How to avoid ‘ghost preparers’ and other tax scams as deadline nears
As the April 15 federal tax deadline draws near, most taxpayers have less than two weeks to submit their 2023 individual tax return or file an extension — but for scammers, that’s still ample time to try to steal filers’ personal and financial information. Last year, the IRS received 294,138 complaints of reported identity theft, […]
How to avoid the ‘survivor’s penalty’ before a spouse passes
Jessie Casson | Digitalvision | Getty Images It’s hard to lose a spouse, and a costly surprise makes it even more difficult, especially for older women — higher taxes. But financial experts say there are several ways to prepare. In 2022, there was a 5.4-year life expectancy gap between U.S. sexes, according to data from […]
How to vet your tax preparer, according to the IRS
Damircudic | E+ | Getty Images Why it may be harder to find an accountant Accounting bachelor’s degree completions have been falling about 3% every year since 2015, according to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The number of new candidates sitting in for the certified public accountant exams has also been declining […]
Here’s how to get a faster tax refund, expert says
D3sign | Moment | Getty Images Tax season has kicked off and the IRS has started to process 2023 returns. If you’re expecting a refund, there are a few ways to get the money faster, experts say. Often, “self-inflicted mistakes” cause refund delays, according to Mark Steber, chief tax information officer at Jackson Hewitt. The […]
How to protect yourself from tax identity theft this season
5M3photos | Moment | Getty Images As the start of tax season approaches, experts are warning filers about tax-related identity theft, an issue that often halts returns and delays refunds. Tax identity theft happens when criminals use your personal information to file a return in your name and claim your refund — and “it continues […]
Here’s how to use exchange-traded funds in your portfolio, experts say
Morsa Images | Getty Images Whether you’re a new or a seasoned investor, exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, are one option for your portfolio, depending on your goals and risk tolerance, experts say. ETFs are a wrapper for individual assets such as stocks and bonds, similar to mutual funds. However, many ETFs have better tax efficiency […]
How to prepare for the ‘survivor’s penalty’ before a spouse passes
Nosystem Images | E+ | Getty Images Many older women outlive their spouses and may not expect higher future taxes after suffering from the loss. But there are ways to prepare, according to financial experts. American women have a significantly higher life expectancy than men, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and […]