SmartReads

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…

International exchange-traded funds (ETFs) give investors access to companies and markets outside the United States without requiring them to research and purchase individual foreign stocks. Adding international investments can broaden a portfolio by including businesses that operate under different economic conditions and market cycles than those in the U.S. However, investing overseas also introduces considerations… read more…

To value an estate, you will need to calculate what the deceased person owned and how much those assets were worth at the time of death. The final amount can determine whether federal or state estate taxes apply, affect how property is divided among heirs and establish the tax basis beneficiaries receive for inherited assets.… read more…

A $250,000 inheritance can carry very different tax consequences depending on what you receive. Investments in a taxable account may qualify for a stepped-up cost basis, while distributions from an inherited traditional IRA are generally taxable as ordinary income. Taking too much from an inherited IRA in one year could leave you with a much… read more…