Table of contents

10 topics, start to finish

Read them in order for a full picture, or jump to whichever question you have right now.

1. 01What Counts as IncomeAlmost everything counts until a rule says it does not.5 min
2. 02Wages, Gig Work, and Self-EmploymentThe same $1,000 is taxed differently depending on how you earned it.6 min
3. 03Adjustments to IncomeDeductions you get even if you never itemize.5 min
4. 04Standard Deduction versus ItemizingTake the flat amount, or add up the real ones — whichever is bigger.6 min
5. 05Credits versus DeductionsA deduction shaves income; a credit pays the bill.5 min
6. 06Family and Education CreditsThe credits most households actually use.6 min
7. 07Retirement and Savings IncentivesThe tax code pays you to save for later.6 min
8. 08Withholding, Refunds, and FilingA refund is not a bonus — it is your own money coming back.5 min
9. 09Hobby Income and Hobby LossesFun pays tax; only a business gets to deduct.5 min
10. 10Roth Conversion BasicsPay tax now on purpose, so growth is never taxed again.5 min