Just wanted to add something important that I don't think anyone has mentioned yet - make sure your dad keeps detailed mileage logs! The IRS is really strict about mileage deductions for gig workers. He needs to track every mile driven for Doordash work, including the drive to the first pickup and drive home from the last delivery. I use a simple notebook in my car and write down the odometer reading at the start and end of each shift, plus note which app I was using. Some drivers use mileage tracking apps, but the IRS prefers written logs. With $19k in earnings, his mileage deduction could be substantial - potentially several thousand dollars in deductions if he drove a lot of miles. Also, since he's new to this, he might want to consider setting aside 25-30% of his Doordash earnings in a separate savings account for taxes. Self-employment tax plus regular income tax can be a shock if you're not prepared for it!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm dealing with a similar situation with my elderly neighbor who started doing Instacart deliveries. One thing I learned from helping her is that seniors can often qualify for free tax preparation through the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program or AARP Tax-Aide, especially since your parents' income seems to qualify. These programs have volunteers who are specifically trained on senior tax issues and self-employment situations. They can handle the Schedule C and Schedule SE forms that your dad needs, plus they're familiar with how Social Security benefits interact with other income. Might be worth looking into if you want professional help without the cost of a paid preparer. Also, just a heads up - if your parents end up owing taxes this year, the IRS offers payment plans even for seniors. Don't let them stress about paying a large lump sum if that becomes an issue!

I tried FreeTaxUSA this year after using turbotax forever and the interface is definitely different but i saved like $75 and got the same refund amount. the only thing i miss is being able to import my W2 automatically but honestly it took me like 5 extra minutes to just type it in manually so no big deal. their customer service was actually pretty good too when i had a question about reporting my crypto.

I made the switch from TurboTax to FreeTaxUSA last year and haven't looked back. For your situation with W-2 income, mortgage interest, and basic deductions, FreeTaxUSA will handle everything perfectly fine. The interface is clean and asks all the right questions to make sure you don't miss anything. The main trade-offs are: 1) You'll need to manually enter your W-2 info instead of importing it automatically, but this literally takes 2-3 minutes, 2) The interface isn't as flashy as TurboTax but it's actually more straightforward in my opinion, and 3) Customer service isn't available 24/7 like some bigger services, but when I needed help they were knowledgeable and responsive. I saved about $80 compared to what I was paying TurboTax and got the exact same refund. For simple to moderately complex returns, there's really no reason to pay the premium prices anymore. The federal filing is completely free and state is only $15. Just make the jump - you won't regret it!

When you file the late return, make sure you write the tax year (2023) clearly on the top of the form! The IRS processes millions of returns and you want to make sure they apply it to the correct tax year. Also, if he does owe money and can't pay it all at once, you can request an installment agreement by filing Form 9465 with the late return. This lets you make monthly payments instead of paying the full amount immediately. Don't wait any longer to file though - the longer you wait, the more complicated it gets!

Don't panic! This is actually more common than you think. I went through the exact same thing with my partner a couple years ago and it all worked out fine. First, definitely file that 2023 return ASAP. If your husband typically gets refunds (which it sounds like he does), there's no penalty for filing late - you're just delaying getting your own money back. The IRS is pretty understanding about situations like this. For the practical steps: You'll need to get the 2023 tax forms (not the current year ones), gather all his 2023 documents (W-2s, 1099s, etc.), and mail in a paper return since e-filing is closed for prior years. This won't affect your ability to file 2024 taxes on time at all - they're completely separate. One quick check though - make sure he was actually required to file in 2023. If his income was below the filing threshold, he might not have needed to file at all, which would make this whole situation much simpler! You've got this! Just tackle one year at a time and you'll have everything sorted out soon.

Have you checked your status on the NJ Division of Taxation website? Sometimes the generic "processing" message doesn't tell the whole story. I found out my return was actually on hold because they were missing a document (that I definitely submitted 🙄). Called them and got it sorted in one day, refund came a week later. Also, if you're really desperate for the cash, you might want to look into tax refund advances for next year. I know it's too late now, but as a fellow gig worker, I've used them before when things were tight. Yeah, the fees suck, but sometimes you need that money now, not when the state decides to finally process your return! 😂

I'm in a similar situation - filed my NJ return on March 12th and still waiting! The uncertainty is definitely stressful, especially when you're counting on that money. One thing I learned from calling their automated line is that if you have ANY business income (including gig work), your return automatically goes into a secondary review queue. They don't advertise this, but the rep told me it adds about 2-3 weeks to processing time because they have to verify the income against 1099s. Also, pro tip: if you create an account on their taxpayer portal, you can sometimes see more detailed status updates than the basic "Where's My Refund" tool. Mine showed "under review" when the main site just said "processing." Hang in there - from what I'm seeing in this thread, it sounds like we're all just caught in the March filing crunch with extra delays this year!

Has anyone used TurboTax for this situation? I'm trying to figure out how to actually enter this on my return. Do I just put in half the amount shown on the 1098? Will that trigger a mismatch flag with the IRS since they received the full amount under my SSN?

This is really helpful information everyone! I'm in a similar boat but wanted to add something important that my CPA mentioned - make sure you understand the "traceable proceeds" rule. The IRS cares about whether the borrowed money was actually used to buy, build, or improve your home. Since you both are on the deed and mortgage, and the loan proceeds went toward purchasing your shared home, you should be fine. But if either of you later refinances or takes a home equity loan, be careful about what those funds are used for. Only interest on money used for the home itself qualifies for the mortgage interest deduction. Also, keep those bank transfer records showing your boyfriend's payments to you - not just for this year, but going forward. The IRS could ask for documentation years later during an audit, and having a clear paper trail of the payment arrangement from day one will save you headaches down the road.