Be INformed

The IRS has issued a rare mid‑year adjustment to the 2026 standard mileage rates, reflecting updated data on vehicle operating costs.

Many student loan borrowers qualify for a temporary 1% auto pay discount, a straightforward way to save money without changing repayment plans.

The program is already running a deficit: projected 2026 costs of $1,697 billion exceed income of $1,493 billion by $204 billion. Social Security has spent more than it collects in total income every year since 2021.

Significant updates to federal student loan programs take effect on July 1, 2026, impacting both interest rates and borrowing rules for students and families. These changes apply to all new federal loans first disbursed on or after July 1

61% of workers feel confident they will have enough money to live comfortably in retirement. 73% of retirees feel confident. Both groups show a noticeable decline from 2025 levels.

Below is a simple guide outlining the top three ways to make your tax refund work harder for you. 1. Build or Strengthen Your Emergency Fund

The IRS released the 2026 Dirty Dozen list of tax scams, highlighting the most dangerous tax scams taxpayers should watch for.

During the 2025 tax filing season, the IRS issued more than 93.5 million tax refunds to individual tax filers, and 93% of those, almost 87 million refunds, were issued through direct deposit.

In 2025, you can deduct charitable contributions only if you itemize deductions on your federal income tax return. Beginning in tax year 2026, An above-the-line charitable deduction has been reinstated for taxpayers who claim the standard deduction.

Workers in up to 68 occupations can reduce their tax cost by using the tip deduction.