1+ day, 12+ hour ago  (1224+ words) Before you touch your retirement fund, consider how taxes, penalties, and financial aid rules change the math. Our Wealth Wise columnist breaks down the choices. Wealth Wise is Kiplinger's advice column on navigating retirement-related dilemmas. Got a question? See below…...

1+ mon, 1+ week ago  (1023+ words) 529 plans are more versatile than ever. Take time this summer to assess whether you're making the best use of all the options — and any available financial aid. As another school year winds down, many families are focused on graduation parties,…...

1+ mon, 2+ week ago  (890+ words) Don't dip into your own retirement savings if rising costs mean your child's 529 plan won't cover all their college expenses. Used carefully, the plan can be more flexible than you might think. For many well‑intentioned parents, saving for college…...

2+ mon, 1+ week ago  (1115+ words) Direct energy investing offers unique tax benefits, such as current-year deductions and potential asset growth through private oil and gas ventures, but high-income households should carefully evaluate its risks, not just its tax treatment. For many high-income households, tax planning…...

2+ mon, 2+ week ago  (426+ words) The results of the Kiplinger Readers’ Choice Awards' best tax software category. Respondents made their judgments on such criteria as their interactions with customer service, the likelihood they would recommend the product or service to others, and their overall satisfaction…...

3+ mon, 3+ week ago  (245+ words) Roxanne Bland, a self-styled “tax nerd,” has worked in the tax field for over 30 years as a state tax legal analyst. Before joining Kiplinger as a tax writer to help ordinary people make sense of their federal and state tax…...

7+ mon, 3+ week ago  (721+ words) Tax-free withdrawals from 529 plans could help you sharpen your job skills. When Congress established 529 plans in the 1990s, they were designed as a tax-advantaged tool to save for college. Contributions to these investment accounts grow tax-deferred, and you can withdraw funds…...

8+ mon, 6+ hour ago  (316+ words) Take our capital gains tax quiz to test your investment taxes knowledge. Learn about loss rules, holding periods, and tax incentives that could impact your savings. If you invest in or own assets, like real estate, stocks, and other securities,…...

8+ mon, 9+ hour ago  (1009+ words) Finish the year strong with smart money moves that can boost savings, trim taxes and set you up for a better 2026. As the holidays approach and the year begins to wind down, it’s tempting to shift into cruise control. Between…...

8+ mon, 6+ day ago  (941+ words) While time is running out to make Roth conversions before the end of the taxable year, consider taking your time and developing a long-term strategy. As 2025 nears its end, it's a good time to evaluate which money moves we should…...