Taxes

Last Updated: August 2026 Mortgage Interest Deduction Explained: Complete August 2026 Buyer’s Guide By Marcus Hale — 14 years self-educating in personal finance, former bank loan officer, Denver Colorado The Short Answer The mortgage interest deduction allows eligible homeowners to deduct the interest paid on their home loan from their federal taxable income — but…

Last Updated: August 2026 Best IRS Payment Plan If You Owe Taxes: August 2026 Rankings by Marcus Hale By Marcus Hale — 14 years self-educating in personal finance, former bank loan officer, Denver Colorado The Short Answer If you owe the IRS and can’t pay in full, the most accessible option for most people is…

Freetaxusa vs Cash App Taxes vs Alternatives: Which Is Right for You? (August 2026) Last Updated: August 2026 By Marcus Hale — 14 years self-educating in personal finance, former bank loan officer, Denver Colorado The Short Answer If you want genuinely free federal filing with solid coverage for common tax situations — freelance income, student…

Taxhawk Review August 2026: Marcus Hale’S Honest Take By Marcus Hale — 14 years self-educating in personal finance, former bank loan officer, Denver Colorado Last Updated: August 2026 The Short Answer TaxHawk is a budget-friendly online tax filing software that has historically appealed to cost-conscious filers with straightforward returns — W-2 income, standard deductions, and…

Last Updated: August 2026 How To File Taxes With Side Hustle Income: Complete August 2026 Buyer’s Guide By Marcus Hale — 14 years self-educating in personal finance, former bank loan officer, Denver Colorado The Short Answer If you’re earning money from a side hustle — freelancing, driving for a rideshare platform, selling on Etsy, tutoring,…

H&R Block vs Taxact vs Alternatives: Which Is Right for You? (July 2026) By Marcus Hale — 14 years self-educating in personal finance, former bank loan officer, Denver Colorado Last Updated: July 2026 Informational only. Tax laws and software features change frequently — verify current pricing, features, and availability directly with each provider. This article…

How to Handle Inherited Money on Taxes: Step-By-Step Guide (July 2026) Last Updated: July 2026 By Marcus Hale — 14 years self-educating in personal finance, former bank loan officer, Denver Colorado The Short Answer Most inherited money is not taxable income to the person receiving it — but that does not mean there are zero…

How to File Taxes If You Got Married This Year: Complete July 2026 Guide Last Updated: July 2026 By Marcus Hale — 14 years self-educating in personal finance, former bank loan officer, Denver Colorado The Short Answer If you got married in 2025, the IRS considers you married for the entire tax year — even…

Last Updated: July 2026 What Is A W2 Vs 1099: Complete July 2026 Guide By Marcus Hale — 14 years self-educating in personal finance, former bank loan officer, Denver Colorado The Short Answer A W-2 is the tax form your employer sends you when you’re a traditional employee — taxes are withheld from your paycheck…

Mortgage Interest Deduction Explained: How to Claim It Step-By-Step (July 2026) By Marcus Hale — 14 years self-educating in personal finance, former bank loan officer, Denver Colorado Last Updated: July 2026 The Short Answer The mortgage interest deduction lets eligible homeowners deduct the interest paid on a qualifying home loan from their federal taxable income…

Last Updated: July 2026 Best Free Tax Software 2026: July 2026 Rankings by Marcus Hale By Marcus Hale — 14 years self-educating in personal finance, former bank loan officer, Denver Colorado The Short Answer If you have a straightforward tax situation — W-2 income, standard deduction, maybe some student loan interest — free tax software…

Last Updated: July 2026 What Is The Standard Deduction 2026: Complete July 2026 Buyer’s Guide By Marcus Hale — 14 years self-educating in personal finance, former bank loan officer, Denver Colorado The Short Answer The standard deduction is a flat dollar amount the IRS lets you subtract from your taxable income — no receipts, no…

Jackson Hewitt Online Review July 2026: Marcus Hale’S Honest Take By Marcus Hale — 14 years self-educating in personal finance, former bank loan officer, Denver Colorado Last Updated: July 2026 The Short Answer As of July 2026, Jackson Hewitt Online is generally one of the more straightforward options for filers with simple to moderately complex…

How to Get a Bigger Tax Refund: Step-By-Step Guide (July 2026) Last Updated: July 2026 By Marcus Hale — 14 years self-educating in personal finance, former bank loan officer, Denver Colorado The Short Answer Getting a bigger tax refund typically comes down to one thing most people skip: making sure you’ve claimed every deduction and…

Last Updated: July 2026 How To Request A Tax Extension: Complete July 2026 Buyer’s Guide By Marcus Hale — 14 years self-educating in personal finance, former bank loan officer, Denver Colorado The Short Answer Requesting a federal tax extension is genuinely one of the easier things you can do in personal finance — the IRS…

Last Updated: June 2026 How To File Taxes For The First Time: Complete June 2026 Guide by Marcus Hale By Marcus Hale — 14 years self-educating in personal finance, former bank loan officer, Denver Colorado The Short Answer If you’re filing taxes for the first time, the most straightforward path for most people with simple…

Last Updated: June 2026 How To Reduce Capital Gains Tax: Complete June 2026 Guide by Marcus Hale By Marcus Hale — 14 years self-educating in personal finance, former bank loan officer, Denver Colorado The Short Answer If you sold an investment, a rental property, or even inherited assets this year, capital gains tax is probably…

Last Updated: June 2026 What Is An HSA Tax Advantage: Complete June 2026 Buyer’s Guide By Marcus Hale — 14 years self-educating in personal finance, former bank loan officer, Denver Colorado The Short Answer A Health Savings Account (HSA) is one of the few financial tools that gives you a tax break on the way…

Turbotax Self Employed vs H&R Block Self Employed vs Alternatives: Which Is Right for You? (June 2026) Last Updated: June 2026 By Marcus Hale — 14 years self-educating in personal finance, former bank loan officer, Denver Colorado The Short Answer If you’re a freelancer or sole proprietor who values hand-holding through Schedule C and wants…

Last Updated: June 2026 Earned Income Tax Credit Who Qualifies: Complete June 2026 Buyer’s Guide By Marcus Hale — 14 years self-educating in personal finance, former bank loan officer, Denver Colorado The Short Answer The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is one of the most valuable tax credits available to working low- and moderate-income Americans…