TheTaxCalc Research Hub — 2026 Tax Data & Original Studies
Original research, data studies, and reference guides from TheTaxCalc. Every study is sourced from official government data — IRS, SSA, Census Bureau, and state revenue departments — and reviewed by a credentialed tax professional. Free to read, free to cite, no sign-up required.
Latest Studies
2026 State Tax Burden: Total Tax Load by State
We combined state income tax, property tax, and sales tax into a single effective burden figure for all 50 states. See where your state ranks and how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act shifted the picture.
Published January 2026
Best States for Remote Workers in 2026
A tax-adjusted ranking of the best states for full-time remote workers in 2026, factoring in income tax, cost of living, broadband coverage, and the new OBBBA tip and overtime deductions.
Published January 2026
Child Tax Credit Guide 2026 — OBBBA Doubles CTC to $2,200
Everything you need to know about the 2026 Child Tax Credit under OBBBA: $2,200 per child, $1,700 refundable, phaseouts, and how it compares to prior law. With worked examples.
Published January 2026
Property Tax by State 2026 — Effective Rates & Median Bills
Effective property tax rates and median annual property tax bills for all 50 states in 2026. From New Jersey (highest) to Hawaii (lowest), with county-level context.
Published January 2026
Salary Needed to Live Comfortably in 2026 — By State
How much do you need to earn in 2026 to live comfortably in each state? We used the 50/30/20 rule, regional cost of living, and after-tax paycheck data to estimate the magic number.
Published January 2026
Tax Refund Statistics 2026 — Average Refunds by State & Income
IRS statistics on average federal tax refunds by state, income bracket, and filing status for the 2026 filing season. Plus how OBBBA is expected to change refund sizes.
Published January 2026
Our Research Methodology
Every study in our research hub follows the same methodology. We start with official government data — never third-party aggregators. For federal tax figures we use IRS publications and the Social Security Administration. For state data we use each state’s Department of Revenue. For demographic and economic data we use the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
After collecting raw data, we apply our calculation logic — the same logic that powers our paycheck calculator and other tools — to produce derived metrics. Each step is documented in a methodology section at the bottom of the study. Every study is then reviewed by a credentialed tax professional (CPA or EA) before publication.
For a full description of how we compute every tax figure on the site, see our methodology page.
Research FAQ
What is TheTaxCalc Research?
TheTaxCalc Research is our collection of original data studies and reference guides on U.S. taxation. Each study combines official government data — IRS, SSA, Census Bureau, and state revenue departments — with our own analysis to produce practical, accurate, and fully-sourced tax insights. Every study is reviewed by a credentialed tax professional before publication.
How often is the research updated?
We update each study on its natural refresh cycle. State tax burden and property tax data refresh annually after new Census and Tax Foundation releases. Child Tax Credit and OBBBA-related research updates whenever Congress or the IRS issues new guidance. Tax refund statistics update quarterly during the filing season (January through April) and once after the season ends.
Can I cite TheTaxCalc research in my own work?
Yes. We encourage journalists, researchers, financial advisors, and educators to cite our research. Each study includes a permanent URL, publication date, and last-updated date so your readers can verify the source. Please link to the original study rather than copying the data tables wholesale. If you need a higher-resolution chart or raw data export, contact us at hello@thetaxcalc.com.
Where does your data come from?
Every figure in our research comes from an official government source. Federal tax data is sourced from IRS publications (Rev. Proc. 2025-25, Pub. 15-T, Pub. 972) and the Social Security Administration. State tax data comes from each state's Department of Revenue. Demographic and income data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau. Cost of living data comes from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Council for Community and Economic Research. We publish the full methodology and source list at the bottom of every study.
Is TheTaxCalc research free to access?
Yes. Every study, data table, and chart in our research hub is free to read, with no paywall, no sign-up, and no email requirement. We do not collect your contact information when you read our research. We believe tax data should be freely accessible to every American. If you find the research useful, we encourage you to share it with colleagues or link to it from your own writing.
How is this research different from your blog?
Our blog covers timely tax news, how-to guides, and current-year updates. Our research hub, by contrast, contains original data-driven studies with a longer shelf life. Research pieces are typically longer (7-12 minutes of reading), include multiple data tables and charts, and undergo a more rigorous editorial review process. Both are written by credentialed tax professionals and sourced from official government data.