dmphoto | E+ | Getty Images There’s good news if you’re eligible for student loan forgiveness: It won’t trigger a federal tax bill. And while some may still owe state taxes, it may be fewer borrowers than expected. It depends on whether and when states conform to federal tax laws, including the American Rescue Plan
Personal finance
Fg Trade | E+ | Getty Images Depending on your financial picture, you might qualify for either free or reduced-cost high-speed Internet service under a new federal initiative. The Affordable Connectivity Program, as it’s called, provides a monthly discount of up to $30 for eligible households (up to $75 for those on qualifying tribal lands)
RossHelen | Getty Images If you’re not careful how you manage your money, you could be incurring hefty bank fees that may be otherwise avoidable. Between overdraft or non-sufficient fund fees, charges for interest and non-interest checking accounts and ATM fees, a substantial bite could be taken out of your budget, according to Bankrate.com‘s latest
d3sign | Moment | Getty Images Identity crime involving government benefits, social media accounts and other scams jumped by 36% in 2021 to an all-time high, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center. The good news is that there are several ways individuals can protect themselves. About 15,000 people reported an identity-related crime or attempted
zimmytws | iStock | Getty Images As the November elections midterm elections approach, leaders on both sides of the aisle are trading barbs on one key program that affects millions of Americans — Social Security. Over the weekend, President Joe Biden called out certain lawmakers on Twitter, including Republican Senators Rick Scott of Florida and
Luis Alvarez | Digitalvision | Getty Images Employer demand for workers remains historically strong — and that means workers have the power to negotiate for better pay, benefits and other aspects of their jobs, according to economists. There were more than 11.2 million job openings in July, an increase of 199,000 from June, according to
In this article F HOUSTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 29: Students study in the Rice University Library on August 29, 2022 in Houston, Texas. Brandon Bell | Getty Images News | Getty Images The U.S. Department of Education could have its application for student loan forgiveness up and running as soon as within the next few
Consumers are increasingly relying on credit cards to make ends meet, but it hasn’t significantly impacted their financial standing — at least when it comes to their credit rating. The national average credit score sits at an all-time high of 716, unchanged from a year ago, according to a new report from FICO, developer of one of
The Good Brigade | Digitalvision | Getty Images Mortgage rates are projected to decline next year — but that doesn’t mean prospective homebuyers should necessarily delay a purchase for the prospect of lower financing costs. The rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage will fall to an average 4.5% in 2023, according to a recent housing
A customer shops in a Kroger grocery store on July 15, 2022 in Houston. Brandon Bell | Getty Images Many consumers have suffered sticker shock at the grocery store due to record high inflation. But another surprise that’s grabbing consumers’ attention — and even trending on TikTok — is “shrinkflation.” Almost two-thirds, 64%, of all
Westend61 | Westend61 | Getty Images September has historically been the worst month for stocks. To that point, just two months have delivered an average negative return for stocks since 1945, according to market research firm CFRA: February and September, with the latter being the worst. The Stock Trader’s Almanac reports that, on average, September is
Cyano66 | Istock | Getty Images With much fanfare, President Joe Biden has signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act. Historians may one day say this legislation did more to complicate an already too complicated tax code than any tax bill in the past 50 years. It is now up to the Internal Revenue Service
Camille Tokerud Photography Inc. | Stone | Getty Images Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries will get two checks in September, for a maximum sum of $1,682. But the second check is no reason to celebrate, as it is not extra money. In months where bank holidays occur, that pushes up the distribution date for payments. In
In this article TREE Mark Hunt | Disabilityimages | Getty Images Owning a home is one of the key ways to build wealth. But for aspiring Black homeowners, that can be a difficult milestone to reach, according to a new report from LendingTree. Research from the online loan market company finds the mortgage denial rate
JGI/Jamie Grill If you’re one of the millions of Americans with student loans, President Joe Biden‘s forgiveness plan may be welcome relief. However, there are some key things to know about the income limits, experts say. Biden will cancel $10,000 for most borrowers or up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients, limited to those making
Student loan borrowers stage an Aug 25, 2022 rally in front of the White House to celebrate President Joe Biden canceling some federal student debt. Paul Morigi | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images As tens of millions of Americans process the news of federal student loan forgiveness, countless questions are emerging about how it
President Biden this week announced a long-awaited plan to forgive student debt for millions of borrowers — and criminals will likely leverage the news to steal from unsuspecting victims, the Federal Trade Commission warned on Friday. “Nobody can get you in early, help you jump the line or guarantee eligibility,” said a consumer alert issued
Getty Images President Joe Biden‘s student loan forgiveness plan will soon cancel debt for millions of Americans — and the relief is tax-free on federal returns. However, experts say the cancellation may still trigger a state tax bill. Most borrowers making less than $125,000 per year or $250,000 for married couples filing together will qualify
Strauss/Curtis | The Image Bank | Getty Images Under the Biden administration’s plans to wipe out some student loan debt, one particular type of need-based financial aid that many borrowers receive could mean qualifying for twice as much in forgiveness. If you were the recipient of a Pell Grant, you may be eligible for up
AntonioGuillem | Getty Images It’s something more than 40 million Americans have in common: They hold federal student loans. But the lending system is famously complicated, and these loans come with various names and terms depending on when they were taken out and for what purpose. What are usually just technical differences could now determine