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2 weeks ago | 
bankrate.com | Andrea Coombes |Allison Martin
The latest tax news and expert analysis from Bankrate's award-winning editorial team. The average tax refund so far in 2025 is $3,221, up $140 from the average refund this time last year. Here’s how tax refunds work. Wondering what your state tax rates are? Click on your state to find state income tax rates, sales tax rates and more. The steps you need to follow to fill out your W-4 form. The W-4 determines how much in taxes is withheld from your paychecks.
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4 weeks ago | 
bankrate.com | Allison Martin |MSN Money |Andrea Coombes
If you operate a business or plan to open one soon, you’ve likely heard the term EIN. But what is an EIN, or employer identification number, and do you need one? In short, EINs are used by the IRS to identify businesses and organizations for tax purposes. Even if you aren’t required to have an EIN, it can be helpful when starting and running a business. What is an EIN?
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Jan 23, 2025 | 
bankrate.com | Allison Martin |MSN Money |Rob Watts
Finding the best fast business loan involves figuring out how much loan you can afford and comparing loan types and lenders To apply for a fast business loan, you'll need to check the lender's requirements and gather the correct documentation Always double-check your application and documents before applying, as any errors could result in a delay in approval or denial If you are looking to secure quick funding for your business, several options are available, including fast business loans.
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Jan 16, 2025 | 
bankrate.com | Allison Martin |MSN Money |Rob Watts
Written by Edited by Published on January 16, 2025 | 6 min read Bankrate is always editorially independent. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for . Our is to ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy.
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Dec 9, 2024 | 
bankrate.com | Allison Martin |MSN Money |Andrea Coombes
Many taxpayers think they can itemize expenses that aren’t actually deductible, such as over-the-counter medicines or their cell-phone costs. There are steps you can take to reduce your tax bill, but if you try to claim illegitimate write-offs, you could end up owing the government interest and penalties. Keep in mind that for many taxpayers, it no longer makes financial sense to itemize at all. That’s because the standard deduction amounts were almost doubled by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.
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Nov 14, 2024 | 
bankrate.com | Allison Martin |MSN Money |Rob Watts
Business loans are available from a variety of lenders, including banks, credit unions and online lenders. Banks and credit unions are ideal for established businesses with good to excellent credit. Compared to traditional lenders, online lenders and nonprofits are more willing to work with businesses with poor or bad credit. Deciding where to get a small business loan is a big step in growing your business.
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Oct 31, 2024 | 
wtov9.com | Allison Martin
Key takeawaysUnexpected expenses can be stressful and overwhelming, but having a plan in place can help alleviate some of the anxiety. Options for paying unexpected expenses include payment plans, credit cards, personal loans and home equity loans. To prepare for unexpected expenses in the future, it's recommended to have an emergency fund and consult with a financial adviser for guidance. According to Bankrate’s 2024 Annual Emergency Savings Report, 27 percent of adults have no emergency savings.
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Oct 21, 2024 | 
bankrate.com | Allison Martin |MSN Money |Pippin Wilbers
A car is a large purchase and an auto loan stays with you for years, so make sure you maximize savings when you purchase a car. Putting down more cash or negotiating a lower overall price for your vehicle can help you save money over time. The key to negotiating on a dealership car loan is being willing to walk away when the numbers don’t work for your budget. Dealership loans don’t suit all borrowers, so consider other options if you can find a better deal with a different type of lender.
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Oct 18, 2024 | 
bankrate.com | Allison Martin |MSN Money |Rob Watts
LLC loans is an umbrella term used to encompass any type of financing an LLC company takes out There are different types of LLC loans, from term loans to SBA loans to invoice factoring While you can find LLC loans with bad credit and business loans for new LLC companies, your options get limited with poor credit or a short business history An LLC loan is a small business loan for a limited liability company (LLC).
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Oct 17, 2024 | 
bankrate.com | Allison Martin |MSN Money |Kellye Guinan
Short-term personal loans typically have repayment terms of three years or less. Choosing a short-term loan over a loan with a longer term may save you thousands of dollars in interest. If you plan to pay off a personal loan ahead of schedule, make sure the lender doesn't charge prepayment penalties. Many traditional short-term loans, like payday loans and title loans, offer cash quickly in exchange for extremely high interest rates and fees.
