How to put your tax refund to good use
Even though it was your money from the beginning, it feels great to get a refund check -- so don't blow it
Tax Refund
Tax refund tips
Many people admit they don't save enough for retirement, but it's never too late to invest in the future. CBS News business analyst Jill Schlesinger explains how your tax refund could be a good jumping off point.
How to use your tax refund to save for retirement
Many people admit they should have started saving years ago, but it's not too late to invest in the future
Should you spend or save your tax refund?
According to the IRS, 111 million Americans received tax refunds in 2017, and the average amount was nearly $3,000.00. Adam Sasiveri, Director of Bernstein Private Wealth Management, joins CBSN to discuss how to do something meaningful with your extra cash.
Scam targeting tax preparers tricks clients with fraudulent returns
The criminals get their hands on returns from previous years, then use that information to file new fraudulent returns
Cardi B: Where's my tax money going?
If you've ever wondered where your tax dollars are going, you're not alone: Cardi B posted a video on Instagram saying she want receipts of where her tax money is going. Washington Post national correspondent Philip Bump joined CBSN to break down his article responding to Cardi B's tax questions.
Don't have to file a tax return? Maybe you still should
The federal government might still owe you money, but the only way to get it is to claim it
The 6 best ways to use your tax refund
For many Americans, the big incentive to finish their taxes is a fat refund check. Here are six ideas to use it
Why you should start preparing your taxes now
Waiting until the April 17 filing deadline may raise the risk of unwelcome surprises
Refunds at risk: Tax scam is getting worse
Cybercriminals using purloined Social Security numbers, banking and other consumer data to steal taxpayer refunds
IRS issues warning on tax fraud schemes
As Americans begin filing their tax returns, the IRS is warning about scammers looking to steal taxpayers' refunds.
These tax credits could delay your refund
Taxpayers who claim them won't see the same speedy processing of their returns that the IRS gives everyone else
How quickly can I get tax refund in 2018?
Refunds will start to be processed in February, but some will be delayed due to computer changes at the IRS
Latest MoneyWatch headlines
$8 billion in tax refunds on the line; Nasdaq hits new milestone; and Coke struggles with flat soda sales. These headlines and more from CBS MoneyWatch.
Why fewer tax returns have been filed so far this year
The IRS has seen almost a 9 percent drop in returns, and the reasons behind the falloff are many
Little-known tax credit can deliver a 60 percent return
Low-income taxpayers have a nearly secret weapon for getting help to put money away for retirement
Retail sales in February rose, just barely
American consumers lifted their spending by a scant 0.1 percent last month, perhaps because of delayed tax refunds
3 kinds of tax credits you could qualify for
These dollar-for-dollar reductions in your tax bill could save you plenty, so don’t ignore them
IRS reports big drop in tax-refund thefts
The number of taxpayers whose refunds were grabbed by ID thieves fell by almost half last year, thanks to new security steps
The No. 1 thing Americans plan to do with their tax refund
If you're not sure what to do with your tax refund, take a look at what other taxpayers have planned
In case you think tax frauds are going away
The IRS warns that a scam it uncovered last year involving corporate payroll departments continues to steal tax refunds
Self-employed? Don't miss out on these tax deductions
If you aren't diligent about claiming all you're entitled to, you can wind up with an uncomfortably high tax bill
10 tax deductions you don't need to be wealthy to claim
They're called "adjustments to income" because they lower your gross income, and you don't have to itemize to claim them
Increase your tax refund with these deductions
Their advantage: They aren't subject to being phased out as your adjusted gross income goes up
Late tax refunds spur loans to cover shortfall
Lending by tax preparers has a checkered past, but now they say they're not profiting from this way of getting customers
Gisèle Pelicot's ex-husband, over 40 others convicted in rape, drugging trial
Gisèle Pelicot said she had no regrets, but hope for the future after a judge sentenced her ex-husband to 20 years in prison for drugging and raping her for years.
Shutdown looms after House GOP turns against spending bill
House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing a revolt from fellow Republicans over a last-minute measure to keep the government funded and avoid a shutdown.
Wisconsin shooter was in contact with California man plotting his own attack
A California judge issued a restraining order against a 20-year-old man who told FBI agents he'd been messaging with the Wisconsin shooter, authorities and court documents say.
