Gabriella Cruz-Martínez
Gabriella Cruz-Martínez is a finance journalist with 8 years of experience covering consumer debt, economic policy, and tax.
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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Kansas Tax GuideState Tax Explore Kansas's state tax rates for income, sales, property, retirement, and more. Learn how Kansas compares nationwide.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez
State Tax -
Child Tax Credit 2026: How Much Is It and What's Changed?Tax Credits Here's what you need to know about the federal child tax credit (CTC).
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez
Tax Credits -
Tax Day 2026 Deals: Food Discounts and Freebies at Subway, Krispy Kreme, TurboTax, and More on April 15Discounts You can score some sweet deals on April 15 in some select restaurants like Burger King, Shake Shack, Krispy Kreme, and more.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez
Discounts -
Tax Day 2025: Don’t Miss These Food Deals, Freebies and Special DiscountsDiscounts You can score some sweet deals on April 15 in some select restaurants like Burger King, Shake Shack, Krispy Kreme, and more.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez
Discounts -
10 Can't-Miss Tax Breaks for Homeowners and HomebuyersHomeownership These real estate tax breaks can help homeowners get some money back.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez
Homeownership -
Don’t Make These 5 Common Mistakes on Your Tax ReturnTax Filing The IRS warns taxpayers to watch out for these common errors as they prepare to file.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez
Tax Filing -
14 Education Tax Credits and Deductions to KnowEducation From the $20,000 529 plan expansion to the return of the student loan "tax bomb," the new Trump tax bill has overhauled how you pay for school. Here's where to save.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez
Education -
Iowa Tax GuideState Taxes Explore Iowa's state tax rates for income, sales, property, retirement, and more. Learn how Iowa compares nationwide.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez
State Taxes -
Adoption Tax Credit: What You Need to Know for 2025 and 2026Tax Credits Due to a new tax law and annual IRS inflation adjustments, adoption tax credit amounts are higher.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez
Tax Credits -
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) 2025 and 2026: 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
Tax Credits -
9 States Without Income Tax in 2026State Tax Your hard-earned money is safe from state income tax if you live in one of these states but watch out for other state and local taxes.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez
State Tax -
5 Trump Tax Bill Changes Homeowners Need to Know NowTax Changes Trump’s new tax legislation is reshaping how tax breaks for homeowners work.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez
Tax Changes -
States That Don't Tax Pension Income in 2026Retirement Taxes More than a dozen states don't tax pension income regardless of your age or how much money you have.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez
Retirement Taxes -
Mortgage Refinance in 2025? These Tax Breaks Can Boost Your SavingsTax Breaks Refinancing your mortgage comes with tax implications, but also opportunities to deduct certain expenses on your return.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez
Tax Breaks -
Five States With No Sales Tax in 2026: What to KnowState Tax Is your state’s ban on sales tax actually saving you money? Probably not as much as you might think.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez
State Tax -
How Charitable Donations Can Reduce Your TaxesTax Breaks Is claiming a charitable donation tax deduction the right choice for you this tax season?
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez
Tax Breaks -
IRS in Turmoil: GOP Budget Cuts and Staff Shake-Ups Threaten Taxpayer ServicesIRS Republican lawmakers advance a controversial budget bill that would gut IRS funding further, risking your 2026 tax filing season.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez
IRS -
Cruise Lines Sue to Block Hawaii’s New Climate Tourism TaxState Tax Your vacation to the Aloha State could come at a higher price tag next year. Here’s why.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez
State Tax -
Deduct Expenses for Long-Term Care on Your Tax ReturnLong-Term Care The IRS allows some limited tax breaks on medical expenses and insurance premiums related to long-term care.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez
Long-Term Care -
Ten States With the Highest Gas Tax in 2025State Tax Skip the fill-up in these states with the highest gas taxes to save money on your next road trip. Sometimes, crossing state lines is all it takes to spend less.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez
State Tax -
Is Trump's Tax Plan Speeding Up the Looming Social Security Funding Crisis?Social Security Social Security's combined retirement funds are running out of cash, and its insolvency date is expected to occur in less than a decade.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez
Social Security -
How Your 2025 Wedding Could Save You Money on TaxesTax Breaks There are some wedding expenses that are tax-deductible, and you don’t want to miss out on savings.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez
Tax Breaks -
Veterans Could Lose Food Benefits Under Trump’s Tax Law: What to KnowFood Benefits Veterans up to age 64 must work to keep food stamps under Trump’s new tax legislation.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez
Food Benefits -
Are Employee Retention Credit Refunds at Risk Under Trump's Tax Agenda?Tax Credits Trump's new legislation will bar many small-to-mid-size businesses from claiming the pandemic-era ERC.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez
Tax Credits
