Here’s | Common News Update

Apr92021 by adminNo Comments

There are some snags in free COBRA health insurance for unemployed. Here’s what you need to know

Finance

HRAUNLinda, a lawyer from California who was laid off from her job in January, is like millions of others in the Covid pandemic who are living without health insurance.But she discovered that the government would fully subsidize her COBRA health insurance premiums from April until September, thanks to a provision in the latest stimulus package. She immediately contacted her insurer to sign up. Linda (she asked not to use her full name) was eager to go to the doctor after contracting a painful urinary tract infection this month, which she feared could spread to her kidneys.The rules in the $ 1.9 trillion relief bill passed in March seemed straightforward enough: The government would pay for people's COBRA premiums for six months beginning on April 1. COBRA, or the Consolidated Omnibus Budg...

Apr72021 by adminNo Comments

Was your phone number stolen in the Facebook breach? Here’s how to check

Technology

People can now check whether their phone numbers are among the data stolen from more than 500 million Facebook users - including 11 million from the UK - and leaked online.Facebook has confirmed that the data is related to a historic breach related to a technical flaw the company "found and fixed" in August 2019, although privacy regulators are now asking additional questions. People can now search the independent and widely respected Have I Been Pwned? site - which monitors hacking forums for dumps - to see if their numbers are among those listed in the enormous dataset.Searchers should include the country code with their query, so in the UK it would begin 4479... and so on. Image: Users can search 'Have I Been Pwned?' to see if their numbers a...

Apr62021 by adminNo Comments

Here’s guidance for handling taxes on Covid-related withdrawals from retirement accounts

Finance

MoMo Productions | DigitalVision | Getty ImagesThat early withdrawal from your retirement account last year may have been a life saver. Now, it's time to start paying the taxman.Most retirement savers did not take a distribution under legislation that authorized penalty-free early withdrawals amid the pandemic.However, for those who did, the majority (69%) say they either don't plan to replace any of the money they withdrew or are unable to do so, according to recent research from Principal Financial Group. Another 18% intend to repay part of their withdrawal, and 13% say they'll replace the full amount.Be aware that you're required to include at least a portion of any taxes owed on your 2020 return — which is due May 17. And depending on the tax form you received, extra steps may be requi...

Apr52021 by adminNo Comments

The IRS can adjust any stimulus check money you’re owed when you file your 2020 tax return. Here’s why

Finance

In this articleIRSA3-ARGetty ImagesThis year's tax season has brought with it a new opportunity to collect any unpaid funds from previous rounds of federal stimulus checks.But the amount you claim could be adjusted by the IRS, the agency said on Monday.A new feature called a recovery rebate credit enables people to claim unpaid stimulus check money they may be missing.To date, Congress has authorized three direct payments to Americans since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. That includes a first check of up to $ 1,200 per adult through the CARES Act that was passed in March 2020. That was followed by payments of up to $ 600 per person authorized in December, followed by new checks of up to $ 1,400 per person that the government is in the midst of deploying.More from Personal Finance:F...

Apr12021 by adminNo Comments

Wrecks, DUIs and low credit scores: Here’s how much they can drive up the cost of your car insurance

Finance

Pamela Moore | iStock | Getty Images PlusAh, the joys of the open road and carefree driving, until something happens that makes it cost even more. There are events — i.e., accidents, arrests for driving under the influence, a lapse in coverage — that can drive up the cost of your car insurance. By how much? It depends on a variety of factors, including where you live and the infraction or circumstance that causes the premium to spike."Drivers in certain parts of the country are paying considerably more for their auto insurance, especially after certain life events," said certified financial planner Stephen Kates, insurance analyst for Bankrate.More from Personal Finance:Here’s what post-pandemic travel might look likeHow much you need to earn to afford a houseTax-refund scam targets c...