Your 82% on the first practice test is a really solid foundation! I passed the Intuit Academy Tax Level 1 exam about 8 months ago after scoring consistently in the 79-85% range on practice tests, so you're definitely in good territory. From my experience, the actual exam closely mirrors the practice tests in both difficulty and format. The questions test the same core concepts and use similar scenario-based approaches. I'd definitely recommend completing all available practice tests since they each tend to emphasize different areas within the curriculum. One strategy that really helped me was creating a simple spreadsheet to track my performance across practice tests. I noted which specific topics I missed questions on (like tax credits, business expenses, filing status rules, etc.) and could quickly see patterns emerging. This helped me focus my study time on areas where I was consistently weak rather than reviewing topics I already understood well. The 70% passing threshold means you already have a comfortable margin, but I'd suggest aiming for consistent 85%+ scores on practice tests before taking the real exam. That extra confidence really makes a difference on test day. Your methodical approach of taking multiple practice tests first is exactly the right strategy - it shows you're serious about being properly prepared rather than just hoping to get lucky.

An 82% on your first practice test is actually a really strong start! I'm currently studying for the same exam and have been researching what scores indicate good preparation. From everything I've read and heard from others who've taken it, you're definitely in a solid position. What I've found helpful is creating a simple tracking system for the areas where I miss questions - it sounds like you're already planning to take more practice tests, which is smart. I'd suggest noting not just which questions you get wrong, but what specific tax concepts they're testing. That way you can see if there are patterns in your knowledge gaps. The fact that you're being methodical about this and not rushing into the actual exam shows you're taking the right approach. With the 70% passing threshold, your 82% gives you a nice buffer, but I'd aim to get consistently above 85% on the remaining practice tests just for that extra confidence. One thing I'm curious about - have you found certain types of questions more challenging than others? For me, the scenario-based business expense questions tend to trip me up more than the straightforward calculation ones. Good luck with your continued preparation!

I went through this exact same nightmare last year! Had codes 810, 971, and 420 on my transcript for what felt like forever. The waiting is absolutely brutal, especially when you're counting on that refund money. One thing that really helped me was understanding that the IRS verification process has multiple stages - it's not just "send docs and wait." First they have to receive and log your documents (2-3 weeks), then assign them to a reviewer (another few weeks), then the actual review happens (4-6 weeks), and finally they update your account. So even though you sent everything in May, you're probably still within the normal timeframe unfortunately. That said, if you hit the 8-week mark with no updates at all, definitely call or contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service. Sometimes there are issues with the documents that they don't tell you about, and calling can actually move things along. I know the phone system is a nightmare but it's worth the effort if you can get through. Hang in there - I know how stressful it is waiting for your money, but in my experience they do eventually process everything. My refund came through about 10 weeks after I sent my verification docs, and it was such a relief when it finally hit my account!

I'm dealing with the exact same codes right now! Filed in February, got the verification letter in March, sent everything certified mail, and still waiting. It's been 10 weeks and counting. Reading through all these responses is both helpful and frustrating - sounds like this is just the new normal with IRS processing times. The multi-stage explanation from @NebulaKnight really helps understand what's happening behind the scenes. I had no idea there were so many steps between sending docs and seeing updates. Definitely going to try that Taxpayer Advocate tip if I don't see movement in the next couple weeks. @Lorenzo McCormick - hang in there! Sounds like you're still within the "normal" timeframe even though it feels like forever. At least we're all in this together dealing with the same broken system.

I've been using FreeTaxUSA for 5 years now and can confirm they're legitimate. Their revenue model is straightforward - they charge for state returns and premium add-ons like audit protection, plus they earn affiliate commissions from financial products they recommend (like IRAs or savings accounts). What convinced me they're trustworthy is that they're an IRS Authorized e-file Provider, which requires meeting strict security and data protection standards. The IRS doesn't mess around with authorizing companies that don't properly safeguard taxpayer data. One thing I really appreciate is their transparency - no surprise fees or forced upgrades mid-filing like some competitors. They tell you upfront what's free (federal return) and what costs extra (state filing, premium features). I've never received suspicious marketing emails or calls that I could trace back to them, which suggests they're not selling contact info to third parties. The only real downside is their customer service can be overwhelmed during tax season, but honestly their software is intuitive enough that I rarely need help. For anyone hesitant about "free" tax software, FreeTaxUSA has proven itself as a legitimate option that makes money through honest means rather than data harvesting.

