That “tax write-off” might not save you what you think it will.

In this episode of MKE Tax Dad, Steve breaks down the difference between tax deductions and tax credits, explains refundable versus nonrefundable credits, and gives practical examples of how each one affects your return.

We also talk about the Child Tax Credit cliff when a dependent turns 17...including why this is Steve’s final year claiming the $2,200 credit for his 16-year-old daughter and whether charging her rent might make up the difference. Spoiler: her Starbucks gift cards are not legal tender.

Plus, in Ask Your Tax Dad:

• How long can you claim a child who is in college?
• Can AI do your tax return?
• Why did your tax professional put you on extension?

School is starting, summer is ending, and this is your reminder to save those daycare and day-camp records. Because the difference between a deduction and a credit can be the difference between “that helped a little” and “that changed the bill.”

Have a question for Ask Your Tax Dad? Email steve@mketax.com or send a message on Instagram @mketaxdad.

Taxes. Coffee. Dad jokes. Actual answers.

MKE Tax Dad provides general tax education and entertainment, not individualized tax advice. Rules and dollar limits discussed are based on 2026 federal tax law and may change.

The new tax law comes with some big promises: no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, a new car-loan interest deduction and additional relief for seniors. But what do those headlines actually mean for regular families?

In Episode 3, Steve breaks down several major provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act without the political noise or tax-law jargon. He explains who may benefit, what limitations apply and which records you’ll want to keep.

Steve also shares a Tax Dad warning inspired by a week spent untangling a business owner’s messy books—and explains why poor recordkeeping usually means a larger accounting bill.

Then, in Ask Your Tax Dad:

• Is all of your overtime pay really tax-free?
• Should your family adjust its withholding?
• And what kind of “business” would Steve’s friend Patrick need to operate before his new boat could become a legitimate write-off?

Spoiler: Naming it The Floating Conference Room probably isn’t enough.

Have a question for Ask Your Tax Dad? Email steve@mketax.com or send Steve a message on Instagram at @mketaxdad.

If you enjoy the show, subscribe, leave a rating or review and share it with someone who could use straight answers with a few dad jokes mixed in.

Taxes. Coffee. Dad jokes. Actual answers.

Your teenager’s summer job could come with a tax refund...or a surprise tax bill.

In Episode 2 of MKE Tax Dad, Steve explains when a teenager may need to file a tax return, why filing can still make sense when it isn’t required, and how to recover federal income tax withheld from a summer paycheck.

We’ll talk W-2s, side-hustle income, surprise 1099s, self-employment tax, the not-so-adorable kiddie tax, and why a Roth IRA could be one of the best gifts you give a working teenager.

Plus, Ask Your Tax Dad tackles dependent returns, Enrolled Agents versus CPAs, and the best time to begin tax planning.

Straight answers. Smart deductions. Zero jargon.

Welcome to The Milwaukee Tax Dad Podcast with Steve Hawthorne, EA. Settle in and hear what's to come!