Posted in Consumer issues, E-Filing, IRS, Money, Money Finesse, Tax, Turbo Tax
If you are a Turbo Tax customer who couldn’t e-file your tax return on April 17 due to high server volume, you will be glad to know the IRS has extended the deadline to midnight, April 19.
Millions of taxpayers trying to electronically file tax returns at the 11th hour jammed servers and some filers were turned away. The company processed more returns on April 17 than they did on peak filing day last year.
The IRS has agreed to extend the deadline for taxpayers who were unable to file because of problems with the system. Turbo Tax is a product of Intuit, Inc.
Posted in Consumer issues, Foreclosures, Home ownership, Loans, Money, Money Finesse, Mortgages, Subprime loans
According to a study by the Center for Responsible Lending, subprime mortgages produced more than $2 trillion in home loans but these loans have led to a loss in home ownership, not an increase.
A higher percentage of subprime loans end in foreclosure than prime loans. The CRL estimates that more than 15% of subprime loans orginated since 1998 either have ended in foreclosure or will end in foreclosure. It isn’t just new home buyers who have experienced loss of home ownership, these figures include borrowers who refinanced loans.
Foreclosure has long-term effects and homeowners who lose their homes may not get back into homeownership for ten or more years.
Subprime Lending is a Net Drain on Homeownership
Posted in Comparisons, Consumer issues, Money, Money Finesse, State taxes, Tax
If you’ve prepared your state tax return and are bemoaning the chunk of your money that belongs to “them”, maybe it’s time to consider a move.
An annual report published by the Tax Foundation ranks states by the tax burden on their residents. Alaska has the lowest tax burden, taking only a 6.6% nibble of its residents’ incomes through state, local and property taxes. The least tax-friendly state is Vermont. Vermont takes the largest bite of resident’s incomes, collecting a whopping 14.1% through state and local taxes.
Check out where your state ranks on the list.
Posted in Consumer issues, Investing, Investments, Money, Money Finesse, Shares, Stocks, Surveys, Teamwork
Surveys have shown that women invest in the stock market far less than men do; they have a different view on the risks and possible gains and are much less confident of their ability to invest wisely. But, when they do try the stock market, they generally do better than men, choosing dependable stocks and ignoring the get-rich-quick options.
Kiplinger suggests that couples should invest together, thereby complementing each other’s strengths and weaknesses. The man can encourage investments in higher yield stocks and the woman restrain him from his wilder excesses.
Which seems like a good plan to me!
