May 11 and my income was low enough to qualify for a stimulus payment. I got my refund at the end of July but was told I wouldn’t get a stimulus check because my 2018 income was too high. The IRS agent on the phone said I could request the money when I filed my 2020 taxes. But isn’t that past the deadline? The agent sounded like he was just trying to get me off the phone.

Answer: He probably was, but he gave you the correct information. The IRS used the tax returns it had on hand this spring when it started sending out stimulus payments. Since your 2019 return hadn’t been filed, it used your 2018 income to determine how much, if anything, to send you.

People who didn’t get checks or got too little aren’t out of luck. The stimulus checks were an advance payment of a credit that will be added to people’s 2020 tax returns. If you should have received a check but didn’t, you’ll get the full credit added to your refund next year.

Q&A: Coronavirus stimulus checks, tax refunds and the IRS’ backlog hell

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Dear Liz: I’m a CPA. I sent out your recent column about IRS backlogs to two clients just this morning. It’s nice to have a published article backing up what I’ve unfortunately been having to tell clients for a few weeks now.

Answer: Pandemic-related shutdowns, years of congressional budget cuts and the effort required to push out more than 159 million stimulus checks have left the IRS facing a massive backlog. National Taxpayer Advocate Erin Collins estimated that 4.7 million unopened paper tax returns had accumulated as of mid-May. Taxpayers who filed paper returns and are due a refund may be in for “a long wait,” Collins told Congress last month. Many lower-income people and those who lost jobs are in dire need of the money, but it is unclear when they will get it.