Tax Basics Short Course

Understand how taxes work and save money. Master tax basics through bite-sized, swipeable learning tiles — designed for busy people who want to learn on the go.

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About This Tax Basics Course

This Tax Basics short course on SkillTiles breaks down everything you need to know into 10 structured milestones, each packed with bite-sized learning tiles you can swipe through in under 15 seconds each.

Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to refresh your knowledge, this online tax basics course uses AI-powered content to adapt to your learning pace. Each tile delivers a focused concept, example, or quiz — making it perfect for commutes, coffee breaks, or quick study sessions.

Covering 70 key topics across 10 milestones, this course takes you from foundations to practical application. Earn badges as you complete each milestone and track your progress on your learning dashboard.

Course Curriculum

Tax Fundamentals

Income tax, deductions, and filing

how income tax workstax brackets explainedstandard vs itemized deductionscapital gains taxtax-advantaged accountscommon tax mistakeswhen to hire an accountant

Income Tax Basics

Understand how income tax works

tax brackets explainedmarginal vs effective tax ratetaxable income calculationstandard vs itemized deductionsfiling status optionstax withholdingtax return timeline

Deductions & Credits

Reduce your tax bill legally

common deductionstax credits vs deductionseducation creditscharitable donationshome office deductionmedical expense deductionsretirement contribution deductions

Investment Taxes

Tax implications of investing

capital gains (short vs long term)dividend taxationtax-loss harvestingwash sale ruleretirement account tax benefitscryptocurrency taxationestate and gift taxes overview

Self-Employment Taxes

Taxes for freelancers and entrepreneurs

self-employment taxquarterly estimated paymentsbusiness expense deductionshome office rulesvehicle deductionsretirement plans for self-employedrecord-keeping requirements

Business Tax Basics

How businesses are taxed

business structure and taxessole proprietor vs LLC vs S-Corppayroll taxessales tax obligationsdepreciation basicsbusiness tax creditsinternational tax basics

Tax Planning Strategies

Plan ahead to minimize taxes

year-end tax planningincome shifting strategiesRoth conversion strategytax-advantaged accountscharitable giving strategiestiming income and deductionsworking with a tax professional

Tax Filing

File your taxes correctly

choosing tax softwaregathering documentscommon forms overviewe-filing processstate tax filingamended returnsaudit risk management

International Tax

Taxes across borders

tax residency rulesdouble taxation treatiesforeign earned income exclusionreporting foreign accounts (FBAR)expat tax considerationsdigital nomad tax issuesVAT/GST basics

Advanced Tax Topics

Complex tax situations

trust taxation overviewalternative minimum taxpassive activity rulesreal estate tax strategiesstock option taxationtax reform updatesestate planning basics