GUIDES· REV. OCT 2026

Guides

Plain-English, source-linked explanations for the 2025–2028 federal tax changes covered by our calculators.

Deduction rules

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Do You Need to Itemize for the Tips and Overtime Deductions?

Understand above-the-line tips, overtime, and car-loan deductions versus SALT itemizing under the 2025–2028 tax rules.

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Which Occupations Qualify for the No-Tax-on-Tips Deduction?

Learn how the customarily-tipped occupation rule works, where the IRS list fits, and what delivery and salon workers should document.

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Tips Deduction Income Limits: The $150k/$300k Phase-Out, Charted

See how the $100-per-$1,000 tips phase-out works at $150,000 single and $300,000 joint MAGI.

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Unreported Cash Tips and the New Deduction: What You Should Know

Learn why reported cash tips matter, how the new deduction fits, and what records to gather before filing.

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Does Double Time Count for the Overtime Deduction?

See how the premium-only overtime rule treats time-and-a-half, double time, and the $12,500/$25,000 caps.

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The SALT Cap Timeline: $40,000 to $10,000, Year by Year

Track the indexed SALT caps and phase-down thresholds from 2025 through the $10,000 reversion in 2030.

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Which Cars Qualify for the Car Loan Interest Deduction?

Use the new-vehicle, US-assembly, purchase-date, personal-use, lien, and VIN checklist for qualified auto-loan interest.

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Car Loan Interest Deduction Rules: Caps, Phase-Outs and Fine Print

Understand the $10,000 annual cap, $200 phase-out steps, MAGI thresholds, and above-the-line treatment for auto interest.

Planning

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Should You Update Your W-4 Before Year End?

A practical W-4 planning guide for tipped and overtime workers using the new above-the-line deductions before year end.

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Itemize or Standard Deduction in 2026: How to Decide

Compare the 2026 standard deduction with SALT, mortgage interest, and charitable gifts using a clear decision framework.

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Which States Benefit Most from the $40,000 SALT Cap?

Compare how the temporary SALT cap affects high-tax and no-income-tax states without relying on invented state averages.

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Was on SAVE? Your Options After July 1, 2026

Understand the SAVE wind-down, compare RAP with IBR, and prepare for the next step in federal student-loan repayment after July 1, 2026.

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PSLF Under the New Rules: RAP and IBR Payments Count

Learn how qualifying RAP and IBR payments fit the 120-payment PSLF path, with a worked teacher example using the current RAP formula.

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Medical Debt on Your Credit Report? How to Get It Off

Check all three credit reports, document an inaccurate medical-debt entry, dispute it with each bureau, and request provider charity care.

Explainers

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OBBBA Explained: The 2025 Tax Law in Plain English

A plain-English guide to the OBBBA tips, overtime, SALT, and car-loan deductions, their limits, and expiration dates.

Related calculator: OBBBA Savings Hub →

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Every OBBBA Tax Change That Matters for 2025–2028

A source-linked overview of the four OBBBA deductions covered by TaxBreak Hub's calculators for 2025 through 2028.

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RAP vs IBR: Which Costs Less?

Compare RAP and IBR payment formulas, interest treatment, forgiveness timelines, and monthly examples at three income levels.

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How Medical Debt Affects Your Credit Score

Understand when medical debt can reach a credit report, why score effects vary, and how the paid, under-$500 and 12-month rules apply.