Tax 101
They’re the “tax man” in the U.S.—this three-letter agency sends the refund…or the love letter.
What is the IRS?
Give money to a qualified nonprofit, and you may get one of these itemized tax perks in return.
What is a charitable deduction?
Every year, a “pirate invasion” takes over Tampa’s streets during this legendary festival.
What is Gasparilla?
Historically, governments often taxed valuable metals used in coins, especially this yellow precious metal.
What is gold?
This ocean is the largest on Earth, covering more area than all continents combined.
What is the Pacific Ocean?
It’s not a holiday, but it might feel like one when you finally click “Submit” on your tax return, usually on this date.
What is April 15?
When you contribute to a traditional IRA and it reduces your taxable income, we say the contribution is this.
What is tax‑deductible?
Roller coasters, safari‑style animal exhibits, and concerts all come together at this major Tampa theme park.
What is Busch Gardens?
“No taxation without representation” was shouted over this 1765 levy on printed paper in the colonies.
What is the Stamp Act tax?
This is the largest organ in the human body by surface area and weight.
What is the skin?
You never see this tax hit your bank account—your employer sends it straight from your paycheck to Uncle Sam.
What is withholding tax?
Add up your state income taxes and your property taxes and you might hit this capped deduction category.
What are state and local taxes (SALT)?
Guavaween, cigars, and Cuban coffee all point to this historic neighborhood just northeast of downtown.
What is Ybor City?
Before income taxes, governments often taxed goods coming into a country at ports. These taxes are called this
What are customs duties (or tariffs)?
In the game of chess, this piece can only move diagonally.
What is the bishop?
In this kind of tax system, the more you make, the higher your tax rate climbs—like a staircase with steeper steps.
What is a progressive tax system?
For itemizers, only the portion of medical expenses exceeding a set percentage of this figure can be deducted.
What is adjusted gross income (AGI)?
If you own a home near downtown Tampa or in Brandon, you’re sending property taxes to this county’s tax collector.
What is Hillsborough County?
Before income taxes, governments got a lot of revenue from customs duties and these taxes on specific goods like alcohol and tobacco.
What are excise taxes?
This chemical element, symbol Na, was once so valuable for preserving food that governments taxed it heavily.
What is sodium (in salt)?
Even if you never save a single receipt, you still get this built‑in reduction to your taxable income.
What is the standard deduction?
Instead of slowly depreciating equipment, small businesses may use this section of the Code to expense certain assets right away.
What is Section 179?
One of Florida’s biggest bragging rights: residents don’t pay this type of tax on their wages or salaries.
What is a state income tax?
In the 1790s, a tax on this kind of alcohol led some U.S. farmers to rebel.
What is whiskey? (The Whiskey Rebellion)
This continent is both a country and a continent and lies entirely in the Southern Hemisphere.
What is Australia?