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6 Best Mortgage Refinance Companies of November 2026

Filed Under: Money.com, SUCCESS

Key Takeaways

Money’s review of 35+ refinance lenders across five weighted factors names CrossCountry Mortgage as best overall, citing a 500 minimum credit score and 21-day closings.
Refinance closing costs typically run 2% to 6% of the loan amount, and a 0.75% to 1% rate reduction generally justifies refinancing.
Navy Federal Credit Union offers VA refinances up to 100% LTV at 6.930% APR as of October 30, with a 60-day rate lock.

*Sample rates presented here are valid as of October 30 and can change at any time.

Our top picks for the best mortgage refinance lenders of November 2026

CrossCountry Mortgage: Best Overall
Rate: Best for Fast Closing Times
New American Funding: Best for Low Rates
Navy Federal Credit Union: Best for Military Members
Rocket Mortgage: Best for Customer Satisfaction
Refi.com: Best for Low Fees

Best mortgage refinance companies reviews

Pros

Offers a wide variety of readily available loans with competitive rates and credit score requirements.
Closes in as little as 21 days
Accepts low credit scores

Cons

Doesn’t provide sample rates, fees or loan cost information on its website

HIGHLIGHTS

Refinance Loans offered:
Rate and term, FHA, VA, USDA, cash-out, renovation loan and HELOC. Fixed and adjustable rate loans

Minimum credit score:
500 (some loan products have no minimum)

Sample rate:
N/A

Maximum loan amount:
$10 million for jumbo refinance

Loan-to-value ratio:
Not available

Availability:
50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico

Why we chose it: CrossCountry Mortgage achieved the highest rating in our analysis of refinance companies. The lender’s combination of low credit score requirements, widespread availability and variety of loan products placed it above many of its competitors. Add to that a fast funding process that allows you to close on a loan in as little as 21 days, and you’ve got a winning combination.

Pros

Fast closing time
Low credit score requirement

Cons

Limited loan options
Charges an application fee

HIGHLIGHTS

Refinance Loans offered:
Rate and term, cash-out refinance, FHA and VA loans

Maximum loan-to-value ratio:
Up to 100%, depending on loan product

Minimum credit score:
580 standard, 500 for some loan products

Sample rate:
7.722% APR with 1.163 points for a 30-year, fixed rate conventional loan

Maximum loan amount:
$30,000 minimum, maximum amount varies

Availability:
All 50 states

Why we chose it: If you need to refinance your mortgage quickly, Rate is a lender worth considering. The lender aims to clear loans to close in as little as 10 days but doesn’t guarantee a closing date. On a primary-residence refinance, funds are released after the three-day right of rescission. Rate also accepts borrowers with poor credit, though its sample rate is higher than those of our other picks.

Pros

Consistently lower rates than competitors
Low credit score requirement
Fast closing time

Cons

No lender fee or closing cost information on the website

HIGHLIGHTS

Refinance Loans offered:
Rate and term, cash-out, HELOC, FHA and VA streamline refinances

Minimum credit score:
500, some loan products with no minimum required

Sample rate:
As low as 6.866% APR with 1.000 points paid, 30-year fixed-rate loan

Maximum loan amount:
Varies

Maximum loan-to-value ratio:
Up to 100%, depending on loan product

Availability:
50 states and Puerto Rico

Why we chose it: New American Funding offered the lowest interest rates during our evaluation period, making it our pick for securing a low rate (though you should still shop around). However, the lender offers additional perks. It provides flexible loan terms, including interest-only loans and non-qualified mortgages that consider alternate income sources.

Pros

Developed specifically for service members
Specializing in VA loans
Low loan origination fee that you can waive

Cons

Product offerings are limited to VA and conventional loans
Requires credit union membership

HIGHLIGHTS

Refinance Loans offered:
Rate and term, cash-out, VA and VA streamline loans

Minimum credit score:
Varies

Sample rate:
As low as 6.875% APR (30-year VA loan with 0.750 points paid); 7.189% APR (30-year fixed rate conventional loan with 0.875 points paid)

Maximum loan amount:
Not specified

Maximum loan-to-value ratio:
Up to 100% for VA loans, 95% to 97% for conventional loans

Availability:
386 branches available worldwide

Why we chose it: Navy Federal has the experience to navigate the complexities of VA loan requirements. Additional perks include a no-cost Freedom Lock that holds your rate for 60 days with a float-down of up to 0.25 percentage points, and a limited-time Special Freedom Lock that allows up to 0.50. The lender charges a 1% origination fee, which you can waive in exchange for a 0.25% rate increase.

Pros

Consistently ranks at the top of independent customer satisfaction surveys
Competitive interest rates
Low credit score requirements

Cons

Limited loan options
Higher than usual closing costs

HIGHLIGHTS

Refinance Loans offered:
Rate and term, VA, FHA and Cash-out loans

Minimum credit score:
620 for conventional loans, 580 for FHA and VA loans

Sample rate:
As low as 6.927% APR with 1.875 points paid, 30-year fixed rate conventional loan

Maximum loan amount:
Varies

Maximum loan-to-value ratio:
97%, 100% for VA loans

Availability:
50 states

Why we chose it: Rocket Mortgage consistently receives five-star ratings on third-party customer ranking sites like Trustpilot and regularly appears as an above-average lender in J.D. Power’s Mortgage Servicer and Origination surveys. The lender offers a fully online application and funding process, along with a variety of loan programs.

