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How are taxes handled when selling an inherited house with multiple heirs?
Contributed by: BreeS, FreeTaxUSA Agent This article focuses on the tax implications of selling an inherited home with multiple heirs after the original owner has passed away. When a home is inherited by multiple individuals and then sold, reporting the sale on your tax return can seem complicated. Fortunately, it doesn’t…
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How does getting divorced affect my taxes?
Contributed by: JanaA, FreeTaxUSA Agent, Tax Pro Divorce can significantly change your tax situation. It may affect your filing status, eligibility for certain credits, treatment of alimony and child support, claiming of dependents, and the tax consequences of dividing property or retirement accounts. Understanding these…
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How do I use the Taxpayer Roadmap?
Contributed by: AndyS, FreeTaxUSA Agent, Tax Pro The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization within the IRS that provides free resources to help people understand and resolve tax issues. It can help with IRS letters, return changes, exams, and audits. One helpful TAS tool is the Taxpayer Roadmap. It…
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How does getting married affect my taxes?
Contributed by: LynR, FreeTaxUSA Agent, Tax Pro You’ve tied the knot and need to file your taxes. Now what? Getting married can affect several areas of your tax return. Understanding the filing-status choices, deductions, credits, and withholding rules can help you avoid surprises when you file. Filing status For federal…
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How do I contact the IRS?
Contributed by: BreeS, FreeTaxUSA Agent Do you need to contact the IRS? There are many reasons you may need to—from checking your tax balance to resolving a filing issue. This article explains when and how to contact them. The most common reasons to contact the IRS may be: Your refund is taking longer than expected (4-6…
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Do I need to change my W-4 after getting married?
Contributed by: KelliP, FreeTaxUSA Agent, Tax Pro Getting married can change more than your filing status. It can also affect how much tax should be withheld from your paychecks throughout the year. Because your W-4 tells your employer how much tax to withhold from your paychecks, it’s a good idea to review and update it…
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What is the alternative minimum tax (AMT) and what changed for 2026?
Contributed by: Henry, FreeTaxUSA Agent, Tax Pro If you've ever heard the term "alternative minimum tax" and felt a flicker of dread, take a breath — most filers will never owe it. The alternative minimum tax (AMT) was designed to make sure very high earners with certain kinds of income or deductions still pay at least a…
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Why did I get Form 1099-K — or why didn’t I?
Contributed by: TriciaD, FreeTaxUSA Agent, Tax Pro If you use payment apps or online marketplaces, Form 1099-K can be confusing. You might receive one when a payment platform reports payments you received for goods or services. You might not receive one if your payments didn’t meet federal reporting requirements. Either…
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What is IRS Notice CP30, and what do I do?
Contributed by: PhillipB, FreeTaxUSA Agent, Tax Pro The IRS sends a CP30 notice when they charge the underpayment of estimated tax penalty on a tax return. This usually means the IRS believes you didn’t pay enough tax throughout the year through withholding, estimated tax payments, or a combination of both. If you receive…
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How do I correctly complete my tax withholding on Form W-4?
Contributed by: KelliP, FreeTaxUSA Agent, Tax Pro When you start a new job, your employer will give you paperwork to complete or send you a link to complete it online. One of the documents is Form W-4. How you fill out this form tells your employer how much federal income tax to withhold from your paychecks throughout the…