Focus on the Economy: State of the Union Highlights
President Barack Obama laid out an ambitious agenda, both economic and otherwise, in his State of the Union address Tuesday night. Here are the highlights of those proposals.
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State of the Union: How Obama Will Use His Bully Pulpit
President Obama has a lot to cover in tonight's State of the Union, from guns to global warming to trade to jobs. But it'll be the economy that gets the most attention, and that's a battleground where he's been on a roll lately.
Obama to Order National Defense Against Cyber Attacks Beefed Up
Cyber attacks have hit a host of major U.S. companies and government agencies in recent months, an issue President Obama may address in his State of the Union Tuesday -- and then in an executive order aimed at improving our defenses against them on Wednesday.
How to Do Your Taxes if You're a Same Sex Married Couple
2012 was a banner year for the gay marriage movement, but there's still a shadow hanging over the celebrations of those victories: In the eyes of the federal government, couples in legal same-sex marriages are still single. Here's how that affects their taxes.
Most of Us Want the Post Office to Kill Saturday Delivery? Really?
According to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe, 7 out of 10 Americans agree that the Postal Service should stop Saturday mail delivery in order to cut the Post Office's huge budget deficit. Just one problem, General: The savings won't be nearly enough.
Your Parents Think You Stink at Managing Your Money
Fidelity recently conducted a survey asking parents how they think their adult children are doing at handling their finances. As you might expect, those parents didn't hold back with their criticism.
Here's Why Gun Control Keeps Failing: Influence vs. Stamina
Recently, Appinions, an influence marketing company, released an infographic that helps explain the mechanics of the gun debate -- most notably, how the focus and devotion of the pro-gun lobby consistently trump the efforts of gun control advocates. Take a peek:
Estate Tax Is Alive and Well, and States Are Dying for the Revenue
The fiscal-cliff compromise kept the federal estate tax exemption at its former level of $5 million, but many state governments are imposing estate or inheritance taxes on more modest amounts.
Family Fraud: When Mom Steals Your Identity
Identity theft is bad enough when it's a stranger committing the crime. But it gets even more complicated when the perpetrator is a relative. And that scenario is far more common than you might guess.
Tax Law Changes You Need to Know About for 2013
Just because the IRS is left scrambling to catch up with the fiscal cliff tax regulations shouldn't stop you from preparing your income tax return. Here are some important changes to the tax code to help you get started.
Identity Theft's Taxing New Trend: Scammers Are After Your Refund
Beware the hottest trend in identity theft: tax identity theft. This year, the IRS expects upwards of 1 million fraudulent tax returns will be filed by scammers stealing refunds. And while the IRS can't protect you, you can protect yourself.
Tax Help: 2013 May Be the Year You'll Need to Hire a Professional
It's hard enough doing your taxes in normal years. But with the major tax code changes the fiscal cliff deal created, this might be the time for even stalwart do-it-yourselfers to hire a professional tax return preparer.
These Are Most and Least Charitable States - but Why?
Earlier this month, Mint.com published a map of the most and least generous states when it comes to charity. Since then, personal finance writers have struggled to find a pattern to explain why some states give so much more to the less fortunate than others don't.
Obama Agenda Will Confront GOP On Debt
Deficit spending got just a single mention in President Obama's inaugural address. But the outcome of the the long-running conflict with Republicans over his tax-and-spend policies will help shape the government's role in coming years, not to mention Obama's legacy.
Surviving an IRS Audit: Your 5-Point Guide
If you're unlucky enough to get audited by the IRS, hiring a tax professional to help you get through the process is your best bet. But if you can't afford to bring in a pro, here are some tips that will you help you survive your audit.
To Pay Off Credit Cards, She Made a U-Turn, and Became a Trucker
Meet Holly Bridges. After a long haul spent living on her credit cards and getting further and further into debt, the young woman made a big change to steer herself away from financial ruin: She became a long-haul truck driver.
Gun Ban Could Actually Be a Boon for Weapons Manufacturers
On Saturday, a coalition of "gun rights and conservative groups" will hold America's first nationwide "Gun Appreciation Day." But guess who isn't coming to the party: Gun manufacturers. And they may have millions of reasons not to protest stricter regulation of their products.
