Gabriella Cruz-Martínez
Gabriella Cruz-Martínez is a seasoned finance journalist with 8 years of experience covering consumer debt, economic policy, and tax. Before joining Kiplinger as a tax writer, her in-depth reporting and analysis were featured in Yahoo Finance. She contributed to national dialogues on fiscal responsibility, market trends and economic reforms involving family tax credits, housing accessibility, banking regulations, student loan debt, and inflation.
Gabriella’s work has also appeared in Money Magazine, The Hyde Park Herald (Chicago’s oldest community newspaper), and the Journal Gazette & Times-Courier. As a reporter and journalist, she enjoys writing stories that engage and empower readers from different socio-economic backgrounds and age groups about their finances. Her work in local newsrooms in Chicago on K-12 education and funding for public schools was recognized with an award from The Tribune McCormick Foundation. She holds a B.A. from The University of Puerto Rico in investigative journalism and English Literature and an M.A. in Public Affairs Journalism from Columbia College Chicago.
Latest articles by Gabriella Cruz-Martínez
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Could ERC Delays Get Worse if Trump Downsizes the IRS?
IRS The Trump administration’s push to shave down the IRS can impact taxpayers like you.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
IRS -
IRS Tax Refunds Are $526 Bigger This Year: Here's Why
Tax Refunds Inflation-related changes to the tax code could result in a larger refund.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
Tax Refunds -
What's Wrong With Trump's Pledge to End Taxes on Social Security Benefits
Social Security Eliminating taxes on Social Security benefits could impact your finances. Here's what you need to know.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
Social Security -
Trump Wants You Out of the IRS, But You'll Have to Wait Until May
IRS Some IRS employees won’t be able to resign using the buyout offer until the end of tax season.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
IRS -
Are Tips Taxable in 2025? Understanding the IRS Rules
Taxable Income With all the recent talk about ending federal taxes on tips, some wonder whether tips are taxable income.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
Taxable Income -
Key Family Tax Breaks Are on the GOP Chopping Block This Year
Tax Credits Several tax breaks, including the Child Tax Credit, may face reforms or be cut entirely as lawmakers seek revenue for Trump’s tax plans.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
Tax Credits -
Food, Gas, Prices to Spike if Trump Levies Tariffs on Canada and Mexico
Tariffs The neighboring countries are major exporters of fresh food, auto, gas, and industrial supplies to the U.S.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
Tariffs -
Shortage of CPAs as 2025 Tax Season Kicks Off
Career This once resilient accounting industry is cracking, as the labor force seems in dire straits. It’s also affecting the IRS.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
Career -
Trump’s Tariff Tiff With Colombia on Hold, But Is It a Sign of What’s to Come?
Tariffs The Trump administration threatened a 25% tariff on Colombia in a dispute that ended in less than a day.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
Tariffs -
Five States With the Largest EITC Checks
EITC Households in these states received a larger Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) last year.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
EITC -
States That Offer a Child Tax Credit
Child Tax Credit Fifteen states plus the District of Columbia currently offer a child tax credit. Here’s how much you can get this tax season.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
Child Tax Credit -
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) 2024 and 2025: How Much Will You Get?
Tax Credits The refundable amount for workers with or without children is slightly higher this year. Here’s what you need to know.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
Tax Credits -
Tariffs: What They Are and How They Impact Your Wallet
Election 2024 President Donald Trump wants to raise tariffs on all foreign goods, but who pays for the tax?
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
Election 2024 -
2025 Family Tax Credits: Four IRS Changes That Can Save You Money
Family Tax Credits Explore the new IRS-adjusted amounts for popular family tax credits.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
Family Tax Credits -
Trump’s Pitch for an ‘External Revenue Service’ Agency Attempts to Shroud Who Pays for Tariffs
Tax Policy Tariffs are paid by domestic importers, even though they are levied on foreign nations.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
Tax Policy -
New Hampshire Mobile Home and Condo Property Taxes Inexplicably Triple
Property Tax A city-wide revaluation is causing concern among Rochester locals who argue property taxes are too high.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
Property Tax -
Why Digitizing Your Tax Records Can Simplify Your Filing in 2025
Tax Records If you can, switching from paper to e-filing your taxes can have many benefits.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
Tax Records -
Congress Claws Back Another $20 Billion from the IRS
IRS The tax agency's IRA funding was stripped further due to a legislative error.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
IRS -
Gov. Hochul Vows to Deliver $1 Billion in Tax Relief to New Yorkers
State Tax The proposed tax cuts would benefit New York middle-class families.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
State Tax -
Child Tax Credit: How Much Is It for 2024 and 2025?
Tax Credits The refundable amount of this tax break is slightly higher for the 2024 tax filing season. Here’s what you need to know.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
Tax Credits -
House GOP Bill Aims to Abolish the IRS and Rewrite the Tax Code
Tax Policy The stability of the IRS faces yet another challenge as the U.S. presidency changes hands.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
Tax Policy -
More Taxes Could Slam New Yorkers Over MTA Budget Shortfall
State Taxes Lawmakers warn that New Yorkers may need to brace for more taxes.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
State Taxes -
California Fires: How to Recover Tax Records and Other Important Documents
Disaster Recovery Having your tax records and other vital documents is important for claiming casualty loss deductions that can help with recovery.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
Disaster Recovery -
The Nine States With No Income Tax in 2025
State Tax Your hard-earned money is safe from state income tax if you live in one of these states but watch out for other state and local taxes.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
State Tax