You’ve got most of the tax material you need to file, but a few are missing. Here’s how to track down that info so you can file on time.

The IRS has no plan on how to reduce its taxpayer correspondence backlog, which remained above pre-pandemic levels last year. A new government watchdog report warns that the accumulation could hamper the agency’s other taxpayer services.

If you didn’t file a tax year 2022 return back in 2023 and were due a refund, time is running out for you to get your money. April 15, 2026, is the deadline to submit that old filing to the Internal Revenue Service and claim your cash.

Taxes are confusing and frustrating. That’s why we all sometimes make filing mistakes. Here are 11 tax-filing errors to be aware of so you don’t make them.

Don’t cheat yourself this Tax Day by overlooking tax deductions and credits that could cut what you owe Uncle Sam.

Seattle, Washington, is home to high tech millionaires who now are the target of the Evergreen State’s new wealth tax. The levy will effectively bump the Evergreen State from the current nine-member no-individual-income-tax club.

Getting your paycheck tax withholding amount just right pays off at tax-filing time and throughout the year with your pre-filing cash flow. The IRS’ newly updated tax withholding estimator can help.

An executive order mandating Uncle Sam primarily make electronic financial transactions has caused tax refund delays for more than 800,000 taxpayers (so far) this filing season.

IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs) don’t help with filing, but offer guidance on other federal tax matters. This year, the IRS is again expanding TAC weekday hours and opening some centers on select Saturdays.

Tax filing season is also peak time for tax scams. Be on the lookout for and avoid falling victim to the IRS’ 2026 list of Dirty Dozen tax scams.

Free is always welcome. That’s especially true at tax time, when taxpayers look for no-cost help to prepare and file their returns. Here are some free tax filing options.

Here are some March tax moves that can work for both tax lions aggressively attacking their returns, as well as tax lambs who prefer a more docile approach.

March is the last full month of the annual high tax season. Here are tax tips to help your get your return done by April 15 Tax Day.

Saving now can make for a better retirement later. The Trump administration is proposing a new retirement vehicle. But the existing Saver’s Credit could help you this tax filing season.

The almost two dozen above-the-line tax deductions get some company this filing season. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act added four below-the-line deductions. And in all cases, the tax breaks are available to eligible taxpayers regardless of whether they itemize or claim the standard deduction.

Taxes are confusing. But what if you can’t afford a tax professional to help you file? The people who staff VITA and TCE sites across the United States could be your low- or no-cost tax preparation answer.

The only thing worse than waiting for telephone help is waiting for IRS tax help. Avoid the delay and hold music by using the IRS.gov assistance options, including those available with an individual taxpayer online account.

Married couples share almost everything, including taxes. For most, sharing taxes by filing a joint return is the best tax strategy. Here are six ways married filing jointly can pay off for wedded pairs.

California gets a fiscal boon from the jock taxes owed by Super Bowl LX teams. But this nonresident tax, which other states also collect, applies to more than just athletes.

As Super Bowl LX’s kickoff nears, fans of the game and related event activities like Bad Bunny’s halftime performance, are placing their prop bets. If any of these wagers pay off, you’ll owe tax on the gambling income.

Bettors are expected to place a record $1.76 billion in legal wagers on Sunday’s NFL championship game. Any of those Super Bowl bets that pay off are taxable income.

Sure, February is home to Valentine’s Day, but millions of Americans’ thoughts turn not to love, but taxes. This shortest month is a big one for taxpayers. Here are 3 tax moves to help with your return filing and tax refund.

The IRS has its own version of Groundhog Day for taxpayers who must correct prior erroneous filings. It’s called filing an amended tax return using Form 1040-X.

February is for tax lovers. OK, from the tax perspective, it’s really more for lovers of “let’s just be done with tax filing” this month. And even though it’s the shortest month, there’s a lot you can do to cut your tax bill.

Larger families do get more from the Earned Income Tax Credit. But this valuable tax break also is available to eligible single taxpayers. If you qualify, claim the EITC!

