Kevin McCormally
Chief Content Officer, Kiplinger Washington Editors
McCormally retired in 2018 after more than 40 years at Kiplinger. He joined Kiplinger in 1977 as a reporter specializing in taxes, retirement, credit and other personal finance issues. He is the author and editor of many books, helped develop and improve popular tax-preparation software programs, and has written and appeared in several educational videos. In 2005, he was named Editorial Director of The Kiplinger Washington Editors, responsible for overseeing all of our publications and Web site. At the time, Editor in Chief Knight Kiplinger called McCormally "the watchdog of editorial quality, integrity and fairness in all that we do." In 2015, Kevin was named Chief Content Officer and Senior Vice President.
How to Handle an IRS Audit of Your Tax Return
tax returns
How to Handle an IRS Audit of Your Tax Return
Don't panic! Keys to success include being well prepared, establishing credibility right from the start, and keeping your wits about you.
January 15, 2021
20 Most-Overlooked Tax Breaks and Deductions
Tax Breaks
20 Most-Overlooked Tax Breaks and Deductions
Don't miss these frequently overlooked tax deductions, credits and exemptions. Otherwise, you're just pouring money down the drain.
January 14, 2021
Most-Overlooked Tax Breaks for the Newly Divorced
Divorce
Most-Overlooked Tax Breaks for the Newly Divorced
The pandemic is expected to boost the divorce rate in 2021. If you're breaking up, here are some tips to make your return to single life more tax-frie…
January 6, 2021
The Most-Overlooked Tax Breaks for Retirees
Tax Breaks
The Most-Overlooked Tax Breaks for Retirees
For new retirees—especially those on a fixed income—it's more important than ever to take full advantage of every tax break available.
December 30, 2020
Most-Overlooked Tax Breaks for the Newly Divorced
tax deductions
Most-Overlooked Tax Breaks for the Newly Divorced
Filing taxes after a divorce can add yet another problem to an already long list of challenges. But here are some tips to make your return to single l…
September 18, 2020
Why You Need a Roth IRA
Roth IRAs
Why You Need a Roth IRA
With this indispensable savings tool, your money grows tax-free, you can invest in almost anything and you get several cool perks.
August 19, 2020
The RMD Solution to the Hassle of Filing Estimated Taxes in Retirement
taxes
The RMD Solution to the Hassle of Filing Estimated Taxes in Retirement
If you don't need the money to live on, wait until December to take your RMD and ask the sponsor to withhold a big chunk for the IRS.
March 23, 2020
How to Handle an IRS Audit of Your Tax Return (2020)
tax returns
How to Handle an IRS Audit of Your Tax Return (2020)
Don't panic! Keys to success include being well prepared, establishing credibility right from the start, and keeping your wits about you.
March 12, 2020
Most-Overlooked Tax Breaks and Deductions for the Self-Employed
income tax
Most-Overlooked Tax Breaks and Deductions for the Self-Employed
Have you recently gone into business for yourself? Check out these seven ways to make the tax law work for you.
February 13, 2020
Where You Rank as a Taxpayer
taxes
Where You Rank as a Taxpayer
Do the rich pay their fair share of taxes? How about you? Our handy tool will help you answer these questions.
February 11, 2020
4 Back-From-the-Dead Tax Breaks for Your 2019 Return
taxes
4 Back-From-the-Dead Tax Breaks for Your 2019 Return
There's a handful of tax breaks you may have heard about that keep coming back from the dead like zombies.
February 5, 2020
20 Most-Overlooked Tax Breaks and Deductions (2020)
Tax Breaks
20 Most-Overlooked Tax Breaks and Deductions (2020)
You have to claim all the write-offs you're entitled to if you really want to cut your income tax bill to the bone.
January 6, 2020
How to Get Next Year’s Tax Refund Now
taxes
How to Get Next Year’s Tax Refund Now
It all starts with filling out a new W-4 form with your employer.
February 14, 2019
26 Ways the New Tax Law Will Affect Your Wallet
tax law
26 Ways the New Tax Law Will Affect Your Wallet
The new year starts with a new tax law affecting every taxpayer in the land.
August 8, 2018
10 Things Boomers Must Know About RMDs From IRAs
retirement
10 Things Boomers Must Know About RMDs From IRAs
Members of the Woodstock Generation are increasingly reaching the age at which “the establishment” demands they start unwinding their traditional IRAs…
July 23, 2018
Only Homo Sapiens Need Apply for New 529 College Savings Tax Break
college
Only Homo Sapiens Need Apply for New 529 College Savings Tax Break
But you don’t have to wait for Congress to act to open a tax-advantaged plan to save for an unborn child or grandchild’s college education.
April 11, 2018
3 Tax Forms That Can Accidentally Raise Your Tax Bill
taxes
3 Tax Forms That Can Accidentally Raise Your Tax Bill
Protect yourself from accidentally increasing your 2017 taxes by being misled by a member of the 1099 family.
April 9, 2018
New Pass-Through Tax Break for Retirement Income
retirement
New Pass-Through Tax Break for Retirement Income
The new tax law rewards retirees and others running side gigs and small businesses with a 20% tax deduction on qualified business income.
April 3, 2018
7 Tax Forms That Can Accidentally Increase Your Tax Bill
Taxes
7 Tax Forms That Can Accidentally Increase Your Tax Bill
March 9, 2018
New Tax Law: Tips for Filing Your 2017 Tax Return
retirement
New Tax Law: Tips for Filing Your 2017 Tax Return
All the hoopla about the tax law signed by President Trump can obscure a sneaky little secret: The rules pertaining to the 2017 tax return you're work…
March 6, 2018
3 Back-From-the-Dead Tax Breaks Your Tax Software Doesn't Even Know About
taxes
3 Back-From-the-Dead Tax Breaks Your Tax Software Doesn't Even Know About
You have to hand it to the U.S.
February 15, 2018
Under the New Tax Law, Is My Alimony Tax-Free?
alimony
Under the New Tax Law, Is My Alimony Tax-Free?
The new policy goes into effect in 2019. Older divorces can be modified to follow the new rules—if both parties agree.
February 9, 2018
How Can I Deduct Home-Equity Interest Under the New Tax Law?
taxes
How Can I Deduct Home-Equity Interest Under the New Tax Law?
Still want to tap your home equity and deduct the interest? Options remain.
February 9, 2018
Capital Gains and the Kiddie Tax Under the New Tax Law
capital gains tax
Capital Gains and the Kiddie Tax Under the New Tax Law
Those paying the kiddie tax are in for higher rates that kick in at lower levels — but capital gains are still favored.
February 9, 2018
What the New Tax Law Means for Students
taxes
What the New Tax Law Means for Students
The rush is on to try to figure out what’s in all the nooks and crannies of the most sweeping tax overhaul in three decades.
February 8, 2018
How the New Tax Law Affects Retirees and Retirement Planning
tax law
How the New Tax Law Affects Retirees and Retirement Planning
Tax lawyers, accountants and financial planners are burning the midnight oil trying to figure out all the ins and outs of the new tax law.
January 12, 2018
Big Change Afoot for the "Kiddie Tax" Under the New Tax Law
taxes
Big Change Afoot for the "Kiddie Tax" Under the New Tax Law
Though the exemption remains the same, the rates are quite different.
January 12, 2018