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14 Blue-Chip Dividend Stocks Yielding 4% or More
While the markets have rebounded from last year's late plunge somewhat in 2019, there's still one positive remnant from the selloff. Dozens of high-quality blue-chip stocks have been cut in price enough to lift their dividend yields above 4%.
At present, familiar names from the consumer staples sector are combining decades of steady dividend growth with near-record yields and bargain-priced valuations.
Energy stocks - which already were depressed due to weakened energy prices - were hacked even deeper. But these companies have already responded to market adversity over the past few years by shedding poorly performing assets, trimming costs, repurchasing stock and paying down debt. Some of those same companies were able to keep raising dividends, too, and now are positioned to survive in lean times and thrive as energy prices recover.
Even some international stocks' yields are ballooning thanks to Brexit fears and a slowdown in several countries' growth.
As a result, each of these 14 blue-chip dividend stocks currently off yields of 4% or better - with the highest payers delivering more than 6%.
SEE ALSO: 57 Dividend Stocks You Can Count On in 2019The Moneyist: My husband asked me to file a joint tax return without telling me he owes back taxes
Top Tax Software Programs for Your 2018 Tax Return
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act lowered tax rates, eliminated some popular tax deductions and nearly doubled the standard deduction, which will sharply reduce the number of taxpayers who itemize on their tax returns. For many Americans, that should make filing this year's tax return faster and easier, particularly for those using a tax software program. But if you think you'll be able to breeze through your tax return in the time it takes to brew a pot of coffee, you may be disappointed. If you've itemized in the past, you'll probably still need to plug in your mortgage interest, property taxes, charitable contributions, etc., to determine whether itemizing or claiming the standard deduction will give you a lower tax bill. And even if you're confident you'll claim the standard deduction, you could qualify for a raft of tax breaks available to non-itemizers.
Most of the tax software programs we tested alerted us to money-saving tax breaks. They also did an admirable job of asking questions that were relevant to our situations, without bogging us down with questions about, say, farm income. But some provide a lot more hand-holding than others, and prices were all over the map, ranging from free to more than $100 to prepare and e-file a state and federal tax return. Even a taxpayer with a fairly straightforward return could be forced to upgrade to a more expensive program if she has a modest amount of investment income or a health savings account.
Our advice going in: Know thyself. If you're somewhat knowledgeable about the tax code and have prepared your own return in the past, a low-cost program with minimal assistance may be all you need. If you want lots of advice, a more expensive program that offers live chat, easy-to-find help topics and other tools may be worth the extra cost. Just make sure you read the fine print before you start plugging in your numbers.
SEE ALSO: Best States for Low Taxes: 50 States Ranked for Taxes, 2018