Pros

No lender fees
Flexible loan terms
Wide loan variety

Cons

Not available in every state
Home equity loans and lines of credit offered through third-party partners

HIGHLIGHTS

Refinance Loans offered:
Conventional rate and term, cash-out, jumbo, FHA, VA and USDA, including streamlined

Minimum credit score:
620 most loans, 660 for conventional and VA cash-out loans

Sample rate:
Varies

Maximum loan amount:
Varies

Maximum loan-to-value ratio:
Up to 100% for VA and USDA loans, 95% to 97% for conventional loans

Availability:
44 states

Why we chose it: Refi.com is an online lender specializing in mortgage refinance and home equity products. They don’t charge any origination or lender fees — you only have to pay for the property title and building escrow — which minimizes the amount of cash you need upfront. The lender also offers several loan options and very flexible terms ranging from 10 to 30 years, in five-year increments.

Other companies we considered
We reviewed other lenders that didn’t make our top picks, but they still offer products worth considering. Always take the time to evaluate different lenders and find the right option for you.
Network Capital Funding
Network Capital Funding offers conventional rate-and-term refinancing and cash-out loans. It doesn’t charge any lender fees, and its sample interest rate was among the lowest we’ve found. The lender also offers Fannie Mae’s RefiNow loan program, designed to make refinancing easier for low- to moderate-income borrowers who meet the program’s requirements.
Why we didn’t choose it: Network Capital has excellent customer and third-party ratings and could be a good option for low-income borrowers with high debt-to-income ratios. We didn’t include the lender because it’s only available in 20 states and Washington, D.C., which limits the number of borrowers who can apply.
Pennymac
Pennymac offers a wide variety of refinance loans and requires a low minimum credit score of 620. The company’s only fees (lender fees) are slightly lower than most competitors’. You’ll pay either a flat fee of $500 or 0.95% of the loan amount.
Why we didn’t choose it: Pennymac’s mortgage rates were typically higher than those of other lenders we analyzed, making it a good option but not a top pick.
Movement Mortgage
If you own a rental property and are considering refinancing to free up cash, consider Movement Mortgage. The lender offers conventional and cash-out Debt-Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) loans that allow investors to use alternative income documentation, such as bank statements or profit-and-loss statements, to refinance their loans. To qualify for Movement’s DSCR loans, you must have a minimum 640 credit score, a maximum LTV of 80% and the property’s rental income must cover 75% or more of the mortgage payment.
Why we didn’t choose it: Movement’s website lacks information on closing costs, lender fees and sample rates, and they did not respond to our request for additional details.
What to know about mortgage refinancing
Refinancing your home loan can be a valuable tool if you want to get better loan terms or take advantage of the increased value of your home, but as with any type of loan product, there are pros and cons. Here’s how to determine if refinancing is right for you or if you should consider other options.
When does mortgage refinancing make sense?
Just because you can refinance your loan doesn’t mean you should. As we mentioned before, the benefits need to outweigh the costs, or you’ll end up in a worse financial position.
One of the most popular refinancing options is a rate-and-term refi, which replaces your existing mortgage with one at a lower rate and typically lowers your monthly payments. Most experts agree that a refi is worthwhile if you can lower your rate by 0.75% to 1% (for example, from 6.75% to 6% or 5.75%). If you refinanced a $450,000 loan, that would reduce your monthly payment by at least $200.
Refinancing can also help for other reasons. If you have an adjustable-rate loan, for example, you may want to consider converting it to a fixed-rate mortgage to lock in a more favorable rate. Or you may want to tap into your home equity to pay for a home renovation. We outline the loan types appropriate for these scenarios (and a few others) later in this guide.
When does mortgage refinancing not make sense?
However, securing a lower rate is just one part of the equation. Melissa Cohn, regional vice president at William Raveis Mortgage, says you must also factor the cost of taking out the new loan into your decision.
“The closing costs are key to ensuring economic benefit,” Cohn says. “You need to look at the monthly savings in the payment versus how much it will cost you to close.”
Refinancing might not be the best move if you plan to sell your home before you reach your break-even point — that is, before your savings outweigh the refinancing fees.
Refinancing also isn’t a good idea if you don’t qualify for a lower rate or better terms, and you end up paying more than you currently do. If the closing costs are more than you can afford, or if extending the loan term would result in significantly higher interest over time, a refi may not be your best choice.
Carefully weigh the benefits against the risks to determine if a refi makes financial sense. If you’re unsure, talk to an experienced mortgage lender who can evaluate your budget, walk you through your options and help you find the best solution.
Types of refinance loans
It doesn’t matter whether you have a conventional loan, a government-backed loan such as an FHA or VA loan, or a jumbo loan — under the right conditions, refinancing is possible.
There are seven options to consider, each addressing a different goal.

Rate-and-term refinance: Replaces your current mortgage with a new one that offers a lower interest rate and monthly payment, a different repayment schedule, or both.

Cash-out refinance: Allows you to tap your home equity for cash. The new loan balance exceeds your existing loan, and the proceeds pay off the outstanding balance of your original loan. You’ll receive the difference as a lump-sum payment.

Cash-in refinance: This option allows you to take out a new loan for a lower amount than your current loan by making a lump-sum payment, similar to a down payment, thereby reducing the amount you borrow. By borrowing less, you may qualify for a lower interest rate and save on the monthly payment.

Streamline refinance: This option provides a faster application and approval process with fewer documentation requirements for borrowers refinancing FHA, VA and USDA loans.

No-closing cost refinance: This type of loan rolls your refi closing costs into the new mortgage if you don’t have the cash to cover these expenses. However, including closing costs in the loan increases your loan amount and monthly payments

Reverse mortgage: Specifically designed for homeowners 62 or older, this loan allows you to take equity out of your home, pay off any outstanding mortgage balance and use the excess proceeds as you see fit. There are no required monthly payments, and repayment isn’t due until you permanently move out of the home, don’t live in the home for more than 12 months, have unpaid taxes or insurance, haven’t properly maintained the home or die.

Short refinance: If you default on your loan, a lender may offer to refinance your mortgage for a lower amount and forgive the difference between the new loan amount and the original balance. It can be a less expensive option than going through foreclosure.

