Millions of Americans will file their taxes between now and April 15 — an annual practice in looking backward. For many, this time of year is the only time they take stock of things like their salary, tax withholding and annual contributions to retirement accounts. With all of that information top of mind, tax season … Read more
The IRS phone lines can be very busy during the spring season and there’s still a lot of work to do to modernize the agency. If you’re waiting for your tax return to arrive, either through direct deposit to your bank or as a paper check, don’t file a second tax return or call the … Read more
From taking out a loan to investing in stocks and bonds, most money moves can be done online nowadays. If you’re like me and still have paper savings bonds, you can make your life easier and better protect your funds by converting them to electronic form. Traditionally issued in physical form, the U.S. Treasury offers … Read more
This transcript was prepared by a transcription service. This version may not be in its final form and may be updated. J.R. Whalen: Here’s Your Money Briefing for Wednesday, February 7th. I’m J.R. Whalen, for The Wall Street Journal. It’s that time of year to gather up all your paperwork and fill out your tax … Read more
The phone rings and a recording says you owe the IRS back taxes and have to share your credit card number to settle the balance. Or it’s the bank, warning you that your account has been compromised. These are just two examples of “vishing,” or voice phishing, a popular scam that can take place over … Read more
When you’re shopping for a car, one of the first decisions you have to make is whether to buy a new or used vehicle. It requires you to weigh numerous trade-offs and can easily become overwhelming. But CNBC Select breaks down the major pros and cons of either option so you can make the choice … Read more
New Year’s resolutions are easy. It usually goes like this: you make yourself a promise and forget about it by February. But if your 2024 resolution is to get better with money, forgetting about it might prove costly. It can be a monumental task to build healthy financial habits. Doing too much at the same … Read more
A 401(k) plan is a solid foundation for any retirement strategy. It comes with tax advantages and employers often match funds, helping to grow your nest egg faster. But not everyone can contribute to a 401(k): According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, almost a third (31%) of private-sector workers don’t have access to an … Read more
529 plans have long been considered the best way to save for a child’s college education. Initiated in 1996, these state-sponsored investment accounts offer tax-free earnings and withdrawals to use for tuition and other qualified educational expenses. But that requirement — that the funds be used for education — has been a sticking point for … Read more
Artificial intelligence has developed quickly over just the past year. However, the technology still faces a big problem that can have potential devastating real-world consequences — AI bias. People can have covert or overt biases against others based on various factors such as race, gender or income level. Since humans create AI models, AI bias … Read more