Taxes

Professional Tax Preparer vs Tax Software vs Alternatives: Which Is Right for You? (August 2026) By Marcus Hale — 14 years self-educating in personal finance, former bank loan officer, Denver Colorado Last Updated: August 2026 The Short Answer If your tax situation is straightforward — W-2 income, standard deduction, maybe a little interest income —…

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

Last Updated: August 2026 TurboTax Premier Review August 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 August 2026, TurboTax Premier is typically the strongest do-it-yourself tax software option for filers with investment income, rental properties, or the…

Last Updated: August 2026 What Is An HSA Tax Advantage: Complete August 2026 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 accounts the IRS allows you to use three separate tax breaks on…

Turbotax vs H&R Block 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 TurboTax generally works best for people who want polished step-by-step guidance and don’t mind paying a premium for it….

Taxslayer vs Taxact 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 solid tax software at a lower price point and you’re comfortable doing most of the work yourself,…

Freetaxusa 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 As of August 2026, FreeTaxUSA is generally one of the strongest value options in the tax software market — particularly for filers with more…

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…