The pros and cons of mortgage refinancing

The pros and cons of mortgage refinancing

PROS

CONS

Lower interest rates and monthly payments

Can temporarily lower your credit score

Potentially less interest paid over time

Can extend the repayment period, potentially leading to more interest paid over time

Access to home equity

Must pay for closing costs and other fees

New repayment terms

 

How to choose a mortgage refinance company
Finding the best interest rate and lowest fees are the main factors to consider when shopping for a refinance company, since these directly affect the total cost of your loan. However, you should also consider other factors. Those include:
Experience
A lender or loan officer with years of experience can be an asset during the loan process, since they’ll be familiar with your local real estate market and lending conditions. Their expertise enables them to ask targeted questions, helping you pinpoint your goals and recommend the best options to achieve them.
Product knowledge
Look for lenders knowledgeable about various loan types. They’ll be better able to recommend the right product once they understand your goals and needs, compared with a lender that offers only one specific type of loan. Some lenders can provide solutions for more complex financial situations, such as those involving borrowers with alternative income sources or self-employment, if they are familiar with a variety of loan options.
Transparency
Paying unnecessary fees can significantly increase your monthly payments and the total loan amount. Your lender must provide a detailed loan estimate up front. This document should include details of the interest rate you may qualify for, lender’s fees, closing costs and the total loan cost. A good lender will explain each item in detail and answer all your questions so you can avoid unpleasant surprises when it’s time to close on the loan.
Communication
The mortgage process can be nerve-wracking. A lender that keeps you promptly informed about your application’s progress can help ease some of that anxiety. The last thing you need is to chase after a lender for a status update.
Alternatives to mortgage refinancing
Depending on your reasons for refinancing, other options may be worth considering. If, for instance, you want to tap into the equity you’ve gained or are looking for cash to make home improvements, here are a few funding alternatives you may want to explore.

Home equity loan: A home equity loan is a second mortgage on top of your existing loan. This loan might be a good option if you have a much lower interest rate on your primary mortgage and don’t want to refinance into a higher rate. However, you need to be financially able to carry two mortgage payments.

Home equity line of credit (HELOC): A HELOC is a good alternative if you need access to money when a need arises or as an emergency reserve. It works much like a credit card in that you can use the money, make interest-only payments during the draw period, and repay the amount you’ve withdrawn to replenish the line of credit.

Home equity sharing agreements (HEAs): These relatively new products allow homeowners to access their equity without taking out a loan or making extra monthly payments. In essence, an investment company buys a share of your home’s future value in exchange for a lump sum payment. At the end of the agreement, you will repay the original investment amount plus an agreed-upon percentage of your home’s appreciated value.

Personal loan: For smaller sums, like a few thousand dollars, consider a personal loan. Interest rates are lower than those on credit cards, and loan terms are typically short. They also take less time to apply for, obtain approval and receive funding than a mortgage refinance.

Latest news in mortgage refinancing
Mortgage rates climbed above 7% in September and peaked in early October, when the Mortgage Bankers Association’s 30-year conforming average reached 7.49%, its highest in almost three years. They have eased since: Freddie Mac’s 30-year average was 7.24% on Oct. 29, down from 7.40% earlier in the month. The Federal Reserve raised its target range to 3.75% to 4% in September and held it on Oct. 28, with two members preferring another increase.
These higher rates have put pressure on homebuyers and homeowners. The former are finding it harder to afford the monthly payments required for a home purchase, while many of the latter face interest rates higher than when they bought their property, making a mortgage refinance much less attractive. Refinance applications were 61% lower than a year ago in the week ending Oct. 23, according to the MBA.
The one bright spot is that many homeowners have significantly high levels of home equity. Although a rate-and-term refinance may not make financial sense right now, other options exist for accessing that equity. Home equity loans and home equity lines of credit are the most popular choices for those who need extra cash.

Mortgage Refinancing FAQs
How soon can you refinance after buying a home?
It depends on the type of refinance. Conventional rate-and-term refinances generally allow loans up to 95% to 97% of your home’s value, and FHA no-cash-out refinances allow up to 97.75%, so you may need only 3% to 5% equity. Cash-out refinances typically cap at 80% of your home’s value for conventional loans, which means at least 20% equity; FHA and VA cash-out limits differ. VA loans can allow 90% to 100% of your home’s value.
Is cash-out refinance money taxable?
No, the money is not taxable because it is a loan. The interest paid on the loan, however, is not tax-deductible unless the money is used specifically to build, buy, or substantially improve your home.
How much equity do you need to refinance a home?
You will need at least 20% home equity for conventional and FHA rate-and-term refinances, as well as cash-outs. You can finance up to 80% of your available equity, although that percentage can increase to 90% to 100% on a VA loan.
Do you need an appraisal to refinance your home?
Yes, in most cases. There are exceptions, however. You may receive an appraisal waiver for a conventional loan, while streamlined FHA and VA loans do not require an appraisal. You’ll need a full appraisal for a cash-out refinance.
How much does it cost to refinance?
The cost to refinance a mortgage will depend on the lender and your financial profile. Experts typically cite a range of 2% to 6% of the loan amount for closing costs and fees. You may also be required to pay for an appraisal, with costs generally running between $300 and $500. The exact cost depends on your location and the type of property.
Can I refinance to a shorter term?
Yes, you can refinance to a shorter term. Remember that when you shorten your loan term, you shorten the time to repay the loan in full, which results in higher monthly payments than with a longer-term loan. However, a shorter term also means you won’t pay as much interest as you would with a longer-term mortgage.

Methodology
We analyzed over 35 of the top mortgage refinance products and lenders nationwide. We used publicly available data and, whenever possible, confirmed its accuracy through interviews with lender representatives. We looked at factors such as rates and terms, loan amounts and eligibility requirements. We then scored each lender on a one-to-five point scale based on the following: interest rates (30%), lender fees and closing costs (20%), loan variety (20%), customer satisfaction rankings (15%) and credit score requirements (15%).

