Tax Tips

TurboTax offers a variety of tax tips that cover tax savings, planning, and more to help you save money on your taxes.

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I Used My Refund To Pay Off Debt. Here’s Why It Felt Good.

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My Credit Score Jumped 20 Points After I Filed. Here’s Why

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De-Stress Tax Time: The 6 Top Filing Tips Everyone Should Know

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Here’s How I’m Planning for My Refund (And Why You Shouldn’t Wait)

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I Met My Local Tax Pro in Person, Here’s Why It Was Worth It

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Why Simple Tax Filers are Leaving Money on the Table — and How to Fix It

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My 1099-K Showed My Revenue. Here’s the Checklist I’m Using to Find Every Expense

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Confession: I’ve Been Tracking My Tips on Napkins. Here’s a Better Way

Key Takeaways: In some states, candy with flour is exempt from sales tax. Prepared foods, such as a cut bagel or scooped ice cream, will cost more in some states. States with no income tax could mean higher-than-average sales or property taxes. Tax codes can get weird. Depending on where you live, everyday choices — even how you order lunch — can change your tax bill. Some rules save you money; others add unexpected costs. Carving a pumpkin in New Jersey? That’ll cost you extra. Some of these quirks still exist. Others sound too strange to be true (but were). Either way, they show just how quickly the tax system can be. 10 unexpected tax loopholes you wish you knew sooner Pennsylvania: no tax on clothing In Pennsylvania, most clothing is tax exempt — with a few oddly specific exceptions. But, PA is unique in that it has a few oddly specific exceptions. Items that are taxable include: Tuxedos and other evening wear Sporting goods, such as cleats Clothing with real or synthetic fur when the fur is worth more than three times the value of the rest of the garment So, if you were hoping to save sales tax by buying a tux or fur coat in Pennsylvania, you’re probably out of luck. Minnesota: no sales tax on baby diapers In 1981, Minnesota became the first state to eliminate sales on baby diapers. Since then, 22 other states have followed suit. This exemption is only available for baby diapers though. In Minnesota, adult diapers are still taxable. Kids get a break. Adults — not so much. New Jersey: no tax on edible pumpkins Buying a pumpkin for baking? You won’t pay state sales tax in New Jersey. However, if the pumpkin is intended for decorative use, like a jack-o-lantern or gourd display, it’s taxable. New York: a sliced bagel comes at a premium In New York City, an unsliced bagel with no toppings is tax free. Slice it, toast it, or add toppings and sales tax enters the chat. This bagel tax dates back to 1934, when it was introduced to help fund unemployment relief. It still applies today, taxing other prepared food like sandwiches. Colorado: no sales tax on candy with flour Colorado changes a ‘sin tax’ on sugary treats like candy, but this tax comes with a loophole. If the candy contains flour, it’s exempt. That means a Snickers (no flour) is taxed, while a Twix (with flour) is tax-free. Texas: belt buckle tax Shopping for a statement belt buckle to go with your cowboy boots? In Texas, you’ll pay extra. Texas is the only state with a belt buckle tax. Belt buckles are considered accessories, not necessities, and are subject to the state’s 6.25% sales tax — even during tax-free holidays. Wisconsin: scooped ice cream is taxable If you pick up ice cream at a grocery store in Wisconsin, it’s tax-free. Order a scoop or soft-serve from a shop, though, and it’s taxable because it’s classified as prepared food. Other U.S. tax oddities It “pays” to live in Alaska The Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) is an annual payment to eligible state residents. Alaska sets aside a portion of its oil and gas revenue in the PFD fund. Each year part of the fund’s earnings is paid out to residents and is not subject to state income tax — federal income, however, still wants their share. Digital download taxes States define digital downloads differently. Because you can’t physically hold, touch, or possess them, these purchases often fall into a tax gray area. Renting a movie online, for example, isn’t always taxed the same way as renting one from the store. In some states, you’ll pay sales tax on purchases like: Streaming services Digital rentals Ebooks In others, these items are tax-free. Generally, states that belong to the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement (SSUTA) tax digital items, while states outside the agreement may not. Nine states are income tax-free In 9 U.S. states, you don’t pay a state income tax. These include: Alaska Florida Nevada New Hampshire South Dakota Tennessee Texas Washington Wyoming While paying no state income tax is a major perk, these states often have higher-than-average sales, property, or excise tax rates. Learn more about loopholes with TurboTax Navigate loopholes — the surprising and the nuanced — with TurboTax. TurboTax Experts can help you understand how these quirks apply to your situation — and make sure you don’t miss a potential tax break.

