October 1, 2026
October traditionally is the scariest month, and not just because of Halloween. Millions of tax procrastinators face the Oct. 15 deadline to file their extended tax return. Get tips on doing that, along with four other tax moves to make this October.
BLOG POSTS
While some put prediction markets on par with psychic readings, millions disagree, buying contracts on anything, including sports outcomes. A gaming trade group says that’s no more than illegal, unregulated sports betting. And that it costs states needed tax revenue.
Broadway’s Tony Awards highlight the shows and performances along that famed thoroughfare. But the attention also puts a spotlight on New York’s tax credit that many of the productions say is vital to their existence. But is it really?
Uncle Sam’s tax collector wants you. This time, though, it could be to your benefit. The IRS is looking to hire customer service reps and tax examining techs this summer.
Definitely take a break this June. But taxes don’t take vacations. So, you also should make time for some tax tasks. Some will keep you out of tax trouble. Others could mean tax savings.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche testified on Capitol Hill that the anti-weaponization fund was dead, but Donald Trump’s tax amnesty remains.
Hurricane damage is a constant threat to U.S. coastal communities during the annual June 1 through Nov. 30 tropical storm season. But as the storms move inland, landlocked areas also face risks. Get ready before one strikes, or even forms in the Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico.
Medical costs keep increasing, including insurance. A high-deductible plan, along with a tax-favored health savings account, could be the Rx, especially with the 2027 inflation adjustments.
Taxes and You
We all know Benjamin Franklin’s observation that death and taxes are the only two certainties. But what Ben didn’t note was just how much taxes affect us while we’re enjoying our lives. Taxes are a consideration from the day your parents gaze down lovingly at you in your crib, and continue until they converge in Franklin’s famous quote.
Don’t Mess With Taxes, the award-winning blog from tax journalist and author Kay Bell, will help you deal with the many taxes you’ll encounter during that long and happy process, hopefully making taxes less, well, taxing throughout your lifetime.
About Don't Mess With Taxes
Don’t Mess With Taxes is a tax blog written by journalist and author Kay Bell. Although Kay is not a tax professional – she doesn’t prepare taxes for clients for a living – her experience in Washington, D.C., first as a staff member of the tax-writing U.S. House Ways and Means committee and then in the government relations offices for two major Fortune 100 companies, has provided her valuable insight into the tax process. Based on her experiences and continuing tax education, Kay shares her tax observations, tips, and commentary in Don’t Mess With Taxes.
Simplify Your Taxes, Maximize Your Savings
Your Comprehensive Tax Blog
Taxes have been a part of your life since your parents welcomed you into this world. From that beginning as a spanking new tax break for mom and dad, taxes have had an important role in all your major life events, from getting a job, saying “I do,” buying and selling homes, having kids of your own, and even retiring.
Yes, the involvement of the Internal Revenue Service is not welcome when Uncle Sam is collecting your money. But in many ways, the tax code can be your best friend. You just need to know how it applies to your personal circumstances so you can take advantage of it. This comprehensive tax blog, Don’t Mess With Taxes, is here to help you do just that!
Fall classes are about to start. Sales tax holidays can help you save on supplies. Here are the remaining events in a dozen states this August.
August brings us the sunsetting of summer. But amid the season’s waning days, taking care of some tax tasks can be beneficial. Here are five tax moves to consider this August.
With fall semesters looming, August is prime back-to-school sales tax holiday season. Three states wrap up July and welcome August with tax-free events. Another continues its holiday into the coming month. And 12 have new tax-free events throughout August.
Sometimes it takes a whistleblower to bring tax evasion to light. These informants, tax and otherwise, will be celebrated on National Whistleblower Day, July 30. If you know of tax evasion, you can join the whistleblower ranks and possibly be rewarded.
Blog Posts
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.
October 17, 2026
Just 2½ months left in 2026. Time to start making tax plans and moves to…
TO WRAP UP 2026
It’s over! With October’s extended filing deadline behind us, it is now time to focus on year-end moves to reduce your 2026 tax bill.
You’ll find ways to do just that on the Tax Tips page (see the More Tax Posts drop-down menu at the top of the blog), as well as the separate tax tip pages for each month, notably October through December. If you’re on the Tax Tips page, you’ll find a monthly list at the end of this column. If you’re on another blog page, you can head straight to the October tips; at the bottom of that tips page you’ll find links to all the other 11 months’ collections of tax advice.
Not to spoil what you’ll find in that tax advice, but it does cover such things as tax deductions for charitable donations, investment moves that could reduce tax due, and ways to max out your tax-favored retirement savings.
Finally, as the year winds down, things get hectic. There are lots of other things to occupy our time, like the much more fun upcoming holidays. But don’t lose sight of taxes, since timing is key. To be of use, most tax moves must be made by the end of the tax year. That’s Thursday, Dec. 31, which also is the last business day of the year.
So that you don’t miss that final tax year deadline, also keep an eye on the countdown clock below. It will keep you on top of just how much time is left to make important, tax-saving moves. (Note: I’m in the Central Time Zone, so adjust accordingly for where you live.)