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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.
Hamster pushes shopping cart full of items that might be subject to a consumption tax.
A consumption tax applies to the purchase of a good or service. Sales taxes are a type of consumption tax.
Cars and trucks drive past a Welcome to Wyoming sign south of Cheyenne, Wyoming
These 9 states have no income tax, but before you move there, keep in mind that taxes shouldn’t be your only consideration.
A man and woman in casual business clothes review paperwork in an office conference room.
If you need help with a tax debt or dispute, creating an estate plan, starting a business, or another legal question related to taxes, a tax attorney might be able to help.
Young couple reviews paperwork at a table, with a laptop open in front of them.
Most refunds are sent out within 21 days. If you’re wondering where your tax refund is, you can track it online.
Sad, depressed caucasian man holding documents, sitting at computer in home office.
Tax fraud can come with hefty penalties and fines, even jail time. Tax evasion is a type of fraud. But tax avoidance is legal.
Al Capone on the day of his release from jail, Chicago, 1939.
Al Capone may be the face of tax evasion and all that can go wrong if you purposefully don’t pay your taxes. But tax avoidance is legal, and even encouraged by financial experts.
Gross income: Definition, why it matters and how to calculate it
Gross income is your total pay, before deductions or taxes are taken out. It plays a big role in some key personal finance calculations.
Two women are examining items for sale at an outdoor market in Etretat, Normandy, France. The young woman on the left is wearing a red beret, a red and white striped top. The mother, mature woman on the right, dressed in a navy-blue shirt and carrying a large straw bag.
Value-added tax (VAT) is not unlike sales tax, but there are key differences. Many countries impose a VAT instead of sales tax.
A couple looks over their financial paperwork with a calculator and their laptop open in front of them.
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.