Entry bubble Last Minute Tax Filing

By: Jess | April 15, 2010 | Category: Money


Last minute tax filing stressIt's Tax Day!

Accountants everywhere are rejoicing that they can see the light at the end of the tunnel of their busy season.

But if you're one of the people who still hasn't finished their taxes, you're probably scrambling to make sure everything is done and filed by today's deadline.

If you don't get your taxes paid on time, you could be fined or get hit with failure-to-pay penalties. The IRS offers some great tips on how to avoid that, including electronic and installment payment options.

You can also request an extension to file through the IRS e-file system. That extension will give you until October 15 to file your tax return. The catch is that if you owe money, your payment is due today.

I put my tax stuff in the mail a few weeks ago, but I have some friends who are still tying up the loose ends on their returns.

Are you an early tax filer or do you wait until the last minute?


| Post a Comment | View Comments [9] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: jess   money   taxes  

 

Entry bubble Cash for Appliances Update

By: Jake | March 08, 2010 | Category: Money


Fridge pictureIn September we told you about a new $300 million program that would offer rebates to buyers of energy-efficient appliances with the energy star label. At the time, states and territories, which were in charge of their own programs, were still in the planning stages.

Some states and territories have started their appliance rebate programs. Last week people in both Minnesota and Iowa had trouble with websites and phone numbers the day the programs launched. Due to the popularity, both states had to end their programs after funds ran out. Many states will start them in March and April and each will have their own requirements for participation. For instance, the state of Virginia will have a mail-in program.

To find out what's going on with your state's appliance program so you can beat the rush, you should visit this page. You'll find a map where you can click on your state to see the status of your program. If you scroll down you'll see a list of start dates and phone numbers for each state.

What do you think of your state's appliance rebate program? 

| View Comments [2] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: appliances   energy_star   money  

 

Entry bubble Free Tax Filing

By: Jess | January 28, 2010 | Category: Money


taxesI got my W2 in the mail the other day, which meant only one thing: A quick phone call to my mom the accountant to ask her to help me with my taxes.

But mom, being the smart person that she is, decided I should probably try to do my taxes myself, so she told me about www.irs.gov/freefile, a website that helps people file their taxes for free if they meet certain income requirements.

There's a little quiz that asks you some questions such as age, estimated gross annual income, whether or not you're married, and then it suggests a list of possible free software tools that will help you fill out your federal taxes forms.

For someone like me, fairly new to the work world and a complete newbie at filing taxes, an option like this is really helpful.

For more information about filing your taxes, including information on the new rules that will let you claim Haiti donations on your 2009 returns, you can check the IRS website.

How do you prepare your taxes? Do you use a software program, an accountant, or file by hand?

| View Comments [4] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: jess   money   taxes  

 

Entry bubble Keep Your Free Credit Report Free

By: Jake | November 30, 2009 | Category: Money


I'm sure after your Black Friday shopping some of you are wondering if you hurt your credit. By law you are entitled to one free credit report a year from each of the major credit bureaus---Experian, Equifax and TransUnion---and you can find out how to get it at annualcreditreport.com.

It's important to go to that website in particular because as Colleen showed us back in March some websites lure you in and charge you monthly fees. You may have seen TV advertisements from other companies which show people singing about their misfortune due to not checking their credit. When I wanted to check my credit, I signed up for a credit report from one of these websites. Suddenly, I found myself paying $15 a month to find out that nothing on my credit report had changed.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) gets complaints about situations like mine and has aired advertisements like the one above to get people to the right website. In October, the FTC proposed new rules to curb consumer confusion and stop deceptive marketing regarding free credit report advertisements. The proposed rules include requirements for these companies to put disclaimers on their advertisements and websites so consumers are less confused. FTC's deadline to implement the new rules is February 22, 2010.

How often do you check your credit report?

| View Comments [8] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: annualcreditreport.gov   freecreditreport.gov   ftc   jake   money  

 

Entry bubble Saving Money on Home Heating

By: Jess | November 05, 2009 | Category: Home and Family


FurnaceWe've already changed the clocks and soon that winter chill is going to start creeping into the air (unless maybe you live in Florida, in which case, I'm a little jealous).

Winter usually means a spike in the cost of your energy bills from having to run the heat. But if you're looking to keep costs low this year, and really who isn't, the Federal Trade Commission's Weathering the High Cost of Heating Your Home offers several tips that will help you save money this winter.

Check out some of the suggestions:

  • Check drafty areas of the house (like the attic and basement) to be sure they are properly insulated to not let heat escape.
  • Look into installing a programmable thermostat that can keep your home at a cooler temperature when you're not there, and turn it up an hour before you get home.
  • Vaccum air vents, heaters and radiators regularly to prevent blocked airflow.
  • Seal any flues in your fireplace if you don't use it.
  • Close the doors to rooms that don't get used frequently.

What are your best tips for saving money on heating costs in the winter? Share them in the comments.

| View Comments [2] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: heating   jess   money   savings