Nobody likes filing a tax return, so why should someone who isn’t legally required to file go ahead and send the IRS a Form 1040? The #1 reason is because it might get you a tax refund. Check it and five other situations where filing, even if you don’t have to, can pay off.

Do you have to file a tax return? Probably. Not much is out of IRS’ reach. But in some cases, Uncle Sam lets folks off the tax-filing hook. Here’s a look at what determines whether you must file a Form 1040.

What do you get when you mix crypto currency, a criminal tax investigation, and political access? Apparently, the end of the tax evasion case against Roger Ver, aka Bitcoin Jesus.

Taking your time often is a good idea when it comes to tax filing. A slower, more deliberate approach to your 1040 can help ensure it is completed and filed correctly.

Tramell Tillman shows off his award-winning acting (and dancing skills) as Seth Milchick in “Severance.” In real life, Tillman also provides some solid social media tax advice.

You’re ready to file your Form 1040, but don’t do it until you’ve received all your official tax statements. Here’s a look at the myriad tax documents, most of which you should receive by the end of January, that will help you file a complete and accurate return.

You don’t have to be a fortune teller to know that sometimes the best tax move is to file your return early. Here are 7 reasons why it’s good to get your Form 1040 to the IRS as soon as possible.

Take a close look at your 2025 tax return. New tax laws created by the One Big Beautiful Bill could provide you with added savings this filing season. Here are 8 to check out.

If you get income that’s not subject to withholding, you must cover the tax due by making estimated tax payments. The last one for the 2025 tax year is due Jan. 15, 2026. Yes, that is Thursday.

If you used IRS’ Free File last year to complete your federal taxes, then it’s tax déjà vu time. The same eight tax software companies are back for the 2026 tax season. You can use Free File if your 2025 income was $89,000 or less.

The 2026 tax filing season begins Jan. 9 for Free File eligible taxpayers. The full start is Jan. 29, the day the IRS will start processing our 2025 tax year returns.

These snow-obscured signs aren’t much help, but the ol’ blog, basking unseasonably warm January temperatures here in Central Texas, has some tax guideposts to help to help welcome the new 2026 tax year. (Photo by Christina & Peter)

Happy New 2026, a year that brings us more than one, and in some cases not so beautiful, retroactive changes to our 2025 taxes. Plus, some of the those tax breaks that politicians hope will popular are temporary. So, buckle up. It’s time again for taxes!

If you don’t file or pay your taxes on time, you could end up owing the IRS more due to penalties. Some tax penalties are set; others changes every year due to inflation. Here’s a look at the 2026 amounts.

The IRS’ venture into the tax software and e-filing sphere is over. Despite positive reviews, the agency has officially ended Direct File, its proprietary, no-cost tax preparation program.

Residents of parts, and in some cases, all of these states dealt with real-life scares earlier this year. This post-Halloween weekend, they are facing a Nov. 3 disaster-delayed tax filing due date.

You moved to France for a new job (and more!), and discovered the IRS was a hitchhiker. But there are some tax provisions to help offset your worldwide tax bill. Here are the 2026 inflation adjustments.

Millions of Americans receive Social Security benefits. But plenty also pay tax on that money, at both the federal and state levels. Nine states join Uncle Sam in taxing at least some of the federal retirement benefits.

Democrats and Republicans agree on one thing: IRS communications can be confusing. A rare bipartisan measure to make math error notices clearer was approved by Congress and awaits presidential signature.

Did you put off filing your 2024 tax return back in April? Well, your absolutely final tax deadline is Wednesday, Oct. 15. Here are some last-minute extended filing tips.

The IRS’ 34,000 furloughed employees are facing some financial challenges. Their situation also offers us nonfederal workers tips, including tax-related ones, on preparing for similar fiscal crises.

Uncle Sam’s offices are closed because of a political fight over tax help for Affordable Care Act enrollees. Here’s a look at the tax break, who’s affected, and how the tax break battle might end.

