IRS COVID Tax Deadline Is Today. See How You Can File Online.
Medora Lee, Gabe Hauari and USA TODAY on July 10, 2026
A federal court ruling means millions who paid IRS penalties between 2020 and 2023 could get a refund, but only if they file before midnight.
Millions of Americans May Get Automatic First-Time Tax Penalty Relief
Medora Lee and USA TODAY on July 10, 2026
The IRS’s new automatic penalty waiver could reach 1.5 million taxpayers a year, seven times more than the old manual process.
Iran War Resumes. Will It Sway Mortgage Rates and Home-Buying Dreams?
Medora Lee and USA TODAY on July 9, 2026
Mortgage rates barely budged despite renewed Mideast conflict, but a 36-month streak of rising home prices may be the bigger obstacle.
Lower-Income Wages Catching Up with Fastest Growth in 3 Years in June
Medora Lee and USA TODAY on July 9, 2026
Lower earners are closing the pay gap with wealthier workers, fueled by job-switching and a tax bill quietly boosting take-home pay.
IRS Makes Claiming COVID Refund Easier Ahead of July 10 Deadline
Medora Lee and USA TODAY on July 7, 2026
The IRS quietly enabled electronic filing for COVID-era refund claims, but missing the July 10 cutoff forfeits the money forever.
A Knowledge Gap, Not Just the Economy, Is Holding Back Homebuyers
Medora Lee and USA TODAY on July 7, 2026
59% of Americans don’t fully understand the homebuying process — and many don’t even know their own credit score.
The New Retirement Problem Is Figuring Out How to Spend It Safely
Medora Lee and USA TODAY on July 2, 2026
Just 19% of near-retirees have a withdrawal plan, so see how the 4% rule, annuities, and life-expectancy tools can help your savings last.
US Dubs Theology Students as Non-Professional, Limits Loan Amounts
Marc Ramirez, Medora Lee and USA TODAY on July 1, 2026
A court fight to protect nursing students’ loans accidentally stripped theology grad students of their higher federal borrowing cap.
July to Start With Most Student Loan Changes in Decades. What to Know
Medora Lee and USA TODAY on July 1, 2026
New borrowers face loan caps and fewer repayment options, and some existing borrowers must act by key deadlines to keep forgiveness eligibility.
Time’s Running Out for Americans to Claim a Possible COVID Tax Refund
Medora Lee and USA TODAY on June 27, 2026
A federal court ruling could entitle millions to a refund on IRS late fees charged during the COVID-19 pandemic — but only if they file by July 10.
Court Halts Loan Caps on Some Grad Degrees. What Does It Mean for You?
Medora Lee and USA TODAY on June 26, 2026
A federal judge paused rules stripping nursing and health degrees from higher loan limits — but new federal borrowing caps still hit July 1.
Why Women May Bear the Brunt If Social Security Benefits Get Cut
Medora Lee and USA TODAY on June 23, 2026
Women already collect $438 less per month than men in Social Security — and looming 2032 benefit cuts could widen that gap for millions of older Americans
How to Access Retirement Savings Early Without the Penalty
Medora Lee and USA TODAY on June 20, 2026
Two little-known IRS rules let you tap your 401(k) before age 59½ penalty-free — but one locks you in for at least 5 years and retroactively penalizes even a single miscalculation.
Parent PLUS Borrowers Risk Forgiveness, Repayment Options After July 1
Medora Lee and USA TODAY on June 18, 2026
Parent PLUS loan holders who don’t consolidate into a Direct Consolidation Loan before July 1 will permanently lose access to income-driven repayment plans and Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
Ex-Social Security Commissioner Says Rich Should Pay More into Program
Medora Lee and USA TODAY on June 16, 2026
Former Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley argues that taxing earnings above $184,500 could keep the program solvent and avert a 22% benefit cut by 2032.
SpaceX Goes Public. Is It a Safe Bet for You and Your 401(k)?
Medora Lee and USA TODAY on June 12, 2026
SpaceX’s $1.75 trillion IPO is headed for your retirement funds — but advisers say its early index weight will be far smaller than the hype suggests.
Why You Might Not Need to Pay That Medical Bill
Medora Lee and USA TODAY on June 10, 2026
A free nonprofit called Dollar For has helped 50,000 patients wipe out bills they didn’t know they could avoid — including one woman’s $4 million hospital tab.
Social Security Fund Slated to Be Empty in 2032. Eyes Move to Congress
Medora Lee and USA TODAY on June 9, 2026
The latest trustees report moved up the depletion date, and if Congress doesn’t act, beneficiaries could lose about $500 a month in automatic cuts starting in 2032.
Older Americans Own a Third of US Homes. How Should They Pass Them On?
Medora Lee and USA TODAY on June 3, 2026
Boomers hold $13.8 trillion in home equity, and estate lawyers say many families are choosing the wrong tool to pass it on.
Social Security Recipients May Lose $500 Monthly in 2032, Report Says
Medora Lee and USA TODAY on June 3, 2026
A new analysis finds 70 million Americans could see benefits cut by 24% if Congress doesn’t act before the Social Security trust fund runs dry in 2032.
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