If the IRS notifies you of an audit, and you expected a tax return, you probably have a lot of questions. Will you ever get your tax refund? Does the audit automatically stop it? The answer depends on the IRS’s review and whether the items under audit affect the refund…
Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Getty Images Key takeaways Short-term loans provide financing with a brief repayment period and often require collateral to obtain. These loans are generally capped at $2,000 and are often used by borrowers who are strapped for cash or who have a low credit score. Loan funds are…
Holiday spending came in at the high end of projected ranges for 2025 despite numerous economic challenges. According to Mastercard, U.S. retail sales (excluding automotive) increased 3.9% year-over-year from Nov. 1 through Dec. 21, 2025. CNBC and the National Retail Federation published a similar increase, reporting holiday sales grew 4.1%…
ljubaphoto/Getty Images: Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate Key takeaways The interest rate on a mortgage indicates how much interest you’ll pay for the amount you borrow. The annual percentage rate (APR) is the interest rate plus additional fees and any points. When comparing loan offers, it’s best to compare APRs to…
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The nation’s 75 million Social Security recipients will receive a 2.8% cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase in their benefits…
Historically Black colleges and universities are on the frontlines of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s new limits on parent…
The big new fees JPMorgan Chase is planning to charge some financial technology companies may well trickle down to consumers,…
With artificial intelligence beginning to eat away at many white-collar entry-level jobs, and the unemployment rate for recent college graduates…
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Key takeaways An emergency fund helps ensure you can handle unplanned expenses, whether from a job loss or a substantial car repair or medical bill. Saving three to six months’ worth of essential expenses is often recommended, but individual circumstances may require saving more or…
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2. Coaching and Tutoring Take stock of your areas of expertise – maybe you speak a second language or solving math equations comes…
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These entrepreneurs, traders and investors are making an outsized impact in fintech, crypto and traditional financial services.By Jeff Kauflin, Hank Tucker and Nina…
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Erik McGregor/Getty Images Back in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic exploded, creating “a good amount of economic uncertainty in both the housing market and more broadly,” recalls Chase Home Lending Consumer Direct Executive Erik Schmitt. With everything from jobs to property values to interest rates up in the air, big banks…
The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date. Travel is a key component for many businesses. The right travel card can elevate business travel for you and your employees and unlock exclusive benefits and bonuses that reward you for your loyalty and spending. If you’re looking…
Image by Getty Images; Illustration by Bankrate Figuring out the best way to invest can be a challenge as an individual, but it can really get complicated once you’re investing for you, your spouse and your family. Everyone is different, and that means some people have different levels of comfort…
Key takeaways Stock buybacks can create value for shareholders if they’re well-timed and the company has enough cash on hand to afford them. Stock buybacks, also known as share repurchases, can destroy value if they’re executed at inflated prices or at the expense of business investment, which can harm shareholders…
WIN-Initiative/Getty Images Key takeaways You cannot purchase car insurance for a car that has a salvage title; the car must be rebuilt and pass state inspection to get a new title before it is insurable. Not all insurers will insure a salvage car with a rebuilt title, and most car…
Key takeaways Home insurance policies generally cover losses from a fire, unless it’s due to arson or is caused by a known issue, such as old knob-and-tube wiring. Homeowners who live in areas where wildfires are common may pay more for home insurance or have more trouble finding a policy.…
Key takeaways Using a matching tool, asking a friend or working with a robo-advisor are all options to find an advisor. Vet potential advisors through referrals, online tools and professional organizations. Clarify your needs before choosing a financial advisor to find the best fit for you. Finding a financial advisor…
Key takeaways Affordability is by far the most important factor for Americans deciding where to retire in the U.S., regardless of income or age, a new Bankrate survey finds. The importance of affordability, weather, neighborhood safety and quality of health care goes up with age. The states with the best…
Key takeaways Alpha and beta are two ways to measure investment performance and whether investment performance is due to individual skill or just the market’s movement. Professional investors are seeking to generate alpha to help justify their fees, since individuals could get “beta level” returns and pay low fees. Anyone…
Key takeaways The average small business loan amount is $458,497, according to the SBA Lenders use your revenue, credit score and current debt load to determine how much business loan your business can handle. Large national banks lend higher loan amounts than regional banks. Yet alternative lenders often offer a…
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