Anyone else think its ridiculous that we have to jump through so many hoops just to pay our taxes? The system is broken 😤

I feel your pain! I went through something similar last year. Here's what ultimately worked for me: I called the IRS early in the morning (around 7 AM when they first open) and used the callback feature instead of waiting on hold. It took about 3 days to get the callback, but once I got through, they were able to update my phone number and email me a temporary PIN within 24 hours. Also, make sure you have your Social Security card and a copy of last year's tax return handy when you call - they'll ask for specific info to verify your identity. Hang in there, it's frustrating but definitely solvable! 💪

22 Has anyone used FreeTaxUSA for prior year returns? Their website says they support 2021 tax filing and it's free for federal (state is $15). Just wondering if it's user-friendly for past years.

Just wanted to add my experience - I filed my 2020 taxes late and it took about 10 weeks to get my refund, but I did get every penny I was owed! The key things that helped me were: 1) Making sure I had all my documents organized before starting, 2) Double-checking all the math since manual processing means they catch errors more easily, and 3) Sending it certified mail so I had proof it was delivered. The IRS processed it without any issues. You're definitely not too late for 2021 - just be patient with the processing time since paper returns take longer. Good luck!

Another way to maximize your tax benefits from charitable giving is to make direct donations yourself in addition to your volunteer work. My financial advisor suggested I set up a Donor Advised Fund - basically I contribute to the fund, get the tax deduction immediately, and then recommend grants to charities over time. This works especially well if you're close to the threshold between taking the standard deduction vs itemizing.

Slightly off topic but since you're in Washington state like me - remember that while we don't have state income tax, so these deductions only matter for federal taxes. But some municipalities have special programs for volunteers that can save you money in other ways. My city gives property tax breaks for residents who volunteer a certain number of hours with approved charities. Might be worth looking into if your city has something similar!

I've been through this exact situation twice, and unfortunately yes - they will take the entire $6,547 refund. The Treasury Offset Program doesn't do partial offsets for child support debt. It's all or nothing, and since your friend owes more than the refund amount, every penny will go toward that $9,000+ balance. What your friend should expect: A notice in the mail explaining the offset, showing the original refund amount and how much was applied to the child support debt. The remaining balance (around $2,500) will still be owed and could affect future refunds too. My advice? Tell your friend to contact their state child support enforcement agency immediately to set up a payment plan for the remaining balance. This can prevent future refund offsets and help them stay current. Also, they should adjust their tax withholding for next year so they don't end up in the same boat - getting a smaller refund (or owing a bit) is better than giving the government an interest-free loan that gets seized anyway. The medical bills you mentioned are a separate concern, but understanding how these offsets work is definitely smart planning. Child support debt gets priority treatment in the offset program, so it's one of the most aggressive collection mechanisms the government has.

I went through this same situation about 18 months ago, and I can confirm what others are saying - they will take the entire $6,547 refund. The Treasury Offset Program doesn't mess around with partial collections for child support debt. It's frustrating but that's how the system works. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier: your friend should immediately check if they're married and filed jointly. If their spouse isn't responsible for the child support debt, the spouse can file Form 8379 (Injured Spouse Allocation) to potentially get back their portion of the refund. This has to be done relatively quickly though. Also, regarding your medical bills concern - child support debt gets first priority in the offset program, but other types of debt can also trigger offsets. Federal student loans, unpaid taxes, and certain other debts can all result in refund seizures. The key is staying proactive about payment arrangements before you get to the offset stage. Your friend should definitely contact their state child support office right away to discuss payment options for that remaining $2,500+ balance. Most states would rather work with you on a reasonable payment plan than keep seizing refunds year after year.

Can I just say how ridiculous it is that these app companies make taxes so complicated? Why can't Robinhood just withhold the proper tax amount from these bonuses like my employer does with my paychecks? Now I'm probably gonna owe money because of these "free" bonuses.

Great question! I went through this exact same situation last year. The key thing to remember is that Robinhood referral bonuses are treated as miscellaneous income, not investment income or self-employment income. In TurboTax, when you enter your 1099-MISC, make sure to select that this is "other income" rather than business income. The $300 will get reported on Schedule 1, Line 8z of your Form 1040. You won't owe self-employment tax on it, which is a relief! One tip: keep a copy of your 1099-MISC and any documentation about the referral program. The IRS likes to see that you're reporting income consistently with what companies report about you. Since you're filing close to the deadline, double-check that TurboTax is categorizing it correctly before you submit - it should show up as "Other Income" on your tax summary, not as business or self-employment income.