Personal finance

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IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel poses for a photo in his office at the IRS headquarters in Washington, Tuesday, March 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

IRS chief zeroes in on wealthy tax cheats in AP interview

IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel says in a wide-ranging interview with The Associated Press the federal tax collector will expand its pursuit of high-wealth tax dodgers with new initiatives in the coming months.

FILE - An Internal Revenue Service 2023 1040 tax form and instructions are shown on Jan. 26, 2024 in New York. It's tax season in the U.S., and for many people, filing tax returns can be a daunting task that's often left until the last minute. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan, File)

The IRS launched a free online tax filing system. Find out here if it’s available in your state

FILE - Planes are parked at a private jet terminal at Harry Reid International Airport ahead of the Super Bowl, Feb. 1, 2024, in Las Vegas. President Joe Biden is proposing a huge increase in fuel taxes for private jets, which his administration is pitching as a fairness issue compared with airline passengers, who pay special taxes on every ticket. The proposal was included in a $109.3 billion budget request for the U.S. Department of Transportation, which was released Monday, March 11, 2024. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)

Biden proposes tax increase on fuel for private jets, casting it as making wealthy pay their share

FILE - TurboTax is displayed in a Costco warehouse in Pittsburgh on Jan. 26, 2023. It's tax season in the U.S., and for many people, filing tax returns can be a daunting task that's often left until the last minute. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Tax season is underway. Here are some tips to navigate it

FILE - Brian Rodgers participates in a rally, Feb. 14, 2024, prior to a court hearing on a Chicago ballot measure that would raise a one-time tax on luxury properties to fund services for homeless people in Chicago. The ballot will be on the March 19 primary ballot, a panel of Illinois appeals court judges ruled Wednesday, March 6. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

Court rejects bid to block Chicago ballot measure that would tax real estate for homeless services

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Internal Revenue Service employee Dixie Warden poses for a photograph on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, at Mary Kyle Hartson City Square Park in Kyle, Texas. Warden is quick to say she's “not a numbers girl.” But as the very first user of the government's free new electronic tax return filing system, Warden reports she completed her taxes this year using the program in about an hour. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

A new IRS program is helping its first users file their income taxes electronically. And it’s free

The government’s new free electronic filing system for income tax returns is getting its first users this filing season.

Jesus Noyola, a sophomore attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, poses for a portrait in the Folsom Library, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, in Troy, N.Y. A later-than-expected rollout of a revised Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FASFA, that schools use to compute financial aid, is resulting in students and their parents putting off college decisions. Noyola said he hasn’t been able to submit his FAFSA because of an error in the parent portion of the application. “It’s disappointing and so stressful since all these issues are taking forever to be resolved,” said Noyola, who receives grants and work-study to fund his education. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink)

Students and parents are frustrated by delays in hearing about federal financial aid for college

For many students, the excitement of being accepted into their first-choice college is being tempered this year by a troublesome uncertainty over whether they’ll get the financial aid they need to attend.

File - A Discover card is used to pay for gasoline at a Sam's Club in Madison, Miss., July 1, 2021. A combination of inflation, increased interest rates, and the end of pandemic-tied relief, such as the moratorium on student loan payments, has led to record credit card debt, experts say. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

Why now is a crucial time to pay off credit card debt

For Americans who lacked savings prior to the pandemic, financial stress is rising. A combination of inflation, increased interest rates, and the end of pandemic-tied relief, such as the moratorium on student loan payments, has led to record credit card debt, experts say, with rising and worrying de

FILE - The Internal Revenue Service 1040 tax form for 2022 is seen on April 17, 2023. Majorities of U.S. taxpayers say the amount they pay in taxes is too high, with many saying that they receive a poor value for the taxes they do pay, according to a new poll from the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick, File)

Most Americans feel they pay too much in taxes, AP-NORC poll finds

A majority of U.S. taxpayers feel they pay too much in taxes, with many saying that they receive a poor value in return.

The Los Angeles Times newspaper headquarters is located in El Segundo, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. The Los Angeles Times plans to lay off 94 newsroom employees starting Tuesday, according to the head of the journalists' union who said the number, while substantial, is less than feared. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

What to do if you’re concerned you might be laid off — or if you’ve lost your job

Recent mass layoffs from technology and media companies, including eBay, Riot Games and the Los Angeles Times, might have you thinking about your job security.

