Tag Archives: Tax refund

What to Do With Your Tax Refund

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Did you recently receive your tax refund, but don’t know what to do with the extra money? While there are many options for spending your tax return, some may be better than others based on your circumstances. Sure, you might be tempted to use it on a shopping spree or extravagant vacation, but spending the money strategically will be more beneficial in the long run. Here are some useful ways to spend your tax refund that you might not have thought of.

Put it into your savings

No matter what your financial and personal goals are, having a savings account* is essential. If you’re already transferring a certain amount of money per paycheck to your savings, adding in your full tax refund can provide an extra boost to what you’ve already built. However, if you don’t already have a savings account, you can always use your tax return as a reason to start saving and investing in your future goals.

Start an emergency fund

Anything can happen and having an emergency fund can be a lifesaver when the unexpected occurs. Whether it’s an expensive vet bill, hospital stay, or a car repair – emergencies add up. The only way to truly be prepared is by saving money. And while you may already have savings, a separate emergency fund can prevent you from having to take from a different account meant for another expense.

Pay off your debt

Don’t let debt loom over you. Use your tax refund to pay down the money owed on your credit card or student loans. Paying off a large chunk of debt at once, can help lower your monthly credit card payment while also paying it down faster. While your full refund may not be enough to pay back everything, you can use it as an opportunity to start building a realistic repayment plan that works within your budget.

Make home improvements

Living in a home means there is usually maintenance, various fixes, and lots of upgrades to budget for. On the plus side, keeping up with these improvements can help lower energy bills and increase the value of your home over time. Replacing old windows, for example – can improve the efficiency of your air conditioning, thus reducing your electric bill during the hot summer months. Remodeling your kitchen or bathroom with new plumbing, appliances, or decor can help potentially also increase the value of your home and make it look more appealing when you’re ready to sell. While these projects can get pricey, using your tax refund – combined with a home improvement loan from us, can help make funding your project more realistic.**

Start your dream business

Maybe you’ve been dreaming of honing your artistic abilities by starting a photography business. Or perhaps you’re hoping to use your love of woodworking to begin crafting and selling furniture. Either way, your tax refund can provide a bit of capital to help get you started. While you don’t have to quit your current job to start profiting off your side business, it’s always recommended you speak with a financial expert (like us!) who can help advise you on which loan products and account offerings you’ll need to kick off your dreams.

Put it back into your community

Is there a cause or charity you’ve been wanting to support? Rather than donating money from your checking account without a plan, use what you’ve received from your tax return. Not only does your charitable donation benefit those in need, but it may also pose potential donation deductions for next year’s taxes. Not to mention it’s a financial decision you can feel good about!

Whether you need financial advice, or you’re looking to open a savings account, or get a loan – we are here to help. Stop in your local branch to speak with a representative today!

*A $5 deposit in a base savings account is required for credit union membership before opening any other account/loan. All personal memberships are part of the Rewards First program and a $5 per month non-participation fee is charged to the base savings account for memberships not meeting the minimum requirements of the program. Click here to view full Rewards First program details. Some restrictions apply, contact the Credit Union for more information.

 **Available on primary residence only. A First Financial membership is required to obtain a Home Improvement Loan and is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers, or attends school in Monmouth of Ocean Counties. See credit union for details. Rate will vary based off of applicant’s credit rating. Not all applicants who apply will be approved, subject to underwriting guidelines and credit approval. Lien position and appraisal valuation may affect the maximum loan amount. Not all applicants will qualify for maximum Loan to Value (LTV) ratio. It will be based off of creditworthiness, property type, occupancy, lien position, and loan amount. Rates will be affected by LTV or combined LTV if there is another lien on the property. Loan amounts over $7,500.00 will be required to give First Financial FCU a security interest in their property. Rates will vary based off of lien position and whether the loan is mortgage secured or unsecured. For mortgage secured Home Improvement loans First Financial FCU (FFFCU) will waive closing costs at inception of loan. If loan is terminated within the first 2 years of opening, closing cost waiver is revoked and are required to be paid back by member to FFFCU.

Better Ways to Use Your Tax Refund

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According to the IRS, the average tax refund is $2,893. Add that amount to any stimulus checks you’ve received, and there could be quite a bit of money currently in your bank account. What’s the best way to handle all this cash? While you might be tempted to go off on a shopping spree, it’s probably a better idea to hold onto your check as long as you can. Here are some better uses for your tax refund.

