Plain-English guides to the rules that affect your return, updated for tax year 2026 and the changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act reshaped individual taxes. Here's what changes for tax year 2026, and which breaks are only temporary.
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The One Big Beautiful Bill Act reshaped individual taxes. Here's what changes for tax year 2026, and which breaks are only temporary.
Read articleSimple bookkeeping habits, from separate accounts to W-9s and payroll deposits, that make filing your 2026 business taxes faster and less stressful.
Read articleSelf-employed or earning income without withholding? Learn the $1,000 rule, safe harbors, 2026 due dates and how to avoid an underpayment penalty.
Read articleAn S corp election can cut self-employment tax, but it adds payroll and paperwork. Here's how LLC and S corp taxation compare for 2026.
Read articleFrom 100% bonus depreciation to vehicle, meal and health insurance rules, here's what small businesses can deduct for 2026 and how to document it.
Read articleUnreported income, undocumented deductions and repeated business losses can draw IRS attention. Learn what draws scrutiny and how to keep records.
Read articleAn IRS letter doesn't have to mean trouble. Here's how to identify the notice, confirm it's real, meet the deadline, and decide whether to agree.
Read articleFor 2026 the Child Tax Credit is $2,200 per child, with up to $1,700 refundable. Here's who qualifies and how the income limits work.
Read articleThe home improvement and residential clean energy credits ended after December 31, 2025. Here's how to claim 2025 work and use any carryforward.
Read articleFederal clean vehicle credits ended for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025. Here's who can still claim one and how to report it correctly.
Read articleLate on your taxes? Learn how IRS penalties and interest work, how to reduce them, and why filing now, even if you can't pay, saves you money.
Read articleForm 1099-DA brings broker reporting to crypto. Here's what it shows for 2025 and 2026 sales, what's taxable, and how to keep your basis records clean.
Read articleShort- vs long-term gains, the 2026 0%, 15% and 20% thresholds, the 3.8% NIIT, loss harvesting, wash sales and the home sale exclusion, explained.
Read articleWorking from home in one state for an employer in another? Here's how residency, credits, reciprocity and the convenience rule decide what you owe.
Read articleSelf-employed and working from home? Learn who qualifies for the home office deduction, the two ways to figure it, and what happens when you sell.
Read articleThe 2026 limits for 401(k)s, IRAs, SIMPLE and SEP plans, and HSAs, plus the new Roth catch-up rule for higher earners. All figures from the IRS.
Read articleThe 2026 estate and gift exemption, annual gifting, DAFs, QCDs, Roth conversions and the new SALT and itemized deduction limits for high earners.
Read articleTen moves to consider before December 31, 2026, including retirement deferrals, loss harvesting, RMDs and the new charitable deduction rules.
Read articleHow rental depreciation, passive loss rules, 1031 exchanges, recapture, mortgage interest and the home sale exclusion work, in plain English.
Read articleRideshare, delivery or freelance income? Here's how 2026 gig income is taxed, what forms to expect, and how to keep more of what you earn.
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