A 1099 form is an IRS information return used to report income you received outside of wages, with multiple versions (like 1099-NEC and 1099-INT) for different income types. It helps the IRS match reported payments to your tax return and reduce underreporting. This article explains the purpose of 1099s, common types, and what to do […]
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A W-2 form (Wage and Tax Statement) reports your annual wages and the taxes withheld by your employer for the prior year. Employers generally must send it to employees by January 31. This article explains what information is on a W-2 and how it’s used for filing taxes. Understanding the W-2 Form The W-2 form,
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A tax penalty is an IRS-added charge—often 0.5% per month for late payment or 5% per month for late filing—imposed when you miss tax deadlines or violate reporting rules. It’s added on top of the tax you owe and may also accrue interest until paid. This article explains common IRS penalties, how they’re calculated, and
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A tax deduction is an eligible expense you subtract from your income to reduce taxable income and potentially pay less tax. For example, deducting $10,000 from $50,000 means you’re taxed on $40,000, not $50,000. This article explains how tax deductions work and why they can lower your tax bill. A tax deduction is an expense
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A tax credit reduces your taxes owed dollar-for-dollar, so a $1,000 credit cuts a $3,000 tax bill to $2,000. Unlike a deduction, it lowers the final tax you pay rather than your taxable income. This article explains how tax credits work, key differences from deductions, and common examples. A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction
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An IRS installment agreement lets you pay federal tax debt over time through monthly payments—often up to 72 months for streamlined plans. It can help you avoid more aggressive collection actions if you stay current on payments and future filings, though penalties and interest typically continue to accrue. This article explains how IRS installment agreements
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Innocent spouse relief can release you from paying additional tax, interest, and penalties on a joint return caused by your spouse’s incorrect items. It applies when you didn’t know (and had no reason to know) about the understatement and it would be unfair to hold you liable. This article explains how it works, who qualifies,
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An IRS lien is a legal claim the government places on your property when you don’t pay federal tax debt after the IRS assesses it and sends a notice and demand for payment. It attaches to real estate, personal property, and financial assets, making it harder to sell or refinance until the debt is resolved.
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An Offer in Compromise (OIC) is an IRS program that may allow you to settle federal tax debt for less than the full amount owed, based on your ability to pay. The IRS evaluates your income, expenses, assets, and overall “reasonable collection potential” to decide whether to accept the offer. This article explains how an
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Tax fraud is the willful act of lying on a tax return or hiding income to reduce taxes owed, and it can trigger civil penalties, back taxes and interest, and in serious cases criminal charges. Common examples include underreporting income, inflating deductions, and using offshore accounts to conceal assets. This article explains what counts as
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