Income Archives - FREE CONSULTATION

Financial mistakes can have lasting effects that may take you years to recover from. Overspending on shopping trips, overusing credit cards and taking out payday loans are a few of the most common mistakes Americans make with their finances.

What is a Payday Loan?

Payday loans are also known as cash advances or paycheck advances. They are usually short-term loans that you must repay by the time you get your next paycheck. The lender charges you a fee, plus interest on the amount you borrow. Lenders do not typically run a full credit check for payday loans; another reason why they are becoming popular. Since the lender is taking a very large risk by loaning you the money, payday loans tend to have extremely high interest rates.

Disadvantages of Payday Loans

Some states do not allow payday loans at all. Of those that do, these states limit how high the annual percentage rate (APR) can be. Other states do not set restrictions on payday loan APRs. In these states, the APR can be anywhere from 300% to 900%. Although it is a very easy and fast way to get cash, you should be very careful when taking out a payday loan because you might end up paying more in interest than you originally borrowed.

When you take out a payday loan, you write a check for the amount borrowed plus a fee that will be cashed by the lender on your next payday. If you cannot repay it on that day, it rolls over to the following payday. Many borrowers get into trouble this way. If you continue to let the loan rollover, your debt substantially grows due to your inflated APR.

Alternatives to Payday Loans

Credit union loans – your local credit union may offer small, short-term loans to members.

Small bank loans – many small banks offer alternatives to those looking into payday loans.

Advances from employers – it may serve your best interest to ask for an advance from your employer instead of getting a loan that will accrue interest.

Borrow from family or friends – although it may put a strain on your relationship, this can be your best option because they will likely be lenient on the repayment date.

Click here to read more about the dangers of payday loans.

If you are in a financial crisis and are considering filing bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Below are six steps to help you get ahead on your taxes this year:

1. The first thing you should do is put together a list of social security numbers. You will need to include everyone’s number who will be on your tax return. If your child is 12 years old or older and does not have a social security number, you must apply for one.

2. Next, you will need to gather the documents that show the income you earned in 2012. This can include: a W-2 from your employer, a 1099-MISC if you made more than $600 from anyone for freelance work, a 1099-G if you collected unemployment, the interest on any savings accounts you have, etc.

3. You also need to locate your 2011 tax return. This can be very helpful when filing your 2012 tax return, unless your life has drastically changed. If you cannot find your tax return from last year, you can order a copy at http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Order-a-Transcript.

4. Another step you can take to get ahead on your taxes is to figure out the deductions you can claim. There are many possibilities with tax deductions, therefore you should educate yourself and get your paperwork together, early. You will need documentation to prove any deductions you claim. Visit http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc500.html to learn about deductions.

5. If you contributed to a charitable organization in 2012, you can deduct your donation from your taxes. The donation can be in the form of cash, property or stock and must have been to an organization, not a person or political campaign. Visit http://www.irs.gov/uac/Eight-Tips-for-Deducting-Charitable-Contributions to learn about charitable deductions.

6. Finally, you should plan your actual refund. The fastest way to get your refund is to file electronically and use direct deposit.

If you are in a financial crisis and are considering filing bankruptcy, contact an experienced attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Tag: Income

Beware the Dangers of Payday Loans

6 Steps to Prep for your Tax Return