Does anyone know if we can deduct things like online tutoring subscriptions? I pay for premium Zoom and some online whiteboard tools specifically for my tutoring.

Just wanted to add that you should also keep track of any professional development expenses related to your tutoring! I deduct things like online courses I take to improve my teaching methods, books I buy to stay current in my subject areas, and even conference fees when I attend education-related events. Also, don't forget about home office expenses if you're doing any tutoring from home. You can deduct a portion of your rent/mortgage, utilities, and other home expenses based on the percentage of your home used exclusively for tutoring. Even if it's just a corner of your bedroom where you do online sessions, as long as it's used regularly and exclusively for business, it may qualify. The key is keeping detailed records of everything. I use a simple spreadsheet to track all my tutoring-related expenses throughout the year - makes tax time so much easier!

I actually switched from TurboTax to FreeTaxUSA two years ago and had the exact same concern about audit protection! After reading through all these responses, I can confirm that FreeTaxUSA's Audit Assist in their Deluxe package is definitely worth it for the price. One thing I'd add is that you should also consider your actual audit risk. Most people with straightforward W-2 income and standard deductions have very low audit rates. The IRS mainly targets high earners, business owners with large expenses, or returns with obvious red flags. If your taxes are relatively simple, even the basic guidance from Audit Assist would probably be sufficient. That said, for under $10 extra, the peace of mind is totally worth it. I sleep better knowing I have that support available, even though statistically I'll probably never need it. The money you'll save switching from TurboTax more than pays for the Deluxe upgrade several times over!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through this exact decision process! I switched from TurboTax to FreeTaxUSA last year specifically because of cost concerns, and I was also worried about losing audit protection. Here's what I found after using FreeTaxUSA's Deluxe with Audit Assist for a full tax season: it's honestly everything I needed. The guidance they provide is clear and practical. When I had a question about whether certain business expenses might raise red flags, their support team walked me through exactly what documentation I should keep and how to present everything clearly. The key thing to remember is that audit rates are actually pretty low for most taxpayers - around 0.4% for individuals making under $200k. So while it's smart to have protection, you're statistically unlikely to need it. FreeTaxUSA's approach of providing expert guidance rather than full representation makes sense for most people's risk level and budgets. Bottom line: make the switch! The money you save will more than pay for several years of Deluxe upgrades, and you'll still have solid audit support if you need it.

I'm confused why no one's talking about Form 843 for relief from tax penalties? If you had no income and made an honest mistake with the Marketplace plan, couldn't you request abatement of the APTC repayment based on reasonable cause?

As someone who went through a similar situation as an F1 student, I want to emphasize a few key points that might help you: 1. **Double-check your filing status**: Since you mentioned being here about 3 years, make absolutely sure you qualify for the F1 student exemption from the substantial presence test. If you don't qualify for the exemption, you might actually be a resident alien for tax purposes, which would change everything about how you file and could make you eligible for repayment limitations. 2. **Payment options**: Don't stress too much about paying the full APTC amount immediately. The IRS offers payment plans (Form 9465) for taxpayers who can't pay their full liability at once. As a student with no income, they're usually understanding about installment agreements. 3. **Keep detailed records**: Since this is a complex situation involving international student status and APTC repayment, keep copies of everything - your 1095-A, 1040-NR, Form 8962, Form 8843, and any correspondence with the IRS. This will be crucial if they have questions later. 4. **Consider professional help**: While the online services mentioned seem helpful, you might also want to contact your school's international student services office. Many universities have tax preparation assistance specifically for international students, and they're familiar with these exact situations. The good news is that you caught this early and are being proactive about fixing it. That puts you in a much better position than if you had ignored it completely.

Slightly different perspective - before you panic completely, have you tried checking your return against free tax software just to verify if there are actual errors? I've used FreeTaxUSA for years and it's super straightforward. You could input all your info there and see if the numbers match up with what the Fiverr person gave you. This way you'd know for sure if you're being overcharged on taxes due to missing deductions. It might take an hour or two, but it would give you peace of mind before you potentially pay someone else to redo everything.

I'm dealing with a similar back tax situation right now and your story is giving me major anxiety! One thing I've learned through this process is that you absolutely cannot file returns with known errors - it can actually make your situation with the IRS worse, not better. The missing preparer signature is a huge red flag. Any legitimate tax professional should be willing to sign their work. If she's refusing to do that, it suggests she either knows there are problems with the returns or she's not actually qualified to prepare them. For the advertising deductions specifically - those can make a massive difference in what you owe. If she left those off completely, you could be overpaying by hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Given that you're already dealing with back taxes, every dollar counts. I'd give her 24-48 hours to respond and fix everything. If she doesn't, cut your losses and find a local CPA or enrolled agent. Yes, it'll cost more upfront, but it's way cheaper than dealing with IRS penalties later if the returns are wrong. The peace of mind alone is worth it when you're trying to get right with the IRS. Also, definitely keep all your communications with her in case you need to file a complaint later. Good luck!

Does anyone know if a 1098-C form impacts your ability to claim the standard deduction for your state taxes if state and federal filing statuses have to match? I'm in California and always confused about how federal choices affect my state return.

Just wanted to add my experience since I was in almost exactly the same situation last year! I donated a 2015 Honda Civic that was worth about $3,000 and got a 1098-C form. I was also unsure about itemizing vs standard deduction. The key thing I learned is that there's absolutely zero downside to accepting the 1098-C form. I ended up taking the standard deduction because my total itemized deductions were only about $11,500 (well below the $13,850 standard). The 1098-C just sits in my tax files and doesn't affect anything. One tip though - make sure you keep good records of how you determined the car's value (like KBB screenshots, recent repair estimates, etc.) just in case. Even if you don't use the deduction this year, having proper documentation could be helpful if your situation changes or if you ever need to reference the donation for other purposes. The charity should handle all the reporting requirements on their end, so you really don't need to worry about any complications from accepting the form!