taxes

Health Savings Account ( HSA ) coin jar with piggy bank

healthcare

2020 Guide to Using an HSA for Savings, Tax Breaks, and More

This complete guide will help you start an HSA and use it to your financial advantage.

Laura Adams, Quick and Dirty Tips

4 minute read

Stack of 100 dollar bills with coronavirus.

COVID

Taxes and Pandemics: What No One has Told You Yet

Yes, the IRS is cutting you a break during this pandemic, but if you’re not careful, you can still lose money.

5 Things to Know About the Home Office Tax Deduction and Coronavirus

Find out who qualifies for the home office tax deduction and how to claim this valuable tax break.

Laura Adams, Quick and Dirty Tips

3 minute read

taxes

6 Ways to Scrounge Up Money to Pay Taxes

Don’t have enough money to pay your income tax? Maybe it’s time to get creative.

How to Tell the Difference Between Real Tax Debt Assistance and a Scam

These red flags may show you’re dealing with a fraudulent company that wants to take your money without providing tax relief in return.

5 Things To Do When You Can’t Pay Your Tax Bill

Be proactive about addressing financial shortfalls and tax debts.

9 Things to Know About Setting Up an IRS Tax Payment Plan

If you can’t pay federal taxes by April 15, you may qualify for a payment plan with the IRS.

7 Consequences of Your Tax Debt

Avoiding your tax obligation only leads to bigger problems.

4 Steps to Resolve Tax Debt with the IRS

Tackle what you owe before the consequences and balance grow.

6 Things to Know About Self-Employment Tax

Calculating this expense in advance can your ease tax load.

7 Steps for Freelancers to Plan Out Tax Payments

Here’s why paying taxes sooner than later actually pays off.

How to File Taxes as a Freelancer or Gig Worker

Make smart money moves to minimize your tax burden.

7 Smart Ways to Use Your Tax Refund

From covering healthcare costs to paying off debt, there are wiser ways to spend your tax refund than vacations and luxury buys.

8 Things That Can Delay Your Income Tax Refund

Don’t let these 8 factors hold up your federal tax refund.

Watch for These 6 Signs of Tax-Related Identity Theft

Here’s how to spot possible tax identity theft and prevent tax fraud in your name.

4 Situations Where the Government Can Seize Your Tax Refund

When you owe money to a government agency, your tax refund may become just one more payment.

6 Tips for Choosing a Tax Preparer

Here’s why not just any tax preparer will do and how to choose the right professional for you.

8 Major Life Events That Will Affect Your Tax Burden

When your life changes, so do your taxes.

9 Best Tax Software Solutions for You

Here’s why not just any tax preparer will do and how to choose the right professional for you.

5 Things to Help You Prepare for a Tax Audit

Being ready for this unpleasant event can alleviate some of the pain, time, and cost.

5 Deductions Small Business Owners Don’t Take Advantage Of

Lower your tax burden and free up cash to grow your business.

6 New Changes for Filing 2019 Federal Income Taxes

There was no sweeping tax reform in 2019, but you’ll still notice some important changes when you file.

Your Guide to Claiming a Legit Home Office Tax Deduction

Does your side gig, freelance work, or small business qualify you to claim the money-saving home office tax deduction? Find out how to save money this tax season.

Laura Adams, Quick and Dirty Tips

4 minute read

healthcare

7 Strategies to Reduce Your Tax Burden

No one wants to fork over their hard-earned money to Uncle Sam. Follow these tax strategies to keep more of what you made in 2019.

2020 Tax Season Update: New Year, New Tax Laws

Updates to the tax season aren’t as major as last year’s. But some may help you pocket a little extra money.

Do I Have to Pay Taxes on Freelance Work?

Freelance taxes and side gig taxes are complicated with so many forms to track and receipts to record. This guide helps you navigate tax season.

How Do I Know If I Owe the IRS?

Even a simple matter like figuring out how much you owe can be complicated when it comes to the IRS. Learn three ways to determine if (and how much) you owe the IRS, with helpful tips on what you can do once you know your real balance.

Debt.com

8 minute read

taxes

7 Answers to Frequently Asked Income Tax Questions

Money Girl answers 7 common questions about paying income tax that will help you comply with the law, minimize what you owe, understand tax deductions and credits, pay household workers or nannies properly, and avoid trouble if you can’t pay Uncle Sam on time.

Laura Adams, Quick and Dirty Tips

9 minute read

taxes

Tax Filing Tips and Warnings You Should Know About

With the 2020 tax season well underway, here are some ways to avoid tax fraud and get your returns early – among other benefits.

