Posts by Amanda Dixon
Tax Policy
What You Need to Know About Inheritance Taxes
There comes a time in all of our lives when we have to say goodbye to a family member or friend. If you were close with the person who passed away, you might discover that they’ve left you something in… read more…
Tax Credits & Deductions
How Many Allowances Should You Claim?
Prior to 2020, one of the biggest things you could do to affect the size of your paycheck was to adjust the number of allowances claimed on your W-4. The ideal number of allowances for you would depend on your individual… read more…
Real Estate Investing
Determining How Much You Should Charge for Rent
Renting out your house might be worth considering, especially if you’re ready to relocate and you’re opposed to selling. Picking up a tenant could help you pay off your mortgage more quickly. Then, you could put the money you’ve earned toward… read more…
Tax Filing
How to Fill Out Your W-4 Form? Answers to FAQs About the W-4
If you’re filling out a Form W-4, you probably just started a new job. Or maybe you recently got married or had a baby. The W-4, also called the Employee’s Withholding Certificate, tells your employer how much federal income tax… read more…
Tax Credits & Deductions
Tax Breaks You Can Claim Without Itemizing
When you file a federal income tax return, you have the choice between taking the standard deduction and itemizing your deductions. But after the 2017 Trump tax changes, which nearly doubled the standard deduction, many taxpayers who lowered their tax bill by… read more…
Tax Credits & Deductions
Understanding How Tax Credits Work
If you were unhappy with last year’s income tax bill, there are several ways to reduce your overall 2022 tax burden before the April 18, 2023, filing deadline arrives. You can try to qualify for as many tax deductions and… read more…
Tax Credits & Deductions
What Is the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)?
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) reduces tax bills for low-to-moderate-income working families. It’s a tax credit that ranges from $560 to $6,935 for the 2022 tax year depending on your filing status, number of children and earned income. Taxpayers… read more…
401(k)
Vested: What It Means for Your Retirement Plan
While your contributions to your retirement plan belong to you from the get-go, your employer’s contributions need to vest first. Employers may follow an immediate vesting schedule, a cliff vesting schedule (where you are vested after a set number of years… read more…
Mortgage Basics
What Is Mortgage Fraud?
Mortgage fraud occurs when a potential homebuyer or mortgage lender provides false information or omits certain details in order to complete a mortgage transaction. As a homebuyer, you may encounter predatory lenders who want to scam you. And if you’re… read more…
Mortgage
What Is a Short Sale?
A short sale occurs when you sell your home for less than what you still owe on your mortgage. It can prevent you from seeing your home foreclosed and undergoing bankruptcy. However, your mortgage lender must approve the short sale.… read more…
Mortgage Basics
What Is a Jumbo Loan?
A jumbo loan is a type of mortgage designed to finance high-value homes that require loans above the standard conforming loan limits. These limits are regulated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). They vary by location, but for most of the U.S., the 2025 limit currently stands at $806,500 for one-unit homes. Jumbo loans are not… read more…
Mortgage Basics
What You Should Know About Fannie Mae Loans
When you’re buying a home, there are multiple ways that you can go about paying for it. You can secure a mortgage by finding a bank or credit union in your area that offers home loans. There are also plenty… read more…
HELOCs & Equity
What Is a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)?
In a perfect world, you wouldn’t have to borrow any money because you’d always have enough. In reality, there are times when you don’t have the cash for your child’s tuition bill, your own student loan payments or other bills. To get… read more…
Home Selling
Pros and Cons of Seller Financing
Qualifying for a mortgage isn’t easy. Some lenders have strict requirements and weed out applicants with poor credit or too much debt. A possible alternative for those determined to buy a house is something called “seller financing.” This process, as… read more…
Tax Policy
All About the FICA Tax
If you earn a wage or a salary, you’re likely subject to Federal Insurance Contributions Act taxes. Not to be confused with the federal income tax, FICA taxes fund the Social Security and Medicare programs. Also known as payroll taxes,… read more…
Mortgage
The Top 10 Cities for Working Parents in 2017
When it comes to paid family leave, the United States is behind the curve. The U.S. is the only industrialized country in the world without a paid parental leave policy for new parents in place at the national level. And according to the U.S. Department of Labor, only 12% of private sector workers had access to… read more…
Student Loans
The States With the Best Schools in 2017
Education is a factor that parents often take into account when deciding where to settle down and purchase a home. That’s why most of the best places to raise a family have good schools. While education has never been the great equalizer it was meant to be for students in the United States, those who… read more…
Credit Cards
What’s the Prime Interest Rate?
The Federal Reserve recently raised the federal funds rate for the second time in a few months. The Fed seems to be fairly confident about the direction that the economy is moving in. That means more rate hikes are likely to occur in the near future. Interest rate hikes affect consumers in different ways. For… read more…
Retirement
All About Qualified Charitable Distributions
Qualified charitable distributions (QCD) are money taken directly out of your individual retirement account (IRA) and given to an eligible charity. Giving to charity can be a benefit in many ways. Not only does it help people and make you feel good, it may help you with your taxes. Make sure you know everything about… read more…
Credit Cards
All About Credit Card Chargebacks
Many cardholders have access to hidden credit card benefits. For example, you may be unaware of the fact that your credit card company offers roadside assistance. So if your car suddenly breaks down or you find yourself with a flat… read more…
Medicaid & Long-Term Care
When Should You Apply for Long-Term Care Insurance?
At some point, older adults may need help completing basic activities like getting dressed and taking baths. Unfortunately, health insurance plans don’t exactly cover this kind of care. This is where long-term care insurance comes into play. If you’re not… read more…
Real Estate Trends
The Best Green Cities for Families in 2017
States across the country are going green amid growing concerns about climate change. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, more than 40 states (and Washington, D.C.) have implemented energy codes for residential and commercial buildings. And around 15% of the energy-efficient bills considered by legislatures in 2015 were enacted, up from around 12.5%… read more…
Credit Cards
How to Win a Credit Card Dispute
Reviewing your credit card statement every month is important. If you toss it in the trash as soon as you receive it, you may miss the chance to catch a mistake. A merchant may have charged you twice for the… read more…
Retirement
When Should You Apply for Medicare?
Many Americans are expected to sign up for health insurance during the open enrollment period that falls between the beginning of November and the end of January. But that’s not the case for everyone. If you’re applying for Medicaid or insurance through CHIP, for example, you can sign up for coverage anytime. And if you’re… read more…
Home Buying
The Best Cities for First-Time Homebuyers in 2017
Today’s young adults are waiting to buy homes. A recent survey from the National Association of Realtors revealed that the average first-time homebuyer is in her early 30s. Most of the people surveyed agreed that a home is a worthwhile investment. But the percentage of primary homes purchased by first-time buyers was down to 32%.… read more…