Category: Taxes & the IRS
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The $500 Credit for Dependents Who Are Not Kids
The Child Tax Credit ends at 17, but a $500 credit for other dependents covers older kids, college students, and parents you support. Who qualifies in 2026.
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Filing a Final Tax Return for Someone Who Died
A final Form 1040 still must be filed for someone who died. Who signs it, when it is due, and how Form 1310 gets a refund released to the family.
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First-Time Penalty Abatement: The Break Many Never Claim
A clean three-year record can erase IRS late-filing and late-payment penalties on request. How First Time Abate works and the automatic relief ahead.
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When Disaster Strikes, the IRS Moves Your Deadlines
After a federally declared disaster, the IRS automatically postpones filing and payment deadlines for affected areas. How the relief works and who gets it.
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Split Your Refund Into Three Accounts With One Form
IRS Form 8888 lets you send one tax refund to up to three accounts, including an IRA. How the split works, the three-deposit limit and the rules to know.
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Tax Liens vs Levies: The Warning Letters That Come First
A lien is a claim; a levy is a seizure. The IRS sends a paper trail of warnings before either one, and every letter is a chance to stop the process.
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Home Energy Tax Credits: What Still Counts This Year
The big federal home energy credits ended with 2025, but 2025 projects, a just-closed charger credit and state rebates still put real money on the table.
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IRA Contributions Have Two Deadlines Worth Knowing
The IRA calendar is more generous than most savers realize. Here is how the 15-month contribution window works, and the one deadline an extension never moves.
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A CP2000 Notice Is Not an Audit: How to Respond
The IRS CP2000 notice proposes changes when your return does not match its records. It is not a bill or an audit. How to agree, dispute, and respond in 30 days.
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Missed the April Tax Deadline? How Penalties Stack Up
Missed the April 15 deadline? The IRS charges 5% a month for late filing and 0.5% for late paying, plus interest. How the penalties combine and how to cut them.
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The HSA Deduction: Tax Savings Without Itemizing
HSA contributions are deductible even if you take the standard deduction. The 2026 limits are $4,400 for self-only coverage and $8,750 for family.
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Injured Spouse Relief: Reclaiming Your Half of a Refund
If a joint tax refund was seized for your spouse’s old debt, Form 8379 can recover your share. Who qualifies, how to file, and how long it takes.