We awarded higher scores to lenders that offered low starting rates, as this metric affects the loan’s overall cost.
We prioritized lenders with lower fees and closing costs over those with standard or higher-than-average costs.
Lenders that offered more lending options also received higher scores because they could meet a wider range of refinancing needs.
We awarded higher scores to lenders that received strong ratings from third-party customer satisfaction surveys and ranking sites such as J.D. Power and Trustpilot.

Summary of our top picks for the 6 best mortgage refinance companies of November 2026

CrossCountry Mortgage: Best Overall
Rate: Best for Fast Closing Times
New American Funding: Best for Low Rates
Navy Federal Credit Union: Best for Military Members
Rocket Mortgage: Best for Customer Satisfaction
Refi.com: Best for Low Fees

More from Money:
7 Best Home Equity Loans of 2026
4 Best No-Appraisal Home Equity Loan Lenders of 2026
Best Cash-Out Refinance Lenders of 2026

The Year-End Tax Moves Every One-Person Business Should Make Before December 31

Filed Under: Addicted2Success, SUCCESS

There are roughly two months left in the 2026 tax year, and for a one-person business that window is worth more than most founders realize. Once December 31 passes, many of the decisions that shape your tax bill are locked in. Before it passes, you still have room to time purchases, fund retirement accounts, tidy up contractor paperwork, and make sure you aren’t heading into a penalty for underpaying through the year.
This year also carries more change than usual. The tax law signed on July 4, 2025, which the IRS now refers to as the Working Families Tax Cuts and which many people still call the One Big Beautiful Bill, rewrote several rules that matter to solo founders, freelancers and small online businesses. Some of those changes apply for the first time to payments you make in 2026. The year-end tax moves below are written for US-based solo operators. They’re a framework for a better conversation with your accountant, not a substitute for one, because the right move always depends on your entity type, your income, and your state.
Close Your Books Before You Make Any Decisions
Every good year-end decision starts with knowing where you actually stand. Before you buy equipment or move money into a retirement account, get your books current through October. Reconcile every business bank and card account, categorize the transactions that have been sitting in a suspense folder, and chase down receipts for anything significant. Then build a simple projection for November and December based on contracts you’ve signed, invoices you expect to collect, and costs you know are coming.
That projection gives you an estimated profit for the year, and almost everything else in this article depends on that number. A founder heading for a strong year has very different options from one who had a slow first half. Guessing at this figure is how people end up buying a laptop they didn’t need to save tax they didn’t owe, or skipping a contribution they could easily have made.
If you want to understand the business provisions of the new law in more depth, the IRS published a recorded webinar on its official YouTube channel walking through the business tax provisions.

