Short-term vs. long-term capital gains: How to trim your tax bill
It pays to know the difference between short-term and long-term capital gains.
6 min read
Jan 22, 2026
Anna-Louise Jackson
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16Years of experience
EXPERTISE
- Financial markets
- Taxes
- Investing
- Real estate
- Economic policy
Anna-Louise Jackson is a contributor to Bankrate, covering taxes and personal finance. Jackson's career began about 15 years ago at Bloomberg, where she covered financial markets and the economy. She's since written about personal finance topics for CNBC, The Associated Press, The Wall Street Journal, Time, Money, NerdWallet. Her reporting has also been published by Bloomberg Businessweek, Fast Company and Success. Jackson enjoys making complex topics more understandable for readers.
Anna-Louise's latest articles
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Roth IRA rules you should know during tax season — and all year long
There are a lot of reasons to love Roth IRAs, but the tax rules governing them are complex. Here’s what you should know.
7 min read Jan 22, 2026 -
Alternative minimum tax: What it is, who has to pay and the changes coming in 2026
The AMT, or alternative minimum tax, has its own set of tax rates and rules. Here’s how it works, how to calculate your bill, and the changes coming in 2026.
4 min read Aug 28, 2025 -
Standard deduction vs. itemized deduction: Pros, cons and how to decide
You may have to do some math to choose between claiming the standard deduction and itemizing, but it’s worth the effort because you’ll save money on your taxes.
4 min read Aug 22, 2025 -
Solar tax credit and other clean energy credits: Get them before they’re gone
The solar tax credit, plus other residential clean energy and energy efficient home improvement credits, are about to expire.
6 min read Jul 18, 2025 -
Marginal tax rate: What it is and how to find yours
In a progressive tax system like ours, more than one tax rate applies to your income. Your marginal rate is your top tax rate.
5 min read Jul 02, 2025 -
Gross vs. net income: What you need to know to manage your finances
Knowing the difference between gross and net income can help you better manage your financial situation.
4 min read Jun 06, 2025 -
What is FICA tax? Here’s what you need to know about payroll taxes
FICA tax, also known as payroll tax, is what almost all workers have to pay for Social Security and Medicare.
4 min read Jun 05, 2025