I've been researching this same question and found that FreeTaxUSA is actually quite transparent about their revenue streams. They're not "free" in the traditional sense - they use a freemium model where federal filing is free but they charge for state returns ($14.99), premium features like audit support ($14.99), and earn affiliate commissions from financial products they recommend. What's reassuring is that they're required to follow IRS Publication 1075 guidelines for data protection, and their privacy policy explicitly states they don't sell personally identifiable tax information to third parties. The IRS can revoke authorization from e-file providers who don't comply with security standards, so there's real oversight. I ended up choosing them over TurboTax last year and was impressed by the lack of aggressive upselling during the filing process. They clearly state what's included in the free version versus paid upgrades, unlike some competitors that hit you with surprise fees halfway through filing. The interface is clean and straightforward, though not quite as polished as premium alternatives. For data security, I haven't experienced any suspicious marketing calls or emails that I could trace back to them, which suggests they're handling personal information responsibly. The main trade-off is slower customer support during peak tax season, but for most standard returns the software is intuitive enough that you won't need much assistance.

Any recommendations for the best brokerage for doing backdoor Roth? Currently using Schwab but their process is clunky and customer service doesn't seem to understand what I'm trying to do half the time.

Another option to consider is converting immediately after contribution without waiting for settlement. Many brokerages including Fidelity allow you to initiate the Roth conversion on the same day as your Traditional IRA contribution, even while the funds are still settling. I've been doing this for the past two years and it eliminates the interest issue entirely. The conversion processes simultaneously with the contribution settlement, so there's zero time for interest to accrue. My 1099-R always shows exactly my contribution amount with no earnings portion. The key is to set up the conversion transaction right after making your contribution - don't wait for the contribution to fully clear first. This has made my tax reporting much cleaner since I never have to deal with the small taxable earnings amounts that accumulate during those settlement days.

This has been such an educational thread! I've been lurking and reading everyone's experiences because I discovered the exact same "Federal Interest Withheld" line on my statement just two weeks ago. Like many of you, I was completely blindsided since this had never happened before on any of my accounts. What I found most reassuring is learning that this is essentially prepaid taxes rather than lost money. Connor's mathematical breakdown really helped me understand that my withholding amount ($23 last month) actually makes sense based on my account balance and interest rate. I'm planning to follow Haley's systematic approach - starting with checking my online banking profile for any backup withholding status, then calling my bank during off-peak hours if needed. The timeline she provided (6 weeks total) gives me realistic expectations, and knowing that Charlotte successfully got through to the IRS by calling at 7 AM gives me hope that I won't be stuck in phone queue hell forever. One thing I'm curious about - for those who resolved this issue, did you notice any impact on your credit score or other banking relationships? I have accounts at multiple banks and I'm wondering if this type of IRS flag affects other financial institutions or if it's isolated to the specific account where the withholding is happening. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community knowledge is invaluable for navigating these confusing situations!

I just wanted to add my experience since I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago. The "Federal Interest Withheld" line appeared suddenly on my savings account statement after two years of normal interest payments. After reading through all the helpful advice in this thread, I can confirm that Haley's systematic approach really works. I started by checking my online banking profile and found the backup withholding status was indeed active. Called my bank during lunch hours and discovered they had received an IRS notice due to a mismatch in my 2022 tax filing - I had accidentally transposed two digits in an interest amount from a small CD. The IRS resolution took about 5 weeks total. I used the early morning calling strategy (7:15 AM on a Wednesday) and got through in about 35 minutes. The agent was actually very helpful and walked me through filing a corrected 1040X form. Once that was processed, I received the clearance letter and submitted it to my bank with a new W-9. The most important thing I learned is to keep detailed records of all withholding amounts. When I got my 1099-INT in January, the withheld amounts were all properly credited and I actually got a small refund because the withholding exceeded what I owed. Omar, definitely start with your online banking profile - it'll save you a lot of time and give you the specific reason code right away. Don't let this stress you out too much; it's really just an administrative issue that gets resolved once you follow the proper steps!