Joe Pye

4 minute read

1040 Tax Form with Refund Check and Cash

taxes

Where’s My Tax Refund?

It’s that time of year again! Federal income tax season officially opens on January 27, 2020. That’s the first day that taxpayers can file their taxes in hopes of getting their refund as early as possible. Millions of Americans rely on their annual tax refund to pay off debt, make key purchases and, unfortunately, just […]

Debt.com

8 minute read

taxes

IRS Fresh Start

If you are struggling with tax debt and feel like it’s an endless journey, your situation may not be as dire as you think. The IRS Fresh Start initiative was created to make it easier and more accessible for people to repay or settle their tax debt. Taxes often seem overwhelming and over-complicated, like a […]

Desiree Sprague

8 minute read

identity theft

Why You Should Care About Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week

What happens when you combine identity theft with taxes? Double the trouble and twice the pain.

Don Markland

7 minute read

Innocent Spouse relief is unique, because it’s one of the few ways you can qualify for full tax forgiveness.

taxes

IRS Innocent Spouse Relief

When it comes to back taxes, the IRS doesn’t let an unpaid debt go easily. In truth, there are very few ways to qualify for tax debt forgiveness – even partial forgiveness. That makes Innocent Spouse relief unique, because it’s one of the few ways you can qualify for full tax forgiveness. What is Innocent […]

Debt.com

3 minute read

Woman worried about tax related identity theft due to her father-in-law.

debt

Back Taxes: End Your Challenges with Unpaid Tax Debt

What are back taxes? Back taxes are any taxes that you owe that remain unpaid after the year that they are due. Basically, if you let an entire filing year go by without paying the IRS what you owe, it’s considered “back taxes.” It’s important to note that even taxes you don’t pay within a […]

Debt.com

6 minute read

taxes

When Your State Has A Sales Tax Holiday In 2016

Find out when your state has a back-to-school sales tax holiday this year!

Brandon Ballenger

3 minute read

I’m curious about what receipts to keep for taxes

debt

Tax Debt Consolidation

When you want to consolidate unpaid tax debt from multiple years into a single repayment plan, you typically use an installment agreement (IA). We explain how this differs from credit card and student loan consolidation and how it works.

Debt.com

6 minute read

bankruptcy

Does Bankruptcy Clear Tax Debt?

Both IRS and state tax debt can be discharged during bankruptcy, but the amount you end up paying depends on your financial situation and the chapter you file.

Debt.com

5 minute read

debt collections

Can Debt Collectors Garnish My Wages?

When you owe money to a debt collector, there’s a chance they can sue you and get a court order for garnishment that could affect your accounts.

Debt.com

3 minute read

debt

The Realist’s Guide to IRS Tax Debt Forgiveness

While total tax debt forgiveness is a bit of a myth, there ARE relief options you can use to reduce or eliminate your liability on unpaid tax debt.

Debt.com

10 minute read

debt

If My Spouse Owes Back Taxes Am I Liable?

If you’re married filing jointly and your spouse doesn’t pay the IRS, then you could find yourself on the hook for that tax debt unless you take these steps.

Debt.com

5 minute read

debt

The Facts on Your Federal Tax Lien

Avoid the placement of a tax lien by seeking resolution.

Debt.com

4 minute read

taxes

Your Guide to an IRS Tax Audit

It may seem scary, but this guide can calmly take you through the process of dealing with an audit.

Debt.com

10 minute read

debt

How Does the IRS Find Out about Unreported Income?

Even if you don’t file a tax return, the IRS can still find you from data they collect from third-party bank and credit info.

Debt.com

8 minute read

Avoid additional IRS penalties and interest

taxes

IRS Penalties and Interest: Reduce Your Tax Bill with Penalty Abatement

Learn how IRS penalties and interest work and how you can use penalty abatement to reduce the total tax debt you owe, so it’s easier to pay off back taxes.

Debt.com

9 minute read

debt

IRS Bank Levies: Tapping Your Accounts

Levies allow the IRS to take money directly out of your bank accounts to cover unpaid tax debt. Learn how to protect your cash flow from levies.

Debt.com

7 minute read

debt

Commons Tax Questions about Filing and IRS Back Taxes

This page provides answers to the most common tax questions we receive. All answers are provided by Debt.com’s resident tax expert, Jacob Dayan. If you still have questions, head over to our Ask the Expert section to get the answer you need. Please note: If you’re having trouble with your taxes, almost every situation is […]