Pay Down Debt. You might want to put your tax refund toward paying down any outstanding debt you have. Making a large payment can not only significantly reduce the amount you owe, but can also be a motivating factor for continuing to pay off your debt more quickly. Focus on paying off the highest interest debt first, or the one with the lowest balance – depending on whichever method you prefer. Credit card debt is the kind of debt typically with the highest interest and the one you don’t really want lingering, so it’s usually best to pay off credit card debt first. Then continue attacking your other debt with any extra money.

Add to Your Emergency Fund. If you don’t have an emergency fund, you should start one as soon as possible using your tax refund or stimulus payments. An emergency fund can help you prepare for unexpected expenses, as well as keep you on a better financial path. It can be hard to contribute to an emergency fund on a regular basis without a large boost. Think about putting a significant portion of your tax refund away for this purpose.

Save for Retirement. If you really don’t have any debt and already have an emergency fund, you might want to think about using these extra funds for your future retirement. The earlier you start saving, the more it will add up over time. One way to do this is with a Roth IRA. You’ll get tax benefits and continue to save for years to come. If you have questions about opening a Roth IRA, contact the Investment & Retirement Center located at First Financial.*

Contribute to a Travel Fund. Traveling can be expensive, but an extra lump sum of money can help you save up for that trip you’ve been dreaming about. Open a separate savings account dedicated to your travel fund only. Deposit your tax refund into that account and then continue to contribute even a small amount each time you get paid, to this account and watch it grow.

Spend it on Something You’ve Always Wanted. If you have extra money available, sometimes you might want to reward yourself for all your hard work over the past year and enjoy it now – instead of waiting until much later. For example, maybe you’ve been wanting to purchase a bike to ride around town in the nice weather and for some fresh air, or perhaps you’ve been wanting to take a class but just didn’t have the extra money laying around. It’s okay to use some of these funds on yourself for your own personal mental health and growth. Plus if you have the cost covered, you won’t be going into debt for it either.

Home Upgrades. Maintaining your home or upgrading your living space is usually something that gets pushed to the bottom of the spending list. If you have extra money and have been thinking about upgrading your backyard outdoor space, buying new furniture, or finally getting that energy efficient appliance – this may be a great way to use your tax refund.

Be sure you’re spending and saving your tax refund and any stimulus money you’ve received wisely!

*Representatives are registered, securities are sold, and investment advisory services offered through CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. (CBSI), member FINRA/SIPC, a registered broker/dealer and investment advisor, 2000 Heritage Way, Waverly, Iowa 50677, toll-free 800-369-2862. Non-deposit investment and insurance products are not federally insured, involve investment risk, may lose value and are not obligations of or guaranteed by the financial institution. CBSI is under contract with the financial institution, through the financial services program, to make securities available to members. CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc., is a registered broker/dealer in all fifty states of the United States of America.

Article Source: MoneyNing.com

3 Reasons Your Tax Refund Might Not Be As Big As You’re Expecting

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09ba4dd1-bbe3-4f1f-9400-940dc6df347fEveryone tells you not to plan on having a tax refund. If you’re living paycheck-to-paycheck, though, you know where every dollar is going. You might be counting on that money to give you the breathing space you need.

Even if you’re a little further ahead than that, you may still have made plans for your tax refund. You might be planning to pay off a credit card from the holidays or hoping to put a down payment on a car. You might just be hoping to take a little vacation over spring break!

Whatever your plans for the money, it’s a good idea to temper your expectations. Unfortunately, you can’t count on the same tax refund you got last year. Here’s why.

1. Student loan garnishments. 

If you’re behind on your student loans, you might not see much of your refund. If you don’t have much of an income, it’s easy to get behind and it’s hard to catch up. Student loan companies know that, for people with minimal income, tax refunds are a source of a big chunk of money. Also, since it’s not a regular source of income, the rules regarding garnishment are more lenient. Ordinarily, creditors are only allowed to take 15% of your discretionary income if you have one loan, or 25% if you have multiple loans. For a tax refund, the Department of Education can instruct the IRS to apply the full amount of any tax refund you’re due to the balance of your loan.

Even if you’re paid off in full, it might be wise to check with your spouse. This process can also apply to your refund for his or her defaulted student loans. As far as the IRS is concerned, you’re one taxpayer with one set of obligations.

