Thanks for all the detailed responses everyone! This is exactly the kind of insight I was hoping for. Based on what I'm hearing, it sounds like H&R Block would be the better choice for my situation. The software-based training seems more practical, and the advancement opportunities are appealing since I'm thinking about this as a potential career path rather than just seasonal work. @Sofia Peña and @Luca Esposito - your points about the franchise vs corporate structure really resonated with me. I hadn't considered how much that could affect the quality and consistency of the experience. I think I'm going to finish out my current Liberty Tax class (since I'm already halfway through) but then switch to H&R Block for actual employment. At least the foundational knowledge from Liberty's manual approach might give me a solid understanding of the concepts, and then I can learn the practical software skills at Block. Has anyone made a similar switch mid-season or between companies? Any tips for making that transition smooth? Really appreciate everyone taking the time to share their experiences!

I've been working in tax preparation for about 5 years now and wanted to add a perspective on the client experience side of things. One major difference I've noticed is that H&R Block clients tend to have higher expectations for service quality, which can be both good and bad. Good because it pushes you to really know your stuff and provide thorough explanations. Bad because you'll deal with more demanding clients who expect perfection. Liberty Tax clients are often more focused on speed and getting their refund quickly, so there's less pressure for detailed explanations but more emphasis on volume and efficiency. From a learning standpoint, I'd echo what others have said about Block being better for career development. They also offer more specialized training - like workshops for small business returns, rental property, etc. - which can really boost your skills and earning potential. The other thing to consider is office culture. This varies by location, but in my experience, H&R Block offices tend to be more professional environments, while Liberty can be more casual (sometimes too casual). If you're looking at this as a serious career move, the professional atmosphere at Block might serve you better for networking and building relationships in the industry. Also worth noting - Block typically has better resources for handling audits and IRS correspondence, which is something you'll definitely encounter as you gain more experience with complex returns.

One more important thing to consider - if your boyfriend does claim your daughter and gets the Child Tax Credit, make sure he also looks into the Child and Dependent Care Credit if he's paying for any daycare or childcare expenses while you're in school. That could be additional tax savings on top of the dependency exemption and Child Tax Credit. Also, since you mentioned you're a full-time student, you might want to check if you qualify for education credits like the American Opportunity Tax Credit on your own return - just because you're releasing the dependency claim doesn't mean you can't still claim your own education expenses. The tax code can work in your favor in multiple ways if you plan it right!

Just wanted to add from personal experience - definitely consult with a tax professional before making the final decision, especially since this involves multiple tax benefits (Child Tax Credit, Head of Household status, education credits, etc.). I made a similar decision a few years ago and while the Form 8332 process is straightforward, having a CPA run the numbers for both scenarios helped us maximize the overall tax benefit for our household. Sometimes it's actually better for the biological parent to keep the claim depending on income levels and other factors. The $200-300 you'd spend on professional advice could save you thousands in the long run. Also, make sure you're both on the same page about this decision since it affects both of your tax returns!

Just wanted to share my experience as someone who went through this exact process last year with my two kids on an H1B visa! You can definitely apply for ITINs and claim your children as dependents on the same tax return. Here are a few key tips from my experience: 1. Make sure you're using the most current W-7 form - the IRS updates it periodically and they'll reject outdated versions 2. For the supporting documents, certified copies from the issuing agency work just as well as originals and are much safer to mail 3. When filling out your 1040, write "ITIN Applied For" in the SSN field for each child 4. Processing typically takes 7-11 weeks, but you can still e-file your return while the ITIN applications are pending The Child Tax Credit alone made this worth doing immediately rather than waiting until next year. For two kids, you're looking at potentially $4,000-$6,000 in tax benefits depending on your income level. One thing I wish I'd known earlier - if you have any issues or questions after submitting, calling the IRS directly can be nearly impossible. Consider keeping documentation of everything you submit and maybe look into services that can help you get through to an actual IRS agent if needed. Good luck with your first tax filing as a US resident!

This is such valuable information for first-time filers! I'm in a similar situation - just got my H1B approved and will be filing taxes as a resident for the first time this year. One thing I wanted to add that might help others: I called several tax preparation services in my area, and many of them have experience with ITIN applications and can help walk you through the process. Some even offer to mail your documents using certified mail with tracking, which gave me more peace of mind than regular mail. Also, just a heads up - make sure to keep copies of absolutely everything you submit. I've heard stories of applications getting lost in the mail, and having copies makes it much easier to resubmit if needed. The timeframe is definitely important to keep in mind. Since you're filing for 2024 taxes, you have until the tax deadline to submit everything, but the earlier you get your ITIN applications in, the better. The IRS processes them in the order they receive them, so submitting in January/February typically means faster processing than waiting until March or April. Has anyone had experience with the IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers for ITIN applications? I'm wondering if it's worth making an appointment to have them review everything in person before submitting.

Think of the IRS processing system like a massive traffic jam where some lanes move faster than others. Your cycle code is like your lane assignment. Sometimes being in the 0605 lane is great, other times it's the slowest one on the highway. From what I've seen across multiple tax seasons, there's no real advantage to any particular cycle code - it's more about what's in your return. Credits like CTC or EIC are like driving a wide load that requires special handling and slows everything down.

I'm also a 0605 cycle and filed on February 15th - still no movement on my transcript after 23 days. What's really frustrating is that I filed the exact same forms last year (1040 with Schedule C for my side business) and got my refund in 14 days. This year feels completely different. I've been reading that the IRS is dealing with staffing issues and new system updates that are causing delays across the board. At least it sounds like we're not alone in this! I'm trying to be patient but it's hard when you're expecting that refund for planned expenses.

Has anybody tried just printing and mailing their return instead of e-filing? After my second rejection I just said screw it and mailed everything in. No rejection possible that way!

Thanks for sharing this solution! I went through the exact same frustrating cycle of rejections last month. What made it even more confusing was that H&R Block's error message just said "incorrect AGI" without any mention that amendments could be the culprit. For anyone else dealing with this - another thing to watch out for is if you filed a superseding return (not just an amendment) the previous year. The IRS treats these differently than regular 1040-X amendments, and you might need the AGI from your very first filing, not the superseding return. Also, if you can't locate your original pre-amendment AGI, you can request a wage and income transcript from the IRS website (irs.gov) which will show exactly what they have on file for verification purposes. Way faster than calling and waiting on hold!