Qualifying Surviving Spouse Eligibility The qualifying spouse filing status, previously known as the qualifying widow(er) status, is a tax-filing option available to individuals who have lost their spouse. You can use qualifying spouse for the two tax years after your spouse’s death (not including the year of death). For the year of death, you may […]
Article from December 2025
Ask Phil: 5 Helpful Tax Tips If You’re Self-Employed
Today, Optima Tax Relief’s Chief Tax Officer and Lead Tax Attorney, Phil, shares five essential tax tips every self-employed individual should know. Tip 1: Make Your Quarterly Estimated Payments As a self-employed taxpayer, you are responsible for paying your taxes quarterly. Missing these payments can result in penalties and interest, so staying on schedule is key. Tip […]
Top Strategies to Pay Off Back Taxes Faster
Owing back taxes can quickly become one of the most stressful financial problems a person faces. Penalties and interest continue to grow, IRS notices become more aggressive, and many taxpayers aren’t sure which option will actually help them resolve the debt faster rather than just postpone it. The good news is that the IRS offers multiple ways […]
What Happens If You Owe the IRS But Move Out of the Country?
If you owe the IRS and move out of the country, your tax problems do not stay behind. Many taxpayers believe that relocating abroad puts them outside the reach of the IRS, but U.S. tax law does not work that way. In fact, moving overseas can sometimes make IRS issues more complicated, not less. The United States […]
Filing Taxes as a Professional Athlete
Professional athletes face some of the most complex tax rules in the U.S. tax system. High earnings, short career spans, frequent travel, multi-state income, endorsements, and evolving tax laws create challenges that go far beyond a typical W-2 job. Understanding athlete taxes is not optional; it is essential to protecting income, avoiding penalties, and building long-term financial security. […]