Taxes

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…

Last Updated: June 2026 Best Free Tax Software 2026: A Practical Comparison Guide By Marcus Hale — 14 years self-educating in personal finance, former bank loan officer, Denver Colorado The Short Answer Most people with straightforward tax situations — W-2 income, standard deduction, no rental properties or business income — can file their federal taxes…

H&R Block Premium Review June 2026: Marcus Hale’S Honest Take By Marcus Hale — 14 years self-educating in personal finance, former bank loan officer, Denver Colorado Last Updated: June 2026 The Short Answer As of June 2026, H&R Block Premium is generally a solid mid-tier tax software option for filers with more complexity than a…

Last Updated: June 2026 How To File Taxes After Divorce: 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 Filing taxes after divorce is genuinely complicated — your filing status, dependency exemptions, alimony treatment, and asset transfers all change the…

How to Find a Good Tax Professional: Complete June 2026 Buyer’S Guide By Marcus Hale — 14 years self-educating in personal finance, former bank loan officer, Denver Colorado Last Updated: June 2026 The Short Answer The biggest mistake I see people make is waiting until late March to start looking, then grabbing whoever has availability…

Last Updated: June 2026 Cash App Taxes Review June 2026: Marcus Hale’s Honest Take By Marcus Hale — 14 years self-educating in personal finance, former bank loan officer, Denver Colorado The Short Answer As of June 2026, Cash App Taxes is genuinely free — not “free tier with an asterisk” free, but free for both…

What Is AMT (Alternative Minimum Tax): 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 Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) is a parallel tax system the IRS uses to make sure higher-income taxpayers pay at least a minimum amount of…