2 Has anyone tried TaxSlayer? I'm also looking to switch from TurboTax and trying to understand all the options. FreeTaxUSA seems popular here but I'm wondering how it compares to other alternatives.

I made the switch from TurboTax to FreeTaxUSA last year and it was absolutely the right decision. Your situation sounds very similar to mine - W-2 plus some freelance income and a mortgage. FreeTaxUSA handled everything perfectly. The Schedule C for freelance work was straightforward, and all the mortgage interest deductions were included without any issues. The interface isn't as flashy as TurboTax, but honestly, I found that refreshing - no constant upselling or trying to trick you into expensive add-ons. The $15 state filing fee is so much better than what I was paying with TurboTax. And their customer support, while email-only, has been reliable when I've needed help. One tip: if you do switch, you can import your prior year return from TurboTax which makes the transition really smooth. FreeTaxUSA will automatically carry forward relevant information and ask you about any changes. For someone with your tax situation, I'd say FreeTaxUSA is definitely worth trying. The money you'll save compared to TurboTax is significant, and the functionality is basically the same for straightforward returns like yours.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm also new to the workforce and was using a daily pay app without really understanding how it worked tax-wise. Reading everyone's explanations has cleared up so much confusion for me. What I found most reassuring is learning that these apps are essentially just early access to money I've already earned, and that my employer is still handling all the tax calculations normally. The IRS only cares about my total annual earnings and withholdings - not when I actually received the money throughout the year. I love all the practical tips people have shared too - keeping screenshots of withdrawals, talking to HR about how transactions appear on pay stubs, and being mindful of those fees that can add up. I'm definitely going to start tracking my usage better and maybe limit how often I withdraw to avoid unnecessary fees. As someone who was genuinely worried about accidentally messing up my taxes, this community has given me so much peace of mind. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their knowledge and experiences - it's exactly what newcomers like us need to hear!

As someone who just went through this exact situation last year, I wanted to add some reassurance! I was super paranoid about using daily pay because I thought it might mess up my taxes somehow, but it turned out to be completely fine. The key thing that helped me understand it was realizing that your employer sees your full earnings for each pay period and calculates taxes on that total amount, regardless of whether you withdraw money early through the app. So if you work 5 days and earn $400, taxes are calculated on that full $400 even if you only withdraw $200 through daily pay and get the remaining $200 (minus what you already took) in your regular paycheck. When I got my W-2, it showed exactly what I expected - my total gross pay for the year and total tax withholdings. There was no mention of daily pay anywhere because from a tax perspective, it's invisible. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier: try to use the app strategically rather than constantly. Those small fees really do add up! I probably spent around $150 in fees that year, which could have gone toward building my emergency fund instead. Now I only use it for genuine emergencies rather than convenience. But tax-wise, you're totally in the clear. Just keep your pay stubs organized and everything will match up perfectly when you file!

I've dealt with this exact same issue! Had a client who got the LTR 3463C for their e-filed 941s, and it turned out to be exactly what others have mentioned - a disconnect between the IRS's electronic filing acceptance system and their signature verification process. The key thing to understand is that this isn't questioning whether your brother filed the forms (they clearly have them since they sent acceptance confirmations). It's just their outdated system flagging the submission for additional verification, especially common when you have mixed quarters like he does - some with payroll activity and some without. Tell your brother to stop stressing and just sign the declaration form and mail it back with a copy of his e-filing confirmations attached. I always recommend sending it certified mail so you have proof of delivery. The IRS will update their records to show proper signature verification and close the case within 4-6 weeks typically. This is purely administrative - no penalties, no audit risk, just bureaucratic box-checking. But definitely don't ignore it because unresolved signature verification issues can eventually be treated as unfiled returns down the road.

I went through this exact same situation last year with my consulting business! Got the LTR 3463C for Q2 and Q3 where I had zero payroll, even though I e-filed through FreeTaxUSA and had confirmation receipts. What I learned from calling the IRS (after waiting 3 hours on hold) is that their system sometimes flags quarters with zero wages for additional verification, especially when it's part of an irregular payroll pattern. The agent explained that the electronic signature was accepted for filing purposes, but they need the manual signature declaration to complete their internal verification process. I just signed the declaration form they sent, attached copies of my e-filing confirmations, and mailed it back certified mail. Got a letter about 6 weeks later confirming the matter was resolved. No penalties, no issues - just their bureaucratic process. Tell your brother to stop being stubborn and just send it back! It's literally a 5-minute task that will close this out completely. The alternative is potentially having this escalate into a much bigger headache down the road if the IRS decides to treat it as an unfiled return.

One thing nobody's mentioned - if you're paying $1,890/month with only a $340 subsidy, you might qualify for a larger subsidy depending on your income. The ACA subsidies were expanded for 2023-2025. Might be worth double-checking on healthcare.gov if your marketplace plan is giving you the maximum subsidy you're entitled to. Could save you more money than any tax deduction!

I went through this exact same situation last year! The key thing to understand is that there are actually TWO different types of health insurance deductions, and most people (including tax software) get them confused: 1. **Self-employed health insurance deduction** - This is the "above-the-line" deduction that reduces your AGI directly. You DON'T qualify for this since you're not self-employed. 2. **Medical expense itemized deduction** - This is where your ACA premiums (minus subsidies) can potentially be deducted, but only if you itemize AND your total medical expenses exceed 7.5% of your AGI. Based on your numbers ($32k AGI, $18,600 in net premiums after subsidies), you'd easily clear the 7.5% threshold ($2,400). The question is whether itemizing makes sense overall. Here's what I'd suggest: Make sure you're capturing ALL your medical expenses - not just premiums. Include copays, prescriptions, dental work, vision care, medical equipment, even mileage to medical appointments. Also don't forget about state income taxes paid, property taxes (if any), and charitable donations for your itemized total. Your situation actually looks like a good candidate for itemizing, unlike most ACA marketplace participants. Definitely worth running the numbers both ways before filing!

Quick question - does anyone know if the gift tax applies to cryptocurrency transfers? I was thinking of sending my sister some Bitcoin to help with her expenses but not sure if that triggers any reporting requirements.

Thanks everyone for all this helpful information! I had no idea about the lifetime exemption being so high - it really changes things knowing I'd just need to file a form but wouldn't actually owe tax. The suggestion about paying medical expenses directly is genius. I'm definitely going to contact his hospital about paying that $5k directly, and then I can help him with the remaining debt without going over the annual limit. One follow-up question though - when you pay medical expenses directly to providers, do you need any special documentation from the recipient to prove it was for their medical care? Or is the payment directly to the hospital/doctor sufficient proof for the IRS? Also really appreciate the recommendations for taxr.ai and Claimyr - might check those out if I run into any complications. This community is so much more helpful than trying to decode IRS publications on my own!