Nationwide Teamsters strike against Amazon beginning
The Teamsters union says workers at seven facilities will walk off the job Thursday morning. It's an attempt to pressure the e-commerce giant for a labor agreement during the key holiday shopping period.
CEO murder suspect Luigi Mangione arrives for extradition hearing
An attorney for Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, says he will waive extradition at his hearing on Thursday.
FAA bans drones over several New Jersey towns. See the list.
Drones have been banned from flying over nearly two dozen New Jersey towns until Jan. 17, the FAA says.
Oklahoma set to execute man who killed girl during cannibalistic fantasy
Oklahoma is preparing to execute Kevin Underwood, who killed a 10-year-old girl during a cannibalistic fantasy. It would be the 25th and last scheduled U.S. execution this year.
Senate set to vote on bill that would expand Social Security to millions
Senators advance bill that would expand Social Security benefits to millions of Americans, including teachers, firefighters and others with public pensions.
Teacher, student killed in Wisconsin school shooting identified
Erin West, 42, and Rubi Vergara, 14, were fatally shot Monday morning at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin.
U.S.
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Oklahoma set to execute man who killed girl, 10, during cannibalistic fantasy
Oklahoma is preparing to execute Kevin Underwood, who killed a 10-year-old girl during a cannibalistic fantasy. It would be the 25th and last scheduled U.S. execution this year.
O'Malley in bid for DNC chair says Democrats need to learn from "very bad loss"
Democrats elect a new party chair on Feb. 1, following the loss of the presidency and the Senate and the narrow failure to win the House in 2024.
Wisconsin shooter was in contact with California man plotting his own attack
A California judge issued a restraining order Tuesday against a 20-year-old man who told FBI agents that he had been messaging with the Wisconsin shooter.
Teacher, student killed in Wisconsin school shooting identified
Erin West, 42, and Rubi Vergara, 14, were fatally shot Monday morning at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin.
Teen victim of deepfake porn urges Congress to pass "Take It Down Act"
Elliston Berry's life was turned upside down after a photo she posted on Instagram was digitally altered online to be pornographic.
MoneyWatch
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Amazon workers, led by Teamsters, set to launch strike at 7 facilities
Teamsters union says Amazon workers at seven warehouses will walk off the job Thursday morning in multiple states.
Stock market plummets after Fed forecasts fewer rate cuts in 2025
The stock market is down sharply today after the Federal Reserve forecast fewer interest rate cuts in 2025 than expected.
U.S. Mint announces 5 historical women on new quarters for 2025. Here's who.
It's the last year the American Women Quarters Program will put historical female figures on reverse side of coins.
U.S. mulls ban on Chinese-made TP-Link routers over national security concerns
TP-Link routers could be banned in the U.S. over national security concerns, according to a report.
Senate set to vote on bill that would expand Social Security to millions
Senators advance bill that would expand Social Security benefits to millions of Americans, including teachers, firefighters and others with public pensions.
Politics
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Biden sets new climate goal for slashing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions
The new goal is part of the Paris Agreement, under which member nations must update their emission cut targets every five years.
O'Malley in bid for DNC chair says Democrats need to learn from "very bad loss"
Democrats elect a new party chair on Feb. 1, following the loss of the presidency and the Senate and the narrow failure to win the House in 2024.
Teen victim of deepfake porn urges Congress to pass "Take It Down Act"
Elliston Berry's life was turned upside down after a photo she posted on Instagram was digitally altered online to be pornographic.
Senate set to vote on bill that would expand Social Security to millions
Senators advance bill that would expand Social Security benefits to millions of Americans, including teachers, firefighters and others with public pensions.
Shutdown looms after House GOP turns against spending bill
House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing a revolt from fellow Republicans over a last-minute measure to keep the government funded and avoid a shutdown.
HealthWatch
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Health insurers limit coverage of prosthetic limbs
Advocates say it is discrimination and are arguing for "insurance fairness" on the grounds that people who have joints surgically replaced typically don't face the same kinds of coverage challenges.
What are seed oils and do they pose health risks? Here's what to know
Seed oils are making headlines, prompting fears around whether they can have negative effects on your health. Here's what to know.
CDC confirms first severe bird flu case in the U.S.
A person in Louisiana has the first severe illness caused by bird flu in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Wednesday.
Congo says mysterious disease killing dozens of kids finally identified
"The mystery has finally been solved," Congo's health ministry says, after an unidentified disease outbreak started killing mainly women and children in a remote region.
