Browse Tax Topics
Browse all 41 tax questions we answer, grouped by topic — or filter by keyword.
General information only — not tax, legal or financial advice. Verify current figures at IRS.gov. Full disclaimer.
Filing Basics
Who must file, what you need, how to file, and what to do if you are late, need more time or made a mistake.
How to File Taxes for Free: 7 Legitimate Ways
How to file your federal taxes for free: IRS Free File, Fillable Forms, VITA, MilTax and state options, who qualifies for each, and how to avoid “free” traps.
Get the answerIRS Free File: Who Qualifies and How to Choose a Provider
IRS Free File eligibility: the AGI limit for the most recent filing season, partner-specific rules, how to start, and what to do if you do not qualify. Check current-year details.
Get the answerWhat Is VITA? Free Tax Preparation Help Explained
What VITA and TCE are, who qualifies for free in-person tax help, what documents to bring, how to find a site and what volunteers can and cannot do.
Get the answerIs IRS Direct File Available? Status and Alternatives
What IRS Direct File was, why it is not available for the 2026 filing season, and the free alternatives to use instead. Check IRS.gov for current status.
Get the answerFree File Fillable Forms: How They Work and Who Should Use Them
What IRS Free File Fillable Forms are, who can use them (no income limit), what they do not include, and tips for filing accurately. Verify current-year dates on IRS.gov.
Get the answerDo I Need to File a Tax Return? Filing Requirements Explained
Find out whether you are required to file a federal tax return: gross income thresholds by filing status, self-employment rules, dependents, and why filing can still help if you are not required.
Get the answerWhat Documents Do I Need to File Taxes? A Complete List
The documents you need to file your taxes: IDs, income forms (W-2, 1099s), deduction records, credits paperwork, bank details and how to get missing forms.
Get the answerHow to File Taxes Without a W-2 (Missing or Lost Form)
Missing or lost W-2? Learn how to get a copy, use an IRS wage and income transcript, and when and how to file using Form 4852 if your employer does not respond.
Get the answerHow to File Taxes Late (or File Past-Due Returns)
Missed the tax deadline? Learn the late filing and late payment penalties, how to file past-due returns, how to get missing forms and how to request penalty relief.
Get the answerHow to File a Tax Extension (and What It Doesn’t Do)
How to request a six-month federal tax extension with Form 4868 or an IRS payment, what it does and does not cover, deadlines and state extensions.
Get the answerHow to Amend a Tax Return With Form 1040-X
When and how to amend a federal tax return with Form 1040-X: common reasons, e-filing, deadlines, how long it takes and how to track amended return status.
Get the answerWhich Filing Status Should I Choose? Single, Joint, Separate or Head of Household
How to choose your federal filing status: single, married filing jointly or separately, head of household and qualifying surviving spouse, with the rules and standard deduction for each.
Get the answerWho Can I Claim as a Dependent on My Taxes?
Who qualifies as a dependent for federal taxes: the qualifying child and qualifying relative tests, divorced-parent rules, tax benefits and common mistakes.
Get the answerWhat Is Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and Where Do I Find It?
What AGI means on your tax return, how it is calculated, where to find it on Form 1040 and your prior-year return, and why it matters for credits and e-filing.
Get the answerHow Long Should You Keep Tax Records and Returns?
How long to keep tax returns, receipts and supporting documents: the three-year rule, longer periods for special cases, and what to keep forever. Based on IRS guidance.
Get the answerDeductions & Credits
Standard vs itemized, the big credits, and the deductions most people ask about.
Standard Deduction vs. Itemized Deductions: Which Is Better?
Standard deduction vs itemized: 2025 and 2026 standard deduction amounts, what you can itemize, the SALT cap, how to compare and when itemizing pays off.
Get the answerChild Tax Credit: Requirements, Amounts and Income Limits
Child tax credit rules: the $2,200 credit for 2025, age and SSN requirements, income phase-outs, the refundable portion and how it differs from the credit for other dependents.
Get the answerEarned Income Tax Credit (EITC): Who Qualifies and How Much Is It?
EITC eligibility rules, 2025 and 2026 maximum credit amounts, income limits, qualifying children, investment income limit, and how to claim it correctly.
Get the answerStudent Loan Interest Deduction: Limit, Income Phase-Out and How to Claim It
Student loan interest deduction: the $2,500 maximum, income phase-out ranges, who qualifies, Form 1098-E, and how it works if you are on autopay or a parent paying.
Get the answerHome Office Deduction: Who Qualifies and How to Calculate It
Home office deduction rules for self-employed people: regular and exclusive use, simplified $5 per square foot method, regular method, employee limits and recordkeeping.
Get the answerBusiness Mileage Deduction: IRS Standard Mileage Rates for 2025 and 2026
IRS standard mileage rates for 2025 and 2026 (business, medical, charity), what miles qualify, how to keep a mileage log, and when to use actual expenses instead.
Get the answerCharitable Donations Tax Deduction: Rules, Limits and Records
How the charitable contribution deduction works: itemizing, qualified organizations, cash and property rules, AGI limits, recordkeeping, and the new rules beginning in 2026.
