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Tax guidance and resources

Looking for advice on lowering your federal or state taxes? You’ve come to the right place. Plus, get news and advice related to tax brackets, property taxes, estate taxes and more.

Explore tax basics

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Do I have to file taxes? Here’s how to figure out if you should file a tax return

Taxes
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Donation value guide: Calculate the value of your donated items for your 2025 and 2026 taxes

Taxes
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What is the long-term capital gains tax? Here are the rates for 2025-2026

Investing
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Standard deduction vs. itemized deduction: Pros, cons and how to decide

Taxes

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Latest articles

The average tax refund each year, and how refunds work
The average tax refund in 2025 was $3,167, but refunds are expected to jump higher in 2026. Here’s what you need to know.
Young woman working on laptop at home.
If your income hits a specific level, you need to file a tax return. But it may make sense to file even if you’re not required to, so you can claim your tax refund.
How tax credits work, and how to qualify
Tax credits can help you save big on your taxes. Here’s how they work and how to qualify.
Father and young son with skateboard walking down the street.
The child tax credit can cut your tax bill by $2,200 per child, and up to $1,700 may be refundable to you. Here’s who qualifies for this valuable tax credit.
It pays to know the difference between short-term and long-term capital gains.
Roth IRA tax rules you should know
There are a lot of reasons to love Roth IRAs, but the tax rules governing them are complex. Here’s what you should know.
Young woman sits at her home office working on her finances.
Your adjusted gross income, or AGI, is your gross income minus a handful of items. Here’s how it works and why it matters.
How to file taxes for free
There are a handful of free options for filing your tax return, and many of them offer guided support to help you do it right.
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With taxes, it can pay to keep things simple. These 5 tax deductions let you trim your tax bill without itemizing.
Illustration showing an envelope with the word unemployment on it starting to catch fire.
Your unemployment benefits generally are taxable at the federal level, but your state may or may not give you a tax break. Here’s what you should know.
Illustration showing a sign with different arrows pointing to single, head of household and married, sitting on top of a stack of tax forms.
Picking the best filing status for your situation — whether that’s single, head of household, married filing jointly or separately, or surviving spouse — can save you money at tax time.
Woman at her laptop calculating finances.
Itemized deductions are IRS-approved expenses that can reduce your tax bill. But claiming the standard deduction instead can mean a lower tax bill for many taxpayers.
A woman sitting at a table with her laptop open, looking at a calculator in her hand.
You may have to do some math to choose between claiming the standard deduction and itemizing, but it’s worth the effort because you’ll save money on your taxes.
Gray-haired female teacher playing with a group of preschool children.
The child and dependent care credit can help parents recoup some of the steep costs of child care, and a new tax law increased how much this tax credit is worth.
Mother helping young son cut vegetables in kitchen.
The adoption tax credit can go a long way to reducing the costs of adopting a child. And now up to $5,000 of this tax credit is refundable.
Multigenerational family enjoying cruise on impressive yacht on a sunny day.
When someone dies, the assets they leave behind are subject to the estate tax. But only if the estate’s total value exceeds a multimillion-dollar exemption amount.
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If you want to trim your 2025 tax bill, now is the time to take steps to reduce your taxable income.
Mother with children waiting near electric car charging at sunset.
The valuable electric vehicle tax credit for new and used EVs is about to end. Here’s what you should do now if you want to qualify.
Pennsylvania Welcomes You road sign at the state border.
A growing number of states are moving to a flat tax system to collect income taxes. That can be good news for taxpayers, but there are potential downsides.
The entrance to a Social Security office in Houston, Texas.
Lawmakers have introduced a new bill that aims to permanently end taxes on Social Security benefits. High-income earners may not like it.
Hairdresser working on a client's hair in a salon.
New tax breaks on tip income and overtime pay go into effect this year. Event planners, hairdressers, handymen and Uber drivers are among those who qualify for no tax on tips.
Illustration of a clock with a post-it note on it that says "tax time!"
The Oct. 15 tax deadline is coming up fast for anyone who filed an extension. Here are 4 tips to help you get ready to file your tax return.
Mother picking up small daughter from school, embracing in front school building.
It’s back-to-school season, and expenses add up fast. These state and federal tax breaks can help.
Girl with braided hair writing in book while sitting at desk with students in classroom.
A new $1,700 tax credit will be available in 2027 for donations aimed at helping private school students.