There have been several significant developments this week that will impact millions of student loan borrowers trying to navigate an array of repayment plans and student loan forgiveness programs that have been embroiled in turmoil. For the last several weeks, borrowers have lost access to income-driven repayment plans. IDR plans are affordable repayment options mandated by Congress to allow borrowers to repay their federal student loans based on a formula applied to their income and family size. Payments are typically required to be recalculated every 12 months, and borrowers who haven’t repaid their balance in full within 20 or 25…

A financial advisor is not only for the super-rich; anyone facing major life transitions, nearing retirement, or feeling overwhelmed by financial decisions could benefit from professional guidance. This article explores the role of financial advisors, when you may need to consult one, and key considerations for choosing. What Does A Financial Advisor Do? A financial advisor is a trained professional who helps clients manage their finances and make informed decisions that align with their life goals. While many associate advisors primarily with investment management, their role encompasses a far broader range of services. These may include retirement planning, tax optimization,…

Anti-SLAPP laws are statutes that provide a substantive right of a person to an early dismissal of causes of action brought against them with the effect of silencing or punishing their First Amendment (and corresponding state constitutional) rights to freedom of speech and to petition. The idea ― which has been proven to be very successful ― is to prevent a plaintiff from using the heavy monetary and emotional expense of litigation to grind down a defendant, even if the plaintiff’s lawsuit is ultimately shown to be meritless. Anti-SLAPP laws accomplish this by, basically, moving the summary judgment motion from…

Think of the federal income tax as a patient with heart disease. But instead of treating the condition, the hospital removes the oxygen the patient needs to breathe, then fires the doctors who could unblock the clogged arteries. The actions of President Trump combined with early policy initiatives in Congress threaten to kill the federal income tax. If these efforts continue unabated, the current revenue system could collapse, opening the door to two stated goals of many Trump supporters—deep federal spending cuts and some form of consumption tax. Such a result would be consistent with multiple initiatives by Trump and…

The Department of Education has officially issued clarified guidance on income-driven repayment plan (IDR) recertification following recent count action that paused several aspects of IDR programs. While online applications IBR, PAYE, and ICR plans are expected to reopen on March 26, 2025, processing delays will continue. Borrowers with upcoming or missed recertification dates are being provided extensions, depending on when the annual recertification date was. For some borrowers, their IDR recertification dates will move one year. For others, loan servicers may have to make manual updates to resolve payment plan issues. You can find this information on a new banner…

The IRS has won its ninth microcaptive tax shelter case in Jones v. CIR, T.C. Memo. 2025-25 (March 25, 2025). The only real wonder at this point is why taxpayers keep spending the attorney fees to take their case to the U.S. Tax Court knowing ― or at least their attorneys knowing ― that their case is almost certainly to be a loser. Anyway, you can and should read the Tax Court’s opinion for yourself, which is found here. In a nutshell, a California-based company called Sani-Tech West, Inc., was a distributor of high-purity process components, such as tubing, filters…

Having an emergency fund is one of the most important financial tools you can have to secure your future. Whether you’re starting your financial journey or looking to boost your savings, creating an emergency fund gives you a safety net to rely on during unexpected events. This article tackles everything you need to know about building and maintaining an emergency fund. What Is An Emergency Fund? An emergency fund is a financial safety net designed to cover unexpected expenses. Unlike regular savings accounts, which might be used for planned expenses or long-term goals like vacations or buying a home, an…

Some Income Driven Repayments Plans To Open, SAVE Plan Still Blocked According to multiple reports, the U.S. Department of Education will soon reopen applications for particular income-driven repayment plans, ending a freeze that left millions of student loan borrowers in limbo. However, not all IDR options will be available — notably, the Biden-era SAVE plan (and its predecessor REPAYE) remain off-limits amid a court injunction, two sources familiar with the administration’s plans told Yahoo Finance . Borrowers may be forced into older, less generous plans, potentially leading to higher monthly payments and lost savings. While the reopening of the IDR…

20 Great Colleges Employers Love In 2025 It’s impossible to ignore the mounting criticisms of America’s most exclusive colleges. These 20 schools—10 public and 10 private—are stepping up to educate the country’s brightest students and graduating the talent employers seek. President Donald Trump’s attack on what he and others insist is a “woke” epidemic infecting the nation’s higher education system has turned the Ivy League and other elite colleges into pariahs. While still offering rigorous and broad curriculums, these schools have prioritized diversity and inclusion, which the Trump Administration would like to abolish. Trump has not hesitated to wield executive…

There’s been a heavy focus on reducing the size of government in the name of reducing government deficit spending and the national debt. Fingers point to the number of government workers. However, expressed as a percentage of overall employment, federal employment has been shrinking since 1975. Why People Worry About The Deficit Devotees of modern monetary theory argue that the concern over the debt is somewhat irrational because a country that pays for things in a currency it controls can’t really get into trouble. Printing money isn’t a problem unless inflation rises they say, and then there are multiple ways…