Advisors

In this article NAVI Supannee U-prapruit | iStock | Getty Images For many American families, the largest cash infusion they get all year is their tax refund. The average check cut by the IRS was more than $2,800 in 2021, although refunds might be smaller this year for several reasons. How you should spend the

Portra | DigitalVision | Getty Images If you’re eager to slash your tax bill, two popular methods are claiming credits and deductions on your return. While both can reduce your balance, these write-offs have key differences, which ultimately affect your bottom line. Credits lessen your liability on a dollar-for-dollar basis, whereas deductions reduce income subject

FatCamera If you’re hoping to generate income from your investment portfolio, closed-end funds could be one piece of the puzzle. These funds come with more risk than, say, U.S. Treasurys, yet also can provide decent yields that may have a place in the fixed-income portion of your investment portfolio. And sometimes, they give you a

staticnak1983 | E+ | Getty Images Millions of parents who’ve defaulted on their federal student loans may get part of their child tax credit seized this tax season. The federal government has long been able to collect past-due debts, like child support, owed to state and federal agencies. This occurs via the Treasury Offset Program,

Jeffrey Coolidge | Photodisc | Getty Images Tax season has kicked off, and the IRS has already warned filing mistakes may cause delays amid staffing shortages and a massive backlog. While electronic filing offers the best chance for faster refunds, other moves may invite IRS scrutiny, according to tax experts.  The IRS closed 452,515 individual audits

A “PsychoKitty” NFT created by psychedelic artist Ugonzo displayed on a phone and a NFT logo displayed on a computer screen from a Crypto.com NFT marketplace. Justin Tallis | AFP | Getty Images It’s safe to say that we have all heard the term “NFT.” But what exactly are they and what are the pros

fizkes | iStock | Getty Images Getting married, having a baby, changing jobs and unemployment may affect your taxes, and it’s better to adjust withholdings early, financial experts say. The IRS expects a slice of every dollar you earn — taken from your paycheck, withheld from other income or sent quarterly. While overpaying may spark

Jose Luis Pelaez Inc. | Getty Images Markets endured a rough January, with the S&P 500 Index suffering its worst monthly performance in nearly two years. Technology was responsible for much of the carnage, as investors became spooked by some notable earnings misses and the prospect of four interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve

Cabania | iStock | Getty Images Plus You can start filing individual income tax returns on Jan. 24, but there may be refund delays as the IRS combats a backlog and limited staffing, according to Treasury officials.  However, there may be ways to get your money faster, financial experts say. Although refunds are typically sent

Witthaya Prasongsin | Moment | Getty Images Interest rates may be going up in 2022 — and a bond ladder is one way for investors to manage the risk. Prices for existing bonds generally fall as interest rates (or yields) rise, since the yields on new bonds look more attractive by comparison. That dynamic played

Marko Geber | DigitalVision | Getty Images Many retirees rely on bonds for income, lower risk and portfolio growth. However, as the Federal Reserve prepares to raise interest rates, some worry about the effects on their nest egg. The cost of living has swelled for months, with the Consumer Price Index, the key measure of

FatCamera | E+ | Getty Images Last year’s child-care expenses may be worth more at tax time than you realize. The child and dependent care tax credit, as it’s called, was expanded in several ways for 2021 alongside other tax changes. This means many families will get a bigger tax break and the credit could

“Taxes” engraved at IRS headquarters in Washington, D.C. Andrew Kelly | Reuters Next week may be the last chance for some filers to avoid a tax penalty and reduce their bill in April.   The deadline for fourth-quarter estimated tax payments is Jan. 18, applying to income from self-employment, small businesses, gig economy work, investments and

A woman looks at an NFT titled “CURIO CARDS (EST. 2017)” on Sept. 28, 2021, at Christie’s auction house in New York. TIMOTHY A. CLARY | AFP | Getty Images In the digital realm, all taxes aren’t necessarily equal. Amid a cryptocurrency and non-fungible token (NFT) boom, wealthy owners may pay a different tax rate

lisegagne | E+ | Getty Images If you received monthly advance child tax credit payments in 2021, there may be a costly surprise when filing your return. The American Rescue Plan, enacted in last March, increased the tax break to $3,000 from $2,000 per child under age 17, with $600 more for kids under age

The crypto ecosystem has expanded significantly in recent years. While institutions such as the IMF are starting to embrace its innovation, they are also calling for investors to exercise caution. Jakub Porzycki | NurPhoto via Getty Images After a record-breaking year for cryptocurrency in 2021, many investors may soon face a hefty tax bill for

Westend61 If you’re eager to save more, you may consider maxing out 2022 individual retirement account contributions early rather than waiting until the tax-filing deadline in 2023. But there are mixed opinions about lump-sum investing versus spreading out deposits at set intervals, known as dollar-cost averaging. The IRA contribution limits for 2022 are the lesser

Bill Oxford | E+ | Getty Images If you’re banking on a tax refund, it may be smaller, or you may owe money this season, according to financial experts. Typically, you get a federal tax refund when you’ve paid or withheld more than the amount you owe, based on taxable income.   The IRS subtracts the

NicolasMcComber | E+ | Getty Images Tax season is fast approaching — and recipients of unemployment benefits in 2021 don’t appear to be getting a tax break like they did for 2020. Unemployment benefits generally count as taxable income. The American Rescue Plan Act, a relief law Democrats passed in March last year, authorized a

Financial advisors may want to view cybersecurity as a critical issue on more than one level. While protecting client data should be a priority, cyber attacks also could affect the investments they make on behalf of their clients. Basically, some companies may be more prone to costly cyber attacks than others. “The sectors that I