Category: Government Rebates and Payments

On November 15th, 2021, President Biden signed a $1 trillion infrastructure bill into law.  Officially named the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, this bill contains a wide variety of measures intended to stimulate the economy, make improvements to the infrastructure system (think transportation systems, telecommunications networks, utilities, etc.), and provide…

Wherever you stand on the COVID-19 vaccination debate, there is little doubt that after January 4th the updated White House Guidelines around mandatory vaccinations will hit unvaccinated workers personal finances -whether they stay with their employer or quit. With more than 745,000 Americans having died from COVID and over 70,000…

The 2022 tax year will be quite different from 2021 given the number of expiring provisions, which will see reduced refunds for many Americans in 2023. This article will cover some of the main tax changes, so you don’t miss out on any of the major tax credits or deductions…

The SSA released the final figure for the 2022 COLA increase which affects nearly 70 million Americans collecting social security and SSI benefits. The 2022 raise was 5.9%, which translates to an extra $92 in retirees’ average monthly benefit next year. It was nearly 5 times last years increase. See…

Most people dream of living a comfortable life without worrying about money. Though many people see this as lofty dreaming about yachts and summer homes, more and more people are turning these ideas into an achievable reality and gaining financial independence at a staggering rate. Financial independence means that you’re…

Bitcoin has traded above $99,000 for stretches of 2026 and also seen six-day runs of over $1 billion in spot ETF outflows in the same year. By the time you read this, both of those facts could be stale. That's exactly the problem with most "should I sell my crypto"…

This article was inspired by a few of my older family members who have had a discussion that generally goes like this: "Andy, I am hearing that Bitcoin and Dogecoin [or insert any Crypto currently in vogue] are the place to invest and have been doubling almost weekly. Is this…

Spot Bitcoin ETFs now trade on Fidelity, Schwab, and E*TRADE just like a stock — you no longer need a separate crypto exchange account to get exposure. That's the biggest change since crypto went mainstream, and it's worth understanding before you put any money in. This is the starting-point guide…

The IRS says that most refunds will be paid within 21 days, but many tax filers are finding out (yet again) that it could take much longer, despite filing early and getting their return accepted by the IRS. Waiting weeks, months or even a whole tax season for IRS updates…

I've been receiving numerous concerns from readers about the IRS messages and codes appearing when they check their refund status using the Where's My Refund (WMR) tracker, the IRS2Go mobile app, or their free IRS transcript. Many filers feel stressed and anxious when they see these codes, wondering what they…

If you have kids under 17, here's the OBBBA update that matters to you: the Child Tax Credit just went up to $2,200 per child, permanently. That's $200 more per child than the 2017 TCJA rate, and the credit will now adjust for inflation annually — meaning it should keep…

Kansas' unemployment insurance program — managed by the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) — increased its maximum weekly benefit to $637 in 2026, up from $589 in 2025. Kansas sets its maximum based on the statewide average weekly wage, adjusted annually. Note that Kansas is one of the few remaining…

Yes — unemployment compensation is taxable income at the federal level, and in most states, at the state level too. It's reported on your tax return just like wages, and the IRS gets a copy of what you were paid. Here's how the withholding, the 1099-G form, and state-by-state tax…