Check Your Estimated Tax Position Now, Not in April
Most solo founders don’t have an employer withholding tax from their pay, which means the responsibility for paying through the year sits with them. The IRS explains on its estimated taxes page that most taxpayers avoid the underpayment penalty if they owe less than $1,000 after withholding and credits, or if they paid at least 90% of the current year’s tax or 100% of the prior year’s tax, whichever is smaller. The IRS also notes special rules for certain higher-income taxpayers, so check which threshold applies to you.
Run the numbers against your projection now. If revenue jumped this year, your earlier quarterly payments may have been based on a much smaller tax bill, and the final payment of the year is your chance to close the gap. If you’re short, you’ll know while there’s still time to set the cash aside. If you’re ahead, you can stop worrying and keep that money working in the business. Either way, finding out in late October is far better than finding out when you file.
Time Equipment Purchases Around When They Go Into Service
One of the most significant changes in the new law is the return of full expensing for many business assets. The IRS states that the law provides a permanent 100% additional first-year depreciation deduction, often called bonus depreciation, for qualified property acquired after January 19, 2025. It also raised the Section 179 expensing limit to $2,500,000 for property placed in service in tax years beginning after December 31, 2024, with that amount indexed for inflation in later years.
For a solo business, the practical point is simpler than the code sections suggest. If you were already planning to buy a computer, camera gear, studio equipment or other qualifying property in the next few months, buying it and putting it into use before December 31 can bring the deduction into 2026 instead of spreading it over several years. The IRS’s guidance for gig economy workers notes that for property such as vehicles or certain computers, business use must be more than 50% of total use to deduct up to the full cost of the business-use percentage in the first year.
The key words are “already planning.” Spending a dollar to save a fraction of that dollar in tax is still spending money. Buy what the business genuinely needs, keep the receipts and the date it was first put into service, and let your accountant decide whether expensing it all now or depreciating it over time makes more sense for your situation.
Use the Retirement Plan Window While It’s Open
For many profitable solo founders, a retirement plan is the single biggest lever available, and it also happens to build long-term wealth instead of just reducing a bill. The IRS announced that for 2026 the 401(k) elective deferral limit rises to $24,500, the catch-up contribution for people 50 and over rises to $8,000, and a higher catch-up of $11,250 applies to those aged 60 to 63. The IRA limit rises to $7,500, and the overall limit for defined contribution plans is $72,000.
Those numbers matter because a one-person business can often contribute in two capacities. The IRS explains that in a one-participant 401(k), the owner can make elective deferrals as the employee and also make employer nonelective contributions, subject to the overall limit, with special calculation rules for self-employed people. A SEP is the simpler alternative. According to the IRS, a business of any size, including a self-employed person, can establish a SEP plan as late as the due date, including extensions, of the business tax return for the year, with contributions of up to 25% of each employee’s pay.
Because the deadlines and paperwork differ between plan types, don’t leave this until the last week of December. Talk to your plan provider or accountant in November about which plan fits, what has to be in place by year-end, and what can wait until you file. If you’ve been treating retirement savings as something you’ll get to once the business is bigger, this is the year to reconsider. The habits you build around money now have a lot to do with how your business turns out, and how you approach personal finances can influence your entrepreneurial journey far more than most founders expect.
Get Ahead of Contractor Paperwork
If you pay freelancers, designers, editors or developers, the new law changes your January workload. The IRS confirms that the Form 1099-NEC threshold has increased to $2,000 for payments made in 2026, up from the $600 threshold that applied for decades. Starting in 2027, that amount can be adjusted for inflation. That means some smaller contractor relationships that used to require a form no longer will.
Don’t let the higher threshold make you sloppy, though. You still need to know exactly how much you paid each contractor during the year to decide who crosses the line, and the IRS notes that a 1099-NEC is still required for anyone from whom you withheld federal income tax under backup withholding rules, regardless of the amount. The smart year-end move is to pull a payee report now, collect any missing W-9 forms while people are still responsive, and fix incomplete names or tax ID numbers before the January filing rush. If you’ve already built a system for how you handle contracts and payments without a team, make W-9 collection part of contractor onboarding so this becomes a non-event next year.
Know What Payment Platforms Will Report About You
Many online businesses get paid through payment apps and marketplaces, and the rules for what those platforms report have also changed. The IRS explains that the law retroactively reverted the Form 1099-K reporting threshold for third-party settlement organizations to its earlier level, so these platforms are required to issue a 1099-K when payments in the calendar year exceed $20,000 and the number of transactions exceeds 200.
The important part is what the IRS says next. You must report all of your income when you file, whether or not you receive a 1099-K or any other information return. A higher reporting threshold changes the paperwork you receive, not what you owe. Make sure your own records capture every stream of revenue, including smaller platforms that may never send you a form, so your return reflects the business as it really is.
Don’t Leave the Qualified Business Income Deduction to Chance
Many owners of sole proprietorships, partnerships and S corporations have been able to use the qualified business income deduction for tax years beginning after 2017, and the new law made it permanent. The IRS describes it as allowing eligible taxpayers to deduct up to 20% of their qualified business income, subject to limitations, and notes that it’s available whether you itemize or take the standard deduction. For tax years beginning after 2025, the IRS also lists a new minimum deduction for active qualified business income. Income earned through a C corporation, or as an employee, isn’t eligible.
The deduction interacts with your taxable income, your type of business, and for higher earners, factors like wages paid and property held. That’s exactly why it belongs in your year-end conversation rather than as a surprise at filing time. Your projection, your retirement contributions and your equipment purchases all change your taxable income, and that in turn can change how much of this deduction you keep.
Set Up 2027 Before the Year Even Starts
The best year-end tax move is making next year’s year-end boring. Open a separate account for tax money if you don’t have one, and move a fixed percentage of every payment you receive into it. Put the quarterly estimated payment dates in your calendar now. Decide which bookkeeping tool you’ll use and commit to reconciling monthly rather than in a panic every December. Book a planning session with your accountant for mid-2027, when there’s still time to act on what you learn.
None of this is glamorous, but it’s the kind of discipline that separates a business that grows on purpose from one that keeps being surprised by its own numbers. Spend a few focused hours on these year-end tax moves over the next few weeks, bring your projection and your questions to a qualified professional, and you’ll go into 2027 with more cash, fewer surprises, and a much clearer picture of what your business really earns.
The post The Year-End Tax Moves Every One-Person Business Should Make Before December 31 appeared first on Addicted 2 Success.

Iconic family dining chain shuts about 1,250 locations, 45 remain

Filed Under: SUCCESS, The Street

On a business trip to Orlando back in the mid-1990s, I dined at a Shoney’s restaurant for the first time after the chain had expanded to about 1,300 locations in 34 states over the years.

The food at the time was a basic buffet-style breakfast and not very high quality. I was not impressed with the biscuits and gravy. In the three decades since my Shoney’s visit, the chain closed a significant number of locations in its Midwest and Southeast territories.

In 2000, Shoney’s filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after settling a racial discrimination lawsuit and facing a large debt load, according to court papers. The restaurant chain, which was established in 1947, closed over 800 locations and by the end of 2006, the chain had 282 locations.

Former Church’s Chicken franchisee David Davoudpour purchased the company in 2007, with a goal of returning Shoney’s to its glory days, according to the company website. The financial crisis began after the acquisition in 2008, and the company ceased opening new locations.

Family dining chain Shoney’s is looking to revitalize its brand and sign more franchise agreements.Alexander Spatari / Getty Images

Shoney’s continued closing locations

Shoney’s closed another 130 locations from 2007 through 2013 because of the economic downturn. The company began seeking new franchises beginning in 2013 and had 150 locations by 2016, according to court papers.

The dining chain, which currently has 45 locations in 11 states according to its website, continued closing restaurants over the last 10 years, including one in West Virginia in August 2026.

Restaurant reopened after 5 years

Shoney’s closed its location at 242 Mall Road in Oak Hill, W.Va., permanently on Aug. 23, 2026, after reopening the restaurant on July 24, 2025, as a buffet-only establishment. The chain had closed the restaurant for renovations for five years before it reopened last year, according to LootPress. The reopening had been delayed several times.

The dining chain also closed several locations in 2025, including its Waynesville, N.C., restaurant at 3334 Asheville Road in October 2025, WLOS-TV reported.

“Due to many months of staffing issues, Shoney’s of Waynesville is permanently closed. Thank you, Waynesville, for 40+ amazing years,” a note on the restaurant’s front door read.

Shoney’s earlier closed its restaurants on Airport Boulevard in Springdale, S.C., and at 7335 Garners Ferry Road in Columbia, S.C., in August 2025, The State reported.

Looks to grow through franchising

After hundreds of restaurant closures, Shoney’s said it looks to reverse course and to return to its “glory years,” seeking to grow through franchising following an extensive revitalization, according to a company statement.

