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If you’ve ever forgotten to cash a check or left old retirement accounts behind with a job, that money might have wound up in the care of the state government. After a certain period of time, usually five years, states become the owner of accounts and property that has gone unclaimed or abandoned. This is known as escheatment – the process by which abandoned assets get turned over to the state. Read More...
An endowment is comprised of money donated to a non-profit organization. This sum of money is typically placed in an endowment fund, which is then invested. The return from those investments are used to fund the organization’s operations or grow the endowment principal. Read More...
Ireland is home to some of the most stunning landscapes and coastlines in the world. This, plus the pace of life and rich Irish culture, make it an ideal destination for Americans looking to retire abroad. Americans who go this route should be ready to spend more in Ireland, though, as housing and other costs are generally higher than in the U.S. Still, it’s entirely possible to live on the Emerald Isle for a manageable price. Here’s what you need to know about cost of living, visa rules, and more. Read More...
A taxpayer advocate is an employee of the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate, also known as the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS). Working closely with, but independent of, the IRS, a taxpayer advocate can help you resolve tax disputes you might have with the IRS. While there’s no guarantee that you’ll see the result you want, working with a taxpayer advocate is the first step towards working out a tax issue. Best of all, the service is free if they agree to take on your case. A CPA or tax attorney can also be a big help in dealing with tax issues. If you’d like to take a more holistic view of your financial plan and long-term tax planning, consider working with a financial advisor. Read More...
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Editor's Picks
Apr 19, 2019 Many people dread tax season. But if you're expecting a tax refund for the 2018 tax season (which you filed in 2019), you've got something…
Sep 10, 2019 "Chartered financial analyst" (CFA) and "certified financial planner" (CFP) are common certifications for individuals working in finance,…
Mar 13, 2019 If your portfolio is too large for you to handle on your own, it may be time to call in a professional. Wealth managers work with their…
Apr 09, 2019 Fee-only financial planners earn compensation for their services only. They don't earn commissions or kick-backs for recommending certain…
Jul 23, 2019 If you’re young and you're looking to purchase a new home to live in, maybe you should consider turning your first home into an investment…
Data Articles and Studies
Tech jobs are particularly desirable, because they pay well, show long-term signs of growth and are less vulnerable to automation. But women have faced systemic difficulties in getting these jobs. And even when women do find jobs in the tech world, they earn 84% of what men in tech do, according to Census Bureau data, and thus have less opportunity to save. This is true at the national level, but there are some cities where parity between men and women in tech is less of a concern. Read More...
A large majority (75%) of taxpayers overpay on taxes and receive a tax refund, according to IRS data. A smaller proportion (19%) see the opposite: They will have overestimated their withholdings and learn they still owe the IRS some money. Apart from overpaying and underpaying, there is another small, exclusive group of savvy Americans who manage the Goldilocks fantasy: withholding just the right amount so, come tax time, the tax balance between them and the IRS reads an even zero. Read More...
Americans have greater than $800 billion in outstanding credit card debt, according to data from the New York Federal Reserve. What’s more, roughly 8% of credit card debt is delinquent by 90 days or more. If you’re someone saddled by debt and trying to avoid those lofty interest rates by paying it off, moving somewhere affordable with high-paying jobs is a great strategy. That allows you to accumulate money in your savings account so you can easily pay off any charges you rack up. Below, we rank the best places to get out of debt. Read More...
Videos
Patrice Washington says she is an accidental personal finance blogger. Regardless, it’s a role she seems born to play, and one she’s certainly making the most of! Patrice is now much more than a personal finance blogger, she is a personal finance educator, author and advocate. You can see, hear and read Patrice pretty much everywhere from the Steve Harvey TV and radio show to her own books on personal finance. We caught up with Patrice in New Orleans for this edition of SmartAsset Talks. Read More...
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