Taxes Articles
Federal income tax, paycheck, capital gains, self-employment and payroll tax. Read 10 guides, then run your own numbers with the matching calculators.
How Federal Tax Brackets Work (and Why a Raise Never Costs You)
Understand marginal tax brackets, effective rates and the standard deduction using a clear 2026 example.
TaxesStandard vs Itemized Deductions
Learn how the standard deduction compares with itemizing and which expenses count, including SALT, mortgage interest…
TaxesCapital Gains Taxes Explained
How capital gains are taxed in the US, with 0%, 15% and 20% long-term rates, the net investment income tax and ways…
TaxesSelf-Employed Taxes
What self-employed people owe: self-employment tax, income tax, quarterly estimates and deductions like the QBI…
TaxesTax Credits vs Tax Deductions
Credits reduce your tax bill dollar for dollar, while deductions reduce taxable income. Learn the major credits and…
TaxesW-4 Withholding Guide
How to fill out Form W-4, adjust your withholding and use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator to get your paycheck right.
TaxesTax-Loss Harvesting
Learn how tax-loss harvesting works, the wash sale rule and how losses offset gains and up to $3,000 of ordinary income.
TaxesHow FICA and Payroll Taxes Work
See how Social Security and Medicare taxes are calculated, who pays them and why employer matching matters.
TaxesQuarterly Estimated Taxes
How estimated tax payments work, the safe harbor rules, due dates and tips for avoiding underpayment penalties.
TaxesYear-End Tax Planning Checklist
A practical year-end checklist covering retirement contributions, harvesting losses, charitable giving, HSAs and more.
Taxes calculators
All calculators →Federal Income Tax
2026 tax bracket calculation
TaxesPaycheck
Take-home pay after taxes and deductions
TaxesCapital Gains Tax
Short- vs long-term gains tax on investments
TaxesSelf-Employment Tax
SE tax, income tax and quarterly payments
TaxesSales Tax
Add or remove sales tax from a price
TaxesMarginal vs Effective Tax Rate
See how your tax rate rises with income
TaxesFICA & Payroll Tax
Social Security and Medicare for employees and employers
TaxesTax Refund Estimator
Estimate refund or amount owed