FILE - Credit cards as seen Thursday, July 1, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. After paying off credit card debt, it’s important to evaluate your relationship with plastic to determine whether a second chance is worthwhile. While a break from credit can be necessary and useful for establishing new spending habits, doing away with a credit card entirely could negatively impact your credit. Credit cards aren’t a match for everyone, but they can be helpful tools in your credit journey if used responsibly. If you’re considering returning to credit cards, a stay-out-of-debt plan that is tailored to your motivations may prevent debt the next time around. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

Overdraft fees could drop to as low as $3 under new Biden proposal

The cost to overdraw a bank account could drop to as little as $3 under a proposal announced by the White House, the latest move by the Biden administration to combat fees it says pose an unnecessary burden on American consumers, particularly those living paycheck to paycheck.

File - A graduating Boston College student speaks on a phone during commencement ceremonies on May 22, 2023, in Boston. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, has been available on and off for a few days now. While many have been able to take advantage of the new shorter application, many others have struggled to even open the application. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

The new FAFSA is meant to make applying for college aid easier, but not everyone can access it yet

A new online application designed to make applying for federal student aid easier went live this week, but not everyone has been able to access it.

File - Students make their way through the Sather Gate near Sproul Plaza on the University of California, Berkeley, campus March 29, 2022, in Berkeley, Calif. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is available for the 2024-2025 school year, three months later than usual. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)

What to know about changes to this year’s FAFSA application for college students

A new version of the federal student aid application is now available to all college applicants for the 2024-2025 school year.

FILE - A "Sold" sign decorates the lawn of a new house in Pearl, Miss., Sept. 23, 2021. Homeowners are increasingly tapping their equity, taking advantage of big gains following years of soaring housing prices. Some 333,537 home equity loans were taken out by homeowners in the third quarter of 2022, according to data from TransUnion. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

More homeowners tap equity juiced by soaring prices

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Homeowners are increasingly tapping their equity, taking advantage of big gains following years of soaring housing prices.

FILE - High gas prices are shown in Los Angeles, June 16, 2022. A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows an upheaval in priorities just months before critical midterm elections. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Inflation, expenses rise sharply as priorities: AP-NORC poll

A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows an upheaval in priorities just months before critical midterm elections.

New Mexico social studies rule adds personal finance to K-12

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Public Education Department has issued a final rule structuring the K-12 social studies curriculum, adding personal finance following a letter-writing campaign.

FILE - In this May 7, 2020, file photo, a person looks inside the closed doors of the Pasadena Community Job Center in Pasadena, Calif., during the coronavirus outbreak. While most Americans have weathered the pandemic financially, about 38 million say they are worse off now than before the outbreak began in the U.S. According to a new poll from Impact Genome and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research 55% of Americans say their financial circumstances are about the same now as a year ago, and 30% say their finances have improved. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)

Poll: 15% of Americans worse off a year into pandemic

While most Americans have weathered the pandemic financially, about 38 million say they are worse off now than before the outbreak began in the U.S.

FILE - In this Feb. 11, 2005 file photo, trays of printed social security checks wait to be mailed from the U.S. Treasury's Financial Management services facility in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Bradley C. Bower, File)

Retiree checks to rise 1.3% in 2021 amid coronavirus fallout

WASHINGTON (AP) — Social Security recipients will get a modest 1.3% cost-of living-increase in 2021, but that might be small comfort amid worries about the coronavirus and its consequences for older people.

Reviewing Florida Blue (BCBS) insurance vs Cigna vs Ambetter vs Bright Health : Reviews of Best affordable Health/medical insurance companies & plans in Florida

New York, NY ( TS Newswire ) -- 17 Sep 2020

Comparing Florida health insurance plans online is time consuming, overwhelming, and in many cases inaccurate, as people still lose money on their premiums which they could have saved.

A new AP-NORC poll finds that nearly half of Black Americans and about 4 in 10 Hispanic Americans report being behind on at least one bill, while white Americans are about half as likely to report the same.

AP-NORC poll: Many in US shoring up finances amid downturn

WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s the paradox of a pandemic that has crushed the U.S. economy: 12.9 million lost jobs and a dangerous rash of businesses closing, yet the personal finances of many Americans have remained strong — and in some ways have even improved.

