• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Ask Liz Weston

Get smart with your money

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

tax season

If you need to find tax help, try DIY first

March 31, 2021 By Liz Weston

Getting help from the IRS this tax season is going to be a challenge.

The IRS has finally opened the 23.4 million pieces of mail that piled up after the pandemic shuttered its processing centers last spring. But the agency still has a backlog of paperwork from last year even as it ingests this year’s returns, issues a third round of relief payments and gears up to send monthly child tax credit payments to millions of families.

The tax deadline has been moved from April 15 to May 17, giving people more time to file. Getting help is another matter. Callers face long wait times with no guarantee they’ll reach a human being. Meanwhile, many tax help sites are closed or working at reduced capacity because of COVID-19 restrictions.

In my latest for the Associated Press, common questions and answers that could save you some time or point you to resources that will help.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: tax help, tax season, Taxes

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

June 24, 2020 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: A bargain hunter’s guide to used car shopping. Also in the news: Unlock savings with these little-known credit card benefits, finding the outperformers in the stock market, and 7 hacks you need to survive tax season.

A Bargain Hunter’s Guide to Used Car Shopping
The key to success is knowing where to look.

Unlock Savings With These Little-Known Credit Card Benefits
You could have purchase protection.

Looking for Recession-Proof Stocks? Find the Outperformers
Some are tried and true.

7 hacks you need to survive tax season
These tips will help get you through in one piece.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: outperformers, stock market, tax season, tips, used car shopping

Monday’s need-to-know money news

January 23, 2017 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: How to find a good tax preparer. Also in the news: Excuses for delaying retirement savings, what the TCF bank suit means for you, and why used cars usually have higher interests rates.

How to Find a Good Tax Preparer (and Write Off the Bad Ones)
Finding good help during tax season.

Excuses, Excuses When Delaying Retirement Savings
No more excuses.

What TCF Bank Suit Means for You: Defend Against Overdraft Fees
What opting in really means.

Why Used Cars Usually Have Higher Interest Rates
Guarding against risk.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: interest rates, retirement savings, tax professionals, tax season, TCF bank, used cars

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

January 19, 2017 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: 5 financial goals to set in 2017. Also in the news: What you should do with rising home equity credit rates, simple tasks to prepare you for tax season, and 7 ways to prepare for an unpaid maternity leave.

5 Financial Goals to Set in 2017
Short-term and long-term.

Home Equity Line of Credit Rates to Rise; What Should You Do?
Assessing your options.

These Simple Tasks Prepare You for Tax Season
Getting your documents in order.

7 Ways to Prepare for an Unpaid Maternity Leave
Creating a less stressful maternity leave.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: financial goals, home equity credit rates, maternity leave, tax season, Taxes, tips

Four ways to get a jump on tax season

October 15, 2015 By Liz Weston

bigstock-U-s-Income-Tax-Return-Form-28476797-e1390508229663Taxpayers face a cliffhanger again this year as Congress dithers about extending more than 50 expired tax breaks, including popular deductions for college tuition and fees, mortgage insurance and sales taxes.

As we wait for lawmakers to act, though, we still have time left in the year to make adjustments based on changes that have already happened. In my latest for Reuters, I share four ways to get a head start on tax season.

In my latest for Bankrate, how to find an honest financial advisor.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog, Taxes Tagged With: financial advisors, tax season, Taxes

Monday’s need-to-know money news

April 20, 2015 By Liz Weston

o-CREDIT-REPORT-facebookToday’s top story: The ten things you need to know about credit scores. Also in the news: Five ways to save in managing your money, why passive income is worth more than active income, and six retirement planning rules for single women.

10 Things Everyone Should Know About Credit Scores
What you need to know.

5 New Ways to Save Big Bucks in Managing Your Money
How to find the lowest fees.

Why Passive Income Is Worth More than Active Income
Passive income just sits back and gets bigger.

Tax Season Is Over, But the Typical American Is Still Working for Uncle Sam
The beat goes on.

6 Retirement Planning Rules for Single Womenking
Making sure you’re prepared for the future.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: active income, Credit Scores, money management, passive income, Retirement, retirement tips, tax season

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

Primary Sidebar

Search

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