Many credit cards charge an extortionate rate of interest, and most only require that you pay a small percentage of the outstanding balance each month (typically 2, or 2.25%). Using this calculator you can see just how long it takes to pay back money to a credit card company if you only pay the minimum.
Your âDuty Free Customs Allowanceâ is just the beginning! Hereâs the thing that savvy crossers know - Canadian and U.S. residents can shop as much as they like when they cross the border. âDuty Freeâ refers to the fact that there are set amounts regarding what can be brought across free of taxes and duties. The portion that is tax and duty free is called a customs allowance.
A personal exemption (not to be confused with the Health Care penalty exemption) is tax-free money you get to deduct from your income for every taxpayer and dependent claimed on your return. For 2016, the exemption is $4,050 per person, which means a jointly-filing couple with 2 dependents get an exemption of $16,200 (4 people x $4,050). This amount is subject to a phaseout, or reduction, once you go above a certain AGI level (for example, on joint returns the phaseout kicks in at $311,300).