Tax Guides & Articles

Learn about tax rules, deductions, and best practices with our comprehensive guides. Stay informed about the latest IRS regulations and tax laws.

Featured Guides

How to Calculate Salary After Tax

A step-by-step guide to calculating your take-home pay after federal and state taxes, Social Security, and Medicare.

Updated: July 2026

How to Maximize Tax Deductions

Strategies for reducing your taxable income and maximizing your tax deductions for 2026.

Updated: July 2026

Freelance Tax Filing Guide

Everything you need to know about filing taxes as a freelancer or independent contractor.

Updated: July 2026

Year-End Bonus Tax Optimization

Understand how year-end bonuses are taxed and strategies for minimizing your tax liability.

Updated: July 2026

Tax Rules & Regulations

Tax Calculation Rules

Understanding the basics of federal and state income tax calculation for 2026.

Updated: July 2026

Social Insurance Cost Breakdown

A detailed breakdown of Social Security and Medicare costs for employees and employers.

Updated: July 2026

Overtime Pay Calculation Rules

Understanding FLSA overtime rules and how overtime pay is calculated.

Updated: July 2026

Bonus Tax Policy

Understanding how bonuses are taxed and the IRS rules for bonus withholding.

Updated: July 2026

2025-2026 Tax Changes (OBBBA)

OBBBA Tax Changes 2025-2026

Everything you need to know about the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and how it changes taxes.

Updated: July 2026

1099-K Changes 2025-2026

What gig workers and online sellers need to know about the new reporting thresholds.

Updated: July 2026

QBI Deduction 2025-2026

The permanent 20% tax break for freelancers and small business owners.

Updated: July 2026

2026 In-Depth Payroll & Tax Guides (1,500+ words)

No Tax on Overtime 2026: OBBBA $12,500 Deduction Guide

Complete guide to Section 70202 overtime premium deduction for hourly workers, nurses, and first responders earning 1.5x pay.

Marcus Rodriguez, CPA | July 2026

No Tax on Tips 2026: OBBBA $25,000 Qualified Tips Deduction

Treasury's 70+ tipped occupations, $150K/$300K phase-out, self-employed tip income, and Form 4137 reporting.

Sarah Chen, CFP | July 2026

SALT Cap 2026: $40,400 / $80,800 Deduction Limit Complete Guide

OBBBA Section 70302 SALT cap increase, itemization test, PTET workaround analysis, prepayment strategies.

Jennifer Lee, EA | July 2026

1099-NEC & 1099-MISC Threshold 2026: $2,000 Reporting Rule

OBBBA Section 70433 raised 1099 reporting threshold from $600 to $2,000; IRIS replaces FIRE, backup withholding 24%.

Jennifer Lee, EA | July 2026

Social Security Wage Base 2026: $184,500 Cap & FICA Rates

SSA 4.8% increase to $184,500; 6.2% SS cap, 1.45% Medicare + 0.9% Additional Medicare surtax thresholds & refund of excess withheld two jobs 1040.

Sarah Chen, CFP | July 2026

QBI Deduction 2026: Section 199A Permanent, $201,750 Thresholds, New $400 Minimum

OBBBA made QBI permanent; expanded phase-in $75K/$150K range; Form 8995 vs 8995-A, SSTB architecture engineering exclusion.

Marcus Rodriguez, CPA | July 2026

Standard Deduction 2026 vs Itemized: $16,100 / $32,200 Decision Guide

7.3% largest-ever standard deduction increase combined new $40,400 SALT cap; Raj & Priya NYC MFJ worked example, bunching strategies, MFS trap.

Jennifer Lee, EA | July 2026

Gig Worker Quarterly Estimated Tax 2026: 1040-ES, Safe Harbor, 25-30% Rule

4 due dates April June Sept Jan; prior-year safe harbor 100%/110%; W-4 extra withholding hack instead 1040-ES; Form 2210 penalty; Schedule AI seasonal.

Marcus Rodriguez, CPA | July 2026

Small Business Payroll Tax Credits 2026: WOTC, R&D, Paid Leave, Indian Employment

WOTC up to $9,600 per target group 28-day Form 8850 deadline; Section 41 R&D $250K payroll FICA offset startup; 45S leave 12.5%-25%; TFRP documentation.

Sarah Chen, CFP | July 2026

W-4 Withholding Adjustment Guide 2026 After OBBBA

38% wrong W-4 Step 2 Multiple Jobs checkbox married double standard deduction error; Step 3 CTC; Step 4c extra withholding; Exempt status requirements.

Jennifer Lee, EA | July 2026

Bonus Tax Withholding 2026: 22% Flat vs Aggregate, $1M 37% Rule

IRS Pub 15 two supplemental methods; $1M cap mandatory 37% above; OBBBA permanent TCJA rates; state differences CA/NY; paycheck "40%" explained; 401(k)/HSA pre moves.

Marcus Rodriguez, CPA | July 2026

Remote Worker Multi-State Payroll Tax 2026

Convenience-of-employer 7 states rule NY/NJ/PA/DE/CT/NE/MD; Carlos FL→NY refund case; reciprocal agreements; nexus; 183-day statutory residency; double credit resident nonresident.

Sarah Chen, CFP | July 2026

Form 941 Deposit Schedule 2026: Monthly vs Semi-Weekly, $100K Next-Day

Lookback July 1 2024 - June 30 2025 $50K threshold; semi-weekly Wed/Fri rule; TFRP 100% personal liability; 941-X 3 year statute; EFTPS mandatory.

Marcus Rodriguez, CPA | July 2026

Year-End Tax Planning Salaried 2026

401(k) $24,500/$32,000 catch-up; HSA triple advantage; FSA grace period March 15; loss harvest $3K ordinary; QCD $115K; Roth conversion ladder; Backdoor Roth.

Sarah Chen, CFP | July 2026

New Employee Forms 2026: I-9, W-4, New Hire Reporting

I-9 Section 1 Day 1; Section 2 within 3 business days DHS penalty $272–$27,220; W-4 post-2020 redesign; state withholding DE-4/IT-2104/NJ-W4; E-Verify federal contractors mandatory; authorized rep remote.

Jennifer Lee, EA | July 2026