Unexpected Tax Loopholes You Wish You Knew Sooner

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I Worked Overtime Every Week. Here’s What It Did to My Tax Bill

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My Boss Said Tips and OT are Tax-Free Now. I Asked An Expert

2025 Tax Return Deadlines: States With Extended Filing Dates

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Extended Tax Deadline: A College Student’s Guide to Filing by October 15

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The White Lotus Tax Lessons: Navigating Gift Taxes, Lump Sum Payouts, Hush Money, and the IRS

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March Madness Tax Tips: How Student-Athletes Can Score Big with NIL Deals and Deductions

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Can I Really File My Taxes for Free?

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Tax Filing Tips for Bloggers

Should You Contribute to a Roth IRA, Traditional IRA or 401(k)?

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Nanny and Housekeeper Tax Rules

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How Long Do You Have to Pay Taxes?

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How to Avoid Self-Employment Tax & Ways to Reduce It

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7 Wedding Expenses That Are Tax Deductible

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How to Get a Tax Break for Summer Child Care

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Tax Credits for Hybrid Cars and Electric Vehicles: Maximize Your Savings

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Tax Credits 101: What They Are & How They Work

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Are State Tax Refunds Taxable?

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Are You Ready for Some Football Tax Tips?

Can I Take the Home Office Deduction?

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Tax Tips for Second-Home Owners

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Taxes 101: The Gift Tax

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International Student Tax (File for F-1 Tax Returns)

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What Is Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) and How Is It Calculated?

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Understanding Withholding on Retirement Withdrawals

Can Unpaid Taxes Keep Me From Buying a Home?

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Divorce & Taxes 101: Filing Taxes After a Divorce

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Don’t Forget These 7 Stimulus Relief Related Last Minute Tax Tips

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I Temporarily Lived in a Different State During Coronavirus. What Does That Mean for My Taxes?

5 Tips for Becoming Financially Literate

3 Tax Tips for Millennials to Own Their Personal Finances

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Mobile Filing: The Advantages of Filing on the Go

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Should I Itemize Tax Deductions on My Taxes?

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Tax Benefits for Military Families

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Tax Tips for Same-Sex Couples

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Are Student Loans Tax Deductible?

What Is a 1099 Form Reporting Your Income for Taxes (411 x 600 px)

What Is a 1099 Form? Reporting Your Income for Taxes

Where are the Least Taxing Places to Live?

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How to Get a Copy of Your Tax Return or Transcript

Avoid the Post Office Lines This Year: e-File!

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Last-Minute Tax Tips

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X Common Mistakes on Tax Returns & How to Avoid Them

Who Can I Claim as a Dependent for This Tax Year?

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What is the Making Work Pay Credit?

5 Commonly Overlooked Tax Deductions

Can I Claim My Girlfriend As a Dependent on My Taxes?

Find Out When Your Tax Refund Will Be Sent

When Work Pays Twice – Schedule M and the Making Work Pay Credit

Tax Breaks For College Students and Their Parents

Medical Expense Deductions – What’s Tax Deductible?

Dude, Where's My Refund?

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Can I Write Off My Dog? (And Other Strange Deductions)

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Handling Your W-4 and Tax Brackets When You Get a Raise

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The Rise of E-Filing

First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Guide to Filing Your Taxes

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Guide to Education Tax Credits and Deductions

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The Tax Implications of Receiving a Holiday Bonus

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Seven Tax Tips for Newly Married Couples

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How Much Does the Government Make Off of Gambling?