How Much Does a Dependent Reduce Taxes on a Paycheck?
Claiming a dependent does not reduce the taxes taken from each paycheck by a fixed amount. Instead, dependents may make you eligible for federal tax credits, and accounting for those credits on Form W-4 can change how much federal income tax your employer withholds. The impact that ultimately has on your paycheck depends on factors… read more…
TSP Roth Conversion: Tax Rules and Examples
Federal employees with traditional Thrift Savings Plans can now convert money to a Roth TSP. This moves their future qualified growth and withdrawals into tax-free territory, but creates a substantial current-year tax bill. However, Roth TSP balances are not subject to lifetime required minimum distributions (RMDs). Here’s how the tax cost and timing can help… read more…
The Average 401(k) Balance Is $351,242. Ignoring This Tax Rule Can Cost You Thousands.
The average 401(k) balance is about $351,242, but taxes can reduce how much of that money is available to spend.1 Required minimum distributions (RMDs) can create taxable income once they begin, potentially increasing your tax bill. Planning when and how you take money from your 401(k) could help limit the tax impact over retirement. The… read more…
CPA Exam Questions: Sample Problems to Test Your Knowledge
Passing the Uniform CPA exam is a requirement to become a certified public accountant. This rigorous exam, developed by the Association of International Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), is a four-section, 16-hour assessment that’s designed to test your knowledge of accounting practices. Reviewing CPA sample questions can help you prepare for exam day. Add new clients… read more…
Editor's Picks
CFA vs. CFP®: Which Do You Need?
Chartered financial analyst (CFA) and certified financial planner (CFP) are common certifications for individuals working in finance, namely financial advisors. These are designed to tell a client (or employer) that the holder has received education in certain types of financial… read more…
6 Tips for Choosing a Wealth Management Firm
Wealth management firms are all different, with their own specializations and services. As a result, the process for choosing a wealth manager is a very personal one. Wealth managers work closely together with their clients to identify financial goals and… read more…
What Is a Fee-Only Financial Planner?
If a financial planner, financial advisor or another type of financial professional is fee-only, that means they receive compensation solely from the fees clients pay for their services. They do not earn commissions for recommending certain products. A fee-only structure… read more…
Why First Homes Could Be Investment Properties
If you’re young and looking to purchase a new home to live in, you may want to consider turning it into an investment property. While most people wait until after they’ve bought their first or second home to begin investing in… read more…
Data Articles and Studies
Who Gets the Money? Federal Spending by County in 2025-26
In its latest monthly review, the Congressional Budget Office projects that the 2026 federal deficit will reach $2.1 trillion, with revenue estimated at $5.4 trillion. So who gets the money? Some areas receive significantly more federal funds per resident than others, reflecting where major projects and facilities are located. The result is a patchwork in… read more…
U.S. Population Trends by State: Winners and Losers – 2026 Study
The U.S. population continues to grow, but that growth has slowed dramatically, with the year-over-year increase now below 1%. Some areas feel this shift more acutely than others, and a few states are experiencing population declines. A growing population can increase labor availability and expand the consumer base, supporting economic growth. At the same time,… read more…
Here’s the Salary It Takes to Live Comfortably in Each U.S. State in 2026
As housing, grocery, transportation and other essential costs pressure household budgets, earning a six-figure salary no longer guarantees financial comfort in much of the U.S. A single adult now needs at least $80,000 a year to live comfortably in every state, while the threshold exceeds $100,000 in nearly half of states. For a family of… read more…
Where Young Adults are House Hunting
Rising home prices, combined with limited housing supply, have made it challenging for young adults to enter the housing market. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, nearly 9 in 10 younger Americans say it is harder for them to buy a home than it was for their parents. Nonetheless, younger buyers continue to… read more…
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