Tax alert: New confusion over free filing (1 8 26)

Author

Sally McDonald
January 08, 2026

💵 Today’s Top Stories
tax ahead

The U.S. Treasury moved away from Direct File. But don’t assume you’ll have to pay to file your federal or state taxes, as Clark explains. Read more.

save money

Regrowing scraps and using a disposable razor for a year are just some of the extreme ways you can save money. Read more.

Lock

LifeLock is a household name with consistent advertising built around protecting you from identity theft. But it’s a waste of money, Clark declares. Here’s what you should do instead. Read more.

Happy cell phone

Get a second month of service for free if you switch to the MVNO on AT&T’s network before Feb. 15. Here’s how much lines cost depending on how much data you need. Read more.

💵 Today’s Top Savings Rates

Check out our updated list of Clark.com-approved high-yield savings accounts with the highest rates. Here are the top five APYs on our list as of January 8, 2026.

Savings Rates 010126
🪙 U.S. Mint Circulates New Coin Designs for 250th Anniversary

If you get some strange-looking change starting this week, don’t worry. It’s probably not fake.

The U.S. Mint will circulate new, one-year designs for dimes, quarters and half-dollars to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. The coins will include dual dates (“1776 ~ 2026”).

The new “Emerging Liberty” dime design shows off Lady Liberty with a cap decked out in stars and stripes and “winds of revolution” blowing through her hair. It commemorates “the founding era” in American history. An American eagle appears on the reverse side for the first time since 1837.

The “Emerging Liberty” half-dollar displays the Statue of Liberty passing the torch, “examining what is required to sustain our republic for another 250 years.”

There are five different quarter designs, meant to explore “historic inflection points in America’s journey toward a more perfect union.” The United States chose the Mayflower Compact, Revolutionary War, Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and Gettysburg Address as the designs.

Expect the new designs to begin circulating this week.

The mint isn’t changing the design of the nickel, though it will also include dual dates for 2026.

This is also the first full calendar year that the U.S. Mint no longer will circulate pennies.

📊 Stat of the Day

🏋️ $1,500: Price that Chinese adults are paying to be “jailed,” so to speak, in a month-long “fat prison” with 24/7 surveillance, steel gates and security. The program also features four hours of exercise each day and strictly portioned meals.

💰️ Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals
Clark Howard travel advice
Budgeting money cash
🎙️ Podcast

Confusion abounds as news headlines suggest free tax filing is over, but Clark is here to set the record straight! While the IRS Direct File program is being retired, the older Free File system is still available for up to 70% of taxpayers. Don't pay for tax software until you know if you qualify for free preparation and filing! Clark breaks down the key difference between Direct File and Free File and explains why you need to check your eligibility before tax season arrives. Also, Clark steps back into a controversial topic: Social Security. Despite only 1 in 10 people waiting until age 70, Clark stands by the math.

☎️ Need Money Help?

The Team Clark Consumer Action Center is a free helpline that can help you navigate your money questions. Call 636-492-5275. Visit clark.com/cac for more information.

Did You Enjoy Today’s Newsletter?

Let us know what you think so we can better serve you!

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.