Category: News

As far as we know, we’re less 90 days away from the 2021 income tax deadline. Though the tax filing deadline in 2020 was extended from April to July due to the coronavirus, the traditional deadline, April 15, will return this year. Unless the IRS calls another audible, that’s the date that you’ll need to file your individual tax return by. It’s evergreen advice — but for 2021, it’s truer than ever: It will be worth your time to get an early start on your tax return. For many, this year’s…

If you were eligible for a second stimulus check, but it never arrived by direct deposit, paper check or EIP card, you may be wondering what you can do to report your missing money — whether all or some your own stimulus payment of up to $600 never arrived, or the payment for your child dependents. We know one thing for sure: The IRS doesn’t want you to call. “We’re committed to helping you get your stimulus payments as quickly as possible,” the IRS website says. “Please do not call the IRS about the new payment; our phone assistors do not have…

If you missed the deadline back in November to claim $500 for each qualified child dependent that was left out of your first stimulus check in error, it’s almost time to file a claim. The same general process applies for people who didn’t get the $600 owed for each child dependent in the second stimulus check. You’ll be able to claim the additional amount as a  Recovery Rebate Credit when you file your 2020 tax return this year. CNET’s first stimulus check calculator and your adjusted gross income will help you determine the payment amount you were supposed to get in the initial check. Parents…

A refinance loan replaces your current mortgage loan for better rates and terms or from an adjustable-rate mortgage to a fixed-rate mortgage. The outcome usually equals lower monthly payments. With the coronavirus pandemic still looming, finding ways to save money has become a priority for most people. How can I save money on a refinance? If you’re considering refinancing your mortgage, you’re going to want to use a tool like Credible to compare rates and lenders. In just minutes, you can find your prequalified rates — and you don’t even…

President-elect Joe Biden unveiled his incoming administration’s $1.9 trillion stimulus and economic rescue package Thursday night, the same day the Labor Department reported nearly a million new jobless claims, the highest since last summer. Biden’s emergency relief plan, called the “American Rescue Plan,” would take a two-pronged approach to economic recovery: Provide financial support for individuals and families — including a third round of stimulus checks — and throw the weight the federal government behind a nationwide COVID-19 vaccine distribution efforts. “We have to act. We have to act now,”…

Every driver in California is legally required to carry car insurance or another form of acceptable financial responsibility. Driving without car insurance comes with steep consequences that can affect your driving privileges and your future car insurance premium. California drivers need to understand California car insurance laws, including the penalties for driving without insurance and what happens if you get into an accident without coverage. Penalties for driving without insurance in California In California, drivers who are caught without proper insurance coverage face a number of consequences including fines. Some…

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Nearly all air travelers will need to present a negative coronavirus test to enter the United States under expanded test testing requirements announced on Tuesday. Under the rules taking effect Jan. 26, nearly all travelers including U.S. citizens must show a negative test within three days of departure or documentation of recovery from COVID-19, under an order signed by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Robert Redfield. All travelers aged 2 and older must comply except passengers who are only transiting through the United…

THE TAX CUTS AND JOBS Act of 2017 made major changes to the tax code and were a mixed bag for some households. While the standard deduction nearly doubled and the child tax credit increased, many other deductions and credits were eliminated. Not much will be changing for the 2020 tax year though. “There’s a lot of confusion about the stimulus package,” says Greg Hammer, president of Hammer Financial in Schererville, Indiana. However, the provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act shouldn’t impact tax deductions for…

Low-income workers have been at the forefront of job losses in the start of the pandemic in March 2020, and it’s continued into the new year. Those working in non-essential businesses or in places that require a large amount of face-to-face interaction— bars, restaurants, music venues, sports venues — have suffered the most during the COVID-19 shutdowns and stay-at-home orders. As of Friday, there are 13 states — Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island and Vermont —  have shut down some businesses due to…