Key takeaways Unsecured home improvement loans are generally not tax deductible. Interest from home equity loans and HELOCs may be tax deductible. However, you must use them for major projects like home office improvements, medical-related home renovations and energy-efficient installations. Home improvement loans generally aren't eligible for federal tax deductions, even when used for eligible renovations or property improvements. Unlike...

If you sell goods or services or rent property, and get paid through Venmo, PayPal ( PYPL ), Cash App or another payment app, you may have been surprised by a Form 1099-K this year. Here's why you might be among the millions of taxpayers who got this form for the first time: If you received a total of $5,000...

Key takeaways A portfolio loan is a type of mortgage that a bank or lender creates and retains -- keeps in its portfolio -- rather than selling in the secondary mortgage market. Portfolio loans sometimes have more flexible credit and financial requirements compared to conforming mortgages, but also tend to come with higher interest rates and upfront costs. Portfolio loans...

Key takeaways A CD locks in your money for a set period of time (also known as a term) in exchange for providing a guaranteed yield on the funds. CD terms often range from three months to five years, although it's possible to find term lengths shorter or longer than that. When choosing a term, consider when you'll need access...