WSJ Your Money Briefing

Challenges of managing employees who are working remotely during the pandemic have led many companies to postpone taking steps to address underperformance. Reporter Patrick Thomas joins host J.R. Whalen to explain what this could mean for employees. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many homeowners have refinanced their mortgages as rates have bounced off of record lows, but reworking your mortgage isn't for everyone. Personal-finance reporter Julia Carpenter joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss the factors homeowners should consider while researching whether refinancing is right for them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Filing income-tax returns can be complex and intimidating, especially for first-timers. Tax reporter Laura Saunders joins host J.R. Whalen to help clarify the process. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tens of millions of Americans filed jobless claims last year due to the pandemic, and the IRS normally considers unemployment benefits taxable income. But the new Covid-19 economic-relief bill calls for significant changes in how those benefits are taxed. Reporter Richard Rubin joins host J.R. Whalen to explain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The way you manage investments in assets such as stocks, cryptocurrencies or even your retirement plan can have a significant impact on your tax bill. Tax reporter Laura Saunders joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what taxpayers with investments need to know when filling out their returns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Working remotely, especially from a different state than your office, can add a layer of complexity to filling out your tax return, and can even add to your tax bill. Tax reporter Laura Saunders joins host J.R. Whalen with pointers for taxpayers who have worked from home during the pandemic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To kick off our week-long series on this year's special tax issues, reporter Richard Rubin discusses how federal stimulus payments will factor into last year's tax returns, and why many Americans will want to time their tax filing to maximize the amount they receive under a potential new round of stimulus. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Biden administration has tweaked the rules surrounding the Paycheck Protection Program to make it easier for the country's smallest businesses to receive forgivable loans before the March 31 deadline. Reporter Amara Omeokwe and Dallas small-business owner Justin Burgess join host J.R. Whalen to discuss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While student-loan forgiveness is debated in Washington, some borrowers already have access to programs to help them pay down their debt. Contributor Cheryl Winokur Munk joins host J.R. Whalen to review borrowers' options. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Frequent fliers returning to the sky will face a very different post-pandemic air travel industry. "Middle Seat" columnist Scott McCartney has details. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Workplace experts say trying to negotiate a higher salary can actually harm someone's chances at landing a job. "At Work" columnist Krithika Varagur discusses why this often affects younger workers, and alternative terms that prospective job-seekers can haggle over. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Renters and landlords facing financial hardship are still waiting for billions in relief money earmarked by Congress. Reporter Will Parker tracks the funds and discusses provisions to protect renters from eviction. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate has been steadily rising after hitting a record low last year. Reporter Orla McCaffrey explains the economic implications, as well as the impact on home buyers and sellers. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After some Texas residents received surprisingly high utility bills due to this month's extreme cold, the role of deregulation in the energy sector is drawing scrutiny. More competition among private companies was meant to lead to lower prices for consumers. Investigative reporter Scott Patterson joins host J.R. Whalen to explain why that hasn't happened. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A growing number of people are choosing to pursue a business degree after many years in the workforce. Host J.R. Whalen discusses the trend with reporter Patrick Thomas. Plus, one such MBA graduate discusses how he got his degree after working in startups. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As many areas of the economy struggle to recover, blue-collar hiring has been a bright spot in the labor market. Residential construction, package delivery and warehousing jobs now exceed pre-pandemic levels. Economics reporter Sarah Chaney Cambon discusses what is fueling the hiring. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The expanding wealth divide between Black and white families is fueling concern about many Americans' ability to live comfortably in retirement. Reporter Anne Tergesen and financial planner Tremaine Wills join host J.R. Whalen to discuss the challenges facing Black Americans in building up retirement savings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new set of rules ensuring 401(k) retirement account holders receive sound advice on rolling over their money to an IRA went into effect this week. Retirement reporter Anne Tergesen joins host J.R. Whalen to explain how the rules govern financial advisers, as well as the pros and cons of rolling over your money. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Goldman Sachs joined other big banks by introducing a low-cost, digital wealth-management tool aimed at young investors, called Marcus Invest. Banking reporter Peter Rudegeair explains the costs and features of these sorts of automated services. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The cryptocurrency bitcoin has doubled in value in less than two months. Reporter Caitlin Ostroff discusses the factors behind the rally, and pitfalls investors should be aware of. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices