When it comes to taxes, dependents can affect your return in ways many families don’t expect. Whether you’re claiming a young child, a college student or an aging parent, understanding how deductions and credits apply may change how much you owe or receive. From the standard deduction rules to tax…

Middle-income Americans are facing an economic hangover from the inflation of the last several years, and it has led to increased pessimism about their financial prospects, a new analysis finds. A report by Primerica found that in the third quarter of 2025, just 21% of middle-income Americans believe they’ll be better off…

Feverpitched/ Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate Key takeaways Lenders often sell mortgages to other companies or investors to free up funds for them to offer more loans. As a homeowner, you can’t prevent your mortgage from being sold, but you do have the right to receive information about the…

Deciding how to file your taxes as a married couple can have a meaningful impact on your return. Depending on your situation, it may affect how much you owe or receive. Many couples assume married filing jointly is always the better choice, but that may not be true in every…