tax refund

2011 wasn't a good year for those expecting big checks from the IRS. Not only were fewer refunds delivered, but the average refund was smaller. That's no surprise in this economy, but it's also a sign that Americans are getting smarter about how we handle our taxes.

There may be a way to unlock some extra cash for the holidays right under your nose. If you're getting a tax refund of more than $500 come springtime, it means you are giving the government an interest-free loan. Wouldn't you rather have some of that money now? Here's how to get it.

Value-added taxes are big revenue generators in Europe, but if you're not a local person or business, you're supposed to be able to get them refunded. Tell that to the almost 72% of companies spending money overseas that have had trouble getting their VAT refunds or the 21% that have been unable to reclaim any VAT at all.

Americans get three extra days this year to file their income tax returns, but if you've put off doing your taxes, it's time to get organized -- and possibly to get help. Because if you owe Uncle Sam, even if you file for an extension, you'd better have his check in the mail by midnight Monday.

For more than three-quarters of U.S. taxpayers, the silver lining of tax season is the refund check. This year, the IRS says the average refund is just under $3,000, and many people will use theirs to pay off debt or cover expenses. But it could also create an opportunity to save or invest.

On Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced that there will likely be a government shutdown effective Friday at midnight. In response to the deadline, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management has posted information on its website indicating that federal employees whose salaries are...

Unless lawmakers can agree on budget legislation to keep the federal government running, a shutdown at midnight Friday looms. If it happens, there will be a few clear winners, some who break even and a whole lot of losers.

Do you have an income tax refund check coming your way? So far in 2011, the IRS has issued more than 45 million tax refunds and the average refund was $3,129. If you're anticipating a tax refund check this year, it may be tempting to splurge on an expensive high-tech gadget or go on a shopping...

In today's shaky real estate market, more and more homeowners are becoming landlords, often as an unexpected necessity. Whether you're renting out your old house, an investment property or even a single room, being the landlord means tax breaks -- and you should take every one you can.

Georgia's Department of Revenue is dealing with the fallout of a mistake that's proving costly for some taxpayers. Several reports out of Atlanta suggest that many people who filed early 2010 tax returns in Georgia saw their direct-deposit refunds vanish days after they showed up in their...