Tax Resources

Tax Tools & Resources

Tax rates, practical tax tips, record retention guidelines, forms, due dates and the latest tax news.

Tax Rates

2024 Federal Tax Rates

Schedule X — Single
RateTaxable income
10%$0 to $11,600
12%$11,600 to $47,150
22%$47,150 to $100,525
24%$100,525 to $191,950
32%$191,950 to $243,725
35%$243,725 to $609,350
37%Over $609,350
Schedule Y-1 — Married Filing Jointly / Surviving Spouse
RateTaxable income
10%$0 to $23,200
12%$23,200 to $94,300
22%$94,300 to $201,050
24%$201,050 to $383,900
32%$383,900 to $487,450
35%$487,450 to $731,200
37%Over $731,200
Estates & Trusts
RateTaxable income
10%$0 to $3,100
24%$3,100 to $11,150
35%$11,150 to $15,200
37%Over $15,200
Standard Deductions
Filing statusAmount
Married Filing Jointly / Qualifying Widow$29,200
Head of Household$21,900
Single / Married Filing Separately$14,600
Employment Taxes
Social Security wage base$168,600 at 6.20% (max employee tax $10,453.20)
Medicare taxUnlimited wage base at 1.45%
Additional Medicare tax0.90% on compensation over $250,000 (MFJ), $125,000 (MFS), $200,000 (Single/HOH/Widow)
Capital Gains Rates
0%Up to $94,050 (MFJ), $63,000 (HOH), $47,025 (Single/MFS)
15%Up to $583,750 (MFJ), $551,350 (HOH), $518,900 (Single)
20%Over $583,750 (MFJ), $551,350 (HOH), $518,900 (Single)
25%Unrecaptured Section 1250 gain
28%Collectibles / Section 1202 small business stock
Contribution & Exemption Limits
Section 179 expense limit$1,220,000
Standard mileage rateBusiness 67¢/mile; Medical/Moving 21¢/mile; Charitable 14¢/mile
Traditional/Roth IRA$7,000 (under 50) / $8,000 (50+)
401(k) / 403(b) employee$23,000 (under 50) / $30,500 (50+)
SIMPLE IRA employee$16,000 (under 50) / $19,500 (50+)
SEP IRA25% of compensation up to $69,000
Lifetime estate tax exemption$13,610,000
Annual gift tax exclusion$18,000
Foreign earned income exclusion$126,500
Tax Tips

Tax tips for individuals, businesses and finance

Individuals

Tax Incentives for Higher Education

Understand the American Opportunity Tax Credit, Lifetime Learning Credit, student loan interest deduction and their income phaseouts.

Check Withholding to Avoid a Tax Surprise

Review your Form W-4 periodically and after life milestones using IRS Publication 505 and the withholding calculator.

Amended Returns

File Form 1040X to correct filing status, income, deductions or credits, generally within 3 years of filing or 2 years of paying the tax.

Filing an Extension

Form 4868 grants an automatic 6-month extension to file — but not an extension of time to pay.

Selling Your Home

Exclude up to $250,000 ($500,000 joint) of gain if you meet the 2-out-of-5-year ownership and use tests.

Where's My Refund?

E-filed returns typically process in about 3 weeks, paper returns in 6–8 weeks. Direct deposit is fastest.

Businesses

Organizational and Start-Up Costs

Deduct up to $5,000 of start-up and $5,000 of organizational costs (phased out above $50,000), amortizing the rest over 180 months.

Business or Hobby?

The IRS weighs nine factors under IRC Section 183 to determine whether an activity is engaged in for profit.

Deductible Home Offices

The space must be used exclusively and regularly as your principal place of business under IRC Section 280A.

Filing Deadline & Extension Options

Corporations, S corporations and partnerships may request an automatic 6-month extension with Form 7004.

Corporate Charitable Contributions

Deductions are generally limited to 10% of taxable income with a 5-year carryover; Form 8283 is required for non-cash gifts over $5,000.

Finance

Tax Saving Techniques

Consider donating appreciated securities, Health Savings Accounts, Roth IRAs, municipal bonds and capturing 401(k) employer matches.

Deducting Mortgage Interest

Interest is deductible on up to $750,000 of acquisition debt for loans after December 15, 2017 ($1,000,000 for grandfathered debt).

Capital Gains and Losses

Net losses offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income per year, with unused losses carried forward indefinitely.

Coverdell Education Savings Accounts

Contribute up to $2,000 per beneficiary per year for tax-free K-12 and post-secondary education distributions.

Individual Retirement Accounts

Traditional IRA deductibility depends on plan participation and income; catch-up contributions are available at age 50+.

Retention Guide

How long to keep your records

Business Records
1 YearCorrespondence with customers and vendors, duplicate deposit slips, purchase order copies, receiving sheets, requisitions, stockroom withdrawal forms
3 YearsTerminated employee records, employment applications, expired insurance policies, general correspondence, internal audit reports, petty cash vouchers, time cards
6 YearsAccident reports, AP/AR ledgers, bank statements and reconciliations, cancelled checks, employment tax records, expired contracts and leases, invoices, payroll records, purchase orders, sales records, travel and entertainment receipts
PermanentlyCPA audit reports, corporate charters, bylaws and minutes, deeds, depreciation schedules, annual financial statements, general ledgers, IRS revenue agent reports, legal filings, pension records, tax returns and worksheets, trademarks and patents
Personal Records
1 YearMonthly/quarterly mutual fund and IRA statements (discard once year-end statement arrives)
3 YearsCredit card statements, medical bills (for insurance disputes), utility records, expired insurance policies
6 YearsSupporting documents for tax returns, accident reports and claims, tax-related medical bills, sales receipts, wage garnishments, other tax bills
PermanentlyCPA audit reports, legal records, important correspondence, income tax returns, tax payment checks, investment trade confirmations, pension/IRA records (Forms 5498, 1099-R, 8606)
SpecialCar records until sold; pay stubs until reconciled with W-2; mortgages, deeds and leases 6 years beyond termination; warranties for product life

Due Dates

Track monthly and annual federal filing, estimated payment and deposit deadlines with the official IRS online tax calendar.

Open the Tax Calendar
Monthly News

What's New

Recent articles on tax legislation, regulatory changes and planning strategies.

Featured

Turn A Real Estate Sale Into A Tax-smart Strategy

How Section 453 installment sales can spread gain on appreciated real estate, manage depreciation recapture and the 3.8% NIIT.

Featured

Before You Shred: Know Which Tax Records To Keep

The 3-year audit window, 6-year omission rule, and records you should keep longer.

April 2026

What To Know If You Receive An IRS Notice

Understanding CP12, CP14, CP49, CP2000 and Letter 4883C.

April 2026

The IRS Criteria For Distinguishing Hobbies From Businesses

The Treasury Regulation factors and why hobby expenses are no longer deductible.

March 2026

What's New For Retirement Catch-up Contributions In 2026

SECURE 2.0 mandatory Roth catch-up rules and the new $11,250 tier for ages 60–63.

March 2026

Businesses Regain Immediate Deduction For R&E Expenses

Section 174 domestic research expensing is back, with amended return opportunities for small businesses.

February 2026

Unlock Bigger Deductions On Rental Real Estate

Real estate professional status, material participation and the $25,000 small landlord allowance.

February 2026

Estate Planning For 2026 And Beyond

The $15 million exemption and using SLATs and SPATs to lock in flexibility.

January 2026

Can You Claim A Tax Deduction For Tips Or Overtime Income?

New deductions of up to $25,000 for qualified tips and $12,500 ($25,000 MFJ) for overtime premiums.