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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Key takeaways Required minimum distributions refer to the amount of money that some retirement account holders are required by the IRS to withdraw starting at age 73. Some retirement accounts, such as Roth accounts, are not subject to this rule. If you fail to start taking RMDs from an account…
Key takeaways An option is a side bet among traders over what the price of a stock will be at a certain time. With stocks, you take an ownership stake in the company. Your risk tolerance, level of experience and investing goals play a big role in deciding which one…
Another year, another crown for American Express, which claimed the top spot in the J.D. Power U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study for the sixth year in a row and the 15th time in the 19 years the report has been published. The big surprise is that Discover, which had previously…
Key takeaways Using a combination of Chase credit cards can allow you to maximize your credit card rewards earning and redemption options by taking advantage of different bonus categories and card offers. One of the most popular ways to do this is with the “Chase trifecta,” a combination of three…
Drs Producoes / Getty Images Key takeaways The American Express Pay It and Plan It features offer alternative payment options for eligible cardholders. Pay It can be used for small purchases under $100, while Plan It can be utilized for single or combined purchases over $100 with a fixed monthly…
Key takeaways Top high-yield savings accounts continue to offer returns above 4 percent APY, though the outlook could shift if the Federal Reserve begins cutting rates later this year. Competitive accounts still feature minimal fees and low balance requirements, making them accessible to a wide range of savers. In addition…
Key takeaways Variable annuities can provide steady income later on in retirement with the money growing tax-deferred. The returns on variable annuities depend on the market performance of the underlying investments. Variable annuities are complex and come with substantial drawbacks, such as high fees and limited liquidity. A variable annuity…
Key takeaways Since lenders require you to repay a personal loan, they are considered debt and not taxable income. If a lender forgives some or all of your loan, you may have to pay taxes on the forgiven amount. The IRS allows taxpayers to deduct interest on personal loan funds…
Image by GettyImages; Illustration by Bankrate Key takeaways Pay-for-delete letters are one possible solution to resolving blemishes on your credit report. You will need to verify that the debt is yours, that the balance is current and correct, and which company or collection agency you owe. After confirming the details…
Key takeaways Secured and unsecured loans can be obtained from a bank, credit union or online lender. Secured loans require collateral but can get you access to a larger sum of funds. Unsecured loans do not require collateral. The amount and rates you’re eligible for are based on your creditworthiness.…
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