Gabriella Cruz-Martínez
Gabriella Cruz-Martínez is a seasoned finance journalist with 8 years of experience covering consumer debt, economic policy, and tax. Before joining Kiplinger as a tax writer, her in-depth reporting and analysis were featured in Yahoo Finance. She contributed to national dialogues on fiscal responsibility, market trends and economic reforms involving family tax credits, housing accessibility, banking regulations, student loan debt, and inflation.
Gabriella’s work has also appeared in Money Magazine, The Hyde Park Herald (Chicago’s oldest community newspaper), and the Journal Gazette & Times-Courier. As a reporter and journalist, she enjoys writing stories that engage and empower readers from different socio-economic backgrounds and age groups about their finances. Her work in local newsrooms in Chicago on K-12 education and funding for public schools was recognized with an award from The Tribune McCormick Foundation. She holds a B.A. from The University of Puerto Rico in investigative journalism and English Literature and an M.A. in Public Affairs Journalism from Columbia College Chicago.
Latest articles by Gabriella Cruz-Martínez
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Over 162,000 Dreamers Cut Off From Affordable Care Act Insurance
Health Insurance A federal court in North Dakota has blocked ACA coverage for DACA recipients in 19 states. Here's what it means.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
Health Insurance -
Can Tariffs Make Childcare More Affordable?
Tariffs President-elect Trump suggested tariffs can address the childcare crisis, but economists are doubtful.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
Tariffs -
IRS Could Lose Another $20 Billion in Funding
IRS A mistake in legislative language could soon risk the tax agency's Inflation Reduction Act funding.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
IRS -
2025 Open Enrollment: Some DACA Recipients Can Purchase Affordable Care Act Health Insurance
Open Enrollment Your eligibility to purchase health insurance from the federal marketplace may have changed. Here's what you need to know.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
Open Enrollment -
Florida Changes Homestead Exemption Property Tax Break
State Tax Property taxes have skyrocketed nearly 60% within the last five years in Florida, and its constituents are finally doing something about it.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
State Tax -
Macy’s 98th Thanksgiving Day Parade: How Much Does It Cost?
Thanksgiving You must be wondering how much confetti, floats, and larger-than-life character balloons cost each year. Here’s what we found.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
Thanksgiving -
Tariffs Could Make Your Holiday Shopping Pricier in 2025
Tax Policy Trump’s tariffs would drive prices of clothes, toys, and furniture higher, according to a new study.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
Tax Policy -
NYC Congestion Pricing: Ghost Tax or Necessary Fee?
State Taxes Drivers headed to Manhattan’s downtown district will face a new $9 toll in January.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
State Taxes -
Will Elon Musk Crack Down on IRS Tax Cheats Who Owe $50 Million?
IRS IRS employees are required to pay their taxes on time, but thousands slipped through the cracks.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
IRS -
Premium Tax Credit: Are You Eligible For This Health Insurance Tax Break?
Tax Credits The tax credit can help qualifying individuals pay for coverage from the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance marketplace.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
Tax Credits -
FSA Contribution Limits Are Higher for 2025
FSA A flexible spending account allows you to build tax-free savings for certain medical expenses.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
FSA -
IRS: Here’s How to Recover Your Tax Records After a Natural Disaster
Tax Records Your tax documents can help you get federal relief faster, the IRS says.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
Tax Records -
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) 2024: How Much Will You Get?
Tax Credits The refundable amount for workers with or without children is slightly higher this year. Here’s what you need to know.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
Tax Credits -
What's Wrong With Trump's Pledge to End Taxes on Social Security Benefits
Social Security Eliminating taxes on Social Security benefits could impact your finances. Here's what you need to know.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
Social Security -
Trump Tariff Plan: Which States Would Be Hit the Hardest?
Tariffs Donald Trump's campaign proposal would substantially increase prices in as many as 20 states.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
Tariffs -
Five Cities With the Lowest Property Tax in the U.S.
Property Tax Property taxes are ultra-low in these popular metro areas, but is housing affordable?
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
Property Tax -
IRS Expands Tax Breaks for Breast Cancer Screenings, Contraceptives
Healthcare Now you can get a tax deduction or reimbursement for certain medical expenses, like over-the-counter birth control and condoms.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
Healthcare -
Adoption Tax Credit 2024: What You Need to Know
Tax Credits The federal adoption tax credit is slightly higher for 2024. Here’s what you can claim under the tax break designed to help grow your family.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
Tax Credits -
The Mansion Tax: Do You Need to Worry About It?
Mansion Tax If you’re in the market for a high-value home, you may face an additional tax rolled into your closing costs.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
Mansion Tax -
Three Ways to Avoid the Mansion Tax
Property Tax Some homebuyers have found creative loopholes around the mansion tax, but are they legal?
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
Property Tax -
New 2025 Child Tax Credit Announced: How Much Is It?
Family Tax Credits Explore the new IRS-adjusted amounts for popular family tax credits.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
Family Tax Credits -
Child Tax Credit 2024: How Much Is It?
Tax Credits The refundable amount of this tax break is slightly higher for the 2025 tax filing season. Here’s what you need to know.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
Tax Credits -
States That Offer a Child Tax Credit in 2024
Child Tax Credit Fifteen states plus the District of Columbia currently offer a child tax credit. Here’s how much you can get.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
Child Tax Credit -
Trump Aims to Ban Taxes on Social Security. Here are the Pros and Cons.
Social Security Does the bad outweigh the good? Here's what could happen if your Social Security income goes untaxed.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
Social Security