
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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Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) 2025: 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 -
Iowa Tax Guide 2025
State Tax Explore Iowa's 2025 state tax rates for income, sales, property, retirement, and more. Learn how Iowa compares nationwide.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
State Tax -
Trump’s Plan to Eliminate Taxes on Social Security Forgets Your Children
Social Security A new analysis reveals that the policy change would mainly benefit high-earning retirees or those close to retirement.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
Social Security -
IRS Tax Refunds Are $1,000 Smaller This Year: Here's Why
Tax Refunds Inflation-related changes to the tax code could result in a larger refund for some, but you’ll have to wait.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
Tax Refunds -
New Iowa Income Tax Rate for 2025: What It Means for You
State Tax A new tax law lands Iowa among the top ten states with the lowest income tax rates.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
State Tax -
House GOP Bill Aims to Abolish the IRS and Rewrite the Tax Code
Tax Policy The stability of the IRS is crumbling as the U.S. presidency changes hands.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
Tax Policy -
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 may be able to do something about it.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
State Tax -
Trump Admin. Kills Support for NYC Congestion Pricing: What It Means for You
State Policy The toll program enacted in January charges commuters $9 if they enter Manhattan’s lower district during peak hours.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
State Policy -
Mail Theft Crisis: Why Your IRS Tax Refund Is At Risk
Tax Refunds Millions of dollars in tax refunds were stolen in the mail last year. Here's what you should know.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
Tax Refunds -
Legislation Cracking Down on IRS Tax Refund Mail Theft Advances
IRS A string of bipartisan measures targeting taxpayer refunds, rights, and protections move forward on Capitol Hill.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
IRS -
Trump Wants You Out of the IRS, But You'll Have to Wait Until May
IRS Some IRS employees won’t be able to resign using the buyout offer until the end of tax season.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
IRS -
Are Tips Taxable in 2025? Understanding the IRS Rules
Taxable Income With all the recent talk about ending federal taxes on tips, some wonder whether tips are taxable income.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
Taxable Income -
The Big CPA Shortage Problem in Accounting: What it Means for Your Tax Return
Career This once resilient accounting industry is cracking, as the labor force seems in dire straits. It’s also affecting the IRS.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
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Trump’s Tariff Tiff With Colombia on Hold, But Is It a Sign of What’s to Come?
Tariffs The Trump administration threatened a 25% tariff on Colombia in a dispute that ended in less than a day.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
Tariffs -
Five States With the Largest EITC Checks
EITC Households in these states received a larger Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) last year.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
EITC -
States That Offer a Child Tax Credit
Child Tax Credit Fifteen states plus the District of Columbia currently offer a child tax credit. Here’s how much you can get this tax season.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
Child Tax Credit -
Trump's ERS Plan Sparks Debate: Unnecessary Tariff Bureaucracy?
Tax Policy Tariffs are paid by domestic importers, even though they are levied on foreign nations.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
Tax Policy -
New Hampshire Mobile Home and Condo Property Taxes Inexplicably Triple
Property Tax A city-wide revaluation is causing concern among Rochester locals who argue property taxes are too high.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
Property Tax -
Why Digitizing Your Tax Records Can Simplify Your Filing in 2025
Tax Records If you can, switching from paper to e-filing your taxes can have many benefits.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
Tax Records -
Congress Claws Back Another $20 Billion from the IRS
IRS The tax agency's IRA funding was stripped further due to a legislative error.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
IRS -
More Taxes Could Slam New Yorkers Over MTA Budget Shortfall
State Taxes Lawmakers warn that New Yorkers may need to brace for more taxes.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
State Taxes -
California Fires: How to Recover Tax Records and Other Important Documents
Disaster Recovery Having your tax records and other vital documents is important for claiming casualty loss deductions that can help with recovery.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
Disaster Recovery -
Child and Dependent Care Credit: How Much Is It?
CDCTC The non-refundable tax break can help working families afford quality care for their child or qualifying dependent.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
CDCTC -
Gov. Hochul Wants to Triple the New York Child Tax Credit
State Tax Millions of New York families could get a larger state child tax credit check over the next two years under a new proposal.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
State Tax