Photo by Vlad Chețan October traditionally is the scariest month, and I’m not just talking about the terror that strikes when you run out of candy on Oct. 31 while young ghouls and goblins are still roaming your neighborhood’s streets. There’s also the coming colder weather, which sends a chill along the spines of those like me who prefer warmer weather. And, of course, there is the absolutely final tax filing deadline to meet by Oct. 15 or face late-filing penalties if you discover you didn’t pay enough when you got the Form 1040 extension. This year, the tax deadline has…

Every tax filing season, people need help but can’t afford to pay a tax pro. You can provide that help as a volunteer at no-cost Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly locations.

Remaining Inflation Reduction Act funds will let the agency keep working, but only for a few days. Get ready now in case the closure lasts longer. If only Congress closed, we wouldn’t be so worried. It’s looking more likely that the federal government will shut down, at least for a while. The Internal Revenue Service, however, says that if the closure is short, it can make do. How short? Five days. The IRS has enough remaining Inflation Reduction Act funds to keep all stall on the job for five business days, according to the Treasury Department. So, the time frame of…

Digital asset owners have long known that the Internal Revenue Service has a keen interest in them. In 2019, the IRS sent letters to around 10,000 cryptocurrency owners it believed might have failed to report related transactions. Basically, cryptocurrency is considered an asset, like stocks or other property, and sales of these assets that result in a profit trigger potentially taxable capital gains. The following year, the IRS added a virtual currency question to Form 1040. It’s tweaked the filing season query a bit each year, and added it to more 1040 versions, to get more, and more accurate, data…

U.S. Treasury paper tax refund checks soon will be a thing of the past. Real soon. Like next Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, soon. It’s happening. The Internal Revenue Service is going even more digital. Giving taxpayers a choice to operate electronically has long been a goal of many in Uncle Sam’s tax agency. Danny Werfel, who served as IRS Commissioner before the second Trump administration, frequently touted plans to move the IRS into the 21st century. But while Werfel always characterized expanded electronic IRS options as a taxpayer’s personal choice, the White House wants e-transaction for the tax and other…

Photo by Amina Filkins …When you start your new business, you make a lot of decisions about how it will be presented to the public. Coming up with the perfect name means customers will take note of your new company and keep coming back. Your corporate moniker also will be key to your business branding and marketing. But there’s another identification component that’s just as crucial. It’s the Employer Identification Number, or EIN, that you’ll need when you comply with the various tax responsibilities you now face as boss. An EIN basically is your corporate entity’s equivalent of an individual’s Social…

And if you’re paying by check or money order, make sure you mail it to the correct address by that date. The IRS has changed the mailing address for old-school estimated taxpayers in 18 states. I got the email excerpted above from the Internal Revenue Service’s Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) reminding me that I’d scheduled a payment on Monday, Sept. 15, of my third estimated tax amount for this year. Since the IRS reminded me, I thought I’d pass along the favor to the ol’ blog’s readers who, like me, must make these four extra tax payments a…

Football season is in full swing in the United States. College and professional games fill the television screens of fanatic American fans. The matches also are of interest to gamblers.

The Treasury Department has released a list of 68 jobs, divided into eight categories, that will be able to take advantage of the One Big Beautiful Bill’s new no tax on some tips.

Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer. It’s also a time to make some September tax moves to save you some money.

Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash   The Labor Day holiday is a time to reflect on and celebrate the history of organized labor in the United States. Much of what we workers take for granted, from the five-day workweek to workplace safety to many of our employer-provided benefits, are thanks to the work of labor unions and their members. Nowadays, however, many of us (including me) are our own bosses, often as solo workers. Many of us work full-time as sole proprietors. Others have side jobs to supplement their wage-paying work. Being the boss of any type of one-person…

Gloria Swanson in Sunset Boulevard via Giphy Republican members of Congress returned to their districts this month, but some of their town hall meetings to tout the advantages of the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act have not been that successful. It seems that many Americans don’t really like the bill, despite its continuation of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 individual tax rates and larger standard deduction amounts. Even some of the temporary tax benefits aimed at lower-to-middle-class workers have not been enough to sway the public’s perception. One of the issues is how the OBBB favors…

