The quiet-so-far 2026 hurricane season looks to be ramping up a bit. Gulf of Mexico residents need to prepare now for Bertha, which could be strong enough to be named as soon as Monday, July 20.

If you use your vehicle for business, medical, moving, or charitable purposes, you might be able to deduct that driving. And for the last half of 2026, the IRS has hiked the standard tax deduction rates for most of those miles.

The Internal Revenue Service is phasing in a new automatic process to provide penalty relief for taxpayers with a history of filing and paying on time. Eligible taxpayers will no longer need to ask for the relief, meaning potentially millions more filers won’t end up paying extra to Uncle Sam.

Three Texas tax pros are headed to federal prison for filing false federal returns. Investigators say some clients knew of the scheme, but others did not. The case highlights why it’s important to ensure a tax preparer is reputable. Read on for tips on hiring a trustworthy tax pro.

Backpacks, like these at my local H-E-B grocery store, are a necessity for today’s students. They also are tax-free here in Texas if you buy them during the state’s back-to-school tax holiday.

U.S. consumers complain about higher prices, but they still are paying them, largely through increased use of credit cards. Sales taxes add to most products’ final retail costs. Here’s a look at where state and local sales taxes stand in mid-2026.

It’s never too early for children to learn solid money lessons. The new Trump Account, which became available on July 4, now offers them a tax-advantaged way to invest.

Fireworks are the stars each July 4th, but the Stars and Stripes get plenty of attention, too, on Independence Day. Here’s a look at Old Glory’s history, along with some patriotic tax tidbits.

young people at a July 4th party

Saturday, July 4, still is the official day to celebrate the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence 250 years ago. But federal (and some other) workers got Friday, July 3, off to mark Independence Day. And sometimes, some official holiday dates do affect our federal taxes.

July obviously means Fourth of July celebrations in the United States. But this summer month is full of other activities, including some tax-related moves you should consider. Here are six suggestions.

The Internal Revenue Service is appealing a federal court ruling that it improperly collected tax penalties and interest during the COVID pandemic. That legal process will take a while, but if you faced these charges, you need to take these steps to take by July 10 to claim refund of the amount you were assessed.

July

The More Tax Posts tab at the top of this page will take you to, well, more tax posts. You also can search below for a tax topic. 

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Storm prep tips for Gulf Coast residents as Bertha likely to soon be the second named tropical system of 2026

July 19, 2026

The quiet-so-far 2026 hurricane season looks to be ramping up a bit. Gulf of Mexico…

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Tax Season 2026 Continues!

We made it. Tax Day 2025 is finally over. For most of us. When the filing season started on Jan. 26, millions who were expecting refunds filed immediately. Most of us got our returns to the Internal Revenue Service by April 15. But plenty of taxpayers also got extensions. They are looking at an Oct. 15 filing deadline.

Those procrastinating filers aren’t a problem. In fact, the IRS appreciates taxpayers who take time to fill out their 1040 forms correctly. It also is grateful that tax submissions are spread out a bit, especially now that the IRS is a leaner agency. Processing returns is easier when they arrive throughout the year instead of in massive bunches.

But enough about Uncle Sam’s tax collection issues. The focus now is on all y’all who filed for extensions, giving you another six months to complete your return. Since your new mid-October due date will be here before you know it, let’s get started now on meeting it.

The ol’ blog is here to help you finish up your extended Form 1040. You can start with January’s tax tips page, which has links to the rest of the year’s tips by-month collections. You also can peruse various tax categories for more tailored advice by clicking on the More Tax Posts drop-down menu at the top of this (and every) page.

And to make sure you don’t miss your new filing deadline, the count-down clock below will let you know just how much time you to file by Oct. 15. At the latest.e. (Note: I’m in the Central Time Zone, so adjust accordingly for where you live.)