Posts Tagged ‘tax time’

The Truth About Opening New Bank Accounts

Posted on: November 11th, 2010 by

Truth About Bank Accounts - Financial Planning - RockvilleDespite the fact that we would all like to think that such a thing as free money exists, alas, it does not … unless, of course, you want to open a checking account.  Several banks have started offering cash just to get new customers in the door.  But hidden in the fine print, are fees and rules that will wipe out the supposed windfall.  Cash incentive offers have more than doubled over the last year.

For the banks, this is a calculated trade-off.  As they start lending again, banks need more cash from deposit accounts to help fund those car loans and mortgages.  So while a handout from a bank might feel like you’ve won the lottery, you’re actually handing over the real prize: your money.  Banks are targeting “good” would-be customers, who are likely to maintain high balances and use their debit cards frequently.  In turn, they hope new account-holders will raise banks revenues and apply for loans down the road.

But, if you are a savvy consumer, you already knew there’s no such thing as free money.  Expect to jump through serious hoops, just to qualify.  For starters, you don’t get the cash right away.  You first have to meet certain requirements, many aimed at simply getting more of your money: To get $300 at Citi, you’d have to open a Citigold interest checking account and deposit $1,000 by Nov. 18.  Then, you’ll have to maintain an average daily balance of $1,000 through the end of the month.  You’ll also have to sign up for three more Citi products – like a savings account, certificate of deposit or a credit card within two months of opening the account.  And when you finally get the money, expect a bill come tax time.  All of these cash bonuses will be taxed as regular income.  If you’re in the 25% tax bracket, that $300 award will drop to $225.

So here’s the rub –

Minimum Required Balance

Consumers who receive cash offers for a new account should watch out for minimum balance requirements, which more checking accounts require these days.  The average minimum balance requirement is $3,883 for a no-fee interest-bearing checking account, up 15% from last year, according to Bankrate.com.  That minimum falls to $249 on non-interest checking – still 34% higher than last year.  The average customer who falls below the threshold pays a fee as high as $13.  Look for accounts with zero minimum balance requirements.

Debit Card Rules

At Chase, consumers need just $25 to open Chase Checking and to get up to $125 cash bonus.  But account-holders will be charged $6 per month if they don’t buy something with their debit card five times each month or have at least one monthly direct deposit posted to their account.  For banks, this proves especially lucrative because they make money with interchange fees.

Overdraft Fees

Along with cash bonuses, new checking accounts come with a hard sell on overdraft coverage.  AVOID IT.  The fees kick in when a consumer withdraws more money from their checking account than they have.  As of August, new Federal Reserve rules prevent banks from automatically enrolling consumers in debit-card overdraft coverage, which permits purchases to go through even if the consumer doesn’t have enough money in their checking account, thereby allowing banks to collect their fee.  Now, customers who do nothing will have their overdraft purchases declined.


IRS Isn’t Mailing Tax Forms Anymore

Posted on: September 29th, 2010 by

CPA RockvilleElectronic filing of tax returns has become so popular that the Internal Revenue Service will no longer automatically mail a traditional paper form.  “We’re finding that more and more people are choosing to e-file, and the number of paper returns is going down,” said IRS spokesman Anthony Burke.  He told CNN Tuesday that the agency last year mailed the old-style set of paper forms, tables and instructions to just eight percent of the nation’s taxpayers.  Burke said 96 million taxpayers this year have filed electronically, with another 20 million filing through professional tax preparers.  The IRS hopes to save $10 million a year by not automatically mailing the materials.

Those who prefer hardcopy documents can still find them at libraries, post offices and walk-in IRS offices around the country.  After Jan. 1, they can request a mailing through the IRS toll-free number, 800-829-3676.  The materials will also be available to download and print out from the IRS website: www.irs.gov.

Some people may not miss the annual ritual of opening their mailbox and finding the dreaded reminder of tax time.  Burke said the IRS “won’t produce the package any more,” as the agency transitions to providing software and other support for electronic filing.  Instead, in the next few weeks, those who filed traditional paperwork last year will get a simple postcard from the IRS, with instructions on how to obtain the documents needed to file a tax return.