Articles
Articles that make tax make sense.
Evergreen articles that demystify tax brackets, withholding, capital gains, FICA, deductions, and more.
Marginal vs. Effective Tax Rate, Explained
Your marginal rate is the tax on your next dollar; your effective rate is your overall average. Confusing the …
Sign-On Bonus Taxes: Why Your First Check Looks So Small
Sign-on bonuses get hit by flat supplemental withholding plus a quirk of new-employer payroll that assumes zer…
The W-4, Explained: Dial In Your Withholding
The modern W-4 has no allowances. Learn how each section changes your paycheck, how to avoid a surprise bill, …
Withholding vs. Tax Owed: Refunds Demystified
Withholding is a prepayment; tax owed is the real bill. Understanding the gap explains refunds, balances due, …
FICA Taxes Explained: Social Security & Medicare
FICA is the 7.65% payroll tax funding Social Security and Medicare. Learn the split, the wage cap, the extra M…
Standard Deduction vs. Itemizing: Which Wins?
Most filers take the standard deduction, but itemizing can win if your deductible expenses are large. Here's h…
Estimated Taxes for Side Hustles & Gig Work
Driving, freelancing, or selling online? Your side income is taxable with no withholding. Here's a simple set-…
Capital Gains Tax: Short-Term vs. Long-Term
Profit on investments is taxed as a capital gain — but the rate hinges on one year. Learn the holding-period r…
The 9 No-Income-Tax States (and the Catch)
Nine states levy no income tax — but the money comes from somewhere. Here's the list and how higher sales, pro…
Tax Brackets Explained: A Raise Can't Make You Poorer
The myth that a raise can drop your take-home comes from misreading brackets. Learn how progressive 'slices' w…