Articles
Analysis, explainers, and news on federal and state tax topics. For live rate data, see our Tax Tables and Tax Notes & News.
Federal
The IRS Is Phasing Out Paper Refund Checks: What You Need to Know
The IRS is pushing all tax refunds toward direct deposit and phasing out paper checks. Here's the timeline, who's affected, and how to set up direct deposit.
No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime: How the New Deductions Actually Work
The new tip and overtime deductions sound simple, but the eligibility rules, income limits, and sunset dates create important nuances most coverage misses.
The New SALT Cap: $40,400 and What It Means State by State
The SALT deduction cap quadrupled from $10,000 to $40,400. Here's how it works, who benefits most, and why high-tax states are celebrating — cautiously.
2026 Federal Tax Brackets: Why the TCJA Didn't Sunset After All
The widely-feared reversion to pre-TCJA rates never happened. Here's what the 2026 federal brackets actually look like and how they compare to what would have been.
The One Big Beautiful Bill: What Actually Changed for 2026
A plain-language breakdown of the six new federal tax deductions — tips, overtime, car loan interest, senior bonus, expanded SALT, and Trump Accounts — including who qualifies and phase-outs most people miss.
State & Local
Capital Gains Tax: A State-by-State Patchwork
Some states tax capital gains as ordinary income, some offer preferential rates, Washington has its standalone 7% tax, and several exempt them entirely. A comparison guide.
The Nine No-Income-Tax States: 2026 Scoreboard
An updated comparison of the nine states with no income tax — what each trades for zero income tax and how total tax burden actually compares at different income levels.
Washington's New Luxury Taxes: Cars, Boats, and Planes Over $100K
Starting 2026, Washington imposes an 8% surcharge on vehicles over $100K, plus new taxes on recreational watercraft and aircraft. How WA is building a patchwork of targeted taxes.
Illinois's Quiet Tax Overhaul: Joyce to Finnigan and Beyond
Illinois shifted from Joyce to Finnigan apportionment, capped GILTI deductions, and eliminated key expense addbacks — changes that significantly affect businesses operating across state lines.
New York's Estate Tax Cliff: Why $7.35 Million Is the Most Dangerous Number
New York's estate tax exemption is $7.35M with no portability and a punitive 'cliff' that can tax your entire estate. A case study in state-federal divergence.
The Great State Tax Divide: 26 States Have Cut Rates Since 2021
Red states are racing to cut or eliminate income taxes while some blue states raise them. The resulting migration and competition is reshaping the US tax map.
Georgia's Roadmap to Zero: Can a State Actually Eliminate Its Income Tax?
Georgia is legislating a phased elimination of its personal income tax by 2032, with massive standard deduction increases starting in 2027. Here's how the math works.
Washington State's Millionaire Income Tax: The End of 'No Income Tax'?
Washington passed a first-in-the-nation income tax targeting high earners. Combined with the existing capital gains tax, WA's 'no income tax' status is increasingly asterisked.
Planning & Explainer
Bonus Depreciation at 20%: What's Left for Small Business in 2026
The TCJA's bonus depreciation continues its phase-down to just 20% in 2026, with full expiration in 2027. Here's what business owners should know about the QBI extension and Section 179.
When Does Itemizing Beat the Standard Deduction in 2026?
With a higher standard deduction but also a quadrupled SALT cap, the itemizing calculus changed dramatically. Here's the break-even analysis by state, income, and homeownership.
Schedule 1-A: The Brand New Tax Form You Need to Know About
The IRS created a new form specifically for the OBBB deductions. Here's what goes on it, how it works with your other forms, and mistakes to avoid.
The $6,000 Senior Bonus Deduction: A New Benefit for Taxpayers 65+
Taxpayers 65 and older can claim an extra $6,000 deduction starting in 2025. Here's how it stacks with existing age-based deductions and what the real-world impact looks like.
The Car Loan Interest Deduction: Which Vehicles Qualify?
Up to $10,000 in interest on US-manufactured vehicle loans is now deductible. Here's which vehicles qualify, how to claim it, and the actual tax savings at different income levels.
Trump Accounts: The New Tax-Free Savings for Kids, Explained
A new IRA-type account for children born 2025-2028 with a $1,000 government seed, $5,000/year cap, and mandatory index fund investing. Here's everything you need to know.
Estate and Gift Tax in 2026: The $15 Million Exemption Is Now Permanent
The federal estate tax exemption jumped to $15 million per person — and unlike prior law, it's permanent. Here's what changed, and why state estate taxes still matter.