Tax articles
395 plain-English guides to U.S. federal taxes, newest first.
21 results in Federal Tax Returns
ClearWill the IRS Catch a Missing 1099?: How the IRS Tracks Income
If you've missed reporting a 1099 form, you might be wondering if the IRS will eventually catch it. The short answer is yes, they have ways of tracking down missing forms, and they’re pretty good at i…
Form 944: The Annual Payroll Tax Return for Small Employers
If you're a small business owner or a new employer in the U.S., the IRS has a form specifically designed to help you simplify your tax reporting: Form 944. You might not have heard much about it, espe…
Form 1310: Claiming a Refund for a Deceased Taxpayer
When someone you love passes away, taxes are probably the last thing on your mind. But if they were due a tax refund when they died, someone has to claim that money from the IRS, and that’s where Form…
What Is Form 941 and Why It Matters
If you run a business and have employees on your payroll, then you have definitely heard about Form 941 (or you should, we hope). But if you're new to hiring or just starting to get a grip on payroll…
How Long to Keep Your Tax Forms
If you’re like most Americans, then the fact that you’re keeping your old tax forms is incidental because they’re just a part of the towering stack of old documents at home. It’s time to get serious a…
Your Tax Return Is Still Being Processed: What Does It Mean?
Your tax return is still being processed, so does the online tool reads. It’s the stuff of nightmares for many. You check the IRS’s "Where’s My Refund?" tool only to find the ominous message: "Your re…
How Are Cryptocurrencies Taxed? When You Pay Taxes on Bitcoin, What's Your Taxable Income?
And you thought e-filing your taxes was the hottest, new-fangled doodad the IRS tracked.
When You're Filling out Your W-4, How Many Exemptions and Allowances Should You Claim?
Withhold taxes now or owe taxes next April?
How to File an Amended Tax Return Online Easily
It’s really called the “Where’s My Amended Return Tool”? Well, the IRS isn’t subtle.
2022 Federal Income Tax Brackets, Rates, & Standard Deductions
The United States has what is called a progressive income tax system, meaning the greater your income, the more you pay. Different tax brackets, or ranges of income, are taxed at different rates. Thes…
How to Obtain Old Tax Returns (For Free)
Getting a full copy or a transcript of your past tax returns is possible, but why would you want one? I mean, the past is in the past, and who needs the memories, right? Especially about taxes!
Amended Tax Return
Did you make a mistake on your Federal tax return that you need to correct?
Top 5 Most Popular Itemized Deductions for U.S. Taxpayers
Itemizing your tax deductions can decrease your taxable income by a sizable amount, but you can’t just choose whatever expenses that catch your fancy. Familiarize yourself with how itemized deductions…
Can You Get an Additional Tax Return Extension?
It goes something like this: Tax season was fast approaching and you just knew you weren’t going to make the deadline to file your return on April 15, so you requested a tax extension.
Tax Tips To Report Your Hobby Income
Millions of people enjoy having hobbies — whether it’s photography, antiquing, craft making, collecting coins, or breeding horses, and even those that fall into the more bizarre side of things, but to…
Contacting the IRS: Phone Numbers, Email Addresses, and IRS Offices for Your Tax Issues
Need to talk to someone at the Internal Revenue Service? Start with 1-800-829-1040. The last four digits refer to individual income tax return Form 1040. (We see what you did there.)
AGI vs. MAGI: How to Calculate Each One
Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI): When it comes to calculating your taxes, you will often hear those two different terms regarding income. You probably know that d…
The Complete Guide to the Standard Deduction
Unlike itemizing deductions, which lets you pick and choose which expenses get deducted from your taxable income, the standard deduction is a set amount of money that is not subject to taxes, which mi…
Understanding the Different Types Of Tax Returns
Understanding all different types of tax returns is no easy task. Did you know that there are over a thousand official IRS tax forms out there? Used to report income, expenses, deductions, ask for ext…
Pros And Cons of Professional Tax Preparation
Millions of Americans ask themselves the same question every year: Should I just pay a tax professional? A tax preparation service can be a fantastic help, but there are some things you need to keep i…
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…