Has anyone dealt with the situation where a parent gets too much Social Security to qualify as a dependent? My dad gets about $2,300/month and I heard there's a gross income limit.

Based on your situation, it sounds like you have a strong case for claiming your mom as a dependent! Since you're covering rent ($1,650/month) and utilities ($300/month), that's already $23,400 annually just in housing costs. Add groceries on top of that, and you're definitely providing more than half her total support. The key thing with her Social Security is that it likely won't count against the gross income limit since she's probably not required to file a tax return. Social Security benefits are only counted toward the $5,150 gross income test if she has enough other income to require filing a return. Since her $1,875/month Social Security ($22,500/year) is her only income and she's using it for personal expenses rather than basic living costs, you should be good to claim her. Plus, as others mentioned, this could qualify you for head of household status which would save you significant money on taxes! I'd recommend keeping detailed records of all the expenses you pay for her throughout the year - rent receipts, utility bills, grocery receipts - just in case the IRS ever asks for documentation.

Has anyone tried Cash App Taxes? I heard they're completely free for both federal AND state. My friend said they got a bigger refund there than TurboTax too?

Just to add another perspective - I've been doing this comparison shopping for years and it's definitely worth it! One thing I learned the hard way is to make sure you're entering your information exactly the same way across all platforms. Sometimes a small difference in how you categorize something (like whether certain expenses go in one field vs another) can create artificial differences in your refund calculation. Also, if you do find significant differences between platforms, don't just go with the highest refund automatically. Take a closer look at what's different - sometimes the higher refund comes from a more aggressive interpretation of tax rules that might not hold up if you ever get audited. The sweet spot is finding legitimate deductions you missed, not wishful thinking about what might qualify. Good luck with your comparison shopping! With just W2 income and no major complications, you should have plenty of good free options to choose from.

Just wanted to add that if your brother moved since last year, he should definitely update his address with the IRS before they mail out the new PIN. They don't forward these letters and if it goes to the old address, he'll have to jump through hoops to get a replacement. The address update can be done online or by calling them directly.

Also worth mentioning that if your brother is in the military or lives overseas, the timing might be a bit different. They usually get theirs sent out a few weeks earlier to account for international mail delays. And if he's having trouble with the online IRS account verification (like someone mentioned above), he can also call the IP PIN helpline at 800-908-4490 - they're usually pretty helpful once you get through to someone.

They might also ask about prior year returns if there's any discrepancy or if you're dealing with multiple tax years. Sometimes they'll verify your employer name from your W-2 or ask about dependents if you claimed any. Pro tip: have a pen ready to write down reference numbers and the rep's name/ID number - you'll need those if you have to call back later. Good luck getting through! 📞

Been through this recently and can confirm what others are saying. They'll definitely ask for your SSN, full name, date of birth, and address from your most recent return. The AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) from your last filing is a big one - they almost always ask for that. If you're married, they might ask about your spouse's info too. Also bring any notices or letters you've received from the IRS if that's what you're calling about. The whole verification usually takes 3-5 minutes once you actually get through to someone. Just stay calm and speak clearly - the reps are generally pretty patient if you need a second to find something in your paperwork.

Make sure you're setting aside money for taxes regularly! I learned this the hard way. First year as a 1099 bartender I didn't save anything and got hit with a $3800 tax bill I couldn't pay. Ended up on a payment plan with the IRS which added fees and interest. Now I automatically transfer 25% of all my cash into a separate "tax" savings account each time I deposit my tips. Come tax time, I usually have a little extra which becomes a nice bonus.

Just wanted to add some practical advice based on your situation. Since you're dealing with cash payments and potential misclassification, here are a few immediate steps: 1. Start documenting EVERYTHING now - not just tips, but your work schedule, who sets it, whether you can refuse shifts, if you use their equipment, etc. This documentation will be crucial if you decide to challenge the contractor classification. 2. For the withholding question - yes, you can absolutely increase withholding on your W-4 at your main job. Use the IRS withholding calculator online to get a better estimate than guessing. Input both your W-2 job income and estimated contractor income. 3. Consider opening a business checking account for your restaurant income, even if it's just a simple one. Mixing business and personal funds can create headaches during tax season, and having separate accounts makes record-keeping much cleaner. 4. Don't wait until year-end to address this. If you're earning significant money as a "contractor," you might need to make quarterly estimated payments to avoid underpayment penalties, especially since your main job withholding was calculated before you had this second income. The misclassification issue others mentioned is real - most servers are legally employees, not contractors. But document everything first before making any moves.