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Celebrating tax terms on Dictionary Day

October 16, 2015

Today, Oct. 16, is National Dictionary Day.

It was created to honor Noah Webster, the publisher of the first dictionary in 1806. Oct. 16 was chosen because it was the day 257 years ago on which Webster was born.

Dictionary Day is a day to learn new words with the help of a dictionary. I’m doing my part by updating — OK, creating in large part — a tax dictionary for the ol’ blog. 

Photo by eFile989 via Flickr Creative Commons 

Many years ago, I posted a mini-glossary of tax terms. Since that day, I’ve meant to put together a larger version. I have files and folders and jotted notes, both handwritten and on my computer, with tax terms to include.

When I learned last week of Dictionary Day, I set my sights on finishing my tax glossary by today. Well, we all know that old saying about the road to terminology hell being paved with good intentions.

Since there are so, so many tax terms, I’ve divided the ol’ blog’s tax glossary into five separate sections.

I’ve got an acceptable amount of terms in the first two tax dictionary chapters. And rather than wait until all of them are finished, I’ve decided to take advantage of Dictionary Day 2015 and announce their existence now.

So check out the Tax Glossary terms A through E and F through J now. Don’t worry about bookmarking them (although you certainly can if you want). They’re always accessible via the Tax Terms link in the navigation bar at the top of the page.

UPDATE, Oct. 17: Tax Glossary section K through O is posted!

UPDATE, Oct. 24: All five Tax Glossary sections — P through T and U through Z — are completed, at least enough to post.

I’m going to continue to work today (and probably tonight and tomorrow, since the hubby has the day off and he wants me to join him at a movie matinee; we’re thinking “Bridge of Spies”) on the other parts of the ol’ blog’s tax dictionary. I’ll let you know when those other three glossary pages are done.

Thanks for your indulgence. And let me know in the comments section below what tax terms you think I need to include in the two segments that went up today, as well as in the rest of tax glossary.

Find more tax news and tips at the Don’t Mess With Taxes home page.

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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. 

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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.)

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