2 sisters, 7 years apart in age, also receive heart transplants 7 years apart
The sisters share a special bond of getting a second chance at life, which they both received at the age of 38 years old.
World
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2 highway crashes in Afghanistan leave dozens dead, dozens more hurt
Two highway crashes in southeastern Afghanistan killed a combined total of 50 people and injured 76, a government spokesman says.
Mayotte cyclone survivors plead with visiting French president for help
"Mayotte is demolished," an airport security agent told President Emmanuel Macron as he arrived in the remote French territory five days after Cyclone Chido.
Google Maps shows suspected corpse, helps solve murder mystery
Officers arrested a woman who was the missing male's partner and another man who was her ex-partner, police said.
2 soldiers killed by landmine day after troops killed by booby trap
The incident happened one day after a blast caused by another improvised landmine killed two Mexican soldiers and wounded five others.
Gisèle Pelicot's ex-husband, over 40 others convicted in rape, drugging trial
Gisèle Pelicot said she had no regrets, but hope for the future after a judge sentenced her ex-husband to 20 years in prison for drugging and raping her for years.
Entertainment
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Entertainment
Extended interview: Grateful Dead
The three surviving core members of the Grateful Dead, Bobby Weir, Bill Kreutzmann, and Mickey Hart, talk to Anthony Mason about becoming Kennedy Center honorees, the band's legacy and loyal fans, and the magic of music and songwriting.
The Grateful Dead, Kennedy Center honorees, reflect on the band's legacy
Surviving members of the Grateful Dead, Bobby Weir, Bill Kreutzmann, and Mickey Hart, revisit the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco.
Ben Schwartz, James Marsden on new "Sonic"
Ben Schwartz and James Marsden join "CBS Mornings" to discuss their roles in the highly anticipated sequel "Sonic the Hedgehog 3," distributed by Paramount Pictures.
Kennedy Center honors Grateful Dead
Dave Matthews, Leon Bridges and Derek Trucks led a star-studded tribute to the Grateful Dead at this year's Kennedy Center Honors. Anthony Mason spoke with the band's three surviving core members about their journey to becoming one of the most influential bands in American history.
Megan Thee Stallion asks for restraining order against Tory Lanez
Tory Lanaz, who is serving a 10-year prison sentence for shooting Megan Thee Stallion in the feet, is harassing her from prison through surrogates, the petition alleges.
Technology
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Technology
Supreme Court agrees to hear case about TikTok ban
The Supreme Court said Wednesday it will hear an appeal from TikTok over a federal law that would ban the social media giant if it is not sold by its Chinese parent company. Jan Crawford has more.
Teen victim of deepfake porn urges Congress to pass "Take It Down Act"
Elliston Berry's life was turned upside down after a photo she posted on Instagram was digitally altered online to be pornographic.
How AI powered robots are helping small farms
From labor shortages to environmental impacts, farmers are looking to AI to help revolutionize the agriculture industry. One California startup, Farm-ng, is tapping into the power of AI and robotics to perform a wide range of tasks, including seeding, weeding and harvesting.
Supreme Court to decide on future of TikTok
The Supreme Court plans to hear arguments in January on a challenge to a new law that could lead to the popular social media app TikTok being banned in the U.S. The Biden administration and lawmakers say the Chinese government's ability to collect data from TikTok poses a significant national security risk, while the app and its Chinese parent company ByteDance argue that the law is unconstitutional. CBS News Supreme Court producer Catherine Cole has more.
FAA: Lithium battery fires on flights now occur nearly twice a week
FAA data shows that lithium battery fires on U.S. flights have risen 388% since 2015, now occurring nearly twice a week.
Science
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"Murder hornets" eradicated in the U.S., agriculture officials say
Giant hornets, dubbed "murder hornets," have been eradicated in the U.S., five years after the invasive species was first detected in Washington state.
Coal use hitting record in 2024, which is likely hottest year yet, report says
World coal use is set to reach an all-time high in 2024, the International Energy Agency says, in a year all but certain to be the hottest in recorded history.
How climate change impacted 2024
From record-breaking temperatures to devastating disasters, 2024 brought the world closer to the reality of what climate change looks and feels like. CBS News national environmental correspondent David Schechter reports.
