Useful Links

Useful links for managing money, researching a business, comparing services, and handling everyday decisions. Browse the topics below to find government resources, research databases, planning tools, and commercial services.

Some services require an account, charge fees, or limit access by location or eligibility. Check the provider’s current terms, dates, and requirements before applying, purchasing, or relying on a result.

1. Money Calculators & Planning Tools

Resource	What it does
IRS Tax Withholding Estimator	Estimate federal withholding for wages, pensions, or annuities.
my Social Security	Review your earnings record and personalized benefit estimates; sign-in required.
Investor.gov Compound Interest Calculator	Explore savings growth using your own assumptions.
FINRA Fund Analyzer	Compare fund costs and their potential effect on investment results.
FinAid Loan Payment Calculator	Estimate loan payments and repayment costs.
IRS Health Savings Account Guidance	Review HSA eligibility, contribution rules, and limits for the publication’s stated tax year.
BLS Inflation Calculator	Compare purchasing power using the Consumer Price Index.

2. Tax-Filing Portals & Payment Tools

Resource	Why it is useful
IRS Direct Pay	Make eligible federal tax payments from a bank account without an IRS processing fee.
Where’s My Refund?	Check federal income tax refund status.
IRS Free File	Compare guided tax software offers and Free File Fillable Forms.
State Tax Agencies	Find official state tax websites for filing, payment, and form information.
Taxpayer Advocate Service	Find assistance for qualifying tax problems that remain unresolved with the IRS.

Free File eligibility: For the 2026 filing season, IRS Free File guided software is available to taxpayers with 2025 adjusted gross income of $89,000 or less, subject to each provider’s additional requirements. Start through the IRS link to access the program. State filing is free only where the selected offer includes it. Free File Fillable Forms has no income limit, provides limited calculations, and does not include state returns. Check the IRS page for the applicable filing season’s limits and availability.

For help choosing software and preparing your records, see our Tax Preparation guide. Check our Tax Due Dates page for filing and payment calendars.

3. Business Research & Compliance

Resource	Purpose
SEC EDGAR	Research public-company filings and disclosures.
USPTO Trademark Search	Access the current federal trademark database and search guidance.
NAICS Lookup	Research industry classifications and the relevant code edition.
SBA Size Standards Tool	Research small-business size eligibility for federal contracting.
OSHA Statistics	Review workplace injury, fatality, and enforcement statistics.
Wayback Machine	Explore archived versions of websites.

USPTO Trademark Search replaced TESS. A database search is one part of trademark clearance; it does not establish that a name is available or that using it will avoid infringement.

4. Grants & Capital Sources

Resource	Audience and use
Grants.gov	Search federal funding opportunities and their eligibility requirements.
SBIR/STTR	Research small-business technology funding and agency solicitations.
Hello Alice Grants	Review grant opportunities, application windows, and sponsor requirements.
SBA Loan Programs	Explore SBA-backed business financing and participating lenders.
Kiva U.S. Business Loans	Explore eligible, crowdfunded business loans with 0% interest; qualification and fundraising requirements apply.
USDA Rural Development Energy Programs	Find REAP and related energy financing information, including current program notices.

A funding directory does not mean an application window is open or that your business qualifies. Read the current notice, eligible uses, matching requirements, and deadlines. Loans must be repaid; grants may carry reporting and performance conditions.

5. Credit, Identity & Consumer Reports

Resource	Benefit
AnnualCreditReport.com	Request free weekly credit reports from the three nationwide credit bureaus.
OptOutPrescreen	Opt out of eligible prescreened credit and insurance offers.
ChexSystems	Find instructions for requesting and reviewing your banking consumer report.
LexisNexis Consumer Disclosure	Request available consumer disclosures, including applicable insurance claims information.
CFPB Credit Reports & Scores	Learn about disputes, specialty reports, fraud alerts, and security freezes.
IdentityTheft.gov	Create an identity-theft recovery plan and find reporting guidance.

