Has anyone used the R&D credit module in TurboTax Business? I'm wondering if it provides enough guidance for a smaller claim.

I've been wrestling with the same decision for my tech startup. After reading through everyone's experiences here, I'm leaning toward a hybrid approach - using one of the AI tools like taxr.ai to help structure the documentation properly, but then having a CPA review it before submission. The key insight from this thread seems to be that it's not just about having a template, but understanding how to connect your specific technical work to the IRS requirements. @Ravi Choudhury's point about contemporaneous records is crucial - I realized I have tons of Slack conversations, GitHub commits, and design documents that could serve as supporting evidence. For anyone else considering the DIY route, I'd recommend starting by documenting your current development process before diving into the credit calculation. If you can't clearly articulate the technical uncertainties you're solving and the systematic approach you're taking, the credit probably isn't worth pursuing without professional help.

Don't forget about the business use percentage! If you're using your Santa Fe for both personal and business purposes, you can only depreciate the business portion. For example, if you use it 70% for business and 30% personal, you can only take depreciation on 70% of the cost. Also, have you considered just taking standard mileage for 2022 and 2023 instead of actual expenses with depreciation? With your low income, it might be simpler and possibly more beneficial.

Your situation is more common than you think! The good news is that filing late doesn't disqualify you from bonus depreciation - what matters is when you actually placed the vehicle in service for business use. Since you bought the Santa Fe in March 2022 and presumably started using it for business then, you can still claim 100% bonus depreciation for 2022. However, you'll face late filing penalties and interest on any taxes owed. Given your low income across 2022-2023, I'd strongly recommend running the numbers on a few different scenarios: 1. **100% bonus depreciation in 2022** - This will likely create a large NOL that carries forward 2. **Section 179 election** - You can choose exactly how much to deduct (maybe just enough to zero out your 2022 income) 3. **Standard mileage method** - Might be simpler and more beneficial given your income levels With three Schedule Cs and varying income levels, the optimal strategy isn't obvious. You'll need to track business use percentage carefully and allocate between your different businesses based on actual mileage. Consider getting professional help given the complexity - whether that's a tax software that can model different scenarios or speaking with a tax professional who can run the numbers for your specific situation.

I've been dealing with this exact same issue for months! What finally worked for me was requesting Form 4340 (Certificate of Assessments and Payments) directly from the IRS. This form explicitly shows your CSED dates for each tax year, unlike the regular transcripts that make you hunt for assessment dates and do the math yourself. You can request it by calling the IRS or by submitting Form 4506-T and specifically asking for Form 4340 in the remarks section. It takes about 10 business days to receive, but it's worth it because it removes all the guesswork. The form clearly lists "Collection Statute Expiration Date" for each liability, so there's no confusion about calculating 10 years from various transaction codes. Just be aware that if you've had any collection suspensions (bankruptcy, OIC, CDP hearings, etc.), those will extend your CSED beyond the basic 10-year period. But at least with Form 4340, you'll have the baseline dates to work from.

I've been in your exact situation and found that the key is understanding that the CSED information is there on your transcripts, but it's not labeled as such. You need to look for specific transaction codes and dates, then do some calculation. On your Account Transcript, look for these key codes: - TC 150: This shows when your original return was processed - TC 290/300 series: Additional assessments - TC 530: Shows if there were any collection holds The tricky part is that various events can pause or extend the 10-year collection period. I had a similar experience where I thought my CSED was one date, but it turned out I had missed a collection suspension that added several months. If you're still struggling after checking for these codes, I'd recommend either requesting Form 4340 (as mentioned in another comment) or calling the IRS directly. Form 4340 explicitly shows CSED dates without requiring you to interpret transaction codes, which eliminates the guesswork entirely. It's been a lifesaver for people dealing with complex collection histories.

Just went through this exact situation last year in Oregon (also unmarried couple, both on mortgage). What worked for us was creating a simple spreadsheet tracking each person's contributions to our joint account throughout the year, then using that percentage to split the mortgage interest deduction. Since you mentioned you contribute about 3x what your partner does, you'd probably end up with around 75% of the interest deduction. The IRS Publication 936 specifically addresses this - it says you can deduct mortgage interest you paid during the tax year, regardless of whose name is on the mortgage. Key documentation to keep: monthly bank statements showing deposits from each person, the mortgage payment records from your joint account, and maybe a simple signed agreement between you two stating how you're splitting it based on actual contributions. We kept it simple - just a one-page document saying "Partner A contributed 73% to joint account used for mortgage payments in 2024, therefore claims 73% of mortgage interest deduction per IRS Pub 936." Never had any issues and it allowed the higher earner to itemize while the other took standard deduction, maximizing our combined refund.

This is such a common issue for unmarried couples! I went through something very similar last year. Based on my research and experience, you absolutely can claim the mortgage interest based on what you actually paid rather than just splitting it 50/50 by ownership. Since you're paying most of the mortgage from your joint account and contributing most of the funds, you can claim the corresponding percentage of the $19,800 interest. The IRS cares about who actually paid the interest, not just whose name is on the deed. Here's what I'd recommend: Start tracking your contributions to that joint account if you haven't already. If you can show you contributed, say, 75% of the funds used for mortgage payments, you can claim 75% of the mortgage interest deduction. This would give you about $14,850 in interest to deduct, which should easily put you over the standard deduction threshold for itemizing. Make sure to keep good records - bank statements showing your deposits to the joint account, mortgage payment records, etc. You might also want to create a simple written agreement with your partner documenting the arrangement, just in case. The key is being able to demonstrate your actual financial contribution if the IRS ever asks. Since you're earning 3x more and paying most of the bills, this approach should both be legitimate and give you the better tax outcome you're looking for.

Kinda off-topic but important for your FAFSA issue - have you considered asking your school about a "Dependency Override" for financial aid purposes? Even if your parents claim you on taxes, FAFSA might still consider you independent in special circumstances. I work in a college financial aid office, and we process these for students who have unusual situations with parents. You'd need to document why you can't provide parent info (their refusal to file taxes might qualify). Each school handles this differently, but it's worth asking about. This wouldn't affect your tax situation, just how FAFSA views your dependency status for aid purposes.

As someone who works with tax compliance, I want to emphasize that your parents really need to prioritize getting their back taxes filed ASAP. The longer they wait, the more penalties and interest accumulate - we're talking potentially thousands of dollars in additional costs. For your specific situation, the dependency status change is totally normal and legal. What matters for 2024 is whether you meet the dependency tests for that year - age (under 19 or under 24 if full-time student), residency (living with them more than half the year), and support (they provide more than half). One thing to watch out for: if your parents do claim you as a dependent for 2024, make sure YOU don't also claim your personal exemption when you file. This is a common mistake that triggers IRS matching programs and can delay processing for both returns. Also, document everything about your living situation and support provided. If there's ever a question about the dependency claim, you'll want records showing when you moved back home, what expenses your parents covered, etc. The FAFSA dependency override mentioned by Lucas is definitely worth exploring - that could solve your financial aid issues even if the tax situation stays complicated.