FILE - In this April 18, 2016 file photo a person looks at Intuit TurboTax software on display at a retailer in Foster City, Calif. Intuit announced Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, that it is buying consumer finance company Credit Karma in a $7.1 billion cash and stock deal. (Peter Barreras/AP Images for Turbo Tax Via AP, File)

TurboTax maker Intuit buying Credit Karma in $7.1B deal

Intuit is buying consumer finance company Credit Karma in a $7.1 billion cash and stock deal that will take it deeper into the financial products realm.

Things to know about California’s law on college athlete pay

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California is the first state to pass a law allowing college athletes to hire agents and get paid for use of their name, image or likeness.

US long-term mortgage rates rise, with 30-year at 3.56%

U.S. long-term mortgage rates rose this week yet remained at historically low levels. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac says the rate on the 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage increased to 3.56% from 3.49% last week.

A glance at US mortgage rates: 30-year at 3.56%

U.S. long-term mortgage rates rose this week but remained at historically low levels

US consumer borrowing posts biggest gain since late 2017

Consumer borrowing surged in July at its fastest pace since late 2017, driven by a big jump credit card use.

This Week: Consumer confidence, Tiffany results, 2Q GDP

The Conference Board issues its August snapshot of consumer confidence Tuesday. Tiffany & Co. reports second quarter results Wednesday.

How to keep your razors from contributing to landfill waste

How bad is your disposable razor for the environment? The question is gaining attention among consumers amid a growing global campaign against plastic waste, with cities and countries introducing bans on single-use plastic bags and straws.

What consumers should know about Equifax $700M settlement

Equifax’s $700 million settlement with the U.S. government over a massive 2017 data breach includes up to $425 million for consumers.

Do you need a Roth 401(K)?

If you are saving for retirement, you probably know about the 401(k) and the Roth IRA too. But are you familiar with a Roth 401(k)?

Results of AP-NORC Center poll on attitudes toward personal finances. (AP Graphic)

AP-NORC Poll: Many feeling vulnerable despite economic gains

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans are generally satisfied with their personal finances, but many lack confidence in their ability to afford retirement, an emergency expense or even their daily living costs.

FILE - In this Nov. 14, 2018, file photo people walk through lower Manhattan's Zuccotti Park at the start of a work day in New York.A new study finds that only 4% of retirees start claiming their Social Security benefits at the most financially optimal time. And current retirees collectively will lose $3.4 trillion in potential income to fund their retirement because they started drawing benefits at a less than ideal time. That’s roughly $111,000 per household, according to the research from United Income, an online investment management and financial planning firm. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E, File)

Study: Retirees lose by taking Social Security at wrong time

It’s tough to decide when to start taking Social Security benefits and it appears many people are shorting themselves with their choice.

FILE - In this Monday, April 2, 2018, file photo, an IRS Form 5305, Simplified Employee Pension — Individual Retirement Accounts Contribution Agreement is shown in New York. Americans generally do not have enough saved for retirement and Congress is considering a number of measures to address that. Research has shown one of the most effective ways to get people to save is through access to a workplace retirement plan. But millions of Americans do not have access to such plans, particularly at small businesses where the cost and complexity hinders some companies from establishing one. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)

AP Explains: How retirement legislation impacts you

Americans generally do not have enough saved for retirement and Congress is considering a number of measures to address that.

California governor seeks explanation for high gas prices

The California governor wants to know why the state’s gas prices are higher than in the rest of the country. Gov.

FILE- In this Monday, March 25, 2019, file photo, Jennifer Bailey, vice president of Apple Pay, speaks about the Apple Card at the Steve Jobs Theater during an event to announce new products in Cupertino, Calif. Apple is hoping a credit card will entice more iPhone owners to use Apple Pay. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)

Apple tries to take a bite out of credit card industry

Apple is rolling out a credit card that it says is designed to do things no other card can. So how does it actually stack up

Chart compares percent changes in price among S&P500, gold, emerging stocks and oil since 2009.;

Investing became cheaper, easier during bull market run

NEW YORK (AP) — As the bull market for U.S. stocks celebrates its 10th birthday, joining the party has never been cheaper or easier.