Andy | Saving to Invest

What to Expect This Tax Season — Answers to the 7 Questions I Get Asked Most

Every year I get the same handful of questions from readers gearing up for the next filing season: when can I file, how do I file for free, how much will I get back, and why does the IRS take so long to pay it. This year's answers lean forward…

Why is My Tax Refund So Low Compared to Last Year?

If your refund feels smaller than you expected, you're not imagining it being out of step with the news — average refunds are actually up this filing season, which can make an unchanged or lower refund of your own feel especially confusing. Nationally, the average federal refund reached $3,397 as…

Who Can I Claim as a Dependent in 2026? Qualifying Child vs. Qualifying Relative Rules

There's no dollar amount tied to claiming a dependent anymore. That surprises a lot of filers who remember the old personal exemption, so it's worth saying clearly up front: the OBBBA (One Big Beautiful Bill Act), signed in 2025, made permanent what used to be a temporary suspension — personal…

Using Your Credit or Debit Card to Pay Taxes in 2026 — Costs, Convenience, and Other Factors to Consider

If you owe the IRS or your state after filing, paying by card costs you a convenience fee of roughly 1.75% to 2.89%, depending on the processor and card type. That's the number that should drive this decision, not the rewards points. Cash flow gets tight for a lot of…

When Will I Get My W-2, 1099, and 1098 for 2027 Filing? Every Deadline

Tax season stalls out fast when you're missing a document. Here's exactly when to expect each form covering your 2026 income, what it reports, and what to do if February 2027 comes and goes without it. The Full Deadline List for 2027 Filing (2026 Tax Year) Form What It Reports…

Can You Deduct the Sales Tax on a Car? Yes — And the 2026 SALT Cap Increase Changes the Math

Sales tax paid on a car purchase is a real, often-overlooked deduction — but it only applies if you itemize, and it comes with a catch that trips people up: you can deduct sales tax paid or state income tax withheld, not both. For years, this deduction mattered less than…

2026-2027 Kids and Education Tax Credits Parents Can Claim – AOTC, Lifetime Learning, and the New Scholarship Tax Credit

Raising a child in today's world is not cheap. Estimates for raising a child from birth through college in a middle-class household commonly range from $200,000 to $400,000, and those costs keep climbing as education, health care, and everyday living expenses rise. The federal government offsets some of that cost…

Missed the Tax Deadline? Here’s Why Filing Late Costs More Than Paying Late in 2026

If you're past the tax deadline and haven't filed, the single most important thing to know is this: filing late costs far more than paying late. Even if you can't pay your full tax bill, filing your return or an extension on time avoids the harshest IRS penalty. The Two…

2026-2027 SEP IRA and Solo 401(k) Contribution Limits, Rules, and Comparison

If you're self-employed and not taking full advantage of a SEP IRA or Solo 401(k), you're likely leaving a significant amount of tax-deferred savings on the table every year. I've talked to a lot of freelancers and small business owners over the years who are diligently contributing to a regular…

2026-2027 Traditional IRA vs. Roth IRA — Contribution Limits and Phase-Out Income Ranges

For 2026, the IRA contribution limit is $7,500 — the first increase from the $7,000 limit that held for 2024 and 2025. Whether you're putting money into a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA, that's your combined ceiling across all IRA accounts. The IRS announced this increase in IR-2025-111, along…

California Unemployment Insurance (EDD) Benefits in 2026 — What You Can Get and How to File

The maximum weekly unemployment benefit in California is $450, and it has been stuck at that level since 2005. If you lost a job paying $60,000 a year, that's about $1,154 per week — you'd be capped at less than 40% of what you made. It's a number worth knowing…

How to Actually Speak to a Real Person at the IRS — Phone Numbers, Chat, and Tips That Work

Getting through to a live IRS agent has always been a battle, and 2026 hasn't made it easier. Ongoing staffing cuts — accelerated by DOGE-related reductions earlier in the year — have continued to shrink the IRS workforce. At the same time, the IRS is actively pushing taxpayers toward digital…

Return Accepted But No Refund? IRS Identity Verification (5071C) Is the Likely Reason in 2026

You filed on time, got the "return accepted" confirmation, and settled in for the standard three-week wait. It's now been well past 21 days, Where's My Refund (WMR) hasn't budged, and you're wondering where your money is. In 2026, the single most common reason for this exact pattern is an…

Amending Your Tax Return in 2026 — Form 1040-X Rules, Deadlines, and the Real Refund Timeline

Found a missed credit, a wrong filing status, or a 1099 that arrived after you filed? Form 1040-X lets you fix it — and if the fix is in your favor, claim the extra refund. But amending isn't always the right move, and the processing wait is measured in months,…