Here we go again; tax time has officially begun.

If you're getting a refund, you need to file ASAP. There's no reason to offer Uncle Sam an interest-free loan.

But before you file those taxes, it will pay -- literally -- to make sure you've gotten every deduction and credit you're entitled to. After all, if you're in the 24% tax bracket, every $100 you deduct is $24 in your pocket. And every $100 credit is worth $100.

That's what we're going to help you do in this week's "Money!" podcast. We're going to help you find ways to legally lower your income tax bill, as well as answer some common questions. For example, do you know if your stimulus payment has to be reported as income? If you didn't get the stimulus payment you were titled to, can you claim a credit? Is unemployment taxable? Is qualifying for next stimulus payment going to be based on your 2019, or 2020, income?

We're about to find the answers to these and lots more questions.

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On January 1, 2021, I became one of the millions of Americans enrolled in Medicare.

The process of joining the 44 million Americans now enrolled in our national health insurance system for seniors wasn't the hardest thing I've ever done, but it was no walk in the park, either. The Medicare system, including options like Medicare Advantage plans and Medigap policies, have lots of moving parts.

First, you have to sign up with the Social Security Administration if you have yet to start claiming Social Security benefits. You apply, then have a (virtual) meeting with a government employee. Along the way, you have to consider what's covered by Medicare, what's not covered and what's partially covered.

And if you're considering a Medicare Advantage plan or Medigap -- which are offered by private insurance companies approved by the federal Medicare program -- you have to compare features within those as well and deal with the agents selling them.

In short, there's a lot to know. Which makes this topic perfect for a podcast.

For this week's "Money!" podcast, we were lucky to secure a couple of genuine experts. The first is Rebecca Kinney, director for the Administration for Community Living's Office of Healthcare Information and Counseling. Also joining us is Maggie Flowers, the program manager for the State Health Insurance Assistance Programs.

These ladies not only provided the facts, they did it in simple terms and even made it interesting.

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