Author: Jamal Amimi

This post is Chapter 9 of 14 of the book Keep More of What You Earn — a plain-English guide to US taxes. The envelope is unmistakable: government seal, “Department of the Treasury — Internal Revenue Service,” your full name in the window. Karen’s hands shake opening it. Inside: “CP2000 — Notice of Underreported Income.”…

This post is Chapter 8 of 14 of the book Keep More of What You Earn — a plain-English guide to US taxes. On April 14th, Robert finally finishes his return. He owes $2,300. “I’ll file the extension,” he tells his wife, “so I have until October to pay.” She stares at him. “That’s… not…

This post is Chapter 7 of 14 of the book Keep More of What You Earn — a plain-English guide to US taxes. Three people, three Aprils. Elena, a barista with one W-2 and the standard deduction, pays $129 for deluxe tax software she didn’t need. Marcus, a freelance photographer with $92,000 in 1099 income…

This post is Chapter 6 of 14 of the book Keep More of What You Earn — a plain-English guide to US taxes. Every filing season, someone asks me some version of: “I’m a homeowner, so I should itemize, right?” Or the reverse: “I rent, so I just take the standard deduction?” Both questions reveal…

This post is Chapter 5 of 14 of the book Keep More of What You Earn — a plain-English guide to US taxes. It’s April 13th. Daniel has his laptop open, tax software loaded, and a growing sense of dread. He has his W-2. He thinks that’s everything. Then the software asks about the freelance…

This post is Chapter 4 of 14 of the book Keep More of What You Earn — a plain-English guide to US taxes. Two sisters, Nicole and Teresa, each earn $55,000. Nicole is single. Teresa is unmarried but raising her 8-year-old son, paying all the household costs herself. When they file, Nicole owes about $4,600…

This post is Chapter 3 of 14 of the book Keep More of What You Earn — a plain-English guide to US taxes. Two neighbors, Luis and Ana, each find a way to cut their tax bill by $2,000. Luis contributes $2,000 to a charity and deducts it. Ana qualifies for a $2,000 tax credit…

This post is Chapter 2 of 14 of the book Keep More of What You Earn — a plain-English guide to US taxes. Every February, a client I’ll call Rosa brings me a shoebox. In it: her W-2, a 1099 from a bank, a 1099 from a freelance gig, a letter about unemployment benefits she…

This post is Chapter 1 of 14 of the book Keep More of What You Earn — a plain-English guide to US taxes. Jamal gets a $5,000 raise in June. He’s thrilled — until his brother-in-law warns him: “Careful, man. That raise might push you into the next tax bracket. You could end up taking…

This post is the Introduction of the book Keep More of What You Earn — a plain-English guide to US taxes. Maria and Denise sit three desks apart at the same company. Same job title. Same $68,000 salary. Same health plan. In April, they compare notes over lunch, the way coworkers do, and Maria nearly…