Friendly warning from someone who messed this up last year: make absolutely sure you check that final Form 8606 before filing! FreeTaxUSA got my basis wrong because I had done partial conversions over multiple years. Double check that: - Line 2 shows any carryover basis from prior years (should be $0 for your first backdoor) - Line 14 should be $0 if you converted everything - Line 18 should match your conversion amount - Don't forget to include the 1099-R for the conversion!

Just went through this exact situation last month! The $6,000 basis FreeTaxUSA is showing is absolutely correct. That's your non-deductible traditional IRA contribution that you already paid taxes on. Here's what's happening on Form 8606: - Line 1: Your $6,000 non-deductible contribution - Line 8: Your $6,000 conversion amount (assuming no earnings) - Line 15: Should show $0 taxable (since you're converting money you already paid taxes on) Since this is your first backdoor Roth, you won't have any prior year basis to worry about. Just make sure FreeTaxUSA also captures your 1099-R form from the conversion - you should have received one from your IRA custodian showing the distribution. The combination of Form 8606 and the 1099-R tells the complete story to the IRS and prevents double taxation. You're on the right track - don't second-guess the software on this one!

I was stuck in verification hell for 2 months last year. Best advice is to keep checking your transcripts every Friday morning for updates and maybe try calling the tax advocate service if it goes beyond 8 weeks.

I'm going through the exact same thing! Filed early Feb and been stuck in 1095-A verification limbo for weeks now. It's so frustrating when you send exactly what they ask for and then... crickets. Have you tried checking if your 1095-A amounts match what you reported on your 8962? Sometimes even tiny rounding differences can cause delays. Hang in there - sounds like we're all in this waiting game together 😩

I'd strongly recommend documenting everything before you purchase anything. Start keeping a record of every time you miss work opportunities due to equipment shortages - dates, client names, potential lost income, etc. Also document every conversation with your manager about this issue via email follow-ups ("As we discussed today, you mentioned budget constraints prevent providing adequate laptops for all field technicians..."). This documentation serves multiple purposes: it creates a paper trail showing your employer's failure to provide necessary tools, it could help if you need to file for unemployment benefits later due to reduced work opportunities, and it strengthens any potential legal case if your state requires employers to provide necessary work equipment. Some states have laws requiring employers to reimburse necessary work expenses - California is a notable example. Even if the federal tax deduction isn't available, you might have legal recourse to force reimbursement depending on your state's labor laws. Worth consulting with an employment attorney for a quick consultation before spending your own money.

As someone who's been through a similar situation, I'd recommend exploring a few angles simultaneously. First, definitely check your employee handbook as others mentioned - some companies have "BYOD" (Bring Your Own Device) policies with reimbursement procedures that aren't well-publicized. Second, consider reaching out to your HR department directly rather than just your manager. Frame it as a productivity issue - you're losing billable hours and client opportunities due to equipment shortages. HR often has different budget authority than department managers for employee tools and equipment. Finally, if you do end up purchasing the laptop yourself, document everything meticulously. While you can't deduct it federally, some states still allow certain work-related deductions, and labor laws vary significantly by state regarding employer obligations to provide necessary work tools. One more thought - have you considered asking if the company would be willing to do a salary adjustment or equipment stipend instead of a direct reimbursement? Sometimes companies are more flexible with ongoing allowances than one-time purchase reimbursements due to how they handle budgeting and taxes on their end.

Don't forget to check if claiming her as a dependent might qualify you for Head of Household filing status too! That gives you better tax rates and a higher standard deduction than filing as Single. Could save you a lot more than just the dependent exemption amount. You'd need to pay more than half the cost of keeping up the home where both of you lived for the whole year. Totally worth looking into!!

Great point about Head of Household status! I hadn't even considered that possibility. Just to clarify though - the dependent exemption was actually eliminated starting in 2018 with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. What you can still claim is the Other Dependent Credit, which is worth $500 for qualifying relatives who don't meet the age requirements for the Child Tax Credit. So while you won't get a deduction for claiming her as a dependent, you could potentially get the $500 credit plus the much bigger savings from Head of Household filing status if you qualify. The HOH benefits are substantial - for 2024 you'd get a $21,900 standard deduction versus $14,600 for single filers, plus lower tax brackets. Just make sure you meet all the HOH requirements: you're unmarried, you paid more than half the cost of maintaining the home, and your qualifying dependent lived with you for more than half the year. Sounds like you'd check all those boxes!

Have you tried checking your refund status on the IRS website first? The "Where's My Refund" tool will tell you if there's an address issue before your check even gets mailed. If it shows your old address, you'll know for sure you need to update it. Also, some people have luck calling the refund hotline at 1-800-829-1954 - they can sometimes update your address faster than the form.

Just went through this exact situation last year! USPS forwarding definitely won't work for IRS checks - they get returned to sender. But here's what worked for me: I called the IRS first thing in the morning (like 7am) and got through in about 20 minutes. They updated my address over the phone and reissued the check to my new address within 2 weeks. Way faster than mailing Form 8822. The key is calling right when they open - lines are less busy then.