Money, Tax and Work News
The latest and what to know before you run the numbers
This news explains, with the official source in hand, what changes in your numbers: federal taxes, your paycheck, retirement limits, holidays and the clock change. Each story links the IRS or agency source and the calculator to run your own numbers.
Latest
Long Weekends 2027: Every Three-Day Weekend and How to Stretch It
Federal holidays give you 10 long weekends 2027 if you work Monday to Friday and get them all off, and two Thursday holidays that turn into four-day breaks with a single PTO day.
Read moreGift Tax Limit 2026: Give Up to $19,000 per Person Without Gift Tax
The gift tax limit 2026 is $19,000 per person: you can give that much to each friend or relative this year, in cash or presents, without it counting as a taxable gift.
Read moreBonus Tax Rate 2026: How Much Is Withheld From Your Year-End Bonus
The federal bonus tax rate for 2026 is a flat 22% that your employer can withhold, or 37% on bonuses above $1 million in the year, plus the usual 7.65% for Social Security and Medicare.
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When Does Daylight Saving Time Start? March 14, 2027: Spring Forward
When does daylight saving time start? On Sunday, March 14, 2027: at 2:00 a.m.
Read more 02Federal Holidays 2027: Dates and Observed Days
Federal holidays 2027 come to 11 days, and three of them fall on a weekend: Juneteenth and Christmas land on a Saturday and are observed on the Friday before, and Independence Day lands on a Sunday and is observed on Monday, July 5.
Read more 03Long Weekends 2027: Every Three-Day Weekend and How to Stretch It
Federal holidays give you 10 long weekends 2027 if you work Monday to Friday and get them all off, and two Thursday holidays that turn into four-day breaks with a single PTO day.
Read more 04Gift Tax Limit 2026: Give Up to $19,000 per Person Without Gift Tax
The gift tax limit 2026 is $19,000 per person: you can give that much to each friend or relative this year, in cash or presents, without it counting as a taxable gift.
Read more 05Self-Employment Tax 2026: Rates, Wage Base and How to Calculate It
Self-employment tax is the Social Security and Medicare tax you pay when you work for yourself: 15.3% on 92.35% of your net earnings.
Read more 06FICA Tax 2026: Social Security and Medicare Rates and Limits
FICA tax is the 7.65% taken from every paycheck for Social Security and Medicare: 6.2% for Social Security on wages up to $184,500 in 2026 and 1.45% for Medicare on all wages.
Read more 07Federal Holidays in November 2026: Veterans Day and Thanksgiving (and Election Day)
There are two federal holidays in November 2026: Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11, and Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, November 26.
Read more 08401(k) Contribution Deadline for 2026: Max It Out by December 31
The 401(k) contribution deadline for 2026 is December 31: your deferrals for the year have to come out of paychecks paid in 2026, up to $24,500, or $32,500 if you are 50 or older.
Read more 09Bonus Tax Rate 2026: How Much Is Withheld From Your Year-End Bonus
The federal bonus tax rate for 2026 is a flat 22% that your employer can withhold, or 37% on bonuses above $1 million in the year, plus the usual 7.65% for Social Security and Medicare.
Read more 102026 Tax Brackets and Standard Deduction
The 2026 tax brackets keep the seven federal rates, from 10% to 37%, with thresholds raised for inflation: for a single filer, 12% starts at $12,400 and 22% at $50,400.
Read more 112026 401(k) Limits and IRA Contribution Limits, With Catch-Up
The 2026 401(k) limits are $24,500 of your own deferrals, and the IRA limit is $7,500.
Read more 12How to Read Your Paycheck, Line by Line
Here is how to read your paycheck: start at gross pay and follow the money down.
Read more 13Social Security COLA 2027: the 3.6% Increase and What Changes
The Social Security COLA 2027 is 3.6%, announced by the Social Security Administration on October 14, 2026.
Read more 14Black Friday 2026: the Date and How to Check a Real Discount
Black Friday 2026 is Friday, November 27, the day after Thanksgiving, which falls on Thursday, November 26.
Read more 15No Tax on Tips and Overtime: What Changed for 2025–2028
No tax on tips and overtime is not a full tax exemption: for 2025 through 2028, P.L.
Read more 16How Much House Can I Afford? The Debt-to-Income Ratio Explained
How much house can I afford? It depends on the monthly payment your income can carry next to your other debts.
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