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For many, filing a tax return is about as pleasant as dental treatment without anesthesia. However, the effort often pays off. In recent years, the average tax refund in the U.S. was around $3,000. Enough for a vacation, home improvements, or paying down debt.

Today, more and more people are turning to AI chatbots to prepare their taxes. According to the D21 Digital Index 2024/25, AI has become a staple for general research, with 25% trusting ChatGPT as a reliable tool for looking up information.

A survey conducted by the Germany-based tax platform BuchhaltungsButler, in collaboration with Berlin-based data studio DataPulse Research, shows just how far this trust extends: Almost half of those surveyed can imagine replacing their own tax advisor with ChatGPT or a similar AI tool. This applies particularly to younger generations and high earners.

We asked over 1,000 people how they feel about filing tax returns with the help of ChatGPT or similar AI tools. The surprising result: 47% of respondents can imagine replacing their tax advisor with AI.

Source: BuchhaltungsButler in collaboration with DataPulse Research / norstat, November 2025 | n = 1,009, representative for Germany

Online forums like Reddit are chock-full of anecdotal experiences using the tool, with some raving about it and others warning against it. In subreddits like r/tax or r/personalfinance, proponents report that AI support saved them time and money when preparing tax returns.

However, other people have had mixed experiences. Hernán Barahona, an expat freelancer living in Germany who prepared his tax return with AI support, explains that ChatGPT helped him to better understand the basic terms and structures of foreign tax law. Also, as a nonnative German speaker, he had many things explained to him in English. However, ChatGPT sometimes lost the thread over long conversations and was prone to oversimplifying nuanced information. Relying solely on the AI almost cost him more than 4,000 dollars.

The bottom line: Enlisting AI support for tax returns might be helpful, but it should also be used with caution.

How do ChatGPT and other chatbots work? ChatGPT and other AI chatbots operate based on statistical patterns. They calculate the probability for every possible next word in their answers and assemble each sentence word by word. Thus, every answer is newly generated, which means that even the same question can lead to different answers.

BuchhaltungsButler explains how to sensibly u

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The past year tested the resilience of workers and employers alike. As the job market tightened and opportunities became scarce, employees faced a double challenge: Not only were roles harder to find, but many companies rolled back the flexible arrangements workers had come to value, mandating return-to-office (RTO) policies that challenged work-life balance. Layoffs cast long shadows, AI anxiety peaked, and the economic turbulence of the world outside inevitably found its way inside the office walls. Despite those factors, Glassdoor is highlighting a few companies that managed to maintain high morale through it all and gain their employees’ approval.

What is the Glassdoor Best Places to Work 2026 list?

Glassdoor’s 100 Best Places to Work 2026 is an employee-driven ranking of top U.S. companies across a range of industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, and more, based on authentic reviews. In a year defined by RTO mandates and “forever layoffs,” these winning organizations stood out for strong leadership, supportive cultures, and clear career growth opportunities.

What makes a company a “Best Place to Work” in 2026?

The organizations that earned a spot on this year’s list didn’t retreat to rigid policies or top-down mandates. They listened. These companies proved that true workplace excellence isn’t built on what sounds good in a press release but on what actually works for the people doing the work. They cultivated people-first cultures, offered genuine flexibility, invested in career growth, led with transparency, and provided competitive compensation that reflects employees’ true value. In a year when many workers felt the ground shifting, these companies stood out by providing something increasingly rare: workplaces that truly understood and supported their most important asset: their employees. A recent poll of workers revealed that poor leadership is the number one factor for turning a “good” job into a bad one (51% said so). These companies are leading in a way that makes employees want to stay.

If you’re looking for a workplace with a culture where you can thrive, here are this year’s 25 Best Places to Work with the most open roles.

Best Places to Work 2026: 25 U.S. large companies hiring the most right now

1. Costco Wholesale
2. Chick-fil-A Restaurants
3. Apple
4. JPMorganChase
5. LongHorn Steakhouse
6. RDSolutions
7. Lockheed Martin
8. Bath & Body Works
9. Google
10. HDR
11. Keller Williams
12. Burns & McDonnell
13. Power Home Remodeling
14. Booz Allen Hamilton
15. Stake Center Locating
16. KBR
17. Bank of America
18. Fidelity Investments

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Before the holidays, winter can feel like a wonderland, filled with decorations, loved ones, and festive treats. However, once January starts, winter can quickly become dreary, complete with early sunsets, cold weather, and too many indoor activities. If you’re looking for a reprieve from the winter blues, there are plenty of warm-weather destinations within a few hours of the U.S. that you can visit without breaking the bank.

Point.me compiled a list of 10 destinations you can visit for as few as 2,500 points using sample fares and average ranges from point.me data. Here’s what you need to know about the cheapest warm-weather destinations you can head to this winter, including why you should visit and the smartest ways to get there.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Lowest fare: 5,000 points each way

Average fare: 22,000 points each way

Puerto Vallarta is on the Pacific side of Mexico, and it doesn’t get nearly the same publicity as the Caribbean side. However, it’s still known for world-class beaches and a fantastic nightlife scene. Whether you’re a digital nomad looking to escape the rest of the winter months or you just need a quick beach getaway, Puerto Vallarta is the perfect destination. You can find a large array of outdoor activities you might be interested in, from hiking to snorkeling and everything in between. When you visit, be sure to fill up on as many seafood tacos as you can find.

