Tax articles
395 plain-English guides to U.S. federal taxes, newest first.
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2025 and 2026 Work From Home Tax Deductions
There are certain work from home tax deductions that can reduce your taxable income by a sizable amount, but only if you are a qualifying worker. Want to know the ins and outs of these for the next tw…
Every Tax Payment Method You Can Use
Can I pay my taxes online? That’s a question that we run into all the time. Individuals have many different options for paying their federal income taxes. You can pay electronically (online) with a cr…
How to E-File Taxes Online
Do you think the IRS wants all those paper returns? Think again.
Form 5498: What It Is and How to Use It
Sometimes, IRS Forms can get so specialized and specific that it gets a little overwhelming dealing with them, right? Well, there are a few of them that are refreshing in their simplicity: Enter Form…
IRS Payment Plan: How Much Interest Does the IRS Charge?
The IRS is not known for being idle in any matter, but it becomes particularly serious when it comes to penalties and interests. Even if you manage to set up a payment plan for your late or unpaid tax…
The Hope Credit: Where It Went And What Replaced It
As anyone that’s ever been to college can attest to, higher education can be prohibitively expensive in the U.S. These costs are not only a large burden on the students themselves, but on their famili…
AOTC: What Is The American Opportunity Tax Credit?
Higher education is a worthy pursuit, but it’s also way too costly for most Americans. The American Opportunity Credit (AOTC) can help many people afford college when they otherwise could not.
Capital Gains Taxes: Know the Basics When You Sell a House, a Stock Portfolio, or a Beanie Baby
Minnie Arlowe felt so proud, prouder than she’d ever felt, when she finally sold the hyper, mega-ultra rare original-season, first-edition, never-been-out-of-the-box Beanie Baby that she saved since s…
How Do I Have to Claim My Child as a Dependent?
As a parent, claiming your child as a dependent can help you save money on your taxes. However, the process of claiming your child as a dependent can be confusing for those who are unfamiliar with tax…
How to Fill Out Tax Extension Form 4868
In order to obtain a tax extension for filing your income taxes, a taxpayer must complete and return the IRS Tax Form entitled “Application for Extension of Time to File U. S. Individual Income Tax Re…
W-3 Forms: Everything Business Owners Need to Know
How does the Social Security Administration know what your employee wages were?