6. Education & Skill Development

Resource	What you can learn
SBA Learning Platform	Find business training and development programs.
SCORE Mentoring	Connect with business mentors and learn how mentoring works.
Khan Academy Personal Finance	Study personal-finance concepts.
Coursera: Introduction to Financial Accounting	Explore financial accounting instruction from the University of Pennsylvania.
HarvardX: Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies	Explore entrepreneurship through the edX course page.
IRS Link & Learn Taxes	Access tax training for VITA/TCE volunteers.

Course access, certificates, subscriptions, and enrollment dates vary. Review the current offer before assuming that a course or credential is free.

7. Travel & Points

Resource	Why use it
State Department Travel Advisories	Review country-specific travel advisories.
CDC Travel Health Notices	Check destination-related health notices.
AwardHacker	Research potential mileage redemption options; confirm actual availability with the airline.
Seats.aero	Search supported airline award availability; access and coverage vary by plan.
AeroLOPA	Research aircraft seating layouts and compare them with your airline’s seat map.
ITA Matrix	Research flight itineraries and fares; arrange booking separately.
U.S. Visa Reciprocity & Civil Documents	Review country-specific requirements for U.S. visa processing.

8. Savings & Deal Trackers

Resource	What it helps you compare
CamelCamelCamel	Amazon price history and price alerts.
Rakuten	Eligible cash-back offers and shopping promotions.
BrickSeek	Retail deals and inventory information; confirm with the store.
GoodRx	Prescription prices and discount options; compare with your insurance price.
GasBuddy	Reported fuel prices; check the listing’s update time.
Freecycle	Local groups for giving away and obtaining items.
PayPal Honey	Shopping tools, coupon searches, and eligible rewards.

9. Sustainability & Ethical Shopping

Resource	Use
EWG Skin Deep	Review cosmetics ingredient information and EWG’s ratings methodology.
B Corp Directory	Find certified B Corporations.
Cradle to Cradle Certified Products	Research products and their certification details.
ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder	Find participating partners’ offers and qualification requirements.
HowGood	Explore sustainability analysis services for food businesses.
TerraCycle Recycling Programs	Find programs and accepted materials; participation conditions vary.

10. Health & Well-Being

Resource	Benefit
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline	Find crisis support; call or text 988 in the United States.
MedlinePlus	Read health information from the National Library of Medicine.
MyPlate	Explore nutrition and meal-planning resources.
Sleep Foundation: Sleep Needs	Read an educational guide to sleep duration.
HHS: HIPAA for Individuals	Learn about health-information privacy and access rights.

11. Investing & Retirement Data

Resource	Purpose
FINRA BrokerCheck	Research brokers, brokerage firms, and available disciplinary disclosures.
Investment Adviser Public Disclosure	Research investment advisers and available registration filings.
Morningstar ETF Screener	Research and filter ETFs; account and subscription requirements may apply.
TreasuryDirect I Bonds	Review purchase rules, current rates, and redemption restrictions.
Bogleheads Wiki	Explore community-maintained investing explanations.
Portfolio Visualizer	Explore historical portfolio modeling; features depend on access level.

Historical results and calculator projections do not guarantee future returns. For account choices, costs, and practical planning considerations, see our Investing guide.

12. Tech, Accessibility & Productivity

Resource	Why it matters
WAVE Accessibility Evaluation Tool	Identify potential website accessibility issues; manual review is still needed.
Have I Been Pwned?	Check whether an email address appears in known breach data.
Down for Everyone or Just Me	Check whether a website appears reachable from another location.
Notion Personal Finance Templates	Browse budgeting and finance templates; free and paid options are listed.
Google Takeout	Export supported Google account data; sign-in required.
Openverse	Search openly licensed media and verify each item’s license and attribution requirements.
Terms of Service; Didn’t Read	Read community summaries of service terms; consult the original terms before relying on them.

