The standard deduction amount seems high but it actually makes sense when you think about it. The gov basically decided that ppl shouldn't pay taxes on the bare minimum needed to live. $13,850 breaks down to about $1,154 per month which is barely enough to cover basic living expenses in most places. By the time you pay rent and buy groceries that money is long gone!!

Great question Lucy! As a newcomer to taxes myself a few years ago, I totally understand the confusion. Think of the standard deduction as the government's way of saying "we won't tax you on the money you need for basic living expenses." The $13,850 amount is set by Congress and gets adjusted annually for inflation - it's actually gone up quite a bit over the years! Back in 2017 it was only $6,350 for single filers, but tax reform nearly doubled it. Here's the key thing that helped me understand: you either take the $13,850 standard deduction OR you can "itemize" your deductions (like mortgage interest, charitable donations, medical expenses, etc.) - whichever gives you the bigger tax break. For most people, especially those just starting their careers, the standard deduction is way better because you'd need over $13,850 in qualifying expenses to beat it. Since this is your first year, I'd definitely recommend going with the standard deduction unless you have some major expenses like a mortgage or huge medical bills. Keep it simple! 😊

Has anyone had experience with getting audited specifically for in-kind donations? I'm donating about $9,000 worth of professional equipment and I'm paranoid about documentation.

For professional equipment donations, I'd definitely recommend getting a qualified appraisal if you're approaching that $5,000 threshold. Even at $9,000, you're in territory where the IRS pays closer attention. Beyond what Charlie mentioned about detailed documentation, I'd suggest also keeping records of the original purchase price and dates if you have them. For professional equipment, depreciation schedules can be relevant to establishing fair market value. If you bought that equipment for business use, you may have already claimed depreciation, which affects the deductible amount. Also consider the "related use" rule - if you're donating professional equipment to a charity that will actually use it for their charitable purposes (like donating cameras to a media training nonprofit), you can deduct full fair market value. If they're just going to sell it, you might be limited to your cost basis. The key is being able to justify your valuation method. I'd recommend checking sold listings on eBay or similar platforms for comparable equipment in similar condition, and keeping screenshots of those as supporting documentation.

Just wanted to add something that helped me a lot when I filed my 1040X last year - make sure you keep detailed records of everything! I created a simple folder with copies of my original return, the amended return, all supporting documents, and notes about what I changed and why. This was super helpful when I had questions later and also gave me peace of mind. Also, don't stress too much about the process. Like others mentioned, filing an amendment doesn't automatically mean you'll get audited. The IRS processes thousands of these every day. As long as you're honest about the changes and include proper documentation, it's really just a paperwork exercise that takes time. The hardest part is honestly just waiting for it to be processed! One last tip - if you're expecting a refund from your amendment, don't count on that money for several months. Plan your finances accordingly since the processing times are quite long compared to regular returns.

Great question! I went through this exact process about 8 months ago and can share what actually happened. After I mailed in my 1040X (correcting some 1099 income I initially missed), it took about 3 weeks before I could see it in the IRS system using their "Where's My Amended Return" tool. The process itself was pretty anticlimactic - no scary letters or audit notices. After about 5 months, I got a simple letter stating they had processed my amendment and approved the changes. Since I owed additional tax, they sent a bill with the amount due plus interest (wish I had known about that interest tip someone mentioned earlier!). One thing that really helped my peace of mind was calling the IRS after about 12 weeks to check on the status. The agent was actually very helpful and explained that my return was in "normal processing" and there were no red flags or issues. She also confirmed that amended returns don't automatically get flagged for audit - they just require manual review to process the changes. The waiting is definitely the hardest part, but try not to overthink it. As long as you're being honest about the corrections and have the documentation to support your changes, it's really just a matter of patience while they work through their backlog.

bruh just call them... waited 2 hrs but finally got my transcript ordered

Had the same issue last month! What finally worked for me was disabling all browser extensions (especially ad blockers) and using incognito/private browsing mode. Also make sure your ID.me account info matches EXACTLY what's on your tax return - even small differences in address formatting can cause the loop. If all else fails, you can also try the IRS2Go mobile app which sometimes works better than the website.

Has anyone here tried filing Form 8822 for address change despite what the website says? I sent one in about 4 weeks ago and wondering if they're actually processing them now.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago when I moved across the country. After trying multiple approaches, here's what actually worked for me: The IRS online account option is your best bet if you can access it. Go to IRS.gov and create an account if you don't have one - you can update your address there without having to call or mail anything. The verification process takes a few days but once you're in, address changes are instant. If that doesn't work, calling is unfortunately your most reliable option. I know the wait times are brutal, but here's a tip that saved me: call right when they open at 7 AM on Tuesday or Wednesday. I got through in about 30 minutes instead of the usual 2+ hours. One thing to keep in mind - if you're expecting any refunds or correspondence soon, make sure to also file a change of address with USPS so mail gets forwarded while the IRS processes your update. The systems don't talk to each other, so you need both. Whatever you do, don't just ignore it hoping it'll sort itself out. I learned that lesson the hard way when I almost missed an important notice about an amended return!