“Shoney’s is offering franchising opportunities to qualified single- and multi-unit candidates to ensure even better days ahead for America’s Dinner Table,” the company said in the statement.

New restaurant design coming

In September 2026, the restaurant chain presented its franchisees with a forward-thinking architectural blueprint for its new-look restaurant, which is expected to serve as a model for all new and existing locations.

Shoney’s is hoping to capitalize on its ranking of the 5th Best Buffet Chain as ranked by Newsweek’s 2025 Reader’s Choice Poll. Shoney’s was ranked behind the No. 1 Best Buffet Chain, Golden Corral, No. 2 Fogo de Chao, No. 3 CiCis Pizza, and No. 4 Ponderosa/Bonanza Steakhouse. Newsweek’s 2026 poll had not been released at last check.

Related: Grand Canyon hotel files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Sheriff’s department gives update on Nancy Guthrie case 9 months after kidnapping

Filed Under: THE NEWS

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department gave an update on the Nancy Guthrie missing person’s case on Friday, saying the department continues to work with the Nancy Guthrie Task Force on DNA analysis in an effort to advance the case. “Earlier this month, investigators traveled to Florida to meet with lab scientists to see what more could be done to advance this case.” The department reminded the public that no tip is too small. “Even the smallest piece of information could be critical to this investigation,” the department said. Guthrie, NBC journalist Savannah Guthrie’s mother, was kidnapped from her home in Tucson, Arizona, on Feb. 1. 

Ilhan Omar Footage Reveals Her Laughing With Other Somalis At The Mall After Federal Raid

Filed Under: THE NEWS

Woke Representative Ilhan Omar was filmed laughing with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and mall owner Basim Sabri at Karmel Mall on October 23, during a visit filmed by Fox News Digital following the October 12 federal search of her Washington home. The Justice Department confirmed that Homeland Security Investigations executed a court-authorized search warrant, while Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the case, that investigators were examining potential conspiracy, immigration fraud and false statements on immigration paperwork.
Investigators are reportedly continuing to examine and build a case around whether Omar or her relatives misrepresented her birth date, potentially affecting her eligibility to obtain citizenship through her father in 2000 as a minor, and whether her late father concealed information about his military history. Authorities seized electronic devices and issued more than a dozen subpoenas, including to relatives, according to news reports, while Fox News separately reported that investigators obtained Omar’s DNA and interviewed her sister, Sahra Noor.
Prosecutors also identified Omar as “Ilhan Nur Said Elmi” in a court filing, a designation her office rejected as false, with Omar telling Fox News Digital that her name is Ilhan Abdullahi Omar. The New York Times reported October 29 that investigators were revisiting allegations that her 2009 marriage to Ahmed Nur Said Elmi involved immigration fraud and that he was her brother—claims Omar denies—and that an earlier federal inquiry began in 2016 but stalled chiefly because prosecutors considered the potential offense outside the five-year statute of limitations.
Washington federal prosecutor Jeanine Pirro separately announced an investigation into Omar’s financial disclosures, which initially valued businesses connected to her husband at between $6 million and $30 million before an amendment reduced the couple’s reported assets to between $18,004 and $95,000; Omar’s office blamed accounting errors, and the separate congressional watchdog review recommended dismissal by a 5–1 vote.
President Donald Trump initially denied involvement in the search, saying it was a Justice Department matter, subsequently said Omar could face jail or deportation and demanded her resignation on October 22 while accusing her of using a false name. Omar has denied wrongdoing and described the investigation as political intimidation, while her attorneys have sought the return of seized property on grounds that agents violated protections for her congressional work.
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Trump Considers Lifting Sanctions On Putin’s ‘Slush Fund’

Filed Under: THE NEWS

Trump Considers Lifting Sanctions On Putin’s ‘Slush Fund’