Get the answerHSA Tax Deduction: 2025 and 2026 Contribution Limits and Rules
Health savings account tax benefits: 2025 and 2026 contribution limits, who is eligible, catch-up contributions, Form 8889 and the triple tax advantage.
Get the answerSaver’s Credit: Get a Tax Credit for Retirement Contributions
How the saver’s credit works: who qualifies, AGI limits, credit percentages, eligible contributions, how to claim it on Form 8880 and what to know about changes.
Get the answerNo Tax on Tips and Overtime? The New 2025–2028 Deductions Explained
The new federal deductions for qualified tips, overtime pay, car loan interest and seniors (2025–2028): limits, income phase-outs, Schedule 1-A and common misconceptions.
Get the answerRefunds & Deadlines
Refund timing, status tools, transcripts, due dates and what happens when you cannot pay.
When Are Taxes Due? Federal Tax Deadlines for 2026 and 2027
Federal tax deadlines: filing day, extension deadline, estimated tax due dates, W-2 and 1099 dates and state differences, with 2026 and 2027 dates. Always verify on IRS.gov.
Get the answerWhere’s My Refund? How to Check Your Federal Tax Refund Status
How to check your IRS federal tax refund status with Where’s My Refund?: what you need, what the three statuses mean, when to check, and what to do if there is no update.
Get the answerState Tax Refund Status: How to Check Your State Refund
How to check your state tax refund status: what you need, typical processing times, common delays, and links to official state revenue agencies and our state guides.
Get the answerHow to Get an IRS Tax Transcript (Free, Online or by Mail)
How to get an IRS tax transcript: types of transcripts, online account, Get Transcript by mail, Form 4506-T, and what each type shows. Free from the IRS.
Get the answerWhat If You Can’t Pay Your Taxes? IRS Payment Plans and Other Options
What to do if you can’t pay your tax bill: file on time, IRS online payment plans, short-term extensions, offer in compromise, hardship status, penalties and scams to avoid.
Get the answerTax Forms & Withholding
W-4, W-2, 1099s, withholding and the numbers on your paycheck.
How to Fill Out a W-4: Step-by-Step for Employees
How to fill out the federal Form W-4: each step explained (filing status, multiple jobs, dependents, other adjustments), common scenarios and how to avoid owing or over-withholding.
Get the answerWhat Is a 1099-NEC? Nonemployee Compensation Explained
What Form 1099-NEC is, who gets one, the reporting threshold ($600 before 2026, $2,000 for 2026), deadlines, how to report it, and how it differs from 1099-MISC and 1099-K.
Get the answer1099-K Threshold: When Payment Apps and Marketplaces Report Your Income
1099-K reporting threshold explained: the current $20,000 and 200-transaction rule, what 1099-K covers, personal vs business payments, and how to report the income correctly.
Get the answerHow Much Tax Is Withheld From Your Paycheck? FICA, Federal and State Explained
How paycheck tax withholding works: federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare (FICA) rates and wage base for 2025 and 2026, state tax and how to adjust it.
Get the answerSelf-Employed & Side Income
Self-employment tax, estimated payments, gig-work income and business deductions.
Self-Employment Tax Explained: Rate, Calculation and Deduction
Self-employment tax explained: the 15.3% rate, wage base for 2025 and 2026, how to calculate on Schedule SE, the deduction for half, thresholds and examples.
Get the answerHow to Pay Estimated Taxes: Due Dates, Safe Harbor and Payment Methods
How to pay quarterly estimated taxes: who must pay, due dates, safe harbor rules to avoid penalties, how to calculate and pay online, and what to do if you miss one.
Get the answerGig Worker Taxes: DoorDash, Uber, Lyft, Etsy and Other Side Hustles
How taxes work for gig workers and side hustlers: 1099s, self-employment tax, estimated payments, deductions like mileage, record-keeping and common mistakes.
Get the answerSpecial Situations
Capital gains, Social Security, audits, state taxes and other topics.
Capital Gains Tax Rates: Short-Term vs. Long-Term (2025)
Federal capital gains tax rates for 2025: short-term vs long-term, 0%/15%/20% thresholds, net investment income tax, home sale exclusion and how to report gains.
Get the answerIs Social Security Taxable? How Much of Your Benefits Are Taxed
When Social Security benefits are taxable on your federal return: the combined income thresholds, the 50% and 85% rules, how to calculate, and which states tax benefits.
Get the answerStates With No Income Tax: Which Ones, and What You Pay Instead
The nine states with no broad wage income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming, plus what they tax instead.
Get the answerIRS Audits and Notices: What to Know and How to Respond
IRS audit basics: how audits start, common triggers, types (mail, office, field), your rights, statute of limitations and how to respond to a notice. Not tax advice.
Get the answerNo questions match your filter — try a broader word.
General information only — not tax, legal or financial advice. Tax figures change every year; verify the current numbers at IRS.gov or with a qualified professional. Read the full disclaimer.