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53% of Americans Say Taxes Are Too Complicated. Here's How to File Taxes Fast (and for Free)

The Motley Fool

Image source: The Motley Fool/Upsplash Last year, I spent hours filing taxes on two platforms, TurboTax and Taxslayer. I drowned in tax forms, then the tax software helped me breathe long enough to fill them out. I filed with TurboTax anyway because taxes are too complicated. The experience was similar. government.

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Depositing $10,000 in Your Bank Account? Something Surprising Could Happen at the Bank

The Motley Fool

Image source: Getty Images If you're like most people, you use a bank account for your everyday transactions. Ideally, you'll pick a great bank account, like these top-rated checking accounts that charge few or no fees, offer perks like overdraft protection, and make it easy to access your money with large ATM networks.

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3 Little-Known Ways to Avoid Taxes on CDs

The Motley Fool

The only thing that would make this moment better is if you didn't have to pay taxes on your CD earnings. Depending on your tax rate, that could cut out a sizable portion of your earnings. But not all CD holders will pay taxes on their interest. Like bank CDs, HSA CDs can give you a fixed interest rate for guaranteed returns.

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4 Ways Retirees Pay Too Much in Taxes

The Motley Fool

And if you plan for all retirement-related expenses -- including taxes -- count yourself among the brilliant. Every day, some retirees pay too much in taxes. For example, municipal bonds are never taxed at the federal level (which can save you big bucks in retirement). Here are four ways they allow it to happen.

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5 Ways to Lower Your New York State Tax Bill

The Motley Fool

Image source: Getty Images Ah, New York, the Empire State: home to the Big Apple, cascading waterfalls, and, not so proudly, some of the highest taxes in the nation. Whether you're a city slicker dodging taxis or a country dweller enjoying the serene landscapes, one thing unites all New Yorkers: the quest to lower that pesky tax bill.

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These Were the 5 Biggest Tax Scams That Snagged Small Business Owners

The Motley Fool

Image source: The Motley Fool/Upsplash It's never too early for small business owners to start thinking about taxes. Small business tax season goes all year round -- with quarterly estimated tax payments, payroll taxes, and other tax obligations specific to your state or industry.

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It's True: These 37 States Do Tax Some Retirement Income

The Motley Fool

Here's some very good news for those approaching or in retirement: Fully 41 states don't tax Social Security benefits -- and that number has been growing in recent years. There are actually plenty of states that tax some retirement income, in one form or another. Here's a look at which states tax which kinds of retirement income.

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