A retiree in Fort Myers calls to pull $40,000 out of an annuity for a new roof, and their check comes back short. Annuity contracts can be full of terms that work against your favor, and you may not learn about them until you need the money. These are the annuity terms that often cost…
Most New York homeowners no longer have to send in any documents for the Enhanced STAR exemption. The state now automatically upgrades most homeowners already on STAR, New York’s School Tax Relief program, once they turn 65 and their income clears the limit, which the state Tax Department sets at $110,750 for the 2026-2027 school…
More than 90 percent of drivers on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway pay with E-ZPass instead of cash, according to the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. The monthly statement rarely matches the number on the sign at the plaza. These are the reasons your New Jersey E-ZPass bill runs higher than the toll…
A Las Vegas woman paid $12,000 for a Hilton timeshare. When she wanted to hand it back in 2024, Hilton’s answer was to have her buy $15,000 more instead. She said no. So, she turned to two companies that promised an exit, and nearly two years later, she still didn’t have it. These are the…
Fall is when Idaho homeowners start calling contractors for cold-weather repairs, and a bad contractor knows exactly when to knock. These are the fall home-repair scams targeting Idaho homeowners this season. Note: This is general information, not legal advice. Contractor registration and cancellation rules are subject to change, so confirm the current requirements with Idaho’s…
Michigan’s Department of Treasury said this spring that homeowners were leaving hundreds of dollars on the table by skipping one property tax break. These are the Michigan property tax breaks some homeowners over 65 never apply for. Note: This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Eligibility rules, deadlines, and dollar amounts are subject…
It’s easy to assume working from home keeps your taxes simple. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. These are the remote-work tax rules Coloradans don’t realize apply to them. Note: This is general information, not tax advice. Tax rules, thresholds, and dollar amounts are subject to change. 1. Convenience Rules Some States Still Enforce…
Florida ties its homestead exemption to a calendar many homeowners check once and forget. But a missed date can cost hundreds of dollars. These are the Florida homestead exemption deadlines homeowners miss every year, and what each one can cost you. Note: This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Homestead exemption rules and…
Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program wants four documents: Proof of your age or disability, proof of your income, proof of property tax or rent paid, and a completed PA-1000 form. This year, the Department of Revenue pushed the Property Tax/Rent Rebate filing deadline out to December 31, 2026, nearly six months past the usual June…
California’s minimum wage rose to $16.90 an hour on January 1, 2026. That same number set a new $70,304 salary floor for the year, according to the state’s Department of Industrial Relations. Clearing it doesn’t settle whether you’re owed overtime. These are the overtime rules many California workers don’t realize protect them. Note: This is…
