I've been in a similar situation with mixed income sources and just went through this decision process myself. After using TurboTax for years, I switched to TaxSlayer last tax season primarily because of cost - the savings really add up when you need the self-employment features. For your situation with W-2, 1099 freelance income, and new homeowner deductions, TaxSlayer handled everything just fine. The mortgage interest deduction was straightforward - you just enter the info from your 1098 form and it calculates everything automatically. The Schedule C section for freelance work is comprehensive enough, though you might need to hunt around a bit more for some of the business expense categories compared to TurboTax's more guided approach. One thing to consider is that as a new homeowner, there might be some first-year deductions related to points paid at closing or other settlement costs that TurboTax might catch more proactively. If you're comfortable reviewing those details yourself (your HUD-1 or closing disclosure will have the info), TaxSlayer will handle them just as well for a lot less money. The interface isn't as polished, but for someone who's filed taxes before and keeps decent records, the cost savings make it worth the slightly less hand-holding experience in my opinion.

I actually made the switch from TurboTax to TaxSlayer two years ago and it's been great for my situation. Like you, I have W-2 income plus freelance 1099 work, and TaxSlayer handles both really well for a fraction of the cost. The mortgage interest deduction is super straightforward on TaxSlayer - you just plug in the numbers from your 1098 form and it does all the calculations. Since you're a new homeowner, make sure to also look for any points you paid at closing (check your settlement statement) as those are often deductible in the purchase year. For the self-employment side, TaxSlayer's Schedule C section covers all the major business expense categories. It might not proactively ask about every possible deduction like TurboTax does, but if you keep decent records and know what to look for (home office, business mileage, professional development, equipment purchases, etc.), you'll find everything you need. The main trade-off is less hand-holding for significantly lower cost. If you're comfortable doing a little research on common deductions beforehand, TaxSlayer will save you probably $100+ compared to TurboTax while handling your tax situation just as accurately.

lmaooo liberty tax stays playing games wit ppls money. switched to HR block this year and way better experience ngl

I used to work at a tax prep office and can confirm what Dylan said - Liberty Tax almost always takes their advance loan repayment from your federal refund first. They have to set up a temporary bank account during tax prep that intercepts your federal refund, deducts what you owe them, then deposits the remainder into your actual account. Your $800 state refund should come directly to you without any deductions. Just make sure to keep checking your account because sometimes the timing can be weird depending on when the IRS processes everything.

Has anyone tried using a CPA instead of an EA? What's really the difference? My buddy used a CPA for his back taxes and said it worked out fine.

I just want to echo what others have said about not panicking over those unopened IRS letters. I was in a very similar situation - hadn't filed for 3 years and was terrified to even look at the mail from the IRS. One thing I learned is that the IRS actually prefers to work with people who are trying to get compliant rather than those who continue to avoid the issue. When I finally got help, the penalties weren't as catastrophic as I had imagined in my head. For finding an EA in Minneapolis specifically, you might want to check with the Minnesota Society of Enrolled Agents. They often have local chapters that can provide referrals to members in your area who have experience with non-filer cases. Also, don't be afraid to interview a few EAs before choosing one. Most reputable ones will offer a brief consultation to discuss your situation and their approach. Ask specifically about their experience with 4+ years of unfiled returns and what their typical timeline looks like for getting everything resolved. You're taking the right step by seeking help now. The sooner you start, the more options you'll have for payment plans and penalty abatement.

Mine showed no offset too but ended up having to verify my identity. Check if you got any letters in the mail

No offset is definitely good news! It means your refund won't be reduced by any debts. The delay could be random review, missing W-2 matching, or just general processing backlog. When did you file? If it's been over 21 days, definitely call the IRS. Also check your bank account - sometimes refunds hit before WMR updates!

Has anyone dealt with the timing issue on these CP2000 notices? Mine says I need to respond within 30 days, but I need more time to gather all my medical receipts from 2021.

I went through almost the exact same situation with my 2021 HSA distributions! The IRS sent me a CP2000 showing I owed over $900 because they thought all my HSA withdrawals were taxable. Here's what I learned that might help you: 1. **Don't panic about the amount** - If your HSA distributions were truly for qualified medical expenses, you likely won't owe the full amount (or possibly anything at all). 2. **The "Tax on qualified plans" line** - This caught me off guard too. It's the additional 20% penalty the IRS thinks you owe for non-qualified HSA distributions. But again, if your expenses were qualified, this penalty doesn't apply. 3. **Documentation is key** - I gathered every medical receipt, EOB (Explanation of Benefits), and HSA statement from 2021. Even small expenses like co-pays and prescription costs count as qualified expenses. 4. **Response format** - Use the response form that came with your CP2000. Check the "disagree" box and attach a detailed letter explaining that the distributions were for qualified medical expenses, along with all your supporting documentation. The whole process took about 8 weeks for me, but the IRS eventually agreed with my documentation and I didn't owe anything. The key is being thorough and organized with your response. Good luck!