September 14, 2026
A pending Tax Court ruling on interest the IRS charged on unpaid taxes during the COVID pandemic could affect “a potentially very large number of taxpayers.” Here’s a look at the case, and how the IRS generally handles interest charges.
BLOG POSTS
An Internal Revenue Service watchdog found the agency recently received billions in unidentified payments. Modernized operations will reduce unaccounted-for amounts. Taxpayers can help, too, by taking advantage of various IRS electronic options.
The Obama Presidential Center’s deliberate Juneteenth public opening date underscores the first Black president’s message to us all “to write the next chapter of our [country’s] story.” That includes within the tax system, which critics say is rife with discrimination
Tropical Storm Arthur as it moved toward the Texas cost on June 17. Its deadly landfall underscores the need to prepare for hurricanes and all natural disasters.
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.
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!
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.
Selling your home can net you a nice chunk of non-taxable profit as long as you meet the Internal Revenue Code rules.
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.
September 25, 2026
Being an employee or a contractor has implications for workers and businesses. Here’s how Uncle…
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.)