Bronze-Age Britons were cannibalized after massacre, research shows
Researchers determined that dozens of men, women and children were violently killed and cannibalized in Bronze Age-era England.
ClimateWatch: Looking back on 2024’s extreme weather
In this episode of “ClimateWatch,” CBS national environmental correspondent David Schechter looks back at the devastating hurricanes, landslides, flooding and more that impacted the U.S. this year.
Crime
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Google Maps shows suspected corpse, helps solve murder mystery
Officers arrested a woman who was the missing male's partner and another man who was her ex-partner, police said.
2 soldiers killed by landmine day after troops killed by booby trap
The incident happened one day after a blast caused by another improvised landmine killed two Mexican soldiers and wounded five others.
Oklahoma set to execute man who killed girl, 10, during cannibalistic fantasy
Oklahoma is preparing to execute Kevin Underwood, who killed a 10-year-old girl during a cannibalistic fantasy. It would be the 25th and last scheduled U.S. execution this year.
Gisèle Pelicot's ex-husband, over 40 others convicted in rape, drugging trial
Gisèle Pelicot said she had no regrets, but hope for the future after a judge sentenced her ex-husband to 20 years in prison for drugging and raping her for years.
Teacher, student killed in Wisconsin school shooting identified
Erin West, 42, and Rubi Vergara, 14, were fatally shot Monday morning at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin.
Space
More Space
Why are the Boeing Starliner astronauts stuck in space?
Here's why NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are stuck, but not stranded, at the International Space Station after launching into space in June.
NASA delayes return date for astronauts
NASA has delayed the return date for Boeing's Starliner astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. CBS News' Manuel Bojorquez reports on the decision to keep the two in space.
NASA leader weighs in on Elon Musk, SpaceX and plans for moon rocket
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson says he's optimistic the Trump administration will support the space agency's agenda.
Boeing Starliner crew's return delayed again
Two astronauts who have been stuck in space since June will have to wait until at least the end of March to come home after NASA on Wednesday again pushed back their return date. Derrick Pitts, chief astronomer for the Franklin Institute, joined CBS News to discuss what's causing the delays.
Starliner astronauts' return delayed again
Two astronauts who have been stuck aboard the International Space Station for months will have to wait even longer to come home. Their planned returned was delayed once again on Tuesday, pushing their earliest return trip back to late March. Manuel Bojorquez has more.
Latest Galleries
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Notable Deaths in 2024
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
The Scott Peterson case: New evidence?
Peterson's death sentence for the murder of his pregnant wife Laci has been overturned. Now his supporters are pushing for a complete retrial.
The troubled marriage of Ashley and Doug Benefield
The seesaw marriage between the former ballerina and her much older husband only lasted four years, until she shot him on Sept. 27, 2020.
Texas couple investigates teen daughter's unusual death
Cayley Mandadi's mother and stepfather go to extreme lengths to prove her death was no accident.
Summer music heats up 2024
Live performances are in full swing this summer. Scroll through our concert gallery, featuring pictures by CBS News photojournalist Jake Barlow and photographers Ed Spinelli and Kirstine Walton.
Latest CBS News Videos
More Latest CBS News Videos
Latest CBS News Videos
Extended interview: Grateful Dead
The three surviving core members of the Grateful Dead, Bobby Weir, Bill Kreutzmann, and Mickey Hart, talk to Anthony Mason about becoming Kennedy Center honorees, the band's legacy and loyal fans, and the magic of music and songwriting.
Sneak peek: The Search for JonBenét's Killer
Is there new hope to solve the murder of JonBenét Ramsey? Her father says there's a way. "48 Hours" correspondent Erin Moriarty reports Saturday, Dec. 21 at 10/9c on CBS and streaming on Paramount+
Stopgap funding bill in limbo after GOP opposition
A bipartisan House deal on a short-term funding measure that would avoid a potential shutdown and keep the government operational through March appeared to have been scrapped Wednesday after President-elect Donald Trump, Vice President-elect JD Vance and some hardline Republican lawmakers came out against it. Nikole Killion has details from Capitol Hill.
"CBS Evening News" headlines for Dec. 18, 2024
Here's a look at the top stories making headlines on the "CBS Evening News with Norah O'Donnell."
New details emerge about teen shooting suspect
We are learning more about the background of a 15-year-old girl who authorities said opened fire Monday at a Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin, killing two people and wounding six others. Ian Lee reports from Madison.