This process can apply to federal student loans, federally subsidized loans and some private loans. You’ll receive a notice of proposed offset from the IRS. You have 65 days from receipt of the notice to object to the offset. Deferments can be provided for up to 3 years for economic hardship and unemployment. They may be provided indefinitely for individuals seeking an advanced degree or for people with disabilities.

It’s also possible the “loan” may just be a paperwork error. If you’ve unenrolled from classes but haven’t yet received a repayment from the school, for instance, you might get your refund back with a short letter. The notice of referral will provide you instructions to request a review.

2. You made more money.

Usually, getting a raise is something to celebrate. If you got one this year, that’s good news for your career future. It’s less good news for your refund. The refund is the difference between what you paid in taxes and what you ended up owing. Your taxes are withheld from your paychecks assuming they stay the same all year. If you got a raise in June, then you were effectively under-withholding for the first half of the year.

Beyond the difference in payment, you may find your raise puts you just above the threshold for credit programs. Credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) have income eligibility requirements. If you made more money this year than you did last year, you may not qualify. The same is true for subsidized insurance premiums through the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). If your income changed after you obtained coverage, you may have to hand back a part of that subsidy.

The EITC is fairly significant, particularly if you have kids. It may be worth your time to look for other deductions you can take to get your gross income under the threshold. Consider working with a professional tax preparer, too.

3. You were the victim of identity theft.

The past few years have seen an increase in tax returns filed fraudulently on behalf of victims of identity theft. A crook uses your Social Security Number and fabricates financial information to get a hefty tax refund, then cashes the check. You’re not only out your tax refund, but also may be facing criminal charges for the phony info on “your” return.

With cuts to the IRS budget this year, its enforcement and investigation of these crimes has dropped. You should contact the IRS immediately if you receive notice that more than one tax return was filed using your Social Security number or if you are issued a W-2 (an income statement report from your employer) by an employer you don’t recognize. These are red flags that someone is fraudulently using your identity.

The FTC recommends you contact the IRS’s Specialized Protection Unit at 1-800-908-4490. You should also prepare proof of your identity, like a copy of your drivers’ license, Social Security card, or passport. The IRS has a form, IRS ID Theft Affidavit Form 14039, that will start the investigative process. Recovering from this crime will take time, but you will get the refund you’re due.

Article source courtesy of CUContent.com.

7 Smart Ways to Take Advantage of Your Tax Refund

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taxes08Tax season is often a time of stress for many, but it can be a joyful time for the roughly 75 percent of Americans who do receive income tax refunds.

While the refund really means you’re getting back money you loaned to the government at no interest, in practical terms it often means an unexpected infusion of cash into your wallet or bank account. It’s a great problem to have, but what should you do with your windfall?

The best choice for one person may not be the best choice for another. But experts agree on one thing – if you have debt, apply your refund to paying it off, whether it’s credit card debt, student loan debt, or other consumer debt.

If you’re getting a big refund ­– a check in the ballpark of $1,000 or more for taxpayers who don’t have a side business – consider adjusting your withholding so that you’ll have that money available to you during the year.

Here are the seven smartest things you can do with your refund:

Pay down debt. If you have any consumer debt – student loans, credit card balances or installment loans – pay those off before using your refund for any other purpose. Car payments and mortgages aren’t in this category, but you can also consider paying extra on your principal.

Add to your savings. Can you really ever save enough? You can use the money to build up your emergency savings, your kids’ college fund, or put it toward a specific goal, such as buying a house or a car, or financing a big vacation you’ve been dreaming about taking.

Add to your retirement accounts. If you put $2,500 from this year’s tax refund into an IRA, it would grow to $8,500 in 25 years, even at a modest 5 percent rate of return, TurboTax calculates. If you saved $2,500 every year for 25 years, you’d end up with more than $130,000 at that same 5 percent rate of return!

Invest in yourself. This could mean taking a class in investing, studying something that interests you, or even taking a big trip. Think about doing something that might add value to your life, such as taking a photography class or purchasing a special camera that could become a new hobby and potentially a side business in the future.

Improve your home. Consider putting your refund to good use by adding insulation, replacing old windows and doors, or other improvements that are more energy efficient. Or perhaps it’s time to remodel your bathroom or kitchen. You’re adding value to your home, and at the same time you’re improving your living experience too.

Apply your refund toward next year’s taxes. This is common among self-employed taxpayers, who are required to pay quarterly taxes since they don’t have taxes withheld. By applying any overpayment toward upcoming tax payments, you can free up other cash.

