government

What are employment credit checks, and are they legal?

Employers can use credit checks to review your financial history and make hiring decisions. Be prepared by knowing your rights and what employers can see.

How to Buy a House With Bad Credit

Home ownership is possible even if your credit score isn’t in the 700s. Here’s how to buy a house with bad credit.

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.

11 Reasons to File a Tax Return Even If You Don’t Have To

Filling out tax forms is a pain in the you-know-what. So why on earth would anyone file a tax return if they don’t have to? Well, actually, there’s one very important reason why – you might get a big, fat tax refund check in the mail.

People with income under a certain amount (see table below) aren’t required to file a tax return because they won’t owe any tax. But if you qualify for certain tax credits or already paid some federal income tax, Uncle Sam might owe you a refund that you can only get by filing a return. Think about that for a minute!

  • SEE MORE 2021 Tax Returns: What’s New on the 1040 Form This Year

If you want to know more, here are 11 reasons why you might want to file a tax return even if you don’t have to. Although dealing with taxes can be a real drag, it’s probably worth it if you wind up with a much fatter wallet in the end. (Note that the IRS won’t penalize you for filing a late return if you’re getting a refund.)

Who Has to File a Tax Return?

Here are the federal tax return filing requirements for the 2021 tax year:

Filing Status and Age at End of 2021 

Filing Required If Income is At Least 

Single; Under 65

$12,550

Single; 65 or Older

$14,250

Married Filing Jointly; Both Spouses Under 65

$25,100

Married Filing Jointly; One Spouse 65 or Older

$26,450

Married Filing Jointly; Both Spouses 65 or Older

$27,800

Married Filing Separately; Any Age

$5

Head of Household; Under 65

$18,800

Head of Household; 65 or Older

$20,500

Qualifying Widow(er); Under 65

$25,100

Qualifying Widow(er); 65 or Older

$26,450

Long-Term Financial Goals: How To Plan Your Financial Future at Any Age

Long-term financial goals take five or more years to accomplish and generally apply to major life events. Some of the most important long term financial goals people have include saving for retirement and paying off their mortgage. It’s natural to…

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The post Long-Term Financial Goals: How To Plan Your Financial Future at Any Age appeared first on MintLife Blog.

How to Afford a Down Payment on Your First Home, Step by Step

Saving for a down payment when you have a boatload of bills is no easy task, but first-time homebuyers with good credit have an edge: They often can put just 3% down, and they have access to a host of down payment assistance programs. A down payment gift from a family member, and sometimes a […]

The post How to Afford a Down Payment on Your First Home, Step by Step appeared first on SoFi.

The Cheapest Cities Near Austin

Keep things weird in one of these neighborhoods.

The post The Cheapest Cities Near Austin appeared first on The Rent.com Blog : A Renter’s Guide for Tips & Advice.

What Is Cryptography and How Does It Work?

Cryptography is a science that has evolved over time since the ancient Egyptians used it to communicate. Today, it takes many forms, with quantum computer scientists just one group who uses this coded system. Throughout history and into the digital age, the purpose of cryptography has remained the same: It is a means to transmit […]

The post What Is Cryptography and How Does It Work? appeared first on SoFi.