Could stiffing “Uncle Sam” impact your FICO Score?

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If you expect to get a tax refund this year chances are you have already filed your 2012 taxes. But what if you owe money to Uncle Sam? You likely have procrastinated and will be scrambling to meet the April 15th deadline.   Most people know that missing a mortgage or car payment can definitely lower their FICO Score. But what if you don't pay your taxes?   Not paying your taxes can result in a tax lien which becomes a matter of public record. The FICO Score takes into account any derogatory public records listed on your credit bureau report. One or more tax liens on your credit report can have a significant negative impact to your score.   The exact impact depends on what other information is on your credit report and on the details of the tax … [Read more...]

Will the Fiscal Cliff Impact your FICO Score?

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Right now, everyone is talking about the “fiscal cliff” - the potential crisis that will occur if our elected lawmakers are unable to extend tax cuts and avert millions of dollars in spending cuts that will take effect in the New Year.   As the deadline approaches, you may be wondering what impact, if any, would the fiscal cliff have on your FICO Score?   The good news is that there is no direct effect on the score associated with the main factors driving the potential fiscal cliff.  Your income and the amount of taxes you pay are not considered in the calculation of your FICO Score.   However, the failure to extend the tax cuts and/or avert spending cuts could have a negative indirect effect on credit scores.  Most experts agree that just about every … [Read more...]

Spend Your Tax Return Wisely

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Are you expecting a big tax return and dreaming of spending it on a sunny tropical vacation or a new wardrobe? Think twice. Although it may not be as glamorous as a week on the beach, using your return to pay down your credit card debt will do far more to contribute to your long-term dreams.   A survey conducted by Capitol One revealed that 33 percent of Americans planned to spend part or all of their tax refund this year.   “Most people are not factoring their annual return into their overall financial plan and long-term objectives,” says Mickey Konson, Managing Vice President for Retail Banking at Capital One Bank.  “A tax refund is often seen as free money, which makes it very tempting to spend it right away, but it’s important to remember that the refund … [Read more...]