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Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction Battle Brews as 'Fiscal Cliff' Looms

Lawmakers of both parties are hunting for ways to raise tax revenue as part of a deal to avert the fiscal cliff. But they should stay away from touching the mortgage interest tax deduction, warns the U.S. housing industry, lest they throw a wrench the long-sputtering economic recovery.

Economists Reluctantly Pick Romney

A bare majority of economists surveyed by CNNMoney think Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney would be better for the economy than President Obama. But on the whole, the economists weren't very enthusiastic about either of them.

Prepaid Cards Are 'Risky' and Loaded with Fees, Pew Study Finds

Reloadable prepaid cards, which work like debit cards without a bank account, have been growing in popularity. But prepaid cards are riskier than you'd realize, and most come with between 7 and 15 fees - many of which aren't disclosed - reveals a new study from a nonpartisan think tank.

The Top 10 Consumer Complaints

The Consumer Federation of America on Tuesday released its annual chronicle of the top 10 consumer complaints. The CFA list comes from a survey of 38 consumer agencies about the kinds of complaints they received in 2011.

Farmers Hit the Jackpot in Kansas Oil Boom

Farmers in Kansas are hitting the jackpot. But instead of holding the winning lottery numbers, it's all about owning the right piece of land -- land with oil beneath it.

What's a Realistic Retirement Age?

A reader asks: "What's a realistic retirement age? How much longer will most of us have to work?" The answer depends on how successful you've been at saving, how cushy a lifestyle you want, and, of course, when you prefer to disengage.

Millions of Dead People Get Identities Stolen

Just because you're dead doesn't mean you can't be robbed. Identity thieves steal the personal information of about 2.4 million deceased Americans each year to apply for credit cards, cell phones and anything else requiring a credit check.

Google Founders Gain More Clout Through Crafty Stock Split

Google CEO Larry Page, Chairman Eric Schmidt and co-founder Sergey Brin will gain greater influence over the company thanks to an unusual stock-split maneuver that will create a whole new class of Google shares with no voting rights.

5 Tax Apps for Filers on the Move

From getting organized, tracking your donations, finding credits, getting quick tax-term definitions, and even filing for an extension, you can quickly and easily navigate through your tax needs on the go with these mobile apps.

All Couples Are Not Created Equal in the Tax Code

Equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans is often viewed as a moral issue, or a religious one. But in many ways, it's a financial issue, as well -- one that leaves same-sex couples paying thousands of dollars more every year to the IRS in taxes.

Stocks in 2012: Up, Up, But Not Away

The stock market's stomach-churning roller coaster will keep running, but unlike last year's flat finish, Wall Street experts anticipate stocks will end 2012 on a high note, with the S&P 500 up by 7%.

Bad Holiday Sales Leads to Sears, Kmart Store Closings

Sears Holdings on Tuesday reported a sharp drop in holiday sales compared to a year ago, and said the results will force it to close 100 to 120 Sears and Kmart stores. The company said the stores to be closed have yet to be identified.

Meet the 12 People Who Have to Fix the U.S. Budget

There has been a pleasant lull in reporting about the debt ceiling and budget debate, but don't let the quiet fool you. Right now, 11 men and one woman are crafting a plan to reduce the federal budget deficit by $1.5 trillion over 10 years. They are the members of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction -- aka, the Deficit Supercommittee.