I've been following this thread closely as I'm also preparing for the EA exam while working full-time. Based on all the experiences shared here, it seems like both Gleim and Fast Forward Academy have their strengths. What's really helping me decide is thinking about my learning style. I tend to learn better with interactive explanations rather than just drilling practice questions, so Fast Forward's approach of focusing on understanding concepts really appeals to me. The positive feedback about their mobile platform is also a huge plus since I commute by train and could use that time effectively. That said, Gleim's massive test bank that @QuantumLeap mentioned is tempting, especially since they said the questions were very similar to the actual exam. Has anyone tried combining approaches - maybe using one platform as primary and another for supplemental practice questions? Also really intrigued by @Omar Hassan's experience with getting direct advice from the IRS using Claimyr. I might try that approach to get some insider perspective on what topics to prioritize. Thanks everyone for sharing such detailed experiences - this thread has been incredibly helpful!

Just wanted to jump in here as someone who recently completed all three EA exams using a combination approach. I started with Fast Forward Academy for my foundational learning and then added Gleim's practice questions about 3 weeks before each exam. What worked really well for me was using Fast Forward's conceptual explanations to build understanding, then testing that knowledge with Gleim's extensive question bank. The different question styles actually helped rather than confused me - it made me more adaptable to whatever format the actual exam threw at me. One tip I'd add: don't underestimate the importance of timing practice. Both platforms offer timed exams, but I found Fast Forward's interface closer to the actual Prometric testing environment. The real exam felt very familiar because of this. For anyone considering the IRS contact route that @Omar Hassan mentioned, I'd recommend doing it after you've studied for a few weeks. That way you can ask more informed questions about specific topics rather than general advice. The agent I spoke with was actually quite helpful in clarifying some recent regulation changes that weren't fully covered in my study materials yet. Budget-wise, using both platforms was definitely more expensive, but it was worth it for the peace of mind and comprehensive preparation. Passed all three parts on first attempt with scores in the mid-80s.

Make sure u kno that not all school expenses count for the tax credit!! i learned this hard way when my fancy graphing calculator wasnt a qualified expense even tho it was required for my math class. also check if ur school has a financial aid office cuz mine helped me understand my 1098-T and even helped me fill out the forms i needed!!!!!

I went through this exact same situation last year! Don't beat yourself up about it - you're definitely not alone in missing these credits initially. The good news is that you can absolutely recover those missed benefits. Here's what I learned from my experience: First, gather all your 1098-T forms from each year. You'll also want to collect receipts for any required course materials, lab fees, and other qualified expenses that might not be on the 1098-T but still count toward your credits. The American Opportunity Tax Credit is usually your best bet if you're an undergraduate student enrolled at least half-time - it's worth up to $2,500 per year and part of it is refundable, meaning you can get money back even if you don't owe taxes. You can claim this for up to 4 years of undergraduate education. One tip that saved me time: before filing amendments, use the IRS Interactive Tax Assistant tool online to make sure you qualify for the credits and understand the income limits. This helped me avoid mistakes on my amended returns. The amendment process took about 2-3 months to get my refunds, but it was totally worth it. I ended up getting back over $4,000 across three years! Just make sure to mail your 1040X forms to the correct IRS processing center for your state.

This thread has been absolutely invaluable! As a freelance photographer who bought season tickets to our local hockey team last year, I was completely unaware of the 2018 tax law changes until reading through this discussion. I was planning to deduct the entire $2,200 I spent on tickets as client entertainment expenses. The breakdown everyone has provided about what's actually deductible versus what isn't has been eye-opening. So if I understand correctly: the tickets themselves are no longer deductible as entertainment, but meals and drinks purchased separately at the venue could be 50% deductible with proper documentation? And donating unused tickets to qualified charities provides a legitimate charitable deduction? I'm particularly grateful for all the practical advice about documentation requirements. It's clear I need to move beyond my current system of random phone notes to something much more systematic that would hold up in an audit. The contemporaneous record-keeping approach with business purpose, attendees, and follow-up outcomes documented immediately sounds like exactly what I need to implement. One question I haven't seen addressed - for those who do corporate headshots and event photography, would photographing a client's company event that happens to be held at a sporting venue be treated differently than regular entertainment? I've had a few clients book me to photograph their corporate hospitality events at stadium suites. The charitable donation strategy is brilliant for unused tickets. I probably had 4-5 games last season where planned client meetings fell through, and I just absorbed the cost. Going forward, I'll definitely reach out to local youth organizations. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed expertise - you've saved me from making some expensive mistakes on my return!

This has been an incredibly helpful thread! As someone who just started freelancing as a tax consultant myself (ironic, I know), I was actually planning to buy season tickets for our local NFL team this year specifically for client entertainment. After reading through everyone's experiences and insights, I'm definitely reconsidering that strategy. The explanation about the 2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act eliminating entertainment deductions is crucial information that I'll need to share with my own clients who are probably making similar mistakes. It's clear that the tax landscape changed dramatically, and many business owners are still operating under the old rules. Instead of season tickets, I'm thinking it might be smarter to focus on taking clients to business lunches at nice restaurants where the meal costs are clearly 50% deductible with proper documentation. The ROI seems much better when you can actually deduct a portion of the expense versus getting zero tax benefit from expensive sports tickets. For those who already have season tickets, the charitable donation strategy for unused games is brilliant. I'm definitely going to suggest this approach to my clients who are in similar situations. It's a win-win that helps local youth organizations while providing legitimate tax benefits. One thing I'd add based on my professional training - the documentation requirements really can't be overstated. The IRS has specific substantiation rules under Section 274, and having contemporaneous records with business purpose, attendees, and outcomes documented is absolutely critical. Even legitimate expenses can be disallowed if you can't properly substantiate them. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed real-world experiences - this thread is going to be incredibly valuable for helping my clients navigate these complex rules!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea there were so many considerations beyond just the tax savings. As someone who's been through a similar situation, I wanted to share what we ultimately decided to do. After reading about all the potential complications (student loans, health insurance, etc.), my fiancé and I decided to stick with filing separately this year and just accept the higher tax bill. We realized that the $3,200 in potential savings wasn't worth the risks of committing tax fraud or the complications it could create with our other financial obligations. Instead, we're planning to get legally married in a small courthouse ceremony this December (before our big wedding next summer) so we can file jointly for next year's taxes. This way we get the legitimate tax benefits going forward without any of the legal risks. For anyone else in this situation - definitely run the numbers on how marriage would affect your student loan payments, health insurance premiums, and any other income-based benefits before making the decision. The tax savings might be offset by increases in other areas. Thanks everyone for keeping me from making a costly mistake!

Just wanted to add my perspective as someone who works in tax preparation - this thread is spot on about the legal requirements. I see this confusion come up fairly regularly, especially with younger couples who are living together and sharing expenses. One thing I always tell clients is that the IRS definition of "married" is very specific and binary - you either are legally married under state law or you're not. There's no "engaged" filing status, no "domestic partner" option for federal taxes, and no exceptions for couples who live together or share financial responsibilities. The $3,200 potential savings your tax preparer mentioned is probably real - married filing jointly often does result in significant tax benefits, especially when one partner earns substantially more than the other. But as others have mentioned, claiming that status when you're not legally married would constitute filing a false return. If you're serious about the tax savings, getting married before December 31st really is your only legitimate option. Just make sure to consider all the other financial implications (student loans, health insurance, etc.) that others have mentioned before making that decision. I'd also echo the recommendation to find a new tax preparer - anyone suggesting unmarried couples can file jointly either doesn't understand basic tax law or is encouraging fraud. Neither is someone you want handling your taxes.

Hi, I'm a green card holder who had this exact situation for 3 years. I filed every year even with no income to report. When I applied for citizenship, the officer specifically asked for all my tax returns and seemed pleased I had consistently filed, even with zeros. Just my personal experience, but I'd 100% recommend filing.

I went through this exact situation with my brother who's a green card holder. After researching extensively and consulting with an immigration attorney, here's what I learned: Technically, if your spouse truly has zero income and falls below the filing threshold, they're not legally required to file. However, there are several compelling reasons to file anyway: 1. **Immigration benefits**: When applying for citizenship, USCIS often requests tax transcripts as evidence of compliance with U.S. laws. Having a consistent filing history, even with zero income, demonstrates good faith effort to follow tax obligations. 2. **Documentation**: Filing creates an official record that your spouse was present in the U.S. and aware of their tax responsibilities, which can be valuable for future immigration processes. 3. **No penalties**: There's no downside to filing a zero return - it's free using IRS Free File options and takes minimal time. 4. **Peace of mind**: Eliminates any uncertainty about compliance and creates a paper trail showing responsible behavior. My brother filed zero returns for two years before getting work authorization, and during his citizenship interview, the officer specifically asked for tax returns. Having them available made the process much smoother. I'd strongly recommend filing - it's a simple safeguard that protects their immigration status.