Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Welcome to Conversations Live. For morethan a decade, we've brought you the
best in books, entertainment, celebrityinterviews and current events. When the movers
and shakers of the world have somethingto say to you, they say it
to us first. Here's your host, Cyrus Web. Welcome back everyone in
(00:20):
the Conversation's Live. I'm your host, Syrus Web. Glad you all could
join us once again for a radioaudience tuning in at WYAD ninety four point
one FM and WYAD online dot com. I'm glad that you all can be
with us also tuning in world wide. Thanks sir, friends at our heart
Rady on Amazon Music for that youall could be with us as well.
This is part of our music andUse segment. You may like it or
not, but it is tax season, so a lot of us, of
(00:43):
course have some things to get readyfor it. It's always great to get
a jump on our taxes early andto make a plan to also get our
finances in order so we don't haveany less minute surprises. If you're needing
some helpful tips that if you getready for tax season, or of course
how to be able to get themost out of your tax refund. Next
guest definitely has you covered. We'reexcited to welcome Courtney Left to our broadcast
today. Courtney is the head oftax it into a credit Karma, just
(01:07):
going to talk to us and letme buy some great hits for you guys,
but also let you know where youcan go for more information. Courtney,
thank you again for the time.Really appreciate it. Thanks so much
for having me well, Courtney.Some people are excited about this time of
year, especially if they think they'regetting a refund. Others may not be
as surprised or excited. But whatcan consumers do, Courtney to prepare for
tax season this year? Yeah,if you're not feeling excited about taxes,
(01:30):
and you are definitely not alone.In fact, really one in three Americans
told us they're actually dreading filing yourtaxes at tax season. But I'm going
to tell you it does not needto be scary, sore feeling worried about
taxes. The best things you cando for yourself are to get organized and
to make a plan. Some ofare getting organized. You're probably getting a
(01:52):
bunch of forms, either send youin the mail already or send your email,
put a shoebox on your desk rainingthose things coming in the mail,
or a creative folder on your computerfor anything electronic. That way, when
you sit down, you'll be totallyready to go. And as hard as
it is, try not to procrastinate. I know I am the queen of
waiting until the last minute with thingslike this. That the earlier you file
(02:14):
your taxes, the earlier you'll getthat tax refund if you'll do one this
year. Yeah, such a greattip, and I think it is something
that we do typically put off,but I love what you said. Coordinate
the sooner we get it done,the sooner we can get the benefits,
especially if we are going to begetting a refund. So one thing that
does come up a lot, andwe probably are already hearing the commercials or
(02:35):
seeing the commercials are the different filingoptions. How can consumers decide the best
option for them this year. Yeah, there are a ton of tax filing
options out there, and it canbe really overwhelming, especially for people who
might be filing your taxes for thefirst time. It's really helpful to go
online and do a few minutes ofresearch to help you figure out what's the
best solution. For you this year. But the good is that online tools
(02:57):
have gotten really smart, fast,easy, intuitive, and they really hold
your hand through the entire end toend process. But if you're sensinitally nervous
and you really it's not that humantouch someone that reassure you that everything is
looking good. A lot of onlineoptions like TurboTax also offer expert assistance.
Love that love that so coney.For our audience out there, we mentioned
(03:21):
refunds. I mean that is wellthings people are thinking about. What should
they also be considering though? Whenit comes to refunds this tax season?
Right? You know, we knowthree out of four Americans are expecting to
receive a tax refund this year,and one of the four is actually expecting
your through a bigger one this yearthan last year. But if you're hearing
that and thinking, I don't actuallyknow if I'm getting a refund or if
(03:42):
I'm going to owe a bill,or how big that refund might be,
there are free online tools like oncredit Karma where you can go right now,
spend a couple of minutes and getan estimate of what that refund might
be that's coming towards you, orhow big that tax player is going to
be and it's really helpful to actuallyplan that now before you file, because
then you could avoid some big surprisesand you can also start making that plan
(04:05):
whether for how you're going to usethat tax refund or how you're going to
pay that tax bill. Yeah.I have to say my family and I
we've been using credit Karma for years. It is such an easy way to
be able to get our taxes done. And I love the fact that a
lot of the information from year toyear it does carry over. It makes
it a whole lot easier for usas well for let our audience to know
(04:26):
how they can get more information.But I do want to ask you,
Courtney, what are the tips doyou have for consumers for tax season this
year? Yeah, the number onetip I'd have is year one of those
three and four Americans expecting that refundis try not to let it burn a
hole in your pocket. It canbe so exciting to get this check and
so taping the splurge all of iton something to treat yourself. But I'd
encourage you to put away ten percent, maybe twenty maps a small amount to
(04:49):
treat yourself, but use the bulkof that tax refund really jump start your
financial goals for the year. Maybethat's paying off credit card debt or putting
it towards saving the emergence. It'sfun. That's really helped that you're twenty
twenty four off to a great startfinancially. Such a great thing for audience
to be able to remember. Againeveryone, Courtney Alb has been our guest.
(05:11):
Courtney is the head of test forinto It Credit Karma to help you
guys, to be able to notonly prepare your text this year with a
little less stress, but also I'mknowing the importance of doing it early so
you can be able to go aheadand get that refund if your do one,
or to get ahead start on otherplans you need to make. Courtney,
where can our audience go for moreinformation? We can check out Credit
Comma or Turbo Tax. There's aton of information on there that can help
(05:33):
answer all the questions you might haveabout filing this year. All right,
Courtney, thank you again for thegreat work you're doing, and thank you
again for stopping by. Really appreciatethe time. Thanks so much for having
me, glad to do it,and we thank your audience for tuning into
another great segment of Conversations Live againpart of our NEWSIC. Can you use
segment here at WYAD until next time, I'm your host. Star Wars website
(05:54):
is always Enjoy your day, enjoyyour life, enjoy your world. Thank
you all for using Conversations Live.Then let's go make today the amazing thick Air