Filing taxes

The Most-Overlooked Tax Deductions

Cut your tax bill to the bone by claiming all the breaks you're owed, including some you may have forgotten or might have never heard of. Here are the top missed deductions.

Picking the Right Tax Preparer (Hint: It's Probably Not Uncle Ed)

The tax code is incredibly complicated, and it changes often, so hiring a skilled pro to help you file your tax return can be a good investment. But even that isn't simple: There are many kinds of tax preparers. Here's how to find the one who's right for you.

Doing Your Taxes: How to Decide Your Filing Status

If there is one thing to make sure you get right on your taxes, it’s your filing status. It can determine how much you pay in taxes, and it’s one of the things that will definitely land you in an audit if you get it wrong. Take a look at this handy flowchart.

Your Tax Refund: What to Expect

The big question on the mind of everyone who expects to get money back from the IRS is when they'll receive their tax refund. But it's not just when you file your return that control that answer: The steps you take beforehand can make a big difference.

6 Signs Your Tax Preparer Is Incompetent

If you plan to hire a tax preparer to fill out your return this year, be careful. There are far too many self-proclaimed "tax professionals" whom you shouldn't let anywhere near your 1040 Form. Here's how to tell you've picked the wrong person to do your taxes.

Your W-2 Tax Form Is Coming: 3 Key Numbers to Review

Tens of millions of workers will soon be getting W-2 tax forms. Included on that form is a lot of the key information that will determine whether you get a refund or will owe more to the IRS this year. And it also has three numbers you can use to improve your tax planning for the future.