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Updated October 2026

Tax Season Guides and Tools for 2027

Plain-English guides to filing your 2026 US federal return: deadlines, brackets, deductions, refunds and how to choose tax software, plus free tools to compare costs.

US federal rules for the 2026 tax year (returns filed in 2027) unless noted. Last updated: October 2026.

Tools

Tax season tools

Tax Software Price TrackerEvery major provider's tiers and state fees side by side.Open the tracker →What will my tax filing cost?Estimate federal plus state cost for your situation.Use the calculator →All reviewsEvery product we review, with our score out of 10.See all reviews →

Filing your return

Understanding your taxes

Comparisons and your refund

All guides

Every guide

Tax deadlines 2027: Every key IRS date for filing your 2026 tax return in 2027.
How to file free: Every way to file a US federal tax return for free, and who qualifies.
TurboTax vs H&R Block: The two biggest names in tax software compared.
2026 tax brackets: The seven US federal income tax brackets for the 2026 tax year (returns filed in 2027), how marginal rates work, and a worked example.
New tax deductions: Four new federal deductions from the 2025 tax law apply to your 2026 return. Who qualifies, how much you can deduct and how to claim them.
Standard vs itemized deduction: How the 2026 standard deduction compares with itemizing, what you can itemize, and how the higher SALT cap changes the math.
When will I get my refund: How long US federal tax refunds take according to the IRS, why some are held until mid-February, how to track yours, and how to avoid delays.
How to file an extension: How to get an automatic six-month extension for your 2026 US federal tax return, what it does and does not cover, and the penalties to avoid.
Self-employed taxes: US federal self-employment tax, quarterly estimated payments, common deductions and the forms freelancers, gig workers and side hustlers need to file.
Tax documents checklist: Every form and record to gather before you file your 2026 taxes in 2027, from W-2s and 1099s to deduction records.
How to amend a return: When you need to amend your US federal tax return, how to file Form 1040-X, the time limits for claiming a refund, and how long the IRS takes.
What to do with your refund: A practical order of priorities for your tax refund, from paying down expensive debt to building an emergency fund that earns interest.
TurboTax vs FreeTaxUSA: TurboTax and FreeTaxUSA compared on price, forms covered, imports and help, with a clear answer on who should pay more.
Business credit: How freelancers, sole proprietors and LLC owners in the US can build business credit: EIN, D-U-N-S number, business bank account and Net 30 vendor accounts.
Free bookkeeping courses: Free online bookkeeping, accounting and personal finance courses from Alison, with real course titles, lengths, how the free model works, and what certificates cost.

Not advice: General information only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Consult a qualified tax professional. Check irs.gov for your situation. Some pages contain affiliate links marked Sponsored; see our affiliate disclosure.