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Taxes

Taxes are the payments that federal, state, and local governments collect to fund public services. Individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits all deal with them. Congress and state and local lawmakers write the rules, and agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service and state revenue departments collect the money, answer questions, and enforce the law.

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October 3last updated

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Latest in Taxes

Tax Credits and Deductions

School Choice Tax Credit: Who Gets the Tax Break?

The federal school-choice tax credit rewards scholarship donors, but their gifts cannot reserve a scholarship for a particular child. A qualifying organization receives the money and…

Federal State and Local Taxes

How Property Taxes Work

Learn how property taxes are assessed, why bills vary by state and county, and how homeowners can appeal values or apply for tax relief programs.

Topics in Taxes

Enforcement and help

IRS Processes and Enforcement covers how the tax agency checks returns and collects, and Tax Assistance covers free help for people who need it.

All Articles on Taxes

How the IRS Shares Taxpayer Data with ICE Under Trump Administration Agreement

The Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have long operated in separate spheres. The IRS collects taxes. ICE enforces immigration law.…

24 Min Read

Is FEMA Assistance Taxable Income? What You Need to Know

When you're navigating the aftermath of a disaster, the last thing you need is confusion about your taxes. Financial assistance from the Federal Emergency…

22 Min Read

How Criminal Tax Enforcement Works

Recent debates about the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have raised questions about whether the agency could be weaponized to target political opponents or party…

17 Min Read

ACA Healthcare Subsidies Guide: Who Qualifies and How to Apply

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, passed in 2010, represents one of the most significant reforms of the U.S. health system. Its primary…

24 Min Read

How to Contact the IRS

The IRS offers multiple ways to get help with tax questions, from 24/7 online tools to specialized phone lines and in-person appointments. The IRS…

20 Min Read

State Tax Rules When Moving Between States

Moving to a new state changes more than your address - it changes your "tax home." This triggers complex rules that determine which state…

40 Min Read

How to Change Your Address with the IRS When Moving

Moving houses involves countless details, but one critical task often gets forgotten: updating your address with the Internal Revenue Service. Many people think filing…

20 Min Read

Are Tariffs Taxable? A Guide for U.S. Businesses and Consumers

It sounds like a riddle: Can you tax a tax? When it comes to tariffs, the answer isn't straightforward. A tariff is already a…

23 Min Read

What’s the Difference Between a Tariff and a Tax?

At first glance, the relationship between a tariff and a tax seems simple: a tariff is a type of tax. While this is technically…

35 Min Read

Understanding How Federal Tax Deductions Work

A federal tax deduction reduces the amount of your income subject to taxation. For instance, if a small business owner has a gross income…

31 Min Read