DENISE STUBBS, CPA

Homeownership comes with real financial benefits at tax time, but also with a lot of confusion about what’s actually deductible. This guide covers the most important deductions available to homeowners in 2026, along with some common misconceptions that trip people up. Mortgage Interest Deduction For most homeowners, mortgage interest is the most significant deduction available. You can deduct the interest paid on loans up to $750,000 used to buy, build, or substantially impro

If you’re looking for ways to reduce your tax bill for 2026, retirement accounts are one of the most powerful tools available, and unlike most tax strategies, the window to take action is still wide open.

Every year, millions of Americans file their taxes and are surprised by the result — either a refund that’s bigger than expected or a balance due that wasn’t planned for. In most cases, the culprit is the same: withholding that doesn’t match their actual tax situation.

If you own a small business, the period between tax seasons isn’t down time — it’s opportunity. The decisions you make between May and August can meaningfully reduce your tax bill next April, sometimes by thousands of dollars.

Tax season is over, and for millions of Americans, a refund is on the way. The average federal refund in recent years has hovered around $3,000, which sounds like a windfall until you remember it was your money all along. That framing matters. A refund isn’t a bonus from the government. It’s money you overpaid throughout the year. Which means you had an interest-free loan to the IRS, and now you’re getting it back without any growth. None of that is to say you should feel bad

Most people who work for an employer don't think much about taxes throughout the year because their employer handles it. Money comes out of each paycheck, gets sent to the IRS, and by tax time, things roughly even out. Simple. But the moment you add self-employment income, freelance work, rental income, investment gains, or significant side hustle money to the picture, that system breaks down. Nobody is withholding taxes on your behalf. That responsibility becomes yours.

Every January, gym memberships spike, diet plans launch, and millions of people commit to "getting healthy" in the new year. But while we focus intensely on physical wellness, most people completely overlook financial wellness—even though money stress affects our health, relationships, and overall quality of life more than we'd like to admit.

As December arrives, business owners across the country are checking their profit and loss statements and seeing the fruits of a year's hard work. If your P&L is showing a healthy profit, congratulations! You've built a successful business. But before you celebrate too much, remember that a big profit also means a potentially big tax bill.

December isn't just about holiday shopping and vacation planning. It's one of the most important months for your finances. Miss these key deadlines, and you could lose money you've already earned, forfeit tax savings, or face costly penalties.

If you've never participated in a formal tax planning session, you might be wondering what actually happens during the appointment. Many people assume it's just like their annual tax preparation meeting, but tax planning is fundamentally different and far more valuable when done before year-end.

Five Tax Moves to Make Before the End of the Year