Here are the key things to know about your restricted stock units

When you receive equity compensation from an employer, it typically requires a comprehensive financial plan — and restricted stock units are no exception. In 2000, only 20% of public companies granted restricted stock or restricted stock units, primarily for senior executives or higher, according to the National Association of Stock Plan Professionals. That percentage, however, has jumped to … Read more

What to know before opting into your employee stock purchase plan

Morsa Images | E+ | Getty Images If you work for a publicly traded company, you may have access to discounted company shares via an employee stock purchase plan, or ESPP. While the benefit can be valuable, you need to know the rules and risks before opting into your company’s plan, financial experts say. In … Read more

Here are key things to know before tapping inherited IRAs

Jacob Wackerhausen | iStock / 360 | Getty Images If you’ve inherited an individual retirement account since 2020, you could have a shorter timeline to withdraw the money, which can trigger tax consequences. But there are a few things to consider before emptying an inherited account, experts say.  Under the Secure Act of 2019, so-called … Read more

What taxpayers can learn from the Biden, Harris 2023 tax returns

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris deliver remarks about healthcare in Raleigh, North Carolina on March 26, 2024. Peter Zay | Anadolu | Getty Images President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris released their annual tax returns Monday, and there are lessons within for average Americans, according to tax experts. The president … Read more

Here’s what to know on Tax Day if you still haven’t filed your return

File by the deadline to avoid penalties, interest While April 15 is the federal deadline for most taxpayers, filers in Maine and Massachusetts have until April 17. There are also automatic extensions for some taxpayers impacted by natural disasters. But if you skip the tax filing deadline and owe a balance, you can expect IRS … Read more

Here’s what to do if you can’t pay your taxes by the deadline

File your return by April 15 even if you can’t pay If you can’t cover your taxes in full, you should still file your return by April 15 and pay what you can, according to the IRS. Here’s why: “Your interest and penalties are compounding quicker” if you owe taxes and don’t file, said Eric … Read more

IRS adds ‘important update’ for free Direct File pilot

D3sign | Moment | Getty Images With one week until the April 15 federal tax deadline, the IRS has released an “important update” for Direct File, the agency’s free tax filing program. Since March 12, the pilot program has been fully open for certain filers in 12 states, and Direct File now allows users to … Read more

Here’s what to know before using AI chatbots to file your taxes

Songsak Rohprasit | Moment | Getty Images The tax deadline is approaching and some filers are turning to chatbots powered by artificial intelligence for help with returns. But taxpayers should be wary of generative AI — which uses artificial intelligence to create content — for tax advice, experts say. Nearly 1 in 5 Americans would … Read more

You can still lower your tax bill with a ‘spousal IRA’ contribution

10’000 Hours | Digitalvision | Getty Images There’s still time to lower your 2023 tax bill or boost your refund with a lesser-known retirement savings strategy for married couples. One requirement for individual retirement account contributions is “earned income,” such as wages or salary from a job or self-employment earnings. But there’s an exception for … Read more

Mega Millions $1.1 billion jackpot winner could face these pitfalls

The Mega Millions jackpot grew to more than $1.6 billion on Aug. 9, 2023. Justin Sullivan | Getty Images State taxes can be hefty “None of these winners think about taxes until they have a third of it going right to Uncle Sam and the state government,” said Andrew Stoltmann, a Chicago-based lawyer who has … Read more