Authored by RFE/RL staff via OilPrice,Washington is considering lifting sanctions imposed on the Russian Direct Investment Fund in 2022.RDIF chief Kirill Dmitriev has become a central figure in negotiations over U.S.-Russia economic relations.Critics warn that removing sanctions could benefit Kremlin-linked investments without securing concessions on Ukraine.Four days after Russia launched its all-out effort to subjugate Ukraine, the US government and other Western allies fired a broadside of financial sanctions aimed at punishing the Kremlin’s wallet for the assault.The Russian Central Bank was prominent.So was a multibillion-dollar sovereign wealth fund that the Kremlin calls the Russian Direct Investment Fund, or RDIF.The U.S. Treasury called it “a slush fund for President Vladimir Putin [that] is emblematic of Russia’s broader kleptocracy.”After months of dormancy, US negotiators have ramped up efforts to find a negotiated settlement to end Russia’s war on Ukraine — as well as normalize frosty relations between Washington and Moscow.The peace proposals vary. Many tilt heavily in Russia favor, something that was echoed in Putin’s remarks to European leaders earlier this week.They also include lifting sanctions on the RDIF, whose chief executive, Kirill Dmitriev, is the Kremlin’s point person for talks with the Americans.”This conversation is going on,” Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yury Ushakov told Russian reporters. “It’s been going on for some time, though I don’t know what the result will be.””Dmitriev is actively reaching out, in particular, and therefore the question has come up and is being discussed,” Ushakov said on October 28, confirming a New York Times report a day earlier.US sanctions experts were wary.”Since its inception in the early 2010s, RDIF has served as a vehicle for channeling investments into companies and sectors that are strategically important to Putin,” said Peter Harell, who served as a senior director on the White House National Security Council from 2021 to 2022.”We should all be clear-eyed about what unsanctioning RDIF would mean: it would mean prioritizing American investment in Kremlin-aligned projects over supporting Ukraine,” he said.What Is The RDIF Anyway?The fund was established in 2011 during the interim period when Putin’s protege, Dmitry Medvedev, served as president, and Putin as prime minister.It came at a time when Russian coffers were brimming with revenues from high global oil prices and fiscal planners were moving to put the country onto a rock-solid financial footing.Back then, Russia had one traditional sovereign wealth fund that was later split into two: the Stabilization Fund and the Reserve Fund.Both more or less helped to keep excess oil revenues from destabilizing the economy, as well as to help fill gaps in the budget; the pension system above all.In short, nothing controversial nor particularly political.The RDIF, however, was a slightly different beast: aimed at making targeted investments in Russian companies: construction, telecoms, finance, health care, and dairy, among others. It says to date it has made 2.3 trillion rubles ($29 billion) in investments since its inception — with about 80 percent of that amount coming from “partner funds.”Experts say its management strategy more closely resembles a private equity fund. Among the best, publicly known investors who have bought in or partnered with RDIF: Saudi Arabia’s government-based Public Investment Fund.The RDIF had already drawn scrutiny from US regulators in 2015 — about a year after Russia illegally annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula. At the time, the fund was linked to the state investment bank VEB. The administration of President Barack Obama barred American individuals and businesses from making loans to or buying equity in RDIF.Later, Russian authorities separated the fund from VEB, turning it into a stand-alone entity.Iikka Korhonen, head of research at the Bank of Finland Institute for Emerging Economies, said the fund was quite small relative to other such mechanisms.”The size of the fund is miniscule– on a macro scale– and they claim they have helped to leverage lots of investments into Russia. But I don’t know if they have actually done anything in a long time,” he told RFE/RL.Sputnik: The Vaccine (Not The Satellite)The fund’s highest profile investment came in 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic.At the time, governments and private companies around the world were racing to come up with a viable vaccine for the coronavirus.In Russia, the Kremlin prioritized the development of its own vaccine, dubbed Sputnik V, in a nod to the world’s first artificial satellite.In addition to directing money to homegrown research, the fund also aggressively promoted Sputnik V, extolling — and at times exaggerating — its benefits, while also criticizing Western vaccines and amplifying negative scientific results.The fund also played a role in the shipment of 45 Russian-made ventilators that were sent to the United States in a humanitarian gesture — but never were used for unclear reasons.Reports at the time said US authorities were concerned because RDIF said it paid for half the shipment, something denied by the State Department. Also cited was the fact that similar models of ventilators had exploded and caught fire in Russian hospitals.In the end, the Sputnik V vaccine was rolled out widely through Russia, though many Russians were deeply skeptical, of Sputnik V in particular, though also coronavirus vaccines in general.Outside Russia, however, the vaccine gained less traction, overtaken by greater interest in Western vaccines.Who is Kirill Dmitriev?Born in Kyiv and educated at Stanford then Harvard, Dmitriev, 51, worked briefly on Wall Street, in the investment bank Goldman Sachs, and, also consulting giant McKinsey and Company.RDIF did not immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment from RFE/RL.His wife, Natalia Popova, is widely known as a close friend of Katerina Tikhonova, who is the younger of Putin’s two daughters. Dmitriev sits on the board of directors for an innovation fund called Innopraktia that is headed by Tikhonova.He was appointed RDIF’s first executive when it was established. In an interview with the business newspaper Vedomosti, published in 2012, he described his philosophy toward investing.”We don’t want to rush. We’re very responsible with our money and take a conservative approach to investment decisions. We don’t want to invest and then see a second wave of the crisis hit and all assets, including ours, plummet in value,” Dmitriev was quoted as saying.During the run-up to the 2016 US presidential election, which ultimately was won by Donald Trump, Dmitriev was one of several Russian officials who held back-channel meetings with Trump administration confidants.Dmitriev met with Erik Prince, founder of the private military company Blackwater and Trump campaign donor, in the Seychelles just weeks before Trump took office — a meeting that was documented by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who investigated the Trump administration’s ties to Russian officials.After Trump returned to the White House in 2025, Dmitriev was tapped by Putin to be the Kremlin’s special economic envoy. But he also cultivated a close relationship with the White House’s lead envoy, real estate developer Steve Witkoff.Putin greeting White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner at the Kremlin earlier today. (Kirill Dmitriev also visible greeting Putin.) Witkoff has met Putin at least 6 times prior. The Americans are later scheduled to travel to Kyiv for the first time. https://t.co/utgRpw0Ek5— Mike Eckel (@Mike_Eckel) September 5, 2026Dmitriev has since taken on the lead role in negotiations to rebuild business relations with US companies — and also end the Ukraine war. He’s met repeatedly over the past 16 months with Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner in Moscow — including earlier this month amid the release of a retired American schoolteacher, Stephen Hubbard, from a Russian prison.RDIF and Dmitriev, were also instrumental in a deal, recently announced by the Trump administration, to allow Russian diesel fuel to be imported into the United States.That deal has drawn scathing criticism from Democratic lawmakers — and even some Republicans — in Washington, who say it violates the spirit of a recently passed sanctions law, and several have threatened potential criminal liabilities for any American companies that import the Russian diesel.”I think lifting sanctions without Russia giving anything in return is an example of really confused policy-making,” Korhonen said.Speaking at an energy conference in Moscow on October 16, Dmitriev criticized the US sanctions law as “misguided,” and he touted other business deals he said were in the works between Moscow and Washington.”Naturally, progress is quite difficult; there is resistance, in fact, widespread resistance, from various quarters. Yet, as the example regarding diesel demonstrates, I believe we will soon be announcing several other significant initiatives,” he said. “The ice has, in fact, begun to break.”
Tyler Durden
Fri, 10/30/2026 – 20:55

How Sweet It Is: Tootsie Rolls Still Going Strong After 130 Years

Filed Under: SUCCESS, The Street

Korea, 1950, and the Marines are in a tough spot.

