Taxes may be fact of life, but have you ever been up close and personal with a Form 1040? Here's a beginner's guide to understanding how federal income tax returns work. Many, or all, of the products ...

Julia Kagan is a financial/consumer journalist and former senior editor, personal finance, of Investopedia. Ebony Howard is a certified public accountant and a QuickBooks ProAdvisor tax expert. She ...

We found that TurboTax is the most user friendly and comprehensive tax software for nearly all situations, yet its premium ...

Once you’ve clicked “file” or dropped your tax return in the mail, use this form to provide the IRS with updated information Written By Written by Contributor, Buy Side E. Napoletano is a contributor ...

A check mark. It indicates that the relevant content has been reviewed and verified by an expert This story has been reviewed by a professional to ensure you get the most accurate and useful ...

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a tax break designed to help those with low to moderate incomes. Its especially ...

Many people will be shocked when they discover the intricate rules — and lack of supporting paperwork — when filing 2025 federal income tax returns.

Most folks assume that work for tax professionals tapers off after Tax Day, but for many of us, the pace actually picks up. This is often the time when the tough questions begin. And chief among them: ...

Will Kenton is an expert on the economy and investing laws and regulations. He previously held senior editorial roles at Investopedia and Kapitall Wire and holds a MA in Economics from The New School ...

If you file your income tax return electronically and opt for direct deposit, you’ll usually get your refund within 21 days. It can take longer to get your refund if you file a paper return or ask for ...

Holding period return measures total gains or losses over the period you own an investment. To calculate, add any investment income to final value, divide by initial investment. Annualized return can ...

Ellen Chang is a freelance journalist who is based in Houston and writes articles for U.S. News & World Report. Chang previously covered investing, retirement and personal finance for TheStreet. She ...