Has anyone else noticed that withholding seems super messed up lately? I claimed 0 dependents like OP but I'm still getting way less taken out than last year. I'm worried I'll owe a ton when I file.

Connor, you're definitely not overthinking this! Your approach is actually really smart - claiming 0 dependents on your W-4 will indeed maximize your withholding throughout the year, which often leads to a larger refund when you file. The key thing to remember is that your W-4 withholding and your actual tax return are two completely separate processes. Your W-4 is just telling your employer how much to withhold from each paycheck as an estimate, while your tax return reflects your actual tax situation for the year. Since you have the legal right to claim your son as a dependent for the 2025 tax year (based on your custody agreement), you can absolutely claim him when you file your return, regardless of what you put on your W-4. This might actually work out perfectly for you - you'll have extra tax withheld all year, then get credit for your dependent when you file, potentially resulting in a nice refund. Just make sure you keep good records of your custody arrangement and that you and your ex are crystal clear about who claims your son each year. Having it documented in your divorce decree is ideal. Good luck with the new job!

One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you understand the timing of when you can claim these deductions. Since this is new construction, you'll typically claim the medical expense deductions in the tax year when the house is completed and you move in, not when you pay for construction draws throughout the building process. Also, if you're financing the construction, only the actual out-of-pocket costs for the medical modifications count toward your medical expense deduction - you can't deduct the portion that's financed until you actually pay it. This caught me off guard when we built our accessible home. Keep a separate ledger tracking just the medical-related accessibility costs as construction progresses. It'll make tax time much easier and help if you ever need to provide documentation to the IRS. Having everything organized from the start is way better than trying to sort through months of construction invoices later!

One additional resource that might help - the National MS Society actually has a tax guide specifically for people with MS that covers home modifications and new construction. I used it when we were dealing with similar questions for my sister's accessible home build. They break down exactly what documentation you need from your neurologist and how to work with contractors to get the cost breakdowns the IRS wants to see. The guide also has sample letters you can use to request the medical necessity documentation from your doctor. You can find it on their website under resources for financial assistance. It's much more detailed than the general IRS publications when it comes to MS-specific accommodations. Since you mentioned your MS has progressed to needing these accommodations, having MS-specific guidance really helped us understand which features were most likely to qualify and how to present them properly on the tax return. Good luck with your build! It's so worth it to have a home that truly works for your needs.

If your looking to actually understand whats happening instead of guessing, use taxr.ai - seriously the $1 tool saved me hours of research and stress. Just upload your transcript and it breaks everything down.

I had the exact same situation last year! Code 570 with Head of Household status and EIC. The good news is this is pretty routine - the IRS just needs to verify your filing status and EIC eligibility since those are common areas they review. Your transcript looks normal otherwise. The fact that your withholding (806) and EIC (768) credits are dated 4/15 means they've been processed and are just waiting for the 570 hold to lift. Most people see a 571 code (release) within 2-3 weeks. Don't stress too much, your refund is probably just fine! Keep checking your transcript weekly for updates.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm starting as a cocktail server at a casino next month and had similar concerns about GITCA. Reading everyone's experiences really puts my mind at ease that it's a legitimate program. One question I haven't seen addressed - does GITCA affect how much tax is withheld from my regular paychecks? I'm wondering if I should adjust my W-4 withholdings or if the casino automatically handles the tax withholding on the allocated tip amounts. I want to make sure I don't end up owing a bunch at tax time or getting a huge refund because my withholdings were off. Also, does anyone know if GITCA rates vary significantly between different casinos, or are they pretty standardized across the industry for similar positions?

Just wanted to jump in as someone who's been through this exact situation! I started at a tribal casino about 18 months ago and had the same concerns about GITCA sounding "too good to be true." What really helped me understand it was realizing that GITCA isn't about avoiding taxes - you still pay the same amount of taxes on your tip income. It's more like having the IRS pre-approve a reasonable estimate of what someone in your position typically earns in tips, so you don't have to prove every single dollar you made. The "won't be audited" part your manager mentioned is a bit of an oversimplification. You're protected from tip-specific audits as long as you're reporting at the agreed GITCA rates, but you could still potentially be audited for other reasons (like if you have other income sources or tax situations that raise flags). I'd definitely recommend asking your payroll department for a written explanation of how GITCA works at your specific casino, including what the allocated rates are for your position. That way you can make an informed decision and understand exactly what you're signing up for. The peace of mind and simplified record-keeping has been totally worth it for me!

I had my CPA submit Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit) after waiting 3 weeks for a verification letter that never arrived. This expedited the process and I received my refund via DD exactly 16 days later. The key was providing comprehensive documentation - including copies of my driver's license, social security card, and a utility bill showing my address. This approach bypassed the need for the verification letter entirely and resolved the hold on my account.

Just went through this exact situation last month! The verification letter took almost 4 weeks to arrive, but I didn't wait - called the 800-830-5084 number after 2 weeks and got it sorted immediately. Pro tip: call right at 7am when they open for the shortest wait times. They'll ask you questions about your previous tax returns, current address, and some credit-related info to verify your identity. Have your Social Security card, driver's license, and last 2 years of tax returns handy. Once verified, my refund processed within 9 business days. Don't let your CPA pressure you into thinking this is a huge delay - it's actually pretty routine and resolves quickly once you get through to them.