
Rocky Mengle
As Senior Tax Editor for Kiplinger from October 2018 to January 2023, Rocky spent most of his time writing and editing federal and state tax content for Kiplinger.com. He also contributed to Kiplinger's Retirement Report and The Kiplinger Tax Letter.
Rocky has more than 20 years of experience covering tax developments. Before coming to Kiplinger, he was a Senior Writer/Analyst for Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting, where he concentrated on state and local taxes. In that role, he managed a portfolio of print and digital state income tax research products, led the development of various new print and online products, authored white papers and other special publications, coordinated with authors of a state tax treatise, and acted as media contact for the state income tax group (where he was quoted as an expert by USA Today, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, Reuters, Accounting Today, and other media outlets). Before that, Rocky was an Executive Editor at Kleinrock Publishing, which provided tax research products to tax professionals. At Kleinrock, he directed the development, maintenance, and enhancement of all state tax and payroll law publications, including electronic research products, monthly newsletters, and handbooks.
Rocky holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law and a B.A. in History from Salisbury University in Salisbury, Md.
Latest articles by Rocky Mengle
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"Above-the-Line" Deductions for Your 2021 Tax Return
Tax Breaks If, like most people, you claim the standard deduction instead of itemized deductions on your return, there are still many other tax deductions available that could save you a lot of money.
By David Muhlbaum Published
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Will Your Stimulus Check Increase Your Tax on Social Security Benefits?
Coronavirus and Your Money The answer to this question comes down to whether your stimulus check increases your "provisional income."
By Rocky Mengle Published
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Minimum Wage Update: Republican Senators Offer $10 Minimum Wage Plan
Politics Senators Mitt Romney and Tom Cotton propose an alternative to the $15 minimum wage plan pushed by Democrats.
By Rocky Mengle Published
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Tax Deadlines Extended for Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana Winter Storm Victims
Tax Breaks Following FEMA's disaster declarations for winter storms in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana, victims of the storms in those states get more time to file and pay taxes.
By Rocky Mengle Published
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Will Biden's $15 Minimum Wage Proposal Survive?
Politics Even President Biden doesn't think his proposed minimum wage increase will reach the finish line.
By Rocky Mengle Published
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Teachers Can Deduct COVID-Prevention Supplies on Their Tax Return
Tax Breaks Eligible educators can write off expenses for COVID-19 protective items that help stop the spread of the virus in the classroom.
By Rocky Mengle Published
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Biden Calls for $1,400 Third Stimulus Checks as Part of $1.9 Trillion Relief Package
Coronavirus and Your Money Under President Biden's plan for a third stimulus check, families with older dependents would benefit, but payments could be "targeted" to the most in need.
By Rocky Mengle Published
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Republican Senators Propose "Targeted" $1,000 Stimulus Check Plan
Coronavirus and Your Money Ten moderate Republican senators are asking President Biden to consider a more targeted stimulus package that includes a $1,000 stimulus check component.
By Rocky Mengle Published
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Would You Get a "Targeted" Stimulus Check?
Coronavirus and Your Money As the push for a third stimulus check continues, there's a renewed effort to target them to people most in need. Who would not get a third stimulus check if the payments are targeted?
By Rocky Mengle Published
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The IRS Can Take Your Recovery Rebate Credit for Child Support or Other Debts Owed
Coronavirus and Your Money Most restrictions put in place to protect your stimulus check from garnishment don't apply to Recovery Rebate tax credits.
By Rocky Mengle Published
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Will Identity Theft Victims Have to Pay Tax on Unemployment Benefits They Didn't Receive?
taxes Scammers were busy last year filing bogus unemployment benefit claims using stolen personal information. Here's what the IRS has to say about taxes for ID theft victims.
By Rocky Mengle Published
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Kiplinger’s Best Values in Tax Software, 2021
Tax Breaks We ranked the most popular tax-prep packages to help you find the ones that provide the best experience at the lowest cost.
By Rocky Mengle Published
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What to Do If Your Third Stimulus Check is Lost, Stolen or Destroyed
Coronavirus and Your Money If your third stimulus check is lost in the mail, or something else happens to it before you get it, you can ask the IRS to trace your payment. Here's how it works.
By Rocky Mengle Published
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Biden Extends Student Loan Relief, Is Loan Forgiveness Next?
Coronavirus and Your Money On his first day as president, Joe Biden continued the suspension of student loan payments until October.
By Rocky Mengle Published
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When Could We Get a Third Stimulus Check?
Coronavirus and Your Money President Biden and others in Congress are pushing for a third-round of stimulus checks, but it might be a while before we get them.
By Rocky Mengle Published
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The Biden Tax Plan: How the Build Back Better Act Could Affect Your Tax Bill
Politics Depending on your income, the Build Back Better Act recently passed by the House could boost or cut your future tax bills.
By Rocky Mengle Published
Politics -
Biden Proposes $15 Minimum Wage
Politics As part of his $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package, President Biden proposed an increase in the federal minimum wage.
By Rocky Mengle Published
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Where Can I Cash My Stimulus Check?
Coronavirus and Your Money If you don't have a bank account, here are a few check-cashing options to consider if you receive a paper stimulus check in the mail.
By Rocky Mengle Published
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Second Stimulus Check Payments by Debit Card Are Coming (It's Not Junk Mail!)
Coronavirus and Your Money The IRS is sending some second stimulus check payments on prepaid debit cards. We've got answers to important questions about these "EIP Cards."
By Rocky Mengle Published
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Biden Says $2,000 Checks Will "Go Out the Door" if Democrats Win in Georgia
Coronavirus and Your Money While campaigning in Georgia on Monday, President-Elect Biden made a bold statement about a third-round of stimulus checks.
By Rocky Mengle Published
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10 Things Social Security Recipients Need to Know About Their Second Stimulus Check
social security It's a bit more difficult for Social Security recipients to learn the ins and outs of second-round stimulus checks, since there are a few special rules that only apply to them.
By Rocky Mengle Published
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Second Stimulus Check Update: Senate Kills $2,000 Payments
Coronavirus and Your Money Efforts to increase second-round stimulus checks from $600 to $2,000 died in the Senate. A new Congress will be sworn in on Sunday…perhaps they will revive the idea.
By Rocky Mengle Published
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When Will Your Second Stimulus Check Arrive? It May Already Be On Its Way
Coronavirus and Your Money A direct deposit payment could already be in your bank account. Paper checks will follow quickly.
By Rocky Mengle Published
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Second Stimulus Check Update: Trump Signs Bill Authorizing Second Round of Stimulus Checks
Coronavirus and Your Money President Trump has signed a bill authorizing a $600-per-person second stimulus check. Hints that "much more money is coming."
By Rocky Mengle Published
Coronavirus and Your Money