Guides & Data
Reference tables, comparisons, and explainers built on the same 2026 data that powers our calculators.
How long IRS refunds take in 2026 by filing method, why EITC/CTC refunds arrive later, and how to track yours with Where's My Refund.
A plain-English walkthrough of the W-4 form: the 5 steps, handling multiple jobs, dependents, and how to stop over- or under-withholding.
What FICA is, the 2026 rates (6.2% + 1.45%), the $184,500 Social Security wage cap, and why self-employed workers pay double.
Real numbers on why credit card minimum payments take decades to clear a balance — and how small fixed payments break the cycle.
Compare the quick 10x-income rule against the DIME method, see worked examples, and learn when term beats whole life.
How the 50/30/20 budget works, applied to actual after-tax income at $50k–$150k salaries, with dollar targets for needs, wants, and savings.
A decision framework for open enrollment: HDHP + HSA vs PPO, the FSA use-it-or-lose-it rule, and the benefits most people leave on the table.
$25/hour is $52,000 a year full-time. See monthly and biweekly breakdowns, after-tax take-home, and how $15–$40 rates compare.
Complete 2026 table of state income tax rates — flat, progressive, and no-tax states — with links to each state's paycheck calculator.
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming charge no wage income tax — here's what they charge instead.
Official 2026 IRS tax brackets for single, married, and head of household filers, plus the standard deduction and FICA limits.
Side-by-side 2026 take-home pay in California vs Texas at $60k, $100k, $150k, and $250k — see exactly what the state tax difference costs.
Ranked 2026 table: what a single filer keeps from a $100k salary in all 50 states plus DC, after federal, FICA, and state taxes.
The 2026 contribution limits for 401(k), 403(b), and IRA accounts, catch-up contributions at 50+, and strategies to max them out.