Limiting retirement plan tax perks may help Social Security, experts say

Wand_prapan | Istock | Getty Images There’s no debate that Social Security’s funds — which are projected to become insolvent in the next decade — need fixing. But a new research proposal published by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College by experts at the opposite ends of the political spectrum has sparked considerable … Read more

Betting on the Super Bowl? Be sure to report your wins to the IRS

Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs, left, and George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers stand on stage during the NFL’s Super Bowl Opening Night show at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Feb. 5, 2024. Chris Unger | Getty Images Sport | Getty Images Sunday’s Super Bowl between the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers and … Read more

For $7,500 EV tax credit, you may no longer have to wait until tax time

Halfpoint Images | Moment | Getty Images Consumers no longer have to wait to file their annual tax returns to get a tax break for the purchase of a new electric vehicle. At the start of 2024, the federal “new clean vehicle” tax credit became available as a point-of-sale discount — worth up to $7,500 … Read more

How to know if you’re withholding enough taxes from your paycheck

Witthaya Prasongsin | Moment | Getty Images If your tax refund or bill is bigger than expected, it could be time to adjust your paycheck withholding — and a simple calculation could help, experts say.      Typically, you get a refund when you overpay taxes throughout the year, and you owe money when you don’t pay … Read more

Here’s how to qualify for IRS Free File for federal tax returns

Valentinrussanov | E+ | Getty Images If you’re eager to save money filing your taxes this season, there’s a free option that’s used by only a fraction of eligible taxpayers. Established in 2002, the program, known as IRS Free File, is a public-private partnership between the agency and the Free File Alliance, a nonprofit coalition … Read more

How to file your taxes for free this season

Filing taxes is more expensive this year as the industry raises prices to combat a growing accountant shortage. The cost of tax preparation and accounting fees grew 8.3% in November 2023 compared to the previous year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Taxpayers typically spend an average of $140 to file taxes every … Read more

Here’s how to qualify for the earned income tax credit this season

Laylabird | E+ | Getty Images Tens of millions of Americans file tax returns every year — and many are missing a “valuable credit,” according to the IRS. In 2022, roughly 23 million filers received $57 billion from the earned income tax credit, or EITC, a tax break for low- to moderate-income workers. But nearly … Read more

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 … Read more

Here’s what to do if you can’t find an accountant for tax season

Alvaro Gonzalez | Moment | Getty Images Why there’s an accounting shortage Accounting has a reputation of long work hours coupled with stressful deadlines, leading college students to opt for other lucrative roles in finance like investment banking, consulting or data analysis. The declining birth rate also plays a role into the low supply of … Read more

IRS unveils plan to redesign and simplify taxpayer notices

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 357 union hall in Las Vegas on Aug. 14, 2023. Ronda Churchill | Bloomberg | Getty Images With the opening of tax season only days away, the IRS has unveiled a plan to simplify the millions of complicated notices sent to taxpayers … Read more