Taxes Articles
8 articles on taxes. Browse the full blog index or jump to another topic below.
Can Your State Tax Deduct Student Loan Interest?
The federal student loan interest deduction is up to $2,500, but state treatment varies. Here is how state taxes relate to federal AGI, which states have no income tax, and how to check your own.
Is Forgiven Student Loan Debt Taxable in 2026?
The federal exclusion for forgiven student loan debt expired on December 31, 2025. Here is which forgiveness is still tax free in 2026, how the IDR tax bomb is calculated, and how to plan for the bill.
Child Tax Credit 2026: Amounts and Income Limit
The Child Tax Credit is worth up to $2,200 per qualifying child in 2026, with up to $1,700 refundable. Here is how the credit and its income phase-out actually work, with worked examples.
Quarterly Estimated Taxes 2026: Avoid the Penalty
The four 2026 estimated tax due dates, how to calculate each payment, the safe harbor rules that eliminate the penalty, and what to do when your income is uneven.
Student Loan Interest Deduction 2026 (Up to $2,500)
The student loan interest deduction lets you subtract up to $2,500 of interest paid from your taxable income. Learn who qualifies, how the phase-out works, and how to claim it on Form 1040.
Tax Brackets 2026: Marginal vs. Effective Rate
Your tax bracket is not what you think. Learn the difference between marginal and effective rate, how progressive brackets work, and how to estimate your real federal tax with 2026 figures.
Self-Employment Tax for Freelancers: What You Owe in 2026
Freelancers and 1099 workers pay a 15.3% self-employment tax on top of income tax. Learn how it is calculated, the deductible half, and four ways to lower what you owe.
W-4 Withholding: Stop the IRS Taking Too Much
A big tax refund is not a win, it is an interest-free loan to the government. Learn how W-4 withholding works, how to tune it for 2026, and keep more in every paycheck.