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.

Taxes are all about the numbers. And in the By the Numbers feature, we track some of the notable digits that could affect our filings.

Most taxpayers, at both the federal and state levels, get tax refunds every year. But this filing season, five states have been particularly slow in sending residents’ their refunds.

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.

It’s always disconcerting to find a letter from the Internal Revenue Service in your snail mailbox. But don’t panic. That’s just one of the 10 steps to successfully handle any IRS notices you might get.

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.

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.

Meg White via Giphy When the hubby and I lived in the Washington, D.C. area, we became big fans of the Washington Capitals. We eventually bought season tickets, and the National Hockey League’s team’s location back then in suburban Maryland, where we had moved, made getting to and from the games easy. One of my favorite Capitals’ ad campaigns asked if we sometimes felt like screaming. They encouraged potential new (or ticket upgrading) fans to buy game packages and come yell their hearts out at the arena. I don’t know about you, but way back then, and even more so…

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!

Whoa up there, cowboy. We’re not there yet. Brett Eldredge via Giphy   I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that you want more tax tips. But as the animated fellow above notes, we’re not there — there being December 2026 — yet. Rest assured that once the calendar page flips to Dec. 1, this page will resemble a tax version of Santa’s sack. At this point in the year, the focus will be on year-end moves that can help you save on this year’s taxes. And yes, you can click on all the other tax tip page links…

Whoa up there, cowboy. We’re not there yet. Brett Eldredge via Giphy   I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that you want more tax tips. But as the animated fellow above notes, we’re not there — there being November 2026 — yet. Rest assured that once the calendar page flips to Nov. 1, this page will start filling up with tax information that mostly will focus on post-filing followups. But since our 2026 taxes are still accruing, you’ll also find tips on moves to trim that amount. You can thank me later. Okay, bad Turkey Day reference. But…

Whoa up there, cowboy. We’re not there yet. Brett Eldredge via Giphy   I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that you want more tax tips. But as the animated fellow above notes, we’re not there — there being October 2026 — yet. Rest assured that once the calendar page flips to Oct. 1, this page will start filling up with tax information to help folks who filed for an extension meet the Oct. 15 due date. But there also will be moves that all of us can make to cut our current year tax bill. And yes, you…

Whoa up there, cowboy. We’re not there yet. Brett Eldredge via Giphy   I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that you want more tax tips. But as the animated fellow above notes, we’re not there — there being September 2026 — yet. Rest assured that once the calendar page flips to Sept. 1, this page will start filling up with tax information to help folks who got extensions file their 2025 tax returns, as well moves that all of us can make to save on this year’s taxes. And yes, you can click on all the other tax…

Whoa up there, cowboy. We’re not there yet. Brett Eldredge via Giphy   I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that you want more tax tips. But as the animated fellow above notes, we’re not there — there being August 2026 — yet. Rest assured that once the calendar page flips to Aug. 1, this page will start filling up with tax information to help you file your 2025 tax return, as well as make moves to save on this year’s taxes. And yes, you can click on all the other tax tip page links that are listed below…

Whoa up there, cowboy. We’re not there yet. Brett Eldredge via Giphy   I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that you want more tax tips. But as the animated fellow above notes, we’re not there — there being July 2026 — yet. Rest assured that once the calendar page flips to July 1, light your sparklers! This page will start filling up with tax information to help you file your 2025 tax return, as well as make moves to save on this year’s taxes. And yes, you can click on all the other tax tip page links that…

Whoa up there, cowboy. We’re not there yet. Brett Eldredge via Giphy   I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that you want more tax tips. But as the animated fellow above notes, we’re not there — there being June 2026 — yet. Rest assured that once the calendar page flips to June 1, this page will start filling up with tax information to help you file your 2025 tax return, as well as make moves to save on this year’s taxes. And yes, you can click on all the other tax tip page links that are listed below…

Whoa up there, cowboy. We’re not there yet. Brett Eldredge via Giphy   I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that you want more tax tips. But as the animated fellow above notes, we’re not there — there being May 2026 — yet. Rest assured that once the calendar page flips to May 1, you won’t have send out a mayday call. This page will start filling up with tax information to help you file your 2025 tax return, as well as make moves to save on this year’s taxes. And yes, you can click on all the other tax…

Whoa up there, cowboy. We’re not there yet. Brett Eldredge via Giphy   I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that you want more tax tips. But as the animated fellow above notes, we’re not there — there being April 2026 — yet. Rest assured that once the calendar page flips to April 1, no fooling (sorry, not sorry) this page will start filling up with tax information to help you file your 2025 tax return, as well as make moves to save on this year’s taxes. And yes, you can click on all the other tax tip page…

If you use your car for business travel, your standard mileage deduction rate will increase 2.5 cents per mile in 2026. Other rates, however, will be lower next year.

Mom often is the best doctor. But sometimes, we must turn to professional physicians and treatments. FSA money can help in these cases, as long as you didn’t lose the funds because you didn’t use them in time.

