One thing nobody's mentioned - make sure you keep REALLY good records about your caregiving arrangement. My cousin got audited last year specifically about her 2014-7 exempt income, and the IRS wanted to see: - Documentation from the agency showing it's a Medicaid waiver program - Proof that the person you're caring for lives with you (same address) - Medical documentation showing the family member requires care - Your certification or training as a caregiver (if applicable) - A log of care hours provided The IRS is definitely looking at these exemptions more carefully now. Even though the income is exempt, they want to make sure people actually qualify for the exemption.

I'd recommend keeping those records for at least 7 years, especially for something as specific as the 2014-7 exemption. While the IRS generally has 3 years to audit most returns, they have 6 years if they suspect you've understated income by more than 25%. Since caregiver income exemptions are relatively uncommon and the IRS is scrutinizing them more closely, having documentation readily available for the extended period gives you better protection. Also, state tax agencies might have different audit timelines than the federal IRS, so the longer retention period covers you there too. Digital copies work fine - just scan everything and keep it organized by tax year. It's much easier than trying to recreate documentation years later if questions arise.

I'm going through this exact same frustrating situation right now! Filed my Michigan state return in early May and I'm currently at 4 weeks in review status with zero communication from them. Like everyone else here, my federal refund came through quickly with no issues, but Michigan just keeps showing that same generic "under review" message. What's really getting to me is the complete lack of transparency - no explanation of what they're reviewing, no timeline estimates, absolutely nothing. I've been checking my mail constantly thinking maybe I missed a letter, but there's been total radio silence from Michigan Treasury. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both helpful and honestly pretty scary. The fact that 8-12+ weeks has become the "new normal" this year is just insane - we shouldn't have to wait months for our own money while they provide zero accountability! I'm definitely going to try the secure messaging through Michigan Treasury Online that so many people have mentioned, especially once I hit the longer wait times. It's ridiculous that we have to crowdsource solutions just to figure out how to get our refunds from our own state government. Thanks Emma for starting this thread - it really helps to know we're not alone in dealing with Michigan's completely broken system, even though none of us should have to go through this nightmare. Hopefully we all get our money soon! 🤞

I'm going through the exact same nightmare! Filed my Michigan state return in mid-April and I'm currently at 6 weeks stuck in review with absolutely zero explanation from them. Like everyone else here, my federal refund came through in under 3 weeks with no problems, but Michigan just keeps showing that same useless "under review" message every time I check. What's really infuriating is the complete lack of communication - no letter explaining what's being reviewed, no timeline estimates, nothing. I've been checking my mail religiously but haven't received any requests for additional documentation. Reading through all these experiences, it's both reassuring and maddening to see that 8-12+ weeks has unfortunately become the "new normal" for Michigan this year. That's completely unacceptable - we shouldn't have to wait months for our own money while they provide zero transparency! I'm definitely going to try the secure messaging through Michigan Treasury Online since so many people have had success with that approach compared to the phone system (which sounds like a complete waste of time). It's crazy that we have to crowdsource solutions just to figure out how to get our refunds from our own state government. Thanks Emma for starting this thread - it really helps to know we're not alone in dealing with Michigan's completely broken system, even though none of us should have to endure this! Hopefully we all get our money soon. 🤞

This is really helpful! I'm in almost the exact same boat - married filing jointly, W-2s, mortgage, kids, and some savings interest. I've been automatically buying Deluxe every year without thinking about it. Based on what everyone's saying about the standard deduction being $25,900, I should definitely try the free version first. My mortgage interest is probably around $12,000 and donations maybe $1,500, so that's only $13,500 total - way less than the standard deduction. Quick question though - do I need to enter my mortgage interest and donation info at all if I'm taking the standard deduction, or can I just skip those sections entirely? I want to make sure I'm not missing anything important, but also don't want to get tricked into upgrading if I don't need to. Also going to check out that IRS Free File program that was mentioned - our AGI should be under $73k so that might be an even better option. Thanks everyone for all the detailed info!

