Filing season, decoded

Taxes, written like
a person actually talks.

No jargon, no upsells. Just the deadlines you can't miss, the deductions worth grabbing, and a quick way to see roughly what's coming back — before you pay for TurboTax or anything else.

Countdown to the federal deadline

Tax Day lands April 15

On the front page

Most-read this week

All tax tips
Deductions

11 deductions most filers leave on the table

Student loan interest, the saver's credit, half your self-employment tax — write-offs you can claim even when you take the standard deduction.

9 min read · Updated this season Read the breakdown →
Self-Employed 6 min read

Quarterly taxes without the panic

The four payment dates, how much to set aside, and the safe-harbor rule that keeps penalties away.

Read →
Mark your calendar

Deadlines coming up

Full calendar
Jan15

Q4 estimated tax payment due

Final 2025 estimated payment for the self-employed and gig workers.

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Apr15

Tax Day — federal returns due

File your return or request an extension. Q1 estimated payment is due the same day.

FederalFiling
Jun16

Q2 estimated tax payment due

Second 2026 estimated installment for those who pay quarterly.

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Oct15

Extended returns due

Last call if you filed for an extension back in April.

FederalExtension

Passed dates are dimmed automatically and the list rolls forward each year. State dates vary — see the full calendar.

Where to start

Pick your lane

Tax Deadlines

Every federal date for the year, plus how state deadlines stack up.

View calendar →

Refund Calculator

Plug in income and withholding for a rough federal refund or balance due.

Run the numbers →

Forms Guide

W-2, 1099, 1040 and the rest — what each one means in one screen.

Decode the forms →

Software Reviews

Our honest TurboTax review, lined up against H&R Block and TaxAct on price and features.

Read the TurboTax review →

Get a nudge before the deadline

One email, about a month before each filing date. We'll remind you what's due and what to gather. That's it.

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