2011 | Saving to Invest

Why You May owe taxes This Year or Get A Much Smaller IRS Tax Refund

Over the last few years, thanks to plenty of pandemic related support via stimulus payments and funding for expanded tax credits, the average refund payment ballooned to over $3,100. This is despite 20 million fewer Americans getting refunds. However with no further federal funding approved, several popular stimulus, family and dependent tax…

Best Job Prospects for 2026 and Beyond: What the Latest BLS Data Shows Is Actually Growing

The national unemployment rate was 4.2% in June 2026, and the economy added just 57,000 jobs that month — well below expectations, with leisure and hospitality actually losing jobs while healthcare and professional services kept growing. It's a mixed, uneven labor market, and it makes the question of where the…

Am I Saving Enough in my 401K and IRA – Comparison by Age

10 or so years later, I thought I would revisit how Americans (and myself) are doing with their retirements savings in 401K and IRA plans. This is particularly important as Americans age and contribution limits keep rising. Based on Fidelity's 2022 report, the average 401(k) balance is $121,700. This is…

The Federal Estate Tax Exemption Is $15 Million in 2026 — And Now Permanent

The federal estate tax exemption is $15 million per person for 2026 — up from $13.99 million in 2025, according to the IRS's 2026 inflation adjustments. A married couple can shield up to $30 million combined using portability. This isn't just another annual inflation bump. The One Big Beautiful Bill…

2011 Tax Brackets – Updated IRS Federal Income Tax Tables and Income Thresholds

[Update] - See this article for 2012 and 2013 Tax Rates/Brackets The IRS has released its 2011 Tax Rates and Income thresholds following approval of the Bush-Era Tax Cuts. The latest 2011 IRS federal tax table is shown below with the following key tax changes: Personal exemptions and standard deductions…

2026–2027 Updates: Child Tax Credit (CTC) and Kiddie Tax — Thresholds, Eligibility, and OBBBA Changes

The Child Tax Credit (CTC) is $2,200 per qualifying child for the 2026 tax year, following the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) signed in 2025. That $200 increase from the prior $2,000 level is now locked in permanently and indexed for inflation going forward. For most families, not much has…

2026 Year-End Tax Planning: 15 Moves to Make Before December 31

As the year winds down, a few hours reviewing your tax situation can save you real money. Not every move here will apply to you — some are for itemizers, some are for retirees, some are specific to your income level. But there's almost always something worth acting on before…

2026-2027 Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Income Limits and Qualification Rules

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is the largest refundable federal tax credit for working families and individuals. For tax year 2026 — the income you'll report on the return you file in early 2027 — the maximum credit rises to $8,231 for families with three or more qualifying children.…

IRS Standard Mileage Rate 2026: Why It Jumped to 76 Cents Mid-Year (Plus a 2027 Outlook)

If you drive for work, the IRS standard mileage rate you can deduct just changed twice in one year. It started 2026 at 72.5 cents per mile for business use, then jumped to 76 cents per mile effective July 1 — a mid-year increase the IRS almost never makes. Here's…

Tag: 2011