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Friday, 2 January 2026

Happy New Year! Let's talk taxes

Plus: Trump delays some tariffs ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌  ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ 
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The Daily Money

ALL THE MONEY NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Fri Jan 2 2026

 

Betty Lin-Fisher Consumer reporter

@blinfisher

Happy New Year! Welcome to another year of The Daily Money newsletter! This is Betty Lin-Fisher with Friday's consumer-focused edition.

It's not too early to start talking about taxes – whether you're filing for 2025 or planning for the next tax year that follows.

We have both a primer on income tax and tax season and a story outlining when the IRS will begin accepting returns. For some people, tax refunds could be much larger in 2026 than expected after dramatic changes in key tax rules.

Syndication The Courier Journal

Tax season is here.

Susan Tompor / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Some tariffs are being delayed

President Donald Trump is delaying a tariff increase on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets and vanities amid rising concerns about affordability.

Is Australia on your travel bucket list?

I'm looking outside my home office window in Ohio at snow-covered yards and woods and the weather is 23 degrees. It's beautiful, but the weather app says it feels like it is 13 degrees. So I'm day-dreaming about some travel destinations. Travel reporter Zach Wichter recently went to Sydney, Australia and shares his experience. By the way, my weather app says it is 65 degrees there today. I wouldn't mind that!

📰 Consumer stories you shouldn't miss 📰

Here's how to avoid getting locked out of your digital life, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Video: Have you taken down the Christmas decorations yet? Here's a tip for tangle-free holiday light storage.
Here are the cheapest car brands to maintain and repair over time.
Tax time tips if you bought or sold a home in 2025.
Dunkin' is offering free doughnuts in tiny totes.

Betty Lin-Fisher is a consumer reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at blinfisher@USATODAY.com or follow her on X, Facebook or Instagram @blinfisher and @blinfisher.bsky.social on Bluesky. Sign up for our free The Daily Money newsletter, which breaks down complex consumer and financial news. Subscribe here.

Taxpayers had been able to file what's called Form 8888 to use at least part of their federal income tax refund to directly buy inflation-indexed savings bonds when they're filing their federal tax returns.

Here's what you should know about income tax, what it is, how it works, how to calculate it and which states don't have it.

The average federal income tax refund in 2024 was $3,138 based on IRS data through Dec. 27, down 0.9% from the same period in 2023.
 

When does the IRS start accepting returns? Early tax tips for 2026

Taxpayers could be stretched to new limits in 2026 as key but complicated new tax breaks kick into place on 2025 federal income tax returns.

President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a New Year's Eve party at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., December 31, 2025.
 

Trump delays tariff hikes on furniture, cabinets amid price concerns

Trump has increased tariffs on a wide variety of products in his second term and has touted the revenues he says they are generating.

A view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House from the fast ferry to Manly.
 

From urban culture to outdoor adventures: A destination for your list

It's a long way from the U.S., but Sydney, Australia is worth the trip. Here are just some of the things a first-time visitor can do.

Discover a simple trick to wrap and store holiday lights using cardboard for stress-free decorating next season.
 

Tangle-free holiday light storage

Discover a simple trick to wrap and store holiday lights using cardboard for stress-free decorating next season.

Buick is the least expensive car brand for long-term maintenance, according to Consumer Reports.
 

Here are the cheapest car brands to maintain and repair over time

Car buyers shop for vehicles on price and reliability. Do they ever think of what it will cost to maintain and repair that car over time?

Bought or sold a home in 2025? Here's what to know at tax time.
 

Tax time tips if you bought or sold a home in 2025

There are several tax law changes that can help defray the cost of owning - or selling - a home. Here's what to know.

Dunkin' is giving away a free doughnut with any beverage purchase on Friday, Jan. 2, and the doughnuts will come in a reusable donut tote bag.
 

Dunkin' offers free doughnuts in tiny totes. How to get one.

Dunkin' customers can get a free doughnut in a tiny, reusable doughnut tote bag on Jan. 2. Here's how to score one.

IMAGES UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL MONDAY, JAN. 5 AT 9 A.M. ET. Starbucks is making pistachio flavor a year-round drink customization option. Winter menu limited time drinks include the Pistachio Cortado, Pistachio Cream Cold Brew and Pistachio Latte: Espresso. You can also order a Pistachio Frappuccino with or without coffee.
 

Starbucks winter menu 2026. See what's coming Jan. 6

Starbucks winter menu for 2026 includes new Dubai Chocolate, pistachio, and caramel protein drinks. Returning snacks include Valentine Cake Pops.

USA TODAY
 

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