Tax Missteps Happen — Even When Two Financial Pros Are Married
The New York Times piece reveals that married financial planners still stumble over tax filings, citing a Roth‑conversion penalty and a missed $7,500 dependent‑care credit cap increase. The errors, each under $1,000, stem from logistical oversights rather than ignorance. The article highlights how even seasoned advisors rely on division of labor, which can conceal gaps. It underscores the broader challenge of navigating an increasingly intricate U.S. tax code despite sophisticated software and professional expertise.
Early Estimates Point to Lower Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment for 2027
Social Security delivered a 2.8% cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) for 2026, boosting benefits by roughly $56 per month. Early government inflation data suggest the 2027 COLA could be markedly lower, with estimates ranging from 1.2% to 3.1%. Analysts warn that a...
Medical Emergencies Can Lead to Debt and Bankruptcy — Even for Insured Americans
A new Health Affairs study of nearly 13,000 trauma patients shows that even insured Americans face sharp rises in medical debt and bankruptcy after serious injuries. Within 18 months, the share of patients with debt in collections grew 5.2 percentage...
Student Loan Complaints Hit Record High, CFPB Finds — but the Watchdog Agency Omits Details
Federal student‑loan borrowers filed a record 18,400 complaints to the CFPB for the year ending June 2025, a 36% increase over the prior year. The agency’s 21‑page report, released in January, omitted the detailed breakdown of complaint types, servicers involved, and...
A Reprieve for Veterans Applying for V.A. Mortgages
House Republicans have trimmed a proposal to raise fees on Department of Veterans Affairs home loans after pushback from veterans groups and lenders. The revised plan leaves purchase‑loan fees unchanged but nearly triples the refinance fee to 1.4% and doubles...
Following Super Bowl Ad, Trump Accounts Launch a New Sign-Up Option
The Treasury announced a new enrollment pathway for Trump accounts following a Super Bowl 60 commercial. Parents can now submit IRS Form 4547 online via TrumpAccounts.gov or attach it to their 2025 tax return to claim a $1,000 seed deposit for...
It’s Time to Rethink the Standard Investment Advice. But Not Too Much.
The article warns investors that unprecedented market volatility—from a 25% drop in silver to record concentration among AI‑driven mega‑caps—calls for a reassessment of traditional portfolio guidance. It highlights stress in U.S. bond and money markets amid political attacks on the...
2025 Tax Returns: Here’s What to Know About Filing This Year
The 2025 filing season arrives with a landmark tax and spending bill that adds $129 billion in individual tax cuts, boosting average refunds by roughly $1,000. Key provisions include a permanent larger standard deduction and new credits that favor higher‑income households....