14 KIPLINGER’S PERSONAL FINANCE^ 03/ISTOCKP
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03/▲ SUNDAY, MARCH 8
Daylight Savings time begins in
most parts of the U.S. While you’ll
enjoy an extra hour of daylight,
setting your clocks forward means
giving up an hour of sleep. Losing
even an hour of sleep can impair
your concentration, according to the
Cleveland Clinic, so this may not be
the ideal day to tackle your taxes.SUNDAY, MARCH 15
For many holders of health care
flexible spending accounts, this
is the deadline to spend funds
stashed in their accounts for 2019.
Any money left after today will be
forfeited. Fortunately, you don’t
need to schedule a last-minute doc-
tor’s appointment to use up your
funds. Over-the-counter allergy
medications, contact lens solution
and digital thermometers are
eligible FSA expenses. Go to www
.fsastore.com for a complete list.MONDAY, MARCH 23
A recent report from Freddie Mac
found that the cost of child carehas increased 49% over the past
25 years. If you’re paying for child
care, make sure you claim all of
the tax breaks available. Turn to
page 42 for a rundown of tax credits
and deductions for families.FRIDAY, MARCH 26
If you turned 70 on or before June
30, 2019, and haven’t yet taken a
required minimum distribution from
your IRA, put in an order with your
financial institution. You have until
April 1 to take your first RMD and
avoid a 50% penalty on the amount
you’re required to withdraw. Seniors
who turned 70 after June 30 can
wait until they turn 72 to take their
first RMD (see “Topic A,” on page 9).- DEAL OF THE MONTH
PHOTOS OF KANGAROOS AND KOALAS
f leeing the massive wildfires in Australia
are heartbreaking, and many people want
to help. But as is the case with past disas-
ters, the catastrophe has proved irresistible
to fraudsters. The Australia Competition
and Consumer Commission has warned
that scammers are using social media and
fake websites to raise funds. Some have im-
personated people who have been affected
by the wildfires.
The wildfires have also generated thou-
sands of pages on crowdfunding sites. Some
are scams, while others are ill-conceived
funding efforts, according to the Better
Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance.
Some postings use pictures of victims
without their permission. Ap-
peals to help Australian
firefighters should also
be viewed with cau-
tion, the BBB says.
Even if the
crowdfunding
appeal is le-
gitimate, you
generally
can’t claim
a tax deduc-
tion for a
contribution
that goes to
an individual
or family. Con-
tributions to non-
U.S. charities are
usually not deductible,
either. There are several
U.S. charities that are accept-
ing donations to help wildfire victims.
Charities accredited by the BBB include
the American Red Cross (www.redcross
.org), Direct Relief (www.directrelief.org),
and the International Fund for Animal
Welfare (www.ifaw.org). SANDRA BLOCKSCAMWATCHWATCH OUT FOR
PHONY WILDFIRE
CHARITIES
March is a great time to snag
discounts and incentives on
cruises, according to Deal
News.com. Look for weeklong
cruises to the Bahamas and
the Caribbean for as little as
$377 per person.AAHHEAEADDISTOCKP
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