Has anyone tried the VITA program? They do free tax prep but I'm not sure if they handle international stuff like UK investments.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation with foreign assets (investments in Germany) and have been overpaying for years. One thing I'd add is that when you're interviewing potential preparers, ask them specifically about their experience with the exact forms you need rather than just "international experience." I learned this the hard way when a CPA said they had international experience but had never actually filed a Form 8938 before. Also, don't be afraid to ask for references from other clients with foreign assets. Most good preparers who work with international situations will have other clients they can refer you to (with permission, of course). I found my current EA this way - she charges about $800 for my return versus the $2,200 I was paying the international specialist, and she's been doing foreign asset reporting for 8 years. The key really is understanding exactly what level of expertise you need for each part of your return. Once you know that, you can find someone who's qualified without paying for expertise you don't actually need.

Anyone else notice that the IRS seems way more backlogged this year compared to previous years? My brother filed in March and already got his refund, but my February filing is still stuck. Makes no sense.

I'm going through the exact same nightmare! Filed February 8th, accepted immediately, and my transcript has been completely empty ever since. It's now been over 2 months and I'm getting seriously worried. Called the IRS last week and they gave me the same "system glitch affecting early filers" story and said it should be resolved soon, but I've heard that excuse before. What's really frustrating is seeing people who filed weeks after me already getting their refunds while we early filers are stuck in limbo. Has anyone actually seen their transcript update after being told about this supposed "fix" they implemented in March? I'm starting to wonder if I should file an amended return or contact a tax advocate at this point.

I negotiated with my CPA to pay based on the actual tax savings they generate for me. Base fee is $900 for preparation, plus 10% of any tax savings they find beyond what I would have gotten with basic software. The first year they found an additional $9k in deductions I'd missed (so I paid $900 + $900), but now it's usually around $1200-1500 total. This incentivizes them to actually look for optimization opportunities instead of just filling out forms. Might be worth asking if any CPAs in your area work on this kind of model.

Based on what you've shared, $1800 for comprehensive tax planning that identifies $13k+ in annual savings sounds like excellent value. I pay around $1600 annually for similar services and my CPA has consistently found optimization strategies I never would have discovered on my own. The key is making sure they can clearly explain those savings opportunities and that they're legitimate strategies, not aggressive positions that could trigger audits. I'd recommend asking for a detailed breakdown of exactly how they plan to achieve those savings - a good CPA should be able to walk you through each strategy. Also consider the ongoing relationship value. The best CPAs don't just prepare your return once a year - they provide guidance throughout the year on timing decisions, estimated payments, and strategic planning. If this CPA offers that level of service, the fee becomes even more reasonable when you consider the year-round support.

Has anyone tried Cash App Taxes (formerly Credit Karma Tax)? I heard it's completely free for federal and state, even with self-employment income like Uber.

For someone new to self-filing with your income mix, I'd actually recommend starting with FreeTaxUSA or Cash App Taxes to get your feet wet without breaking the bank. Both handle W-2s, self-employment income from Uber, and investment income just fine. The key thing with Uber income is making sure you have good records of your business miles and any car expenses (gas, maintenance, etc.) - the software can only work with what you give it. If you didn't track miles throughout the year, you can estimate using your Uber driver app trip history, but start tracking now for next year. For Robinhood, wait until you get your 1099-B (usually available by mid-February) before filing. Most tax software can import this directly, which saves tons of time if you made a lot of trades. If you run into issues or want more hand-holding, you can always upgrade to TurboTax or H&R Block mid-process, but honestly your situation is pretty standard once you get the hang of it. The money you save on software can go toward better record-keeping tools for next year!

Has anyone had issues with Tithe.ly showing the wrong organization name? I donated to my church through the app, but when I downloaded my annual statement, it shows the parent denomination instead of my specific church. Will this cause problems with the IRS since technically they're different organizations with different tax IDs?

This is a really common situation, and you're absolutely fine using just your Tithe.ly records! I work in tax preparation and see this all the time. The IRS doesn't care WHERE the documentation comes from - they just need to see that you have proper records showing the charitable organization, dates, amounts, and confirmation that no goods/services were received in return. Your Tithe.ly statements should include all of this information. The key things to verify on your downloaded statement are: 1) Your church's actual name appears (not just "Tithe.ly") 2) All donation dates and amounts are listed 3) There's language confirming these were charitable contributions I've had clients successfully use documentation from Tithe.ly, Pushpay, Givelify, and other giving platforms without any issues. The IRS has actually become more accommodating of electronic giving records as digital donations have become so common. You don't need to have any awkward conversations with your church. Just download your annual giving statement from Tithe.ly and you're all set for tax filing. Keep the electronic records for at least 3 years and you'll be fully compliant.