Three Florida men associated with a former tax preparation firm that had offices throughout the Sunshine State are headed to federal prison. The trio, along with other co-conspirators, fraudulently inflated client tax refunds by fabricating deductions on their returns, according to federal investigative documents. The result was false federal filings that cost the U.S. Treasury more than $15 million. Federal prosecutors said that that the three men did more than just file false tax returns. They also held periodic training sessions at which they taught other employees how to do the same, according to the Department of Justice. Jonathan Carrillo…

Multilingual services are on the chopping block following Donald Trump’s March 1 executive order designating English as the United States’ official language. But ending multilingual IRS services could have a large tax cost.

New tax provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act mean some employees will be eligible for tax deductions related to tip income and overtime compensation.

Photo by ODISSEI on Unsplash Have you ever wanted to give the Internal Revenue Service a piece of your mind? Okay, I should have asked how often have you wanted to tell off the tax collector a thing or two. Well, now’s your chance. The IRS and Treasury are seeking public input. The caveat, however, is that the tax agency and government department under which it serves want some specific information from the taxpaying public. First, the Treasury (and IRS) are seeking help in efforts to fight digital asset fraud. Second, the IRS (and Treasury) want to know our thoughts…

 Getty Images for Unsplash+ … It’s no secret that Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and other Trump administration efforts to scale back the size of the Internal Revenue Service is likely to make tax cheating easier. Reports on tax personnel terminated earlier this year show that almost a third of lost staff were revenue agents, the IRS employees who conduct audits. But some Republican members of the House tax-writing committee say artificial intelligence (AI) can help fill this tax examination gap. Ways and Means Vice Chair Rep. Vern Buchanan of Florida, and W&M Oversight Subcommittee Chair Rep. David Schweikert of…

The Aug. 21 jackpot amounts announced atop a lottery machine at my local H-E-B grocery store. (Photo by Kay Bell) Updated Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, with latest national lottery jackpot amounts. Updated Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, with inflation adjustment figures. It’s back. Lottery fever has again taken hold of millions of Americans, as the Powerball jackpot rolled over again after no one selected all the winning numbers. The immediate millionaire lure has increased since I took the photo topping this post. The payout for tonight’s (Saturday, Sept. 6) drawing is $1.8 billion if you take the winnings as a cash…

One of the family-friendly individual tax changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act is an expansion of the federal adoption tax credit. Starting this tax year, when you adopt children younger than 18 or who can’t take care of themselves, Uncle Sam does more at tax filing time to help you add to your family. The tax credit of up to $17,280 for each adoptee remains the same in 2025, but now up to $5,000 in qualifying adoption expenses are refundable. That means that five grand in claimed adoption expenses can potentially come back to you as a…

Two Hawaiian members of Congress have introduced a bill they say will shore up Social Security’s finances and help ensure recipients of the federal benefits can keep enjoying their birthdays. (Photo by Getty Images for Unsplash+) The federal retirement program’s long-term solvency recently was put under the spotlight by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA’s Office of the Chief Actuary (OACT) found that when the tax breaks in the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act are considered, the Social Security’s reserve fund could run out of money to make full benefit payments sooner than previously forecast. To help ease that…

There can be tax ramifications when a marriage sours. A bipartisan bill would offer abused spouses more protections, including new tax-filing options.

Teachers also shop for school supplies. They spend their own money to ensure their students get the best classroom experience possible. And a tax deduction can offer a bit of reimbursement for these expenses. If you’re one of those instructors, hang on to the receipts. They will help you maximize the educators’ tax deduction when your filer your tax return next year.