President Obama's Gun Control Proposals at a Glance
On Wednesday, President Obama unveiled his proposals for curbing gun violence in America. Some would require new laws, but the heart of his multi-pronged gun control plan lies in 23 executive orders that he has already issued. Here's the full list:
NRA Puts Its Mouth Where Its Money Is With Ad Targeting Obama Kids
The NRA's latest PR push for the idea that the cure for gun violence is more guns is an ad that calls out President Obama's "hypocrisy" for having armed guards protect his kids -- but not yours. And if that seems a bit disingenuous to you, remember: They have a lot of money riding on this fight.
Gun Maker Claims BofA Withheld Money Over Online Weapon Sales
In the wake of December's Sandy Hook school shootings, the debate over America's gun policy has come to a full boil. And, according to American Spirit Arms, an Arizona gun manufacturer, it has even caused one of the country's biggest banks to take matters into its own hands.
Night of the Living Debt Ceiling: The Fiscal Horror That Is to Come
Last week's fiscal cliff deal did much to resolve the dark specter of economic uncertainty in America. However, it was only the first of three fiscal crises set to hit before March. Next on deck, another sequestration battle; and then the biggie: "Debt Ceiling 2: The Tea Party Strikes Back."
Secretary of Scribble: Is Jack Lew About to Doodle on Your Dollars?
Because President Barack Obama intends to tap Jack Lew to replace Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner, your money might soon start looking a little goofy. If confirmed to head the Treasury, Lew will get to add his unusually squiggly signature to all newly printed greenbacks.
Will Tax Refunds Go Out on Time? Late AMT Fix Has IRS Scrambling
The fiscal cliff compromise has been signed, clearing up a host of questions about taxes for the near future, and the year that just ended. But the long wait for answers left the IRS in limbo, and that may mean millions of refund checks will be delayed too.
Fiscal Cliff Averted: And Here Are the Next 6 Crises to Worry About
The fiscal cliff has been averted -- at least for now. But if we've managed to dodge one devastating, intentionally-created crisis, there are plenty more massive problems on deck. Here's a list of the next six ways Washington could mess things up for tens of millions of Americans.
Fiscal Cliff Averted: 6 Things You Can Stop Worrying About
After months of lead-up, America finally went over the fiscal cliff -- for about 34 hours, before a bipartisan compromise was reached. So, with an eye toward the bright side, here's are six things that you no longer need to worry about now that the fiscal cliff has been averted.
Fiscal Cliff Deal Leaves Much of the Budget Crisis Still Hanging
The fiscal cliff compromise on taxes leaves critical issues of borrowing, spending and budget cutting unaddressed, and lawmakers have given themselves only two months to settle their differences. Here's a look at what's been resolved and what they left hanging.
Boehner Caves, Agrees to Hurricane Sandy Aid Vote on Friday
Under intense pressure from angry Republicans, House Speaker John Boehner agreed late Wednesday to a vote this week on aid for Superstorm Sandy recovery. He will schedule a vote Friday for $9 billion for the national flood insurance program and another on Jan. 15 for another $51 billion in aid.
Done Deal: Fiscal Cliff Bill Passes the House
A weary House of Representatives passed legislation late Tuesday night that will prevent the long-feared fiscal cliff of broad tax increases and spending cuts. The bill's passage on a bipartisan 257-167 vote sealed a hard-won political triumph for President Barack Obama.
Fiscal Cliff Averted: Details of the Deal
An agreement was reached late Monday between the White House and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell aimed at averting the fiscal cliff. Early Tuesday morning, the Senate passed the bill, and late Tuesday night, so did the House. Let's break down the key points of the deal.
New Year's Reprieve: Senate Passes Fiscal Cliff Deal in Post-Midnight Vote
The Senate passed legislation early New Year's Day to neutralize a fiscal cliff combination of tax increases and spending cuts that kicked in at midnight. The pre-dawn 89-to-8 vote set the stage for a final showdown in the House, where a vote was expected later Tuesday or perhaps Wednesday.