13. Auctions & Marketplaces

Resource	Opportunity
Selling on eBay	Learn about listing products and selling on eBay.
GovPlanet	Browse government and military surplus auctions.
GSA Auctions	Browse federal surplus property.
Auction.com	Research foreclosure and bank-owned real-estate auctions.
PropertyRoom	Browse police and government surplus auctions.
StockX	Research the resale marketplace for sneakers and other products.
Flippa	Browse online businesses, websites, apps, and domains.
HiBid	Find auctions from participating auctioneers.
Catawiki	Browse auctions for collectibles and other specialty items.
Copart	Research vehicle auctions and bidder eligibility.

Before bidding, review buyer premiums, taxes, inspection rights, title or ownership documents, shipping, pickup deadlines, and return restrictions. A low bid can still produce a high total cost.

14. Side-Hustle & Gig Platforms

Resource	Potential use
Upwork	Offer freelance services and search for projects.
Fiverr	Offer freelance services through a marketplace.
Taskrabbit	Explore local task services and provider registration.
Rover	Explore pet-care services and provider requirements.
Airbnb Hosting	Research hosting requirements and potential rental activity.
Turo	Research vehicle sharing and host requirements.
Selling on Etsy	Review seller requirements, product policies, and fees.
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing	Explore self-publishing ebooks and print books.
Amazon Merch on Demand	Review the print-on-demand creator program and application requirements.
Gigwalk	Explore retail data-collection and field-task opportunities.

Availability and earnings vary. Compare platform fees, expenses, insurance, local rules, and tax obligations before committing time or assets.

15. Real-Estate Data & Tools

Resource	Why it matters
Zillow Research	Explore housing market data and published methodologies.
Redfin Data Center	Review downloadable housing market statistics.
FHFA House Price Index	Research changes in single-family home prices.
HUD Home Store	Find HUD-owned homes and information about the bidding process.
Rentometer	Research rental comparisons; features and access depend on the plan.
BiggerPockets Investment Calculators	Explore rental and property-investment analysis tools; access requirements vary.

16. Energy & Utility Savings

Resource	Benefit
DSIRE	Research renewable-energy and efficiency incentives; confirm current rules with the administering agency.
EnergySage	Research home-energy options and compare participating providers’ quotes.
FuelEconomy.gov	Compare vehicle fuel economy and estimated operating costs.
DOE Home Energy Assessment Introduction	Learn what a home energy assessment involves.
OpenEI Utility Rate Database	Research listed electricity rate schedules; verify the current tariff with your utility.

17. Economic & Demographic Information

Resource	Data
FRED	Research economic time series and their original sources.
Bureau of Labor Statistics	Find inflation, employment, wage, and other labor data.
Census QuickFacts	Compare selected demographic and business statistics.
BEA Interactive Data	Explore national, regional, and industry economic accounts.
Statista Daily Charts	Browse selected charts and review their underlying sources.
U.S. Debt Clock	View a private publisher’s economic estimates; use official sources for authoritative figures.

18. Career & Salary Tools

Resource	Use
O*NET OnLine	Research occupations, tasks, skills, and work requirements.
CareerOneStop Salary Finder	Compare occupation wage data by location.
Salary.com Cost of Living Calculator	Explore estimated living-cost differences between locations.
Glassdoor Company Reviews	Read employee-reported workplace information.
FutureMe	Schedule a letter to your future self as a goal-setting exercise.
Indeed	Search job listings and employer information.

19. Insurance & Risk Tools

Resource	Purpose
HealthCare.gov Plans & Prices	Preview Marketplace coverage where HealthCare.gov serves your state; enrollment rules apply.
Policygenius	Research insurance and compare participating insurers’ offers.
FEMA Flood Map Service Center	Research official flood maps and related products.
NHTSA Recall Lookup	Check available vehicle recall information.
Pet Insurance Review	Compare pet-insurance information and customer reviews.

20. Legal Research & DIY Information

Resource	What you can find
Cornell Legal Information Institute	Legal texts, explanations, and research resources.
Nolo Legal Encyclopedia	Plain-language legal articles.
LegalZoom Articles	General legal and business information.
CourtListener	Court opinions, dockets, and other legal research materials.
Justia Dockets & Filings	Selected federal court docket and filing information.