    NASA Goddard Space Flight CenterImage: Reto Stöckli | Enhancements: Robert Simmon | GIF conversion: Jahobr | Public domain/Wikimedia Commons  No, it is not your imagination. August arrived on an accelerated timetable, and Aug. 5 will be one of the shortest days on record. Okay, the difference in the Earth’s increased spin rate tomorrow, like it was on July 10 and 22, will be only a few milliseconds. But small changes can have dramatic effects when it comes to scientific and tax matters. So, before we literally lose more time, here are six tax moves to consider this August.…

If you get 1099 forms for income you earn as an independent contractor and/or from third-party settlement organizations, then the One Big Beautiful Bill has some good news for you. The previous higher earnings triggers are back.

Photo by Markus Winkler …On April 7, the Internal Revenue Service and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reached an agreement to share sensitive taxpayer information of undocumented taxpayers. This historic memorandum of understanding (MOU) prompted several high-ranking IRS officials, including the then acting agency commissioner, to resign in protest. The key concern of IRS personnel then and now is the violation of taxpayer privacy. That guarantee of taxpayer information is one of the pledges in the IRS’ Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TBOR). Taxpayers have the right to expect that any IRS inquiry, examination, or enforcement action will comply with the…

We have the answer to a filing option question I asked here on the ol’ blog a couple of weeks ago. Direct File is dead. The Internal Revenue Service-created online tax software that allowed eligible taxpayers to prepare and electronically file their returns for free will not be available next year. And here’s another 2026 tax season update. It’s going to start later than usual next year. Word is that it will begin around Presidents Day, which falls on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. Since that’s a federal holiday, the IRS won’t begin accepting and processing individual 1040 forms until the…

Photo by Jess Bailey Designs  Tax law changes, even when they benefit you, can be frustrating. Not only do we have to get up to speed on what’s new, we have to know when they take effect. Generally, making tax laws retroactive is, at best, sloppy tax policy. When it’s done late in a tax year, it can scramble tax moves that the new laws might necessitate. But our tax planning problems sometimes aren’t top of mind for Congress. They too often go ahead and make a tax law effective back to the start of a tax year, even at…

2026 might seem far away, but as we all know, time has a way of sneaking up on us. That’s particularly true when it comes to tax time. And to complicate things further, next year’s filing season, when we send the Internal Revenue Service our 2025 tax year returns, is expected to be a challenging one. First, many taxpayers will be taking advantage of new tax breaks in One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This includes four that will apply to a variety of individual filers, such as the bonus deduction for senior citizens, tax exemptions for some tip and overtime…

Donald J. Trump has been musing lately about making one of the best tax breaks for homeowners even better.

Image by Pavel Sbitnev from Pixabay Gamblers were among those who got to keep their tax breaks back in 2017 when he Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) made substantial changes to the Internal Revenue Code. That Republican tax reform measure let gamblers continue to claim their losses up to the extent of their reported winnings. But the latest GOP bill that extended the TCJA provisions beyond this year, aka the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act, is not so tax friendly to gamblers. Sure, the gambling loss write-off now is permanent, meaning bettors don’t have to worry about it…

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash This summer has been marked by a surge of flooding, too often with tragic results, across the United States. The latest incident was deadly rain-induced flash flooding in New Jersey. That same system swamped parts of New York City’s subway system. Before that, we had the devastating July 4 Central Texas floods, as well as flooding in North Carolina. But it’s a monsoonal system from last month in central/south central New Mexico that’s now getting Uncle Sam’s official attention. Those storms, starting on June 23, dumped excessive rain, some of which fell along burn scars left by fires…

New tax laws changes offer chances for savings if you know how they affect you and are prepared to make the right moves. (Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich) By most accounts, the main 2025 tax filing season went remarkably well. Internal Revenue Service National Taxpayer Advocate Erin M. Collins, in her report to Congress this summer, called it largely successful. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent went further, describing 2025 as the “most successful tax filing season in years.” But that’s not likely to be repeated during the 2026 tax filing season. Cuts to IRS staff and operations by Department of Government Efficiency…

