ATMs make getting cold hard cash from your bank account a breeze. Just pop in your card, click a few buttons and the cash is in your hand. But ATMs can make mistakes. Just ask the man who discovered a glitch that allowed him to withdraw a seemingly endless amount of money. So, how did he do it?
It's tax time: 4 free and paid software options to file your return online
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The deadline for filing federal tax returns for the 2022 tax year is Tuesday, April 18. You don’t have to wait until the deadline, however. You can start filing today.
Are you planning to file electronically? You have a few options, including IRS Free File or Fillable Forms, tax prep sites and commercial software. You can scan important documents into a digital format using your phone or tablet. Tap or click here for more tax filing tips.
One of Kim’s listeners, Thomas from California, asked for our advice on tax preparation software. We’ll break down some popular options to help you make a decision.
NOTE: The Federal Trade Commission says Intuit’s “ubiquitous” advertising claiming that its TurboTax is free to use is misleading. The FTC asked a federal court to order Intuit to stop “disseminating the deceptive claim that consumers can file their taxes for free using TurboTax.” Be aware of that if you decide to use TurboTax.
1. TurboTax
TurboTax is one of the most comprehensive tax prep software solutions. Go to turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online and select the items that apply to you. The site will recommend software based on your selections. You’ll be asked questions about income, deductions, expenses, dependents and more. This will be populated into the software you choose.
The free version is suitable for simple returns (Form 1040) and is free to file for state and federal taxes. This covers your W2 and schedules 1-3. It also offers guidance in case of an audit and 24/7 online support from TurboTax specialists and the customer community. The top-tier software costs $71.20 plus $31 per state filed.
Choose a tier depending on your situation. Deluxe may work for most homeowners with children, while self-employed is better for freelancers and small business owners.
2. H&R Block
H&R Block is best for simple returns, which it offers for free (Form 1040 plus schedules 1-3) at the state and federal levels. You can get unlimited live help and video support for $39.99.
You can get the Deluxe option from Amazon for under $35. The Premium option costs $65.
3. TaxAct
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Best gigs for seniors to make extra cash without a 9 to 5 job
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You may need or want to make some extra money after you’ve retired, but it can be tough to find full-time, in-person work after being away from the employment scene for a while. Not only are jobs hard to come by, but competition is stiff.
5 things you should STOP paying for in 2023
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Money is tight, especially considering all you have to pay for.
You don’t get to opt out of rent, food and other bills, but you can save some money with a few clever tricks. Here are proven ways to lower your internet, streaming and cable bills.
Want a fun side job? 5 off-the-wall ways to make money online
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Want to work from home? There are countless creative things you can do to earn money. We rounded up five fun and unconventional ways to make money online.
After all, you don’t have time to research every off-the-wall job. Searching for “weird ways to make money fast” or “best ways to earn money on the side” will take a long time. If you struggle to find accurate search results, use these five Google research tips.
The one thing that kept airlines afloat
COVID impacted a ton of industries, and airlines were no exception. People traveled less, and that meant less income. But there’s a surprising way airlines make money, and it only became clear during the pandemic.
10 ways to make money for Christmas that anyone can do
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Is there anything better than the holidays? Food, family, and gifts. What more could you want? Tap or click here for creative ways to include your pet in this year’s holiday cards.
As with anything in life, these things all come at a cost. That’s why we’re here to share ways to make this holiday season one your family and friends will never forget.
5 free alternatives to Microsoft Excel
When Excel first hit the market, businesses flocked to use it for their management needs. But it’s far from the only option. There are many free alternatives to Microsoft Excel you should know about.
Many people are so married to Excel they won’t consider other spreadsheets. At first glance, it seems like the perfect one-stop-shop for scheduling, accounting, compiling data, tracking sales and more. Tap or click here for three tips and tutorials that help you make the most out of Excel.
Free versions of Excel if you don’t want to pay for Microsoft 365
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Smart penny pinchers know there are a ton of freebies around the web. You have to be savvy about where you search since there are a ton of dangerous downloads lurking. We’re always here to share safe tools, like the top free Excel alternatives.
Find your perfect job match with these free online tools
If your career is stuck in a rut, try switching to a new job. Depending on your skill set, there are many careers you may not even know you’re qualified for. Finding jobs matching your skills is as easy as taking a few online career quizzes.
Money tight? 10 ways you're wasting cash (even when you think you're saving)
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You might think, “There’s no bad way to save money.” In reality, there’s a lot you can do wrong — no matter how good your intentions are. Tap or click here for five ways you’re wasting money on tech purchases.
Looking for a remote job? Use these tips to find a high-quality gig
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Remote jobs are a tantalizing prospect: You can work from the comfort of your own home, cutting out traffic, chatter from coworkers and other office distractions. Changing from a traditional job to a remote position can be challenging, especially if you’ve never worked from home. Finding legitimate work-from-home jobs can also be challenging since there are so many fake job scams.
Looking for work? 3 sites to find free resume templates
If you’re looking for a new job, you have a long road ahead of you. Not only do you have to hunt down the perfect position, but you also have to craft the perfect resume, which means hours of formatting and designing. Luckily, you can save yourself a lot of time with free resume templates you can find online.
Budgeting tip: An easy way to slash your monthly charges
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Your dollars don’t go as far these days. Sure, things are more expensive, but “buy now” buttons and shiny new services add up much faster than we’d like to believe. It’s no surprise that subscription-based business models are so popular.
Did you pay for a 'free' TurboTax filing? You may be entitled to part of this $141M settlement
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Tax season is over, but it’ll be back again. And again. It’s never too early to start preparing. While you don’t need to hunker down just yet, it can’t hurt to start making a list of deductions for next year’s filing.
Looking for a job? 4 ways to create a winning resume that will get past bots
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Some believe first impressions are everything. It’s especially true when you’re looking for a new job or thinking about changing career paths — which is why it’s vital to have a resume that stands out from all of the other applicants. Tap or click here for over 100 free resume templates to help you create a killer resume.
Be careful how you answer that cryptocurrency question on your tax return
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Filing your federal taxes can be a relatively complex endeavor. Thankfully you don’t have to verify your identity through a third party anymore, but other pitfalls can make it difficult.
One such issue can arise from cryptocurrency, and depending on how you used it over the last year, you could find yourself in trouble with the IRS. The various digital currencies have exploded in popularity, and the IRS wants to know if you’ve been trading them.
Crypto tip: Top 5 cryptocurrencies for beginners
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Cryptocurrency has been around for more than a decade, starting with the release of the first decentralized blockchain-based digital currency in 2009. Cryptocurrency runs on distributed public ledgers called blockchains and does not rely on a central banking system.
Want to make some extra cash? 15 best-paying side jobs for seniors
Retirement can be a ton of fun. After decades of grinding out long hours, you can finally sit back, kick your feet up and relax. Often, though, people can get tired of the unstructured days and the lack of cash.
In cases like these, many seniors will dip their toes into the working world. After all, the right job can teach you new skills and even fulfill you. Plus, it can bring in some much-needed money.
8 tax deductions that may save you some cash in 2022
Spring is just around the horizon. Soon, the snow will melt from the landscape and flowers will pop up left and right. Tax season is also popping up, so it’s time to take out your paperwork and prepare for drudgery.
Here’s some good news, though. You don’t have to brace yourself for Uncle Sam snatching away your hard-earned money. Tax deductions can do you a world of good if you qualify for them, that is.