Author: Elizabeth Blessing
-
Gasoline prices fell 9.7% in June but remained 26.7% above last year.
June brought measurable relief in the national gasoline index after a sharp run-up, but drivers were still paying from a much higher base than a year earlier. The two percentages describe different comparisons, and together they explain why a household can see prices retreat without feeling that fuel is cheap again. The monthly drop and…
-
Sun Bucks provides $120 per eligible child for summer groceries in participating areas.
Summer can shift a family’s food budget when school meals stop, even though rent, utilities and other bills keep coming. Sun Bucks is designed to fill part of that gap with grocery benefits for eligible school-age children, but availability and application steps depend on the state, tribe or territory running the program. The benefit is…
-
SSI’s new payroll exchange aims to prevent wage-reporting mistakes that cause costly overpayments.
For a worker receiving Supplemental Security Income, a late or incorrect wage report can turn a routine paycheck into a future benefit problem. Social Security says its fully implemented payroll exchange is intended to bring wage data in sooner, reduce manual reporting mistakes and prevent some improper payments before they become debts. What Social Security…
-
Adopting in 2026 can bring a $17,670 tax credit, with up to $5,120 refundable.
Families completing or pursuing an adoption in 2026 may have a federal tax credit available for qualifying costs. The maximum is substantial, but the refundable portion is smaller, income limits apply, and the timing rules differ depending on the type and status of the adoption. The 2026 maximum has two parts The adoption credit can…
-
Pennsylvania renters, seniors and disabled adults can claim up to $1,000 by December 31.
Pennsylvania residents who paid property tax or rent in 2025 have more time to check whether the state owes them a rebate. The program is aimed at older people, widows and widowers, and adults with disabilities who meet the income rules. An application is required even when a person received a rebate in an earlier…
-
Target shoppers can return 211,000 recalled Cat & Jack sandals for full refunds.
A pair of children’s sandals that cost about $20 can now be returned because small decorative pieces may detach. Target and federal safety officials are telling families to stop using the recalled footwear immediately. The refund is available in stores or through a prepaid mail return. Identify the sandals before making a trip The recall…
-
A 1,589,577-dozen egg recall covers Kroger and Simple Truth cartons eligible for full refunds.
A carton of eggs already in the refrigerator may now be worth checking before breakfast. A large recall reaches several familiar store brands, including Kroger and Simple Truth, and the remedy is a full refund rather than a complicated claims process. The deciding details are printed on the carton. Start with the plant code and…
-
Even non-itemizers can deduct up to $1,000 in cash gifts to qualified charities this year.
A tax change for 2026 gives charitable donors a reason to save receipts even when they plan to take the standard deduction. The new break applies to qualifying cash gifts and has separate limits for single and joint filers, so the amount donated is not automatically the amount saved on the tax bill. The deduction…
-
Flagstar breach victims can seek about $60 cash or up to $25,000 for losses by August 11
People whose information was involved in covered Flagstar data breaches have a time-limited choice to make. A proposed class-action settlement offers several benefits, including an estimated cash payment and reimbursement for documented losses. Claims must be filed by August 11, 2026, and payment is not guaranteed until the court process is complete. First confirm that…
-
Free File vs. Paid Software: Who Actually Qualifies
IRS Free File covers taxpayers with 2025 income of $89,000 or less, yet many pay for software anyway. Here is who qualifies and how to use it.
