Image by GettyImages; illustration by Bankrate There are two main ways to use tax deductions to lower your tax bill: either claim the standard deduction or itemize your deductions, which means add up a list of your qualified expenses. Then you subtract t hat amount — either the standard deduction…

Photography by Getty Images Key takeaways American Express offers a handful of co-branded Hilton credit cards, two of which are the Hilton Honors American Express Card and Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card*. The Aspire Card targets luxury travelers and comes with a $550 annual fee, whereas the Amex Hilton…

Key takeaways While credit card companies technically have the ability to pursue your home for unpaid debt, it’s rare. A debt collector must go to court and get a judgment before it can place a lien on your home. There are limits and exemptions to how much of your home’s…

The Good Brigade/Getty Images Key takeaways The private mortgage insurance (PMI) deduction will be available again for homeowners in tax year 2026 — the first time since the end of 2021. The full PMI deduction will be available for homeowners earning less than $100,000 per year. Most borrowers pay mortgage…