Free File is still available to eligible taxpayers who are looking to electronically file their extended tax returns. If you're among the millions of taxpayers who haven’t yet submitted your 2025 tax year return, don't panic. Those who got extensions, and who paid any tax they owed by April 15, still have plenty of time. The extended due date to file returns isn’t until Oct. 15. Any time in the next few months that you are ready to finish and submit your 2025 tax return, the IRS recommends you do so electronically. In some cases, you might be able to…

You remember Direct File, right? The Internal Revenue Service’s free online tax software preparation and electronic filing program that debuted in 2024 and was expanded this last filing season. Despite political efforts and rumors of its demise, it might not be dead. It is, however, on life support. DOGE + politics = ???: Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) posted on his social media site that he had “deleted” 18F, the government agency that worked on technology projects such as Direct File. And rumors continue to circulate in Washington, D.C., that the end of the program is nigh, despite…

Before gig work because the popular way to make extra money, a lot of folks relied on their hobbies. One of my neighbors, for example, loves to spend his weekends snapping photos of the many natural areas here in Central Texas. But he soon discovered that he can pocket some extra cash by aiming his camera at weddings, anniversary celebrations, and youngsters’ birthday parties. He doesn’t consider it a second job, but maybe he should. The extra cash he’s making from his avocation is taxable income. If he operates it as a business, he might be able to deduct some…

UPDATE, Thursday, July 24, 2025: Donald Trump today signed H.R. 517, the tax Filing Relief for Natural Disaster Victims Act into law. Photo by Chandler Cruttenden on Unsplash People who endure major natural disasters generally are eligible for a variety of federal relief. That includes the filing and paying of taxes whose deadlines were during the disaster period. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has improved its turnaround in such cases. After that, the IRS then announces its tax relief, including the later due dates. A bill that would speed up that process is awaiting Donald J. Trump’s signature. When that happens,…

Rescue and recovery efforts continue in the Kerrville, Texas, area, which was the hardest hit when the Guadalupe River flooded as the July 4 holiday period was beginning. (Photo by World Central Kitchen, whose volunteers were among the earliest responders, CC BY 4.0) Thousands of Texans are now dealing with the deadly, tragic flooding across the state. My regional backyard, the Hill Country, was the hardest hit. As of today, the catastrophic count from the July 4 flooding is at least 129 killed, and around 170 people missing. Obviously, no one even remotely affected by the disaster is thinking about…

The One Big Beautiful Bill made the 2017 tax reform law’s income tax rates permanent. It also increased the 2025 tax year standard deduction amount.

When Congress messes with the tax code, it’s good for one group: tax professionals. All the changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill mean that help from reputable tax advisers are needed more than ever.

Donald J. Trump signs the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, with its many tax provisions, into law during a July 4th ceremony at the White House. (Credit: White House Facebook photo) America’s birthday party is over, but we taxpayers are still unwrapping the tax law gift that the Republican-controlled Congress and Trump administration gave us on July 3. While beauty is in the eye of the tax-advantaged beholder, there’s no disputing the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act, officially known as H.R. 1, is big. It’s almost 1,000 pages. Among them are beau coup tax provisions — old, tweaked, and…

U.S. Capitol West Front/Wikimedia The National Taxpayer Advocate’s midyear report to Congress that was released on June 25 included, among other things, recommendations that the Internal Revenue Service continue its efforts to expand digital tax transactions and make them easier for taxpayers to use. Such technological tax advances are also are of keen interest to the Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee (ETAAC). The federal advisory committee was established by Congress as part of 1998’s IRS Restructuring and Reform Act. And on the same day this week that the Taxpayer Advocate’s report was issued, ETAAC released its annual report to Congress.…

Image by rakinmorjaria from Pixabay Congratulations to all the newlyweds who tied, or will, the knot this June. Or during any ceremony this summer, or spring or coming fall or winter. Marriage can be challenging, but I wouldn’t trade the decades I’ve spent with the hubby for anything. That includes many joint tax returns we’ve filed. But you shouldn’t wait until tax filing season to get ready for how marriage changes your taxes. Here are six tax matters newly married couples should consider as soon as they get back from the honeymoon. 1. Make sure everyone knows your new name.…

