Tax Insights
Tax data, explained clearly
Original research and plain-language explainers on sales tax, property tax, inheritance tax, and more, sourced from official state and federal data.
Inheritance Tax vs Estate Tax: What's the Real Difference?
Most people use these two terms as if they mean the same thing. They don't. Here's who actually pays each one, which states have which tax, and what it means if you live somewhere with neither.
How Property Tax Is Actually Calculated: Mill Rates, Assessments, and Appeals
Property tax rates rarely tell the whole story. Here's how assessed value, mill rates, and exemptions actually combine to produce your bill, and what you can do if you think yours is too high.
Gas Tax Changes by State in 2026: Which States Raised or Lowered Fuel Taxes?
Between January 2025 and January 2026, 27 states and D.C. changed how much gas tax drivers pay at the pump. We checked the numbers behind the headlines, including two states nobody was talking about.
How Is Capital Gains Tax Calculated? Cost Basis, Holding Periods, and Real Examples
Your tax bill on an investment sale isn't always just sale price minus purchase price. Here's how cost basis, holding periods, and a few other pieces actually combine to set your capital gains tax.
Where New York Property Taxes Rose Fastest (and Slowest), 2013–2025
A review of New York State tax data found that one town's tax rate more than doubled between 2013 and 2025, while others barely moved. We checked nearly 1,000 municipalities and filtered out misleading swings caused by unusually low starting rates.