You can reach Puerto Vallarta (PVR) via a nonstop flight from close to two dozen hubs throughout the U.S., including San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX), Salt Lake City (SLC), New York (JFK, EWR), Atlanta (ATL), and Dallas (DFW). Each major alliance (SkyTeam, Oneworld, and Star Alliance) offers impressive connectivity.

Although rates have been as low as 5,000 points each way to get to Puerto Vallarta, the average fare will be around 22,000 points. As always, this will depend on where you’re traveling from. For instance, the six-hour flight from New York (JFK) to Puerto Vallarta might cost 15,000 Atmos Rewards points, which you can transfer at a 1:1 ratio from Bilt Rewards.

Although Alaska Airlines publishes a partner distance-based award chart, it lists “starting at” values, which means prices can vary based on demand and seasonality.

On the other hand, the three-hour flight from Los Angeles (LAX) might cost just 5,000 Delta SkyMiles, which you can transfer from American Express Membership Rewards at a 1:1 ratio.

Cancun, Mexico

Lowest fare: 2,500 points each way

Average fare: 24,000 points each way

Cancun needs no introduction. It’s one of the most famous destinations in the Caribbean for a reason. You’ll be hard-pressed to find more beautiful beaches this close to the U.S., and the abundance of resorts means you can find a hotel at any price point. Plus, each of the major hotel chains has several properties in Cancun, so you can easily use points for your stay — inc

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Tourists often move through American cities, beaches, and national parks with a sense of ease, soaking in places locals know can change quickly. Residents in major destinations say many of the mishaps they witness don’t stem from thrill-seeking but from the everyday habits visitors bring with them: stepping into a busy street for a better angle, edging too close to wildlife, or venturing into water that looks calmer than it is. These routines, familiar at home, can become far riskier in unfamiliar surroundings where the environment, traffic patterns, and local norms differ sharply from what travelers expect.

To better understand the behaviors that communities warn about, Recovery Law Center, a personal injury law firm, examines these details to highlight the everyday habits most often linked to tourist mishaps.

1. Running into the street for photos in busy tourist corridors

New York City Department of Transportation data shows that crashes are concentrated in major tourist and commercial hubs, such as Manhattan. Recent analyses show that while Manhattan initially appears to have the highest rate of pedestrians (with 100,000 pedestrians who are killed or seriously injured, or KSI), this changes once its enormous daily influx of approximately 1.4 million commuters is taken into account. When adjusted for this population surge, Manhattan’s pedestrian KSI rate actually falls below those of Brooklyn and Queens and is below the citywide average.

Because Midtown and Lower Manhattan serve as the region’s two largest business districts, pedestrian safety in these areas affects far more than just Manhattan residents. In fact, 43% of pedestrians who lost their lives in Manhattan lived in another borough or outside New York City altogether. With the influx of tourists, transportation officials have repeatedly warned visitors that even slow-moving traffic can cause severe or fatal injuries.

2. Stopping abruptly on bike lanes or scooter paths

American cities with protected bike lanes have seen a sharp rise in collisions involving distracted visitors. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, micromobility injuries increased 21% from 2021 to 2022, with many incidents tied to crowded shared-lane environments. Stopping suddenly to take photos or check maps is one of the most common triggers.

3. Underestimating rip currents and strong surf

Beach destinations report that tourists frequently misjudge powerful ocean conditions. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data show that rip currents cause more than 100 deaths in the U.S. each year, making individuals unfamiliar with local beaches vulnerable. This happens because visitors often ignore posted surf warnings or swim outside lifeguarded areas.

4. Approaching wildlife too closely in national parks

Despit

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If you run a business and carry a balance on your credit card, here’s something worth knowing. The interest you’re paying might actually reduce your tax bill. In the United States, credit card interest can be tax-deductible for businesses when the underlying charges are genuinely business-related. This is a meaningful distinction from personal credit card interest, which hasn’t been deductible since Congress eliminated that benefit back in 1986.

The potential savings are real. Every dollar of deductible interest reduces your taxable income, which means you’re effectively sharing the cost of that interest with the government. But there’s a catch. You need to keep your business and personal expenses clearly separated, and your documentation has to be solid. That’s why choosing a business credit card is often the smartest first step.

In this article, Brex explains exactly when credit card interest qualifies for a deduction, how to calculate and claim it on your tax return, what limitations might apply, and the best practices that will keep you on the right side of the IRS. Whether you’re a sole proprietor tracking expenses on a single card or running a larger operation with multiple accounts, understanding these rules can help you capture savings you might otherwise leave on the table.

When business credit card interest qualifies for a tax deduction

For many business owners, credit cards are a practical tool for improving cash flow. You might use them to bridge gaps between paying suppliers and collecting from customers, or to make necessary purchases when cash is tight. The downside is that carrying balances means paying interest, and those costs can add up quickly.

This is where the tax deduction becomes valuable. When you can write off credit card interest as a business expense, you’re lowering your taxable income. If your business is in the 24% tax bracket and you paid $1,000 in credit card interest last year, that deduction saves you $240 in federal taxes. The interest still costs you money, but the government is essentially picking up part of the tab.

Under U.S. tax law, this works because interest paid on business-related debt is generally deductible as a business expense. If you use a credit card strictly for legitimate business purchases, the interest charges on that card are typically tax-deductible against your business income. Think of it the same way you would think of interest on a business loan. As long as the debt was incurred in the course of business, the associated interest can be written off on your taxes.

This principle extends to cash advances too. If you take a cash advance and use those funds entirely for business needs, that interest may also be deductible. O