04/2020 KIPLINGER’S PERSONAL FINANCE 15ISTOCKPHOTO.COM (2)CALENDAR
04/WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15
Today is the deadline to file your
federal tax return, and the deadline
for most states as well. If you need
more time to file, you can request
an extension until October 15. Just
remember that an extension gives
you more time to file but doesn’t
give you more time to pay. If you’re
racing toward the deadline and
can’t decide which tax software
program to use, see our review of
popular programs on page 51.SATURDAY, APRIL 18
The National Park Service kicks off
National Park Week by waiving all
entrance fees for all national parks
for the day. To find a park near you
and get the lowdown on other Na-
tional Park Week events, go to www
.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/
national-park-week.htm.▲ SUNDAY, APRIL 19
Last year, U.S. adults went to public
libraries more often than they went
to the movies, according to a Gallup
poll. Celebrate National LibraryWeek by checking out all your local
library has to offer, from coding
classes to garden tools. Or peruse
your library’s offerings by down-
loading the Libby app, available
for Apple and Android devices, or
your library’s own app.WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22
Today marks the 50th anniversary
of Earth Day. Turn to page 20 to
learn how to make your portfolio
greener with our stock, bond and
fund picks.- DEAL OF THE MONTH
WHEN YOU USE A BUDGETING APP, TAX
software or other service that relies on in-
formation about your bank and investment
accounts, you can typically allow the ser-
vice to retrieve automatic online updates.
But some customers are hesitant to give
such programs the user names and pass-
words to their sensitive financial ac-
counts—and banks aren’t keen on the
practice, either.
To alleviate those concerns, financial
institutions and third-party services are
increasingly reaching agreements to share
data with application programming inter-
faces, or APIs. APIs act as dedicated ex-
press lanes that allow information to f low
more securely between financial entities,
says Don Cardinal of industry group
Financial Data Exchange. For example,
suppose you want to link your Chase bank
account to budgeting app Mint. Because
Chase has an API relationship with Intuit,
Mint’s parent company, Mint will redirect
you to Chase to enter your bank login cre-
dentials rather than have you supply them
to Mint. You can also choose which Chase
accounts Mint is able to access, which is
useful if you want to share information
about your credit card but not your savings
account.
Other major banks, including Bank of
America, U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo, are
also developing API agreements. All of
them offer or plan to offer online dash-
boards that will allow customers to see
what services are connected to their
accounts via an API. When you
log in to your financial
account online, look
for the dashboard
within your profile
or security
settings. LISA
GERSTNERFINANCIAL APPSA SAFER WAY TO
SHARE YOUR DATA
It may still be chilly in some
parts of the U.S., but it’s not
too early for spring clothing
sales, according to Julie Ram-
hold, consumer analyst for
DealNews.com. Participating
stores will knock 50% to 70%
off the price of select spring
items, with some priced below
$20. Look for the biggest dis-
counts on shorts, dresses and
sandals for adults. ISTOCKPHOTO.COM (2)ISTOCKPHOTO.COM (2)