The Money Section | Why you shouldn't expect a big tax refund this year

͏Plus, where can you afford to buy a home? ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ [Fort Worth Star-Telegram]( March 8, 2023 • Issue #23 [The Money Section] This week, we’re looking at the 6 major tax changes for this year, why the recent COLA boost is not enough to keep up with inflation, and the 10 cities with the biggest increase in homes for sale. Tax changes to watch out for. [7 Changes]( Money As Americans file their 2022 federal income taxes, they are faced with newly expired pandemic policies and new special policies aimed at helping people cope with inflation. These changes may feel significant for those accustomed to large refunds, and taxpayers are advised to be aware and prepared for the policy changes. Here are the 6 major tax changes that [could affect your return and refund this year.]( 🕵️ ♀️ A safe investment. Treasury I bonds are considered one of the safest, as they provide protection against inflation. Although interest rates have declined from last year's high, they still offer a decent annualized yield of 6.89% for six months, making them a worthwhile investment. Here's [how to use your tax refund to buy I bonds.]( 🤔 Social Security reforms. Lawmakers are considering changes to Social Security to address its trust fund issues, which could impact the retirement age and payroll taxes. These changes may require Americans to wait until 70 to receive full benefits and require high-income earners to pay more in payroll taxes. [Here’s what you need to know.]( Not enough. [Social Security]( Money; Getty Images Despite the significant 8.7% COLA boost approved by the Social Security Administration last fall — the highest in four decades — older Americans say they still won’t have enough funds to keep up with inflation, according to a recent survey by The Senior Citizens League. [Read more.]( 😞 Dollar downsize. Retirement savings in the US have decreased by almost 25% over the past year due to inflation, with the average IRA balance dropping from $135,600 in the fourth quarter of 2021 to $104,000 in the fourth quarter of 2022, according to a report by Fidelity. The average balance of 401(k) retirement accounts also decreased by about 20% during the same period. [Read more.]( 🏦 All about the 401s. A 401(k) is a type of retirement plan that offers plenty of benefits and tax advantages. But as with any major financial product, it’s important to understand the tax implications. Here’s a helpful guide [to get you started on the basics of this important retirement tool.]( More homes for sale. [Cities]( Getty Images As mortgage rates inch higher, this spring real estate season isn’t likely to cut home shoppers much of a break. But according to a new report from real estate marketplace Realtor․com, there are a few metro areas where skies are a little bluer in terms of inventory. These are the 10 cities with the [biggest increase in homes for sale compared to a year ago.]( 👇 Recovery or collapse? As fears of inflation push mortgage rates back toward multi-decade highs, economists are warning the resurgence in borrowing costs will deal another blow to the precarious housing market, driving home sales to new lows. [Could the housing market collapse again?]( 💪🏾 Higher credit, lower rates. The difference of a few credit score points can be game changing, resulting in lower mortgage interest rates and monthly payments. Raising your credit score in the weeks and months before applying for a mortgage is the most tangible way to reduce costs if you’re in the market to buy a home now. Here’s how to [boost your credit score to get a lower mortgage rate.]( Smart Money Move Safeguard your identity from tax scams [ID] [ID]Tax season is here, and so are the scammers. In fact, scammers are now more creative than before, as shown by the 45% increase in tax-related identity theft reports compared to pre-pandemic years. What’s worse, if you become a victim of identity theft, you may not even find out until you receive a tax filing notification from the IRS or attempt to submit your real taxes and learn that a scammer already submitted them by impersonating you. The good news is that many Identity Theft Protection services can help catch tax-related scams and other everyday fraud attempts by constantly monitoring your personal information and flagging suspicious activity in real time. Some services even offer 3-bureau credit monitoring and identity theft-related insurance coverage for maximum peace of mind. Don't wait until it's too late to find out if you've been scammed – [invest in identity theft protection today for a stress-free tax season](. Stories we're reading this week - [If Investing Feels Exciting, You're Probably Doing It Wrong]( - [Startups Want to Cash In on the US Student Debt Crisis]( - [Are nonprofit festivals the future of live music for disenchanted concertgoers?]( - [The 3 Best Money Moves for March]( - [You can now buy a fraction of a house. Should you?]( - [How To Pay Off Credit Card Debt]( The Money Section is written in partnership with Money Research Collective This email was sent to {EMAIL} because you are signed up to receive marketing emails or newsletters from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. If you no longer wish to receive emails of this type, you may [unsubscribe]( or [update your email preferences](. We are unable to monitor replies to this email. Please [contact customer service]( if you have any questions or concerns. 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