U.S. President Donald J. Trump delivers the first State of the Union address of his second term to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S.,on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. Kenny Holston | The New York Times | Via Reuters Amid tariff uncertainty, President Donald Trump…
Andreypopov | Istock | Getty Images The average tax refund is 10.2% higher so far this season, compared to about the same period in 2025, according to the latest IRS filing data. The year-over-year percentage change is down from the 14.2% increase reported last week. As of Feb. 20, the average refund amount for individual filers was…
In his State of the Union address, President Donald Trump described soon-to-launch Trump accounts as “tax-free investment accounts for every American child.” “This is something that’s so special, has taken off and gone through the roof,” Trump said in the annual speech before Congress. The accounts, created under Trump’s “big beautiful bill,” function largely like a traditional…
Xavier Lorenzo | Moment | Getty Images A smaller share of actively managed mutual funds and exchange-traded funds outperformed their index-based counterparts in 2025 than in the prior year, according to new research. Even so, both kinds of investments can have a place in your portfolio, financial advisors say. “I don’t treat passive and active…
On the heels of a massive publicity push, families have signed up about 3 million kids for Trump accounts, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury — well ahead of the July launch date. The “free money” is likely a major incentive. The federal government has said it will make a one-time $1,000 contribution…
Jose Luis Pelaez Inc. | Blend Images | Getty Images The average tax refund is 14.2% higher so far this season, compared to about the same period in 2025, according to early IRS filing data. As of Feb. 13, the average refund amount for individual filers was $2,476, up from $2,169 about one year prior, the IRS…
On the heels of a massive publicity push, including a Super Bowl 60 ad and a billboard in New York’s Times Square, families have filed about 2 million forms to open Trump accounts, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said at an event near Dallas on Friday. “As we approach 2 million forms, that will probably be…
Skynesher | E+ | Getty Images New laws enacted in 2025 may have a big impact on how much Social Security beneficiaries pay in taxes this season. On Jan. 5, 2025, President Joe Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act, a law that ended provisions that reduced or eliminated Social Security benefits for more than…
Artistgndphotography | E+ | Getty Images With many expecting a bigger tax refund this season, there may be an incentive to file returns sooner. But that doesn’t mean you should rush to send yours. First, you’ll need all the necessary tax forms, or you could risk processing delays — or worse, experts say. Every year,…
Lechatnoir | E+ | Getty Images Employers don’t appear eager to mix their 401(k) plans with emergency savings options for workers, new research suggests. Although companies have been permitted since 2024 to allow $1,000 emergency withdrawals from retirement savings and to offer 401(k)-linked emergency savings accounts, there’s been little adoption, according to a Vanguard report…
