Does anyone know if you need the more expensive TurboTax versions to handle multiple states? I was using the Free Edition but now I'm worried it won't support my situation with two states.

Great advice from everyone here! I just want to add one more tip that saved me a lot of headache with my multi-state filing - make sure to keep detailed records of which state you were physically working in for each pay period. I moved from Texas to Colorado mid-year and thought I had everything figured out, but it turned out some of my remote work days while technically employed by my Colorado company were done while I was still physically in Texas. This affected how the income was allocated between states. TurboTax will ask you specific questions about work location and dates, so having a calendar or log of where you actually performed the work (not just where your employer is located) can be really helpful. Also, don't forget about any state-specific deductions you might qualify for - each state I filed in had different rules about what could be deducted!

As someone who's worked in tax preparation for years, I want to emphasize that documentation is absolutely crucial for hearing aid deductions. Keep all receipts, insurance correspondence (even denials), and any medical documentation about your hearing loss. One thing I don't see mentioned here is that if you're claiming hearing aids as a medical expense, make sure to include ALL related costs - not just the devices themselves. This includes audiologist visits, hearing tests, batteries, maintenance, and even travel expenses to medical appointments. These ancillary costs can add up and help you reach that 7.5% AGI threshold for medical deductions. Also, be aware that if you later receive any insurance reimbursement or settlement related to these hearing aids, you may need to include that as income if you previously deducted the expense. The IRS calls this the "tax benefit rule" - basically you can't double-dip on the tax benefit.

Just wanted to add another option that might help - if your employer offers a Dependent Care FSA or if you have access to a Health Savings Account through a high-deductible health plan, you can use those pre-tax dollars for hearing aids. This gives you an immediate tax benefit rather than waiting to see if you can clear the 7.5% AGI hurdle for medical deductions. Also, if you're considering financing the hearing aids, some medical financing companies offer interest-free periods. While the interest itself isn't deductible, spreading the cost over time might help you better manage the expense while still allowing you to claim the full deduction in the year you became liable for the payment. One more tip - if you're close to retirement or expect lower income next year, it might be worth considering whether to accelerate other medical expenses into this tax year to help reach that 7.5% threshold, or alternatively, defer the hearing aid purchase if possible to a year when your AGI will be lower and the threshold easier to meet.

Has anyone used TurboTax for this situation? Will it guide me through the process correctly for both my return and my kid's return?

This is such a common situation and you're absolutely on the right track! Your daughter can definitely file her own return while you claim her as a dependent - happens all the time with college students. Just to reinforce what others have said: since you're providing over half her support (housing, utilities, insurance, groceries, phone) and she's a full-time student under 24, she qualifies as your dependent. The $800-900/month she makes for personal expenses doesn't change that. When she files her return, she'll need to check the box indicating someone else can claim her as a dependent. This is crucial - if she forgets to check that box, it can cause issues when you file your return claiming her. One thing I'd add: keep good records of what you pay for vs. what she pays for. The IRS support test looks at the total cost of her support for the year, and you need to provide more than 50%. Given that you're covering all the major living expenses, you should be well over that threshold, but it's good to have documentation just in case. Your daughter should definitely file her own return if she had any taxes withheld from her paychecks - that's likely the only way she'll get those refunds back. Plus it's good practice for her to learn the process!

I want to add something really important that I learned the hard way when I went through this process. Your cousin should be aware that once she starts receiving these larger refunds from amended returns, she needs to be careful about how it might affect any means-tested benefits she or her family might be receiving (like SNAP, Medicaid, housing assistance, etc.). The IRS refunds are generally not counted as income for benefit purposes, but some state and local programs have asset limits that could be affected by suddenly having several thousand dollars in the bank. I'd recommend she contact her local benefits office or a benefits counselor before filing the amendments to understand any potential impact. Also, if she's been making estimated tax payments or having taxes withheld since getting her SSN, she should review those amounts too. With the additional credits she'll now be eligible for, she might be overpaying her current year taxes and could adjust her withholding or estimated payments accordingly. One last tip - keep copies of EVERYTHING and consider using certified mail with return receipt for all amended returns. The IRS has been having processing delays, and having proof of when you submitted everything is crucial if there are any issues down the road. Good luck to your cousin - this could really be life-changing money for her family!

I work as a tax advisor specializing in immigration status transitions, and this thread has covered most of the key points beautifully! I wanted to add a few practical tips from my experience helping clients through this exact process: **Documentation strategy**: Create a "status transition packet" that includes: copies of her final ITIN return, first SSN return, green card, SSN card, and a timeline of dates. Mail this same packet with every amended return - it's like giving each IRS processor the full story upfront. **Processing reality check**: Even with perfect documentation, expect 6-12 months for processing. The IRS has specific units that handle these complex amendments, and they're thorough but slow. Track everything using the "Where's My Amended Return" tool. **State considerations**: Don't forget about state disability insurance (SDI) refunds if she's in California. ITIN holders often couldn't claim certain SDI benefits that she might now be retroactively eligible for. **Future planning**: Once she gets through this process, consider setting up quarterly estimated payments that account for her new credit eligibility. This prevents large refunds going forward and helps with cash flow. The potential recovery really can be substantial - I've seen families receive $8,000-$15,000 across multiple years. It's definitely worth the paperwork hassle!

Just wanted to jump in with a quick tip for anyone still waiting on their Cash App 1099-B forms - you can actually download them directly from the app right now! Go to your profile, then "Documents" and look for "Tax Documents" or "Tax Statements." Mine was already available there even though I hadn't gotten the email notification yet. Also, for those worried about the complexity - I was in the exact same boat as Isaiah last year with my first investment income. Had about $600 in gains from some GameStop and crypto trades. It seemed super intimidating at first, but honestly once you sit down with tax software and your 1099-B, it's really not that bad. The software walks you through everything step by step. One thing I wish someone had told me - take screenshots of your transaction history in the app as backup before tax season gets crazy. Apps sometimes have outages or technical issues right when everyone's trying to download their tax docs. Having your own records saved you from stress if their servers go down!

Hey Isaiah! Just wanted to add one more thing that might be helpful - make sure to check if you qualify for any tax deductions related to your investing activity. While you can't deduct losses against regular income as a casual investor, you might be able to deduct certain investment-related expenses like subscription fees for research tools or investment publications you used to make trading decisions. Also, since you mentioned this is your first time with investment income, consider setting aside a small portion of any future gains in a separate savings account for taxes. Even though $835 isn't a huge tax burden, it's a good habit to develop. I learned this the hard way when I had a really good year and got hit with a bigger tax bill than expected! One more tip - if you plan to keep trading, you might want to look into tax-loss harvesting strategies for next year. It's basically selling investments at a loss to offset gains for tax purposes. Not relevant for this year since you made money, but could be useful going forward if you have both winners and losers in your portfolio. Welcome to the world of investment taxes - it definitely gets easier with experience!