Check the jurisdiction, effective date, and original legal authority. General articles and templates do not establish that a document meets your circumstances or state’s requirements.

21. Currency & International Finance

Resource	Why use it
XE Currency Converter	Research indicative currency conversions.
OANDA Currency Converter	Research currency conversions and available historical data.
Treasury Reporting Rates of Exchange	Find official rates published for federal reporting purposes.
WorldRemit	Review supported transfers and quoted fees and exchange rates.

An indicative or government reporting rate may differ from the rate offered for your transfer. Compare the total amount the recipient receives after fees and exchange-rate differences.

22. Weather & Climate Tools

Resource	Information
National Weather Service	Official forecasts, watches, warnings, and local weather information.
National Hurricane Center	Tropical cyclone forecasts and advisories.
Climate Data Online	Historical weather and climate records.
Windy	Weather maps and model-based forecasts; review the selected layer and model.
USGS Earthquake Map	Recent earthquake information.

23. College Cost & Financial Aid

Resource	Purpose
Federal Student Aid & FAFSA	Access the FAFSA application and federal student-aid information.
College Scorecard	Compare available college cost, completion, debt, and earnings data.
Net Price Calculator Center	Find information about school-specific net price calculators.
ScholarshipOwl	Explore scholarship matching and application services; review pricing and supported features.
GI Bill Comparison Tool	Research schools and available VA education-benefit information.

Submitting the FAFSA is free through Federal Student Aid. Select the correct academic year and check federal, state, and school deadlines separately. Net price estimates are planning tools, not final financial-aid awards.

24. Charitable Giving & Impact

Resource	Why it is useful
Charity Navigator	Research charity ratings and the methodology behind them.
GiveWell Top Charities	Review research on selected charities and recommended funding opportunities.
National Philanthropic Trust Resources	Read donor-advised-fund and charitable-giving research.
Candid Search	Research nonprofits and funders using the successor to GuideStar and Foundation Directory.
IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search	Check available deductibility information, exemption status, and filings.
Benevity for Nonprofits	Explore nonprofit participation in corporate giving and volunteering programs.

25. Crypto & Blockchain Resources

Resource	Use
CoinMarketCap	Research reported cryptocurrency market data.
Etherscan	Explore Ethereum blockchain transactions and addresses.
Bitcoin White Paper	Read the original Bitcoin technical paper as a PDF.
IRS Digital Asset Tax Guidance	Review federal tax reporting information for digital assets.
Ledger Academy	Read a wallet provider’s blockchain and security education.

A market-data listing or blockchain record does not establish that an asset is safe, legitimate, or suitable. Keep transaction and cost-basis records, and protect wallet credentials and recovery phrases.

26. Public Safety & Alerts

Resource	Coverage
FEMA App & Text Messages	Find FEMA’s mobile information and notification options.
Ready.gov	Use emergency planning and preparedness resources.
AMBER Alert Program	Learn about the national AMBER Alert program and related resources.
USGS Volcano Updates	Read volcano status information and observatory updates.

27. Open-Data Portals

Resource	Data available
Data.gov	Search U.S. government datasets and related resources.
World Bank Open Data	Research international development indicators.
European Data Portal	Search European public-sector data.
Kaggle Datasets	Explore community-published datasets; check provenance and licensing.
Google Dataset Search	Search for datasets across participating websites.

28. Time, Focus & Productivity

Resource	Potential use
World Time Buddy	Compare time zones and plan meetings.
Pomofocus	Use a focus-and-break timer.
Cold Turkey Blocker	Explore distraction-blocking tools and available plans.
Toggl	Explore time tracking and team-planning features.
Fathom AI Notetaker	Explore meeting transcription and summaries; review permissions, privacy, and plan limits.

Using this directory: Check the destination’s current information, source dates, fees, and eligibility. For forms and worksheets, visit our Useful Forms page. External resources are provided for convenience; CPA at Large does not control their content or availability, and inclusion does not guarantee a provider’s results or suitability.