Do You Have to Report Cash Income to the IRS?
Learn how reporting cash income to the IRS works, from what payments are taxable and how to report them to recordkeeping and consequences of skipping it.
Who Gets the Child Tax Credit in a Divorce: Form 8332 and Custody Rules
Learn how the IRS decides who gets the child tax credit in a divorce, from custody rules to releasing the claim and handling disputes between parents.
Do You Have to Renew Your Homestead Exemption Every Year?
Learn whether you need to renew your homestead exemption every year, from events that trigger reapplication to programs with their own renewal rules.
Who Can Legally Ask for Your Tax Return and Who Can’t
Learn who can legally ask for your tax return, from government authority and court process to everyday requests by lenders, employers, and landlords.
Why Do We Have to Pay Taxes? The Law, Uses, and Penalties
Learn why we have to pay taxes under U.S. law, from the constitutional authority behind them and what they fund to the consequences of not paying.
Can My Beneficiary Be From Another Country? QDOT and FIRPTA
Learn how naming a beneficiary from another country works under U.S. law, from tax withholding and spousal trust rules to real estate and payout delays.
How to Fairly Split a Tax Refund When Married Filing Jointly
Learn how to split a tax refund when married filing jointly, from picking an allocation method to handling credits, state rules, and debt offsets.
Can Unmarried Couples File Jointly? Common Law and Filing Status
Learn how unmarried couples handle taxes and whether they can file jointly, from common law marriage rules to filing status choices and shared finances.
Does Roommate Rent Count as Income for Taxes?
Learn how to tell whether roommate rent is taxable income, from working out fair-share expenses to reporting rules, payment app forms, and recordkeeping.
Can You Make a 401(k) Withdrawal Without Spouse Signature?
Learn how a 401(k) withdrawal without spouse signature actually works, from when consent is and isn't required to beneficiary rules and rollover pitfalls.