Splurge on something you’ve always wanted to do. If you’re out of debt and have substantial savings, this may be the time to take the cruise to Europe or trip to Thailand that you’ve always dreamed of taking. Such an experience can be life-changing, and you never know what impact it will have on your future until you actually do it.

Article Source: Teresa Mears for US News, http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2014/03/28/7-smart-ways-to-take-advantage-of-your-tax-refund

4 Wise Ways to Spend Your Tax Refund

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A vacation would be fun, but you’ll get more bang for your buck if you invest in energy-saving improvements or maybe even a new car.

Americans often wrestle with competing desires to spend, save or invest the cash from their tax refund checks.

Many people say they are being responsible with their refunds: 42% plan to use the money to pay down debt and cover bills and 25% plan to save it, according to a survey by TurboTax.

Others are splurging: 15% of taxpayers plan to treat themselves to a vacation or shopping. But advisors say that even if you’ve done everything right — you have an emergency fund, no debt and are maxing out your retirement account contributions — you might want to reconsider spending the refund on a 70-inch TV or a cruise. Here are some of their suggestions below.

1.       Rebalance your portfolio.

With the stock market hovering near five-year highs, advisors normally would recommend investors rebalance their portfolios by selling stocks and using the proceeds to buy bonds or whatever assets they need to get back to their target allocations. But some investors might be able to rebalance without selling their stocks.

Have questions about investing?  Set-up an appointment with the Financial Advisor located at First Financial Federal Credit Union.* Appointments can be made at any branch location, or by calling 732.312.1500.

2.       Prepay your bills.

Even if you’re not living paycheck to paycheck and can afford to spend your refund on a new iPad without falling behind on your bills, there may be better uses for the cash. Though it’s not nearly as exciting, one can use the money to pay off future bills. Why not use this money to put yourself ahead of the game?

Prepay your car insurance bills or car loan payments. Write the phone company a check, or save the money for the home insurance bill you know is coming up in a few months. But don’t forget to check monthly statements to be sure you aren’t paying for something you didn’t request, experts say.

3.       Make home improvements.    Yellow helmet full of dollars

If you’re going to spend it, take a look at your house.  If your furnace is on its last leg, now may be your chance to replace it. Have you wanted to install new windows? Using the money on your home could lift your property value and prevent future damage, advisors say.  People who make energy-efficient improvements might also qualify for a residential energy tax credits expiring at the end of this year. To get the maximum credit of $500, taxpayers need to make $5,000 in qualifying improvements to their stoves, heating or air conditioning systems, insulation, roofs, water heaters and windows and doors. Learn more here.

Did you know First Financial has a home improvement loan?** This loan is perfect for those who don’t think they have enough equity in their home.  Or maybe you’ve been itching to put in a new deck or pool for the nicer weather.  Stop into any branch to ask us how you can get started with a home improvement loan or give us a call at 732.312.1500, Option 4.

isolated red car back view 014.       Buy a car.

If the list of needed car repairs is piling up, some advisors say it might be best to put your check toward a new ride. A $3,000 refund can cover the typical 10% down payment needed on a $30,000 loan for a new car, or the 20% down payment needed on a $15,000 used car.  Don’t forget that First Financial’s auto loan rates are the same whether you buy new or used!***

Those with existing car loans may also have a greater shot at refinancing to get a lower rate (some saving hundreds of dollars a month) if they use some of their refund cash to reduce the size of their loan.

Article Source: http://money.msn.com/tax-tips/post.aspx?post=9a813b25-fba7-4882-b37b-778710cfa8f1

*Representatives are registered, securities are sold, and investment advisory services offered through CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. (CBSI), member FINRA/SIPC, a registered broker/dealer and investment advisor, 2000 Heritage Way, Waverly, Iowa 50677, toll-free 800-369-2862. Non-deposit investment and insurance products are not federally insured, involve investment risk, may lose value and are not obligations of or guaranteed by the financial institution. CBSI is under contract with the financial institution, through the financial services program, to make securities available to members.

**Available on primary residence only, subject to underwriting guidelines. Subject to credit approval. A First Financial membership is required to obtain a home improvement loan and is available to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties, NJ.

***Subject to credit approval. Rates shown are lowest possible and may not apply to every borrower, and higher rates may be charged depending on credit qualifications. A First Financial membership is required to obtain a First Financial auto loan and is available to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties.