Before you read
- Explanations follow federal rules; state rules are mentioned only as typical examples.
- Rates and limits change every year, so check the date and sources in each guide.
US Money Guides
- Read alongside the calculators
- United States rules
The basics of US pay and taxes, loans, retirement saving and housing, explained under US rules.
US payroll taxes
What a US paycheck pays in 2026: Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45%, the Additional Medicare Tax, self-employment tax, employer-paid FUTA/SUTA, workers’ comp and state disability.
US income tax and filing
Seven federal brackets and the 2026 standard deduction ($16,100 single), W-4, W-2 and 1099, standard vs. itemized deductions, the Child Tax Credit, the April 15 deadline, state returns and 1040-NR.
US mortgage repayment
How US mortgages work: fixed-rate vs. ARM, 15- vs. 30-year terms, interest rate vs. APR, points, PMI, escrow, amortization, extra payments and refinancing, credit scores and DTI, with worked examples.
US retirement (401k, IRA)
Retirement saving without statutory severance: 2026 401(k) and IRA limits ($24,500 / $7,500), catch-ups, employer match and vesting, Roth vs. traditional, 59½, RMDs and Social Security ages.
US rent vs. buy
Rent vs. buy in the US: down payment, closing costs, property tax, insurance, HOA and upkeep, price-to-rent ratio, opportunity cost, deposit caps, renters insurance and NYC’s FARE Act.
Averaging down
Does lowering your average cost really reduce losses? The effect and the illusion of averaging down, a checklist before buying more, and how to plan staged purchases, with examples.