Key takeaways Figuring your AGI is a crucial step on the path to calculating your taxable income and, in turn, your tax bill. Your AGI determines your eligibility for a variety of tax deductions and tax credits. (Sometimes, your modified adjusted gross income comes into play — more on that…
Key takeaways The standard deduction is a specific dollar amount that you can use to reduce your taxable income. You have to choose between claiming the standard deduction and itemizing (that is, claiming expenses that you paid). The standard deduction amount usually increases each year for inflation. Also, the standard…
Key takeaways The deadline to file federal income tax returns this year — to report income earned in 2025 — is April 15, 2026. If you file an extension, you have until Oct. 15 to file your federal tax return. If you file an extension you have until Oct. 15…
If financial stress has been weighing you down, you aren’t alone. Around 43% of Americans cite money as a factor negatively impacting their mental health, according to a recent Bankrate survey. January is the perfect time to reset your financial mindset and create routines that bring peace of mind all year long. By building good money…
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The nation’s 75 million Social Security recipients will receive a 2.8% cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase in their benefits…
Historically Black colleges and universities are on the frontlines of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s new limits on parent…
The big new fees JPMorgan Chase is planning to charge some financial technology companies may well trickle down to consumers,…
With artificial intelligence beginning to eat away at many white-collar entry-level jobs, and the unemployment rate for recent college graduates…
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Key takeaways Savings accounts are deposit accounts available at banks and credit unions. They allow you to keep your money safe while it earns interest. Online banks tend to offer the highest interest rates for savings accounts. You can withdraw your money from a savings…
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Tip 3: Learn How to Create a Better ‘To Do’ List When we make resolutions, we tend to resolve to do certain things.…
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These entrepreneurs, traders and investors are making an outsized impact in fintech, crypto and traditional financial services.By Jeff Kauflin, Hank Tucker and Nina…
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Key takeaways Bonds and annuities aren’t an either-or choice. You may find value from both in your portfolio. Bonds offer stable income, liquidity and the option to sell. Fixed annuities can offer guaranteed income, albeit with less liquidity. When people talk about safe investments for retirement, annuities and bonds often…
VioletaStoimenova/ Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate Key takeaways Both financial advisors and accountants can help clients meet financial goals and maximize tax savings. Financial advisors tend to focus more on long-term financial planning for individuals. Accountants most commonly focus on tax planning and returns. Financial advisors and accountants are…
Update as of June 2023: Federal student loan payments will resume October 2023—with interest starting back September 1, 2023. Unless you’ve got a crystal ball, you probably never would have guessed how crazy things would get over the past few years. It’s been a whirlwind of change for sure! And…
Wyoming is best known for its wide-open spaces, rugged mountains and national parks, but it has something new to add to its reputation: It’s one of the top states in America for retirement. Despite being the nation’s least-populated state, Wyoming ranked third overall in Bankrate’s 2025 Best and Worst States…
Key takeaways While many major card issuers offer popular business cards, picking a card from a lesser-known issuer has its advantages. Some of our top picks don’t require a personal guarantee, and many tend to offer higher credit limit potential than other business cards. Before choosing a business card, compare…
Update as of June 2023: Federal student loan payments will resume October 2023—with interest starting back September 1, 2023. Student loan relief is making headlines once more because—you guessed it—the government extended the pause on student loan payments. Yep. Again. Now, you might be sitting there thinking, Hooray! No student loan payments…
Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, Amerant Bank, America First Credit Union, American Airlines Federal Credit Union, American Express National Bank, Apple Bank, Arvest Bank, Axos Bank, Banesco USA, Bank of America, Bank of Hope, Bank5 Connect, BankPurely, BankUnited Direct, Barclays Bank, Bask Bank, BMO Alto, BMO Bank, Boeing Employees’ Credit…
Key takeaways When choosing a financial advisor, look for red flags, such as lack of responsiveness, high fees and pushing certain investments. If you are unhappy with your portfolio’s performance, it could be another reason for a new financial advisor. Look for a financial advisor who is a fiduciary, meaning…
Looking for a car? Before you set your eyes on a new-to-you ride, you may want to consider whether now is really the best time to buy a car in the first place. The demand for new and used cars has skyrocketed . . . but the supply hasn’t. So,…
If you’ve got student loans hanging over your head, you know just how hard it can be to pay them off—especially if you’ve got an interest rate higher than the Empire State Building slowing down your progress. But one way you can accelerate your debt payoff—and save yourself a ton…
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