October 16, 2026
A multi-agency law enforcement effort has swept up more than 70 alleged tax fraudsters. Federal officials say the initial National Tax Enforcement Surge exposed efforts to cheat taxpayers of $490 million.
BLOG POSTS
Cash payments to workers might be part of a payroll tax scheme. Treasury is leading a multi-agency effort to discover and stop such arrangements, which exploit the U.S. financial system and contribute to the Tax Gap.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent fielded questions at a Congressional hearing about the 3.4 million taxpayers who’ve have their tax refunds delayed. The hold-up is because they wanted paper Treasury checks instead of direct deposit.
Inflation is a double-edged sword for retirees. Cost-of-living increases will bump up Social Security payments next year. But some could face tax on those bigger benefits.
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.
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!
If you got overtime pay, you might be able to claim a tax deduction for it. The IRS has new and updated answers about this One Big Beautiful Bill’s OT tax break.
State sales tax rates hit a new national average high this summer. Consumer spending fell. Coincidence? Probably. But the convergence also underscored the pressures on U.S. consumers…and political candidates as we head into November’s elections.
School, at all levels, is back in session. In addition to classroom studies, students and their families need to do some homework on how tax breaks can help them cover educational costs.
Teachers regularly spend their own money to make sure that their students have a positive educational experience. Many of these educators qualify for the educator expenses tax deduction, which has been expanded for the 2026 tax year.
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.
November 6, 2026
You don’t need to take a hot-air balloon ride to see that that inflation also…
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.)