Delivery jobs are a popular summer gig for many looking to make extra money during this traditional time to take some time off from work. (Photo by Kampus Production) Summer is in full swing, meaning that most of us will be taking some time off work to enjoy the warmer weather. Some people, however, see this traditional vacation period as a way to add to their income. That’s true. But the added earnings also could have tax implications. Student jobs: Some young people spend their summers working. Whether the earnings go to pay for college classes or a purchase they…

If the White House goes through with its plan to phase out the current federal disaster relief program, states will have to cover more costs of storm damages, like those in Keaton Beach, Florida, when Hurricane Helene made landfall there on Sept. 25, 2024. (Photo: Florida National Guard) Forecasters from both the federally-funded National Hurricane Center and private weather services predicted the 2025 hurricane season would be active. That might well happen since the tropical season that started June 1 runs through Nov. 30. But so far, we’re off to a quiet start. Fewer than forecast storms always are welcome.…

Electronically paying bills, both due private accounts and public ones like tax agencies, has become a no-brainer for millions of us. But as the saying goes, technology is great until it isn’t. That not so great situation recently reared its frustrating head. Personally, an automatic electronic payment I’ve had in place for years went haywire this week. But my payment problem was minor compared to other e-pay devotees across the country. They recently found themselves dealing with another, more distressing and potentially more costly governmental glitch. The Internal Revenue Service has been having problems with some taxpayers’ e-payments, prompting these…

Photo by Leeloo The First .I know I nagged reminded folks who face estimated tax payments of the June 16 deadline just last week in my monthly tax moves post. Well, I’m back nagging reminding all y’all again. Sorry, not sorry. As the hubby knows, my penchant for nagging repeating myself is because I care. It’s also because we also make estimated tax payments four times a year, so the process is on my mind. June 16 payment date: The June estimated tax due date is officially the 15th, but since that’s on a Sunday — Father’s Day, just in…

Tax Day was back in mid-April, but some people missed it. In many instances, individuals avoided filing their tax return because they owed. That was not a good idea back then. It’s become a worse idea as time has passed. When the calendar page flipped to April 16, the Internal Revenue Service began assessing non-filing and non-payment penalties, plus interest. And those added costs just keep piling up. You best move is to at least file a Form 1040. Submitting your return electronically is the fasted way option. Once Uncle Sam gets your filing, the non-payment portion of the charges…

An artist’s rendering of a planned San Antonio shopping center has a treat for fans of the “Better Call Saul” television series. It’s also a reminder to be careful when choosing a paid tax preparer.

Image by Tabea from Pixabay June is here. Summer officially arrives in a few weeks. Are you ready? Summer’s supposed to be the peak leisure season, but it takes some work. There are vacation plans to make. If you’ve got children, you’re probably ironing out day camp details. And, of course, you have made your June tax moves list, right? Oh, you don’t have taxes on your June to-do list? Sure, taking care of tax matters definitely isn’t the day at the beach you want. But some summer tax moves can help make next year’s filing easier, and potentially less…

If you’re into tax history, you might want to download the Internal Revenue Service’s fiscal year 2024 Data Book. First, this year’s edition marks the publication’s 30-year anniversary. Prior to the first Data Book, the IRS issued annual reports. But the new format expanded on that, now provides a fiscal year statistical overview of the agency’s operations. Second, this year’s document, officially IRS Publication 55-B, has details on some notable tax agency accomplishments. You already know about one of them, the collection of more than $5 trillion in tax revenue, from this post’s headline, but there are more. Third, future…

A new Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) report found the IRS could leverage artificial intelligence to improve its audit processes.

You filed your tax return on April 15, and today a letter from the Internal Revenue Service showed up in your snail mail box.

Hurricane damage is a constant threat to U.S. coastal communities. But as the storms move inland, landlocked areas also face threats. Get ready before one strikes, or even forms in the Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico.