Has anyone used both TurboTax and H&R Block as a single parent? I've used TurboTax for years but my sister swears H&R Block found her way more deductions as a single mom. Wondering if it's worth switching?

As someone who went through this exact situation a few years ago, I totally understand the overwhelm! You're asking all the right questions though. One thing I didn't see mentioned yet - make sure you're keeping receipts for ANY medical expenses for your daughter. Even small things like over-the-counter medications, doctor copays, dental visits, etc. can add up. As a single parent, you might hit the threshold for medical deduction if you itemize instead of taking the standard deduction, especially with your income level. Also, since you're a nurse, don't forget about work-related expenses like uniforms, continuing education, professional license fees, etc. These can be significant deductions that many healthcare workers miss. For your childcare situation with your mom - I went through the same thing. The conversation about her reporting the income can be awkward, but it's worth having because that Child and Dependent Care Credit can be substantial. Maybe approach it as helping each other out tax-wise rather than just you needing something from her. One last tip: start organizing everything NOW for next year. Set up a simple filing system for receipts and important documents. Being a single parent is hard enough without scrambling for paperwork during tax season!

whatever u do dont get an advance from those tax places...my sister did that last year and ended up paying like $300 in fees smh

Just wait it out if you can. The IRS is slow but at least you'll get your full refund without fees

Another thing to try - if you have access to your IRS online account, check for any notices or letters they might have sent about the RIVO hold. Sometimes they'll post updates there that can give you more info about what they need to release your refund. Also, when you do get through to someone, ask specifically about Form 8379 (Injured Spouse Allocation) if you're married - sometimes RIVO holds are related to that and they can expedite the process if you qualify.

Had this happen to me last year - RIVO cases are such a pain! One thing that helped me was calling the IRS early in the morning (like 7-8am) and asking to speak to someone in the "refund department" specifically. When you mention the RIVO lead number, they should be able to pull up your case and give you a timeline. Also, if you filed electronically, check if your tax prep software has any tools to track refund status - sometimes they have backdoor access to more detailed info than the regular "Where's My Refund" tool.

These tax prep companies be playing musical chairs with banks every year i stg

Thanks for the info about First Century Bank! Does anyone know if they have the same deposit limits as Santa Barbara TPG did? I remember there being some cap on how much you could get early but can't remember the exact amount.

Those codes are actually pretty standard! Code 150 just means your return was processed and accepted into the system. Code 766 represents credits applied to your account (like withholdings or refundable credits), and 768 specifically shows the Earned Income Credit if you qualified for it. The fact that you're seeing these codes is actually a good sign - it means your return is in the system and being processed. What you really want to watch for is code 846, which will show your actual refund issue date. Until you see that, you're still in the processing queue. Two months does feel like forever, but unfortunately it's not uncommon right now. The IRS is dealing with a huge backlog. Keep checking your transcript weekly - once that 846 code appears with a date, you'll know exactly when to expect your refund. Hang in there! 🤞

Those codes are totally normal! 150 means your return was accepted and processed, 766 shows credits applied to your account (like tax withholdings), and 768 is the Earned Income Credit if you qualified. These are all good signs that your return is moving through the system. The waiting is brutal, I know! Two months feels like forever but it's unfortunately pretty typical right now with all the backlogs. The key code to watch for is 846 - that's when they actually issue your refund and you'll see the exact date. Keep checking your transcript weekly, and once you see that 846 code pop up, you'll know your refund is finally on its way! Don't lose hope - your return is definitely in the system and processing. 🤞