Roughly 30,000 U.N. troops, including about 15,000 Marines, soldiers from the Army’s 7th Infantry Division, British commandos and South Korean police, are surrounded by more than 120,000 Chinese soldiers at the Chosin Reservoir as temperatures nosedive to a bone-rattling 30 to 40 degrees below zero.

Running out of ammunition, the embattled Devil Dogs radioed an urgent request for 60mm mortar rounds using the designated code name “Tootsie Rolls.”

However, according to one version of events, instead of receiving the much-needed ammunition, the Marines mistakenly received the famous candy by airdrop.

A different account holds that it was distributed from supplies originally intended for a military post exchange.

Either way, it makes for a hell of a story, don’t you think?

Tootsie Rolls had been a standard part of American field rations since World War II because they held up under all kinds of conditions. And they made a big difference at the Chosin Reservoir.

Frozen solid, the candy could break a tooth, but the Marines found they could thaw it in their mouths for an instant energy boost.

“Tootsie Rolls were our main diet while fighting our way out of the Reservoir. You can bet there were literally thousands of Tootsie Roll wrappers scattered over North Korea,” said 1st Marine Division veteran Edward M. Szymciak, according to the Museum of the American G.I.

In the Beginning…

The Marines also reportedly used the candy to patch bullet holes and repair leaking radiators in their vehicles.

These are just a few of the tales associated with the iconic candy, whose maker, Tootsie Roll Industries (TR), marked its 130th anniversary this year.

Back in 1896, when William McKinley was president, Leo Hirschfeld, an Austrian immigrant, began working at a small candy shop in New York City owned by the Stern & Staalberg.

Hirschfeld wanted a chocolate-tasting candy that would not melt in the heat, and he dubbed it “Tootsie,” after his daughter Clara’s nickname.

The Tootsie Pop, a lollipop with a Tootsie Roll center, debuted in 1931. The company also owns such beloved brands as Junior Mints, Charms Blow Pops, Sugar Daddy and Charleston Chew.

Tootsie Roll Industries

So how did Tootsie Rolls manage to survive for so many years? Jason Liebig, a candy and snack brand historian, has a few ideas.

“First, it is delightfully simple and perfect in its way,” he said. “Chocolatey, chewy, and remarkably stable — it doesn’t melt — so it’s something that travels well. So, the product itself is fundamentally sound. That simplicity also makes it something that can be produced simply and affordably. But that alone can’t be the reason it is still with us.”

Liebig, also known as the “Indiana Jones of Brands,” said the Gordon family, which has led Tootsie Roll Industries for decades, has played a key role in the brand’s longevity.

The Gordons’ history with Tootsie Roll began during the Great Depression, when the struggling corporation was called the Sweets Company of America.

William Rubin, the father of current CEO Ellen Gordon, steadily acquired shares and gained a controlling interest in the company.

Melvin Gordon, Ellen’s husband, was chairman and CEO of Tootsie Roll Industries from 1962 until his death in January 2015 at the age of 95. At the time of his death, he was the oldest CEO of a company traded on a major U.S. stock exchange.

“Tootsie Rolls are not an exciting hit product in today’s market, and another company or executive group might have wanted to replace it with something newer and more exciting — or more profitable — but while Tootsie Rolls and Tootsie Pops are not the ‘next big thing,’ they are about as stable an offering as one can imagine,” Liebig said.

Related: Halloween Candy Sales Check: Here’s what Amazon is selling

Ellen Gordon’s connection to the company dates to the 1920s, when her mother first purchased shares. Now 94, she remains at the helm of the family-led business.

“I think we can look at the Gordon family as key in the long-term commitment to the Tootsie Roll product,” Liebig said. “And generation after generation they’ve always been there and they are a tradition that consumers have passed down. Beyond that, Tootsie Roll has pretty fantastic marketing.”

Liebig also noted the Mr. Owl character, which debuted in 1969 to promote Tootsie Pops and is widely considered one of the most recognizable and longest-running animated advertising icons in television history.

“In that campaign, they created a timeless marketing-mascot bit,” he said. “There’s magic in that marketing.”

A Trick or Treat Tradition

Mr. Owl was rebooted last year, so now a new generation can ponder the question, “How many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop?”

And this year, he got a chameleon sidekick in ads promoting Tootsie Roll’s range of flavors.

Shutterstock

Tootsie Roll Industries reported third-quarter earnings of 31 cents per share on Oct. 21, down 35% from a year earlier, while net sales slipped 1% to $227.2 million.

In a statement, Gordon cited such factors as the timing of seasonal Halloween sales, higher costs for cocoa, chocolate and packaging materials, as well as increased energy costs.

Tootsie Rolls are popular among Baby Boomers and Gen X as a nostalgic staple, but their appeal fades among younger consumers.

“I think it’s fair to say that, given that Tootsie Roll is a classic and traditional treat, in some ways it gets left behind as consumers seek out new experiences,” Liebig said. “Gen Z and Millennials are seeking even more complex and exciting experiences from candy.”

He cited the success of Nerds Gummy Clusters, which brought the concept of multi-textural candy — combining different physical textures in a single piece of sweetness — to the fore and upended the gummy candy category.

Liebig noted that while younger people are interested in low-sugar or zero-sugar products, “it just means that if a Gen Z is going to eat sugar, it has to deliver a truly unique experience.”

Tootsie Roll Industries recently introduced Tootsie Hoots, a small ball of Tootsie Roll surrounded by a candy shell, in a bid to bring a more varied texture to the classic candy. Liebig said the product fits a broader trend among younger consumers seeking new candy experiences.

“I think Tootsie products are perennial favorites and even in the face of data that might show younger consumers turning away from them, I think most adults will fill out any Trick or Treat bowl with at least a few Tootsie products,” he added. “It’s a good thing.”