One additional tip that might be helpful - you can actually verify that the IRS has your correct address on file by checking your online IRS account at irs.gov. If you create an account (or log into your existing one), you can view your tax records and see what address they currently have listed for you. This can give you peace of mind that your address update from your 2023 return was processed correctly. Also, since you mentioned being worried about correspondence related to your 2022 taxes, keep in mind that the IRS typically has three years from the filing date to audit or send notices about a return (with some exceptions). So if you filed your 2022 return on time in early 2023, you'd generally be looking at potential correspondence through early 2026. Having your address properly updated now should cover you for that entire period. If you do end up receiving any IRS mail at your old address (forwarded by USPS), that could be a sign that their system hasn't fully updated yet, and that would be a good time to file the Form 8822 just to be safe.

Great advice from everyone here! I just wanted to add that if you're still concerned about making sure the IRS has your correct address, you can also call their main customer service line at 1-800-829-1040 to verify. They can confirm what address they have on file for you over the phone. However, I'd recommend trying the online IRS account approach that Nina mentioned first, since it's much faster than waiting on hold. The phone line can be helpful as a backup if you can't access your online account for some reason. Also worth noting - if you do discover that your address isn't updated correctly, Form 8822 typically takes 4-6 weeks to process once submitted. So the sooner you file it (if needed), the better, especially since you mentioned being concerned about potential 2022 correspondence.

Has anyone used TurboTax to calculate capital gains taxes? I'm trying to figure out if it accurately handles the step-up in brackets when you have a mix of ordinary income and capital gains.

One thing that often gets overlooked when planning capital gains harvesting is timing throughout the year. I learned this the hard way when I sold a bunch of stock in December thinking I was staying in the 0% bracket, only to realize my year-end bonus pushed me over the threshold. The key is to track your running total of taxable income throughout the year, especially if you have variable income like bonuses, freelance work, or other irregular sources. I now use a simple spreadsheet to monitor where I stand relative to the capital gains brackets before making any major stock sales. Also worth noting - if you're married, make sure you're coordinating with your spouse's income too. We almost made a costly mistake one year when my wife got an unexpected promotion mid-year that changed our joint filing status calculations.

Great thread everyone! I wanted to add one more thing that might help others who find this post. If you're still unsure about whether to file electronically or by paper, here's a quick decision guide: **File electronically (with direct deposit) if:** - You have access to current-year tax software that supports 1040-X e-filing - You want faster processing (though still slower than regular returns) - You want direct deposit for your refund - Your refund is under $10,000 (as Carmen mentioned above) **File by paper if:** - You don't have access to compatible tax software - You're comfortable waiting for a mailed check - Your situation is very complex and you prefer having physical documentation One tip I learned from my tax preparer: if you do choose electronic filing, print and keep a copy of everything for your records anyway. The electronic system is great, but having that paper backup never hurts, especially for amended returns which can take months to process. Also, make sure your current address is up to date with the IRS regardless of which method you choose - whether for direct deposit bank verification or for mailing checks/correspondence.

Thanks for this incredibly detailed thread everyone! As someone who's been lurking in this community for a while, I finally decided to create an account because this discussion saved me so much time and confusion. I was in the exact same boat as Luca - downloaded the PDF form and couldn't figure out where lines 31-33 were supposed to be. After reading through all these responses, I went ahead and purchased the 2023 version of TurboTax (found it on sale for $30) and was able to e-file my amended 2022 return with direct deposit. The process was actually pretty straightforward once I had the right software. TurboTax walked me through entering my corrected W-2 information and automatically calculated the differences. When I got to the refund section, it prompted me for my bank account details just like filing a regular return. One thing I'll add that nobody mentioned - the software also let me upload a photo of my corrected W-2 rather than manually typing everything in. Really helpful since I tend to make transcription errors with those long employer ID numbers. My amended return was accepted within 24 hours, and now I just have to wait for the processing (which as Andre pointed out, will likely take several months). But at least I know the direct deposit will work automatically when it's ready!

my sister used direct express last year took exactly 19 days hope this helps

I'm also waiting on my Direct Express refund! Filed on 1/6 and still showing "received" on WMR. The waiting game is brutal but from what I've read here and other forums, Direct Express follows the same timeline as regular DD. Just hang tight - you filed super early so you should be in one of the first waves. Keep checking your transcript too, sometimes it updates before WMR does.

Does anyone know if you can split the expenses? Like could I put $3000 in the FSA and claim $3000 for the tax credit (with my $12000 total daycare cost)? Would that be better than maxing out the FSA first?

@Andre Moreau - I was in almost the exact same situation last year! With one child and $12k in daycare costs, here's what I learned: Since you have one child, the dependent care tax credit is limited to $3,000 in expenses. If you put the full $5,000 in your FSA, you've already exceeded that $3,000 limit, so you won't be able to claim any tax credit. Here's what might work better for you: Put $3,000 in the FSA and keep $3,000 available for the tax credit. Whether this is optimal depends on your income level. The FSA saves you money at your marginal tax rate plus FICA (about 29.65% if you're in the 22% bracket), while the dependent care credit ranges from 20-35% based on income. If you're at higher income levels, the FSA might give you better savings. If you're at lower income levels, the credit percentage could be higher than your tax savings from the FSA. Given that you mentioned your husband makes more than you and you've had IRS issues before, I'd definitely recommend running the numbers both ways or consulting with a tax professional to make sure you're maximizing your benefit without any complications!