Most people are used to seeing sales tax on a receipt, but not every purchase includes it. When it doesn’t, you may still owe tax on that purchase through what’s called a use tax. This comes up most often with online shopping, out-of-state purchases and private sales. Understanding the difference…
Try to Offer Advice or Support Instead of Criticism While younger generations are often criticized for their lack of financial literacy, getting into debt can happen to any one at any age, and for a variety of reasons. The suggestion that younger generations are “terrible with money” is certainly not…
Key takeaways Down payment amounts vary widely depending on home prices and loan types. They can range from less than $10,000 to $200,000 or more. Most housing market data focuses on the median down payment, rather than the average, because it’s a better measure of what the typical borrower contributes.…
Spring is the season for renewal, a perfect time to perform a “deep clean” of your financial profile. While March marks National Credit Education Month, the real goal is gaining the freedom that comes with a top-tier credit rating. Whether you’re planning to buy a home, finance a car, or…
Trending
Spotlight This Week
More Articles
Personal Finance
Last year, on the day before Tax Day, my mom was scheduled to fly into Philadelphia International Airport to stay…
The nation’s 75 million Social Security recipients will receive a 2.8% cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase in their benefits…
With Republicans ending the Grad Plus program, private lenders are eyeing billions in new business, while some students could be…
Featured Articles
While buy-to-let real estate can generate steady cash flow and long-term appreciation, it also introduces specific tax rules, reporting requirements and potential liabilities. Rental income is generally taxable, but investors may qualify for deductions that reduce their overall tax burden. These can include expenses like…
Dept Managmnt
Paying off Debt on a Fixed Income: Making Sacrifices and Learning Patience Paying off debt on a fixed income requires discipline. Jill emphasizes…
Banking
For fintech startups, the first five years of the decade have been a roller-coaster ride. At the outset, companies were awash in easy…
Credit Cards
All News
Reaching your 80s doesn’t automatically mean saying goodbye to income taxes. Many retirees live on fixed incomes and may owe little or nothing to the IRS. However, others with pensions, investment income or retirement withdrawals may still face tax obligations. The key to understanding your tax situation in your later…
Key takeaways Start by identifying your primary banking needs: checking, savings, CDs or specialized services. Avoid banks with excessive fees — average overdraft fees are $26.77, but many banks offer fee-free options. Consider traditional banks, online banks and credit unions, keeping in mind that the latter two may provide better…
Andria Patino/Getty Images New York is one of the most expensive states to buy a home in the U.S., driven by high prices in New York City, Westchester and Long Island. As of Dec. 2025, the median home sales price has increased 3.6% from the year prior, according to Redfin,…
Whether you owe taxes or receive a refund comes down to how much tax was withheld from your paychecks, how your income changed over the year, and whether you still qualify for the credits and deductions you may have relied on in the past. If too little tax is withheld…
For most of your working career, the focus of your retirement planning is on accumulating savings and investing that money wisely. As you approach retirement, more attention will go to estimating your income after you stop working, and the kind of lifestyle that this will support. The way to do…
Photography by Getty Images; Illustration by Bankrate The tax deadline will be here before you know it. The good news is that there are a few different options to file your taxes for free in 2026 — and many of them offer guided support to make sure you file your…
Key takeaways Figuring your AGI is a crucial step on the path to calculating your taxable income and, in turn, your tax bill. Your AGI determines your eligibility for a variety of tax deductions and tax credits. (Sometimes, your modified adjusted gross income comes into play — more on that…
Key takeaways If you donate household items to charity, you may be able to claim a tax deduction. But you must itemize your deductions to enjoy this tax break — you can’t claim it if you use the standard deduction. The big tax bill that became law in 2025 created…
Key takeaways The standard deduction is a specific dollar amount that you can use to reduce your taxable income. You have to choose between claiming the standard deduction and itemizing (that is, claiming expenses that you paid). The standard deduction amount usually increases each year for inflation. Also, the standard…
Key takeaways The deadline to file federal income tax returns this year — to report income earned in 2025 — is April 15, 2026. If you file an extension, you have until Oct. 15 to file your federal tax return. If you file an extension you have until Oct. 15…
Editor's Pick
