Personal Income Taxes

Just landed your first "real job" with a W-2 form and a health plan? If so, you might be confused about what to do at tax time. Here's a beginner's guide to satisfying the tax man.

By Chris Opfer

Whether you call it an estate tax or a death tax likely depends on your point of view: Is it a tax that benefits society or penalizes the wealthy? Whatever your opinion, learn more about the evolution of this controversial tax.

By Jane McGrath

Don't spend all the money you received in a settlement just yet; you probably have to pay taxes on it.

By Debra Ronca

The history of the landmark U.S. Affordable Care Act is still being written as you read this, but the larger issue of health care reform has been riling up people for decades. Ready to hit some highlights?

By Nicholas Gerbis

Losing a spouse can provide financial, as well as emotional, challenges, but if he or she was getting Social Security benefits, that money may keep coming to you.

By Debra Ronca

Many creative people earn money over time in the form of royalties. Of course that still counts as income, so the IRS expects money over that time, too.

By Debra Ronca

The IRS doesn't get a lot of love from American taxpayers, but it's hardly the cruel thief we make it out to be. Thanks, tax exemptions!

By Dave Roos

Tax credits can reduce the amount of your income tax bill and save you serious money. Learn all about how tax credits work, along with some of the most popular available credits.

By Melissa Phipps

Heard of a little something called the Affordable Care Act? If you're a U.S. citizen, it means that you're required to have health care coverage. But like every rule, this one has exceptions - or rather exemptions.

By Ed Grabianowski

When you're doing your taxes, it's nice to see all the deductions you can take to lower your tax bill. But is it worth the work to list everything instead of taking the standard deduction?

By Dave Roos

You've always filed your taxes the old-fashioned way - through the mail - but you're giving serious thought to joining the 21st century and e-filing your tax return. Will this new way of filing prove to be the better way?

By Kate Kershner

Being an independent contractor isn't all about sleeping in and working in your pj's. When you're your own boss, you have to pay your own taxes. It can be a tricky dance, but one worth learning if, like most of us, you enjoy saving money.

By Kate Kershner

Depreciation and amortization: The words don't exactly roll off the tongue, do they? But whatever they might lack in linguistic finesse they make up for in tax savings -- often over the course of several years!

By Kate Kershner

Divorce and co-parenting probably weren't part of the plan, but as they say, your child's well-being doesn't have a price tag - though all of that food and clothing does. If you're making child support payments, it's good to know your tax rights.

By Kate Kershner

You're a teacher. You're used to going above and beyond for your students - often without reward or recognition. But a little tax relief might be nice, especially if you've been paying for classroom supplies out of your own pocket.

By Kate Kershner

Come tax time, we're all looking to write off or deduct whatever we can to save money. Many of us would write off our own mothers if we had to - and with the dependency exemption, perhaps you can.

By Kate Kershner

Maybe you sell repurposed lawn ornaments. Maybe you play in a video game theme music cover band. Whatever your hobby might be, if you make money from it, you've probably wondered whether the IRS expects a cut of your earnings.

By Kate Kershner

Moving can be an exhilarating experience, especially if your new digs come with a fancy job and a big bump in pay. Why not keep the good vibes flowing by mastering a few tax-deductible tricks before the big move-out day?

By Kate Kershner

As you get ready for the fun task of paying your taxes, questions might form a cloud over your head: "Am I getting the biggest refund I can?" "Why do we have to pay taxes anyway?" We'll make that little cloud disappear with our answers.

By Dave Roos

Is marriage a bonus or a penalty when it comes to taxes? Good question! It isn't always a boon, but here are five tax benefits to getting hitched.

By Dave Roos

Your federal tax dollars help pay for various things on the federal budget, but where does the money go and how is it spent?

By Dave Roos

It's tax time! You know what that means: Time to see what you can write off to lower your tax bill. Find that sweet spot between an audit and overpaying your taxes here.

By Dave Roos

Tax evasion is a serious crime; after all, it tripped up Al Capone. But there's a big difference between making a mistake on your return and doing something that could land you in jail.

By Dave Roos

If you don't make a whole lot of money, the Earned Income Tax Credit can help put some much-needed cash in your pocket. Now all you have to do is claim it -- that is, if you qualify.

By Dave Roos

Income inequality is a hot topic now, but have the scales always been this imbalanced? Did we -- rich and poor alike -- pay more taxes in the past? As with many things involving the tax code, the answer is a little complicated.

By Dave Roos