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New IRS Rates Are Out: Why AFRs Matter
The IRS publishes applicable federal rates (AFRs) every month. You may have even seen them on the IRS website. Most recently, the IRS posted Revenue Ruling 2026-17, which notes that, for September 2026, the annual rates are 4.18% for short-term obligations, 4.49% for mid-term obligations, and 5.12% for long-term obligations. But what exactly are AFRs—and…
Tax News & Analysis
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Getting To Know You Again
Guess what’s back? It’s Getting To Know You Tuesday (which I realize is an odd thing to announce on a Wednesday). Getting To Know You Tuesday began as a response to my curiosity. When I started practicing, folks would tell me I didn’t seem like someone who would like tax. I started thinking about who that…
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How to Pay the IRS When You Have a Tax Bill
One of the questions I get most often from taxpayers is how to pay the IRS when you have a tax bill. First, a little advice. If you cannot afford to pay, file anyway. There are two kinds of penalties that can affect taxpayers: failure-to-file and failure-to-pay. The failure-to-file penalty (when you owe taxes) is…
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The Taxgirl Newsletter Is Back—Here’s How to Subscribe
Tax news doesn’t have to be boring. Or terrifying. Or technical. The Taxgirl newsletter brings you smart, readable coverage of taxes, tax law, the IRS, money, and the occasional scam—without the jargon overload. It’s free, and it lands in your inbox every Wednesday. You can sign up here. What You’ll Get Each week, I’ll help…
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How To Create and Use an IRS Online Account
Dealing with the IRS is rarely anyone’s idea of a good time, but having an IRS Online Account can make at least some of it easier. You can use your account to check payment activity, view tax records, download transcripts, review certain notices, see balances, and access other information without having to call the IRS…
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When A Circuit Court Rules, Who Has To Follow It?
The Supreme Court’s recent refusal to hear Murrin v. Commissioner left in place a Third Circuit ruling with serious consequences for taxpayers. It also raised a broader question that often comes up when federal courts make news: how far does one circuit court’s ruling actually reach? In Murrin, a tax preparer included false or fraudulent…
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Taxgirl Goes To The Movies: Star Wars
It’s May the 4th… so, it’s a fitting day to kick off the most recent edition of Taxgirl Goes To The Movies with “Star Wars.” “Star Wars” (later “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope”) is the first film released in the Star Wars franchise. From smuggling to bartering for droids, here’s a look…
