Four Government Websites to Help Improve Your Finances

Summary

• If you’re in a tight spot financially and need assistance, USA.gov can educate you about how to get help. 
• Don’t forget that Payactiv members have access to free KOFE financial counseling. Here are five government websites to improve your financial literacy worth bookmarking. If you’re the victim of a scam or bad business practice, FTC’s site is especially helpful.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

The FTC protects consumers from unfair and predatory business practices. Their Advice and Guidance section offers guides that protect you when shopping, donating to charities, using credit products, dealing with spam calls or texts, identity theft, and other scams. 

If someone steals your identity or you’re a victim of fraud, you’d report it to the FTC.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

The IRS handles your taxes. While the IRS website doesn’t provide an educational database as user-friendly as some of the other government sites, it does have plain-language explainer pages for many of the most common tax issues.

For example, if you’re driving for a rideshare service, you may appreciate the Gig Economy Tax Center. Or, if you’re traditionally employed, you can use the Tax Withholding Estimator to see if your employer is implementing your W4 correctly. 

No matter what topic you want to learn more about, you can enter it into a search engine. Just be sure to include the term ‘irs.gov’ in your search. The .gov is what tells you that you are receiving reliable information straight from the IRS. 

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

If you’re investing for your future or starting a new business, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the educational information the SEC provides. There’s no shortage of learning opportunities on SEC.gov, but here are three of the top resources:

• Small business capital raising hub: You can learn all about corporate law and how to raise money for your business with this hub, regardless of whether you’re a startup or small-cap company.
• Investor Education: This platform teaches everyday investors about different investment products and strategies. 
• Glossary: The glossary helps you learn key terms, whether you’re investing through your 401(k) or attempting to raise capital for your business. 

USA.gov Money and Credit

The USA.gov website is a gold mine of financial resources. In the Money & Credit section, you’ll find modules about everything from the bare basics of American currency to information about government loans and U.S. savings bonds.

There’s even relatable education on complex topics, including credit reports and how to access government benefits if you don’t have enough money to get by. 

Final Word

Between government websites and the Payactiv Financial Learning hub, there are many opportunities to improve your finances this summer. Plus, if you need extra help and are a Payactiv member, remember that you have access to free KOFE financial counseling.

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