Taxes & the IRS
The 2026 Tax Calendar: Every Date That Matters
A plain-English walk through every 2026 federal tax deadline still ahead, from quarterly estimates to the October extension date.
The Child and Dependent Care Credit, Explained
The child and dependent care credit covers up to $3,000 of care costs for one child and $6,000 for two,…
The Child Tax Credit in 2026: Amount and Phaseouts
The Child Tax Credit is $2,200 per child in 2026, with up to $1,700 refundable. Here is who qualifies and…
The Earned Income Tax Credit: Who It Is For in 2026
The EITC is worth up to $8,046 on 2025 returns filed in 2026, yet about one in five eligible workers…
The Saver’s Credit: A Tax Match for Retirement Savers
The Saver’s Credit pays back up to half of your first $2,000 in retirement contributions if your income qualifies. Most…
Fixing a Mistake With Form 1040-X
Filed your taxes and then found an error? Form 1040-X lets you amend, and you generally have three years. Here…
Single, Head of Household or Joint: Picking a Status
Your filing status sets your standard deduction and tax brackets. Here is how the IRS defines each status and the…
Where Is My Refund: What Each Status Really Means
The IRS refund tracker shows three stages. Here is what Return Received, Refund Approved, and Refund Sent actually mean, and…
IRS Direct File: The Free Tool and Where It Works
IRS Direct File let taxpayers in 25 states file free directly with the IRS, but it was shut down for…
IRS Free File in 2026: Who Qualifies to File at No Cost
IRS Free File covers 2025 returns for households with income of $89,000 or less, and it stays open for extension…