One more tip that might help you decide - TurboTax Free Edition will actually let you start your return and go pretty far into the process before hitting any paywalls. So you could begin with the free version, enter your basic info (W-2s, dependents, etc.), and see if it prompts you to upgrade at any point. The advantage of this approach is that you'll know for certain whether the free version meets your needs before committing to pay for Deluxe. In your situation with standard deduction, you should be able to complete everything in the free version, but this way you can verify it yourself. Just be prepared for the aggressive upselling throughout the process - TurboTax will try to convince you that you "might be missing deductions" with scary language, but stick to your guns if you know the standard deduction is better for you. The free version should handle your W-2 income, child tax credits, and standard deduction perfectly fine.

This is such a complex decision with so many moving pieces! I've been following this thread closely because I'm in a somewhat similar situation as a healthcare professional considering the jump from W2 to business ownership. One thing that struck me from reading all the responses is how much the specific details of your contracts and relationships matter. The fact that your primary employer is trying to sell while being financially overextended, combined with your statement that the facility loves working with you, suggests you might have more leverage than you initially realized. Before diving into the LLC/S-Corp decision, have you considered reaching out directly to the facility to gauge their interest in working with you independently? Sometimes these conversations can reveal opportunities you hadn't considered - maybe they're frustrated with your current employer's financial issues and would welcome a more stable arrangement. From a risk management perspective, I'd lean toward keeping your primary W2 income stable during this transition period while building your LLC client base. The uncertainty around the business sale creates enough volatility without adding the income unpredictability of going fully independent right away. The tax benefits of business ownership are definitely real at your income level, but as others have pointed out, they only help if you're actually generating sustainable revenue. Given that you haven't started operations yet with your LLC, I'd suggest giving yourself at least 6-12 months to build that track record before making any major changes to your primary income source. What's your timeline for when you absolutely need to make this decision? The business sale process could take months, which might give you time to test the waters with your LLC while keeping your options open.

I've been through a similar transition in healthcare and wanted to share some practical insights that might help with your decision. The timing of your employer's potential sale actually creates a unique opportunity. Instead of rushing into a full LLC conversion, consider this a chance to negotiate from a position of strength. Healthcare businesses are heavily dependent on key personnel relationships - which you clearly have given the facility's preference for you. Here's what I'd suggest as a phased approach: **Phase 1 (Next 3-6 months):** Keep your W2 positions while starting to build your LLC client base with smaller contracts. This gives you real data on what you can actually earn independently while maintaining financial stability during the business sale uncertainty. **Phase 2 (6-12 months):** Once you have proven LLC revenue and clarity on the business sale outcome, you can make an informed decision about converting your primary income. By then you'll know: a) what your LLC can realistically generate, b) who the new owners are and what terms they offer, and c) whether the facility would work with you directly. Regarding the tax structure question - S-Corp election makes sense at your income level, but only after you're generating consistent business revenue. The administrative overhead and reasonable salary requirements aren't worth it for a startup LLC that's still building its client base. One often-overlooked advantage: if you do eventually negotiate directly with the facility, you might be able to structure it as a long-term contract that provides more income stability than typical independent work while still getting the tax benefits of business ownership. Have you had any preliminary conversations with the facility about their satisfaction with current arrangements?

Has anyone successfully gotten a property tax exemption? I'm turning 65 next month and heard seniors can get their taxes reduced in some places.

I totally get your frustration - I felt the same way when I bought my first place three years ago! What helped me was understanding that property taxes are actually one of the most stable funding sources for essential local services. Unlike income taxes that can fluctuate with the economy, property taxes provide consistent revenue for things like schools, emergency services, and infrastructure that directly benefit your neighborhood. Regarding your concern about losing your home - yes, it's technically possible, but most counties have extensive programs to help people avoid this situation. Many offer payment plans, hardship deferrals, and senior exemptions (like others mentioned). The process usually takes years of non-payment before foreclosure, giving plenty of time to work out solutions. I'd suggest calling your county assessor's office to ask about available programs. Also, if your assessment seems too high compared to similar homes, it's definitely worth challenging it. The worst they can say is no, but you might save hundreds or even thousands annually. Your aunt might especially benefit from senior exemption programs that could freeze or reduce her taxes based on her age and income.