July 19, 2026
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.
BLOG POSTS
Many young people take food service jobs during the summer. It’s a good way to learn about the working world. Regardless of your age, seasonal income also has tax implications.
June 15 is Tax Day for millions of U.S. taxpayers. Those living and working abroad must file their 1040s. And those who owe estimated tax must make this year’s second payment.
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?
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!
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.
House fans can help, but an operational air conditioner is better. Federal tax breaks used to help pay for some energy efficient residential HVAC systems. Now that Uncle Sam’s tax credits are gone, some states are stepping in to help their residents chill, literally and economically.
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.
July 26, 2026
Selling your home can net you a nice chunk of non-taxable profit as long as…
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.)