There’s not much of 2025 left, but you still might be able to make some moves by Dec. 31 that could reduce this year’s tax bill.

Many of us donate old clothes and household goods at year’s end. For some, the charitable gifts can be a tax deduction. But you must follow IRS rules to claim the tax break, including properly valuing your donations.

If you’re planning on parking a new car with a big red bow in your driveway this Christmas, the latest tax reform bill has an added present for you. You might be able to deduct up to $10,000 in loan interest.

Nobody bats 1000 when it comes to picking stocks, but that could be good tax news. If some of your assets paid off this year, you can reduce those taxable gains by using tax-loss harvesting.

If your retirement goal is the same as mine – do so as soon as possible! – then you need to add as much to your tax-favored retirement plans now. There’s a Dec. 31 deadline for some contributions.

Holiday shopping online is easy, for shoppers and scammers. Be careful in your online deal searches, as crooks can use the personal info they steal now to file false tax returns claiming fraudulent tax refunds.

Changes are coming in 2026 to charitable tax deductions that could affect your 2025 donation decisions. Check them out to find ways to make charitable gifts pay off now and next year.

Being sick sucks. Having to pay a lot of out-of-pocket medical expenses can make you feel even worse. But if you have a lot of medical and dental costs, you might be able to put them to itemized tax deduction use.

Retiring the way you want is easier when you save well before your golden years. Here’s how much you can put this, and next, year in tax-favored retirement plans.

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.

Running the numbers is important for everyone, but critical for older folks who rely on Social Security benefits, and the annual cost-of-living increase, to cover much of their living expenses.

The Alternative Minimum Tax, known as the AMT, used to work like an ATM for Uncle Sam. Inflation adjustments helped eased the bite, but tax law changes in 2026 could force more filers into the AMT’s clutches.

Letting your money work for you via investments gets a boost next year, with wider capital gains tax brackets. Also affected by the annual inflation bumps are estate planning, gifts you give before you go, and youngsters’ investment earnings.

Medical costs seem to go up every year (or more often!). But the IRS’ annual inflation adjustments to tax-related health care provisions might be able to help you feel better at filing time.

One easy way to cut your tax bill is to claim tax deductions and tax credits. There is a wide variety of these tax breaks, and the amounts generally get annual inflation bumps. Here are 2026’s.

The IRS’ annual inflation increase in the standard deduction amounts makes that deduction option even more appealing. But don’t automatically claim it. Some tax years, it’s worth itemizing.

Let’s get the 2026 tax party started with the tax brackets that will apply to the new year’s income. While the deadline to make most moves affecting 2025 taxes was Dec. 31, it’s still helpful to compare the 2025 and 2026 income tax brackets as we file our 2025 return and implement strategies to cut this year’s taxes.

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.

The WOTC, administered in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Labor, provides a tax break to employers who hire individuals from certain groups who tend to consistently have trouble getting jobs.

The tax provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act also accelerate the termination dates for a variety of other energy-related tax credits. Many home-related ones end Dec. 31, 2025.

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

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

Photo by olia danilevich   The senior bonus is one of the new tax breaks in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that became law on July 4. It’s not tax-free Social Security benefits that Donald J. Trump promised. But the $6,000 maximum tax break, or $12,000 for married jointly filing couples where each spouse is age 65 or older, will provide some tax relief to the country’s senior citizens. The new tax break is available to taxpayers regardless of whether they itemize or claim the standard deduction. The tax bonus also is age-related, not tied to the federal retirement…

We made it. Tax Day 2025 is finally over for most of the country’s 140 million or so individual tax return filers.

Millions of taxpayers already are filling out their 2024 tax returns. Now they just need to know when the Internal Revenue Service will start processing them.

Bet legally, and pay tax on all your winnings — Fall is football and betting season in the United States. Both the college and professional games attract a sizeable amount of wagering. The Internal Revenue Service urges anyone putting a few (or more) dollars down to do so at a legal betting establishment. It’s safer for bettors, and it helps Uncle Sam get what he’s due, since gambling winnings are taxable income.

Plus, a look at what next year’s inflation bumps mean to estate planning, gifts you give before you go, youngsters’ investment earnings, and more. “Let me tell you about the very rich. They are different from you and me.” F. Scott Fitzgerald didn’t add taxes in his elaboration of those differences in his 1925 short story “The Rich Boy,” but he could have. While most of us middle-income taxpayers get our money working for wages, wealthier individuals tend to let their money work for them as investments. And when they cash out long-term assets, the tax rate on the profits…

Tax Day comes four times a year for millions of taxpayers. We (yes, I’m one of them) must make these added payments to Uncle Sam. Here’s a look at these added tax tasks required on the 15th of each April, June, September, and January.

When it comes to paycheck tax withholding, you want to get it just right to avoid a bear of a tax problem. Here’s how to make the appropriate changes.