Tax Breaks
Sales Tax Holidays in 2020
Sales Tax Holidays in 2020
Sixteen states are having sales tax holidays this year. If you plan your shopping around these tax-free periods, you can save big on back-to-school cl…
July 1, 2020
10 Tax Breaks for the Middle Class
10 Tax Breaks for the Middle Class
Tax breaks aren't just for the rich. There are plenty of them that are only available to middle- and low-income Americans.
June 30, 2020
Travel Tax Credit: Will Uncle Sam Pay You to Take a Vacation?
Travel Tax Credit: Will Uncle Sam Pay You to Take a Vacation?
There's a proposal in Congress to give you an "Explore America" tax credit of $4,000 or more to cover travel expenses. But don't pack your bags quite …
June 30, 2020
What to Do If You Get a Stimulus Check for a Deceased Person
What to Do If You Get a Stimulus Check for a Deceased Person
The IRS sent more than 1 million stimulus checks to dead people. If you received one for a family member who passed away, there are certain steps you …
June 25, 2020
13 Tax Breaks for Homeowners and Home Buyers
13 Tax Breaks for Homeowners and Home Buyers
Owning (or buying) a home is expensive. But at least there are some tax deductions, credits, and exclusions that can help you recoup some of those cos…
June 22, 2020
Subscribe to Kiplinger's Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Property Tax Breaks for Retirees
Property Tax Breaks for Retirees
Planning to buy a home in a different state? Property taxes should be examined closely, because they can be quite a bit higher than income taxes in ma…
June 10, 2020
8 Money-Smart Ways to Spend Your Tax Refund
8 Money-Smart Ways to Spend Your Tax Refund
Since this year's tax deadline was pushed back to July 15, many people haven't filed their tax return yet. That also means there are a lot of tax refu…
June 2, 2020
FAQs on Stimulus Payments by Prepaid Debit Card (It's Not a Scam or Junk Mail!)
FAQs on Stimulus Payments by Prepaid Debit Card (It's Not a Scam or Junk Mail!)
The IRS is sending stimulus check payments on prepaid debit cards. We've got answers to important questions about the new EIP Cards.
May 28, 2020
Health Savings Account Limits for 2021
Health Savings Account Limits for 2021
Annually adjusted contribution limits and other requirements must be met if you're covering health care costs with an HSA.
May 22, 2020
The Employee Retention Tax Credit Helps Keep Workers Working
The Employee Retention Tax Credit Helps Keep Workers Working
The credit is worth up to $5,000 per paid employee for businesses financially harmed by the coronavirus pandemic that continue to keep employees on th…
May 19, 2020
The IRS is Now Taking Phone Calls About Stimulus Checks (But Service is Limited)
The IRS is Now Taking Phone Calls About Stimulus Checks (But Service is Limited)
You can finally talk to an IRS representative on the phone if you have stimulus check questions.
May 18, 2020
Is a Second Round of Stimulus Checks for $2,000 Each Month in Our Future?
Is a Second Round of Stimulus Checks for $2,000 Each Month in Our Future?
Nancy Pelosi and other House Democrats are putting together the next stimulus package right now. They might include a proposal that has already been c…
May 18, 2020
How a Second Stimulus Check Could Differ from Your First One
How a Second Stimulus Check Could Differ from Your First One
If enacted, the HEROES Act that passed in the House would authorize a second round of stimulus checks. While the new payments would be similar to the …
May 15, 2020
Don't Miss Today's Stimulus Check Direct Deposit Deadline (Hint: You Have Until Noon)
Don't Miss Today's Stimulus Check Direct Deposit Deadline (Hint: You Have Until Noon)
The IRS set a deadline for getting stimulus check payments by direct deposit. If you don't act by noon today, you'll receive a paper check (which take…
May 13, 2020
Where's My Paper Stimulus Check? Some People May Have to Wait Until September
Where's My Paper Stimulus Check? Some People May Have to Wait Until September
The IRS is reportedly sending out 5 million paper checks per week. At that pace, some checks might not arrive for months.
May 8, 2020
Do People in Jail Get a Stimulus Check?
Do People in Jail Get a Stimulus Check?
The IRS released guidance on what people incarcerated in jail or prison should do if they receive a stimulus check.
May 6, 2020
Who's Not Getting a Stimulus Check (Or Has to Return It)
Who's Not Getting a Stimulus Check (Or Has to Return It)
Not everyone is getting a stimulus check, and some people who get them are supposed to return them. See if you're on the list of people who won't get …
May 6, 2020
What a Payroll Tax Cut Would Mean for You
What a Payroll Tax Cut Would Mean for You
President Trump wants to see a payroll tax cut in the next stimulus bill. Would you benefit from it and, if so, by how much?
May 5, 2020
The Most-Overlooked Tax Breaks for Retirees
The Most-Overlooked Tax Breaks for Retirees
For new retirees—especially those on a fixed income—it's more important than ever to take full advantage of every tax break available.
May 4, 2020
Social Security Recipients Will Start Getting Stimulus Checks This Week
Social Security Recipients Will Start Getting Stimulus Checks This Week
The IRS is using information from the Social Security Administration to process stimulus payments for people who didn't file a 2018 or 2019 tax return…
May 1, 2020
CARES Act Expands Tax Deductions for Charitable Giving
CARES Act Expands Tax Deductions for Charitable Giving
Which tax break you can take under the economic stimulus bill depends on whether you itemize or claim the standard deduction on your 2020 tax return.
April 30, 2020
States Lower Taxes to Court Retirees
States Lower Taxes to Court Retirees
The tax breaks range from property tax exemptions to tax-free retirement plan withdrawals.
April 30, 2020
SSI Recipients with Children Can Get a Larger Stimulus Check (But Quick Action is Required)
SSI Recipients with Children Can Get a Larger Stimulus Check (But Quick Action is Required)
An extra $500 per child will be added to stimulus checks for disabled, blind, or elderly Supplemental Security Income recipients who didn't file a 201…
April 27, 2020
Some Veterans Can Get a Bigger Stimulus Check (If They Act Now)
Some Veterans Can Get a Bigger Stimulus Check (If They Act Now)
If you receive VA benefits and have dependent children, you might be able to boost your stimulus check by $500 or more. But you have to act by May 5.
April 27, 2020
IRS Fixes Stimulus Check Portal (We Hope)
IRS Fixes Stimulus Check Portal (We Hope)
After three nights of maintenance outages, the IRS says its "Get My Payment" tool is now working better than ever.
April 26, 2020