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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The legacy Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is no longer taking new applicants as of July 2024, although existing cardholders can still use the card. Those interested in the legacy Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card can check out the current version of the Capital One Savor…
FG Trade Latin/Getty Images Key takeaways A financial coach is an expert who helps clients understand money matters such as budgeting, saving, and managing debt. Financial coaches can help you understand the basics of certain financial topics, but typically aren’t certified to provide specific investment advice like a financial advisor…
Image and illustration by Bankrate If you have some money stashed in a high-yield savings or money market account, you’re likely among the biggest winners in personal finance these days. Many of the best deposit accounts are paying historically high annual percentage yields (APYs), which is an indirect result of…
Key takeaways You owe capital gains tax on any realized gain on sale of an asset, though not on unrealized capital gains. Long-term capital gains — for assets held for a year or longer — are taxed at a 0, 15 or 20 percent rate, depending on your total taxable…
Milan Markovic/GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways Banks set limits for how much cash you can take out at an ATM, which can range from small amounts such as $300 per transaction to $5,000 per day. Cash withdrawal limits are designed to protect you in the event that someone…
Bloomberg / Contributor / Getty Images Prediction markets are a fascinating way to harness expert knowledge, helping publicize insight that might otherwise remain private. These markets give experts a financial incentive to make their information public or even for non-experts to bet on specific outcomes, such as an election or…
Images by Getty Images; Illustration by Bankrate Key takeaways Most major credit card issuers offer the option to easily lock and unlock cards through their online accounts or mobile apps. Locking a credit card can prevent impulse purchases and keep the account safe from fraud. Recurring transactions will still go…
Key takeaways Investment advisors provide advice to clients on managing short- and long-term investments such as stocks, bonds and mutual funds. Investment advisors differ from financial advisors in terms of their roles, regulations, client types, and fee structures. Types of investment advisors include asset managers, portfolio managers, wealth managers, and…
d3sign/ Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate Key takeaways Many mortgage lenders work with self-employed borrowers, and some even specialize in loans for them. Like any other borrower, you’ll need to meet credit and other requirements to qualify. To apply for a mortgage as a self-employed borrower, you’ll need to…
Key takeaways The main examples of tax-free investments are municipal bonds and tax-exempt money market funds. Other investments have partial tax breaks, such as Series I and EE savings bonds and Treasury bills. Tax-advantaged accounts, such as a Roth IRA, can often provide bigger tax savings than chasing tax-free investments.…
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