Photography by Getty Images; Illustration by Bankrate The tax deadline will be here before you know it. The good news is that there are a few different options to file your taxes for free in 2026 — and many of them offer guided support to make sure you file your…
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…
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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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When people hear the phrase debt management program, there’s often confusion, hesitation, or even fear attached to it. As a credit counselor, I see this every day. Many individuals know they’re overwhelmed by debt, but they don’t fully understand what their options are or what…
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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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Image by GettyImages; Illustration by Bankrate Last week’s HELOC spike was short-lived. The average rate on a $30,000 home equity line of credit fell 80 basis points to 8.10 percent, back to the level it was two weeks prior, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. The rise and fall…
Emergencies hit you out of nowhere. And if you don’t have a buffer of cash between you and all the twists and turns of life, things can get tricky fast. That’s where an emergency fund comes to the rescue—it’s your financial safety net when things go south. An emergency fund…
Key takeaways The Capital on Tap Business Credit Card offers high credit limits, no annual fee, speedy approval and cash back rewards. The card is only available to businesses with good credit, at least six months of activity and a minimum yearly revenue of $30,000. While the rewards and credit…
Being a freelancer means being your own boss, which can feel pretty stinkin’ awesome. And you’re not alone. In fact, a recent study found that in 2023 about 64 million Americans did some form of freelance work—making up 38% of the labor force and contributing $1.2 trillion to the U.S.…
Delmaine Donson/ Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate Key takeaways Lengthy credit card balance transfer offers can mean the difference between paying hundreds in interest and paying nothing at all. Balance transfer cards with 21-month intro periods can help you pay off debt, but they carry few benefits beyond the…
Ever wonder if our society is going completely cashless? Maybe you’ve noticed more and more businesses are only accepting digital payments. So, what’s the deal with all this cashless society hype? Are cash and coins going away for good? And does a cashless society really look all that different than the…
Key takeaways Credit card fraud is on the rise, but there are many systems in place to protect your identity and your finances. The Fair Credit Billing Act limits liability to $50 if you report the fraudulent charges within 60 days of receiving your statement. Many credit card companies offer…
Guys, we’ve all been there: You’re scrolling through social media when you get hit with an ad for some jeans that you just have to have. You tap the link, and your heart skips a beat—$120 for a pair of jeans? They’re marketed as “the last pair of jeans you’ll ever buy.” Here’s…
Key takeaways Understanding what not to say when selling a home can help you maintain bargaining power and secure a higher price. It’s best to let your real estate agent do the talking when possible, to avoid revealing information that might negatively impact the sale. However, there is some information…
Everyone needs insurance, right? And nobody should exploit that need to line their own pockets. Sadly, that’s just what many insurance companies do! So you have to be on the lookout for the sneaky expenses they slide into their packages that drive up your insurance bill. By making a few…
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