don't use turbotax!!! they charged me like $120 last year after starting with their "free" version. as soon as i had to enter an HSA contribution they forced me to upgrade to deluxe. check out the IRS Free File options, many people qualify for actually free software from various providers (including turbotax) but they hide these options. google "irs free file" instead of going directly to turbotax.

I've been using TurboTax for the past 3 years and it's been solid for my situation, which sounds similar to yours. The step-by-step interview process really does help catch deductions you might miss - like the student loan interest deduction that I completely forgot about until it prompted me. That said, I'd definitely recommend starting with their free version first to see if it covers everything you need. For just W-2 income and some interest, you might not need to upgrade at all. The live chat with tax pros is nice to have as a safety net, but honestly their help articles and automated suggestions have answered most of my questions. One tip: if you do end up needing to upgrade, wait until you're actually filing rather than upgrading early in the process. Sometimes what looks like it requires an upgrade actually doesn't, and you can avoid unnecessary fees.

This has been such an educational thread! I'm also managing tax stuff for my mom while she recovers from surgery, and I had no idea there was an actual science to when the IRS updates their systems. I've been checking WMR obsessively every day (sometimes multiple times) and feeling frustrated when nothing changes. Based on everyone's advice here, I'm switching to: - Saturday mornings 6-8 AM ET for transcript checks - Friday mornings for WMR - Maybe one mid-week transcript check (Tuesday/Wednesday) The tip about transcripts being more detailed than WMR is huge - I always thought they showed the same info! And knowing that Saturday morning updates happen about 80% of the time gives me so much more confidence in this approach. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and tracking data. It's amazing how much less stressful this becomes when you understand there's actually a pattern instead of just hoping for random updates. Really appreciate this community! Hope all your refunds come through soon, and sending good thoughts to everyone else caring for family members right now. 💙

This thread has been incredibly helpful for understanding IRS update schedules! I'm also dealing with family tax matters and had no idea there was such a clear pattern to when updates happen. One thing I'd add for anyone managing returns for elderly family members - consider setting up the online account access through IRS.gov if you haven't already. It requires identity verification, but once set up, you can access transcripts 24/7 without having to call during business hours. This has been a lifesaver when caring for my dad during his recent health issues. The Saturday morning 6-8 AM ET window seems to be the consensus here, and I love how everyone's sharing actual tracking data rather than just speculation. It's amazing how much anxiety this systematic approach can eliminate compared to random daily checking. For those waiting on refunds while managing medical expenses - hang in there! The processing delays are frustrating but temporary. Having a reliable checking schedule definitely helps maintain sanity during an already stressful time. Wishing quick recoveries to all the family members mentioned in this thread! 💙🙏

They're just doing this to earn interest on our money for as long as possible. Pure scam. I had a hold placed on my refund for no reason last year. When the letter finally arrived it just asked me to verify my identity by answering a few basic questions. Got my refund 3 weeks later with zero explanation for the hold.

This exact thing happened to me three years ago and I was terrified thinking I'd done something wrong on my taxes. Turned out it was just a routine identity verification - they sent me a 5071C letter and I had to go through the ID.me verification process online. The whole thing took about 20 minutes and I had my refund deposited within 9 business days after completing it. The waiting is definitely the worst part, especially when you're counting on that money for bills. But from what I've seen in this community, the vast majority of these holds are resolved pretty quickly once you respond to whatever they're asking for. Try not to spiral too much while you wait for the letter - easier said than done, I know! Keep us posted on what the letter says when it arrives.

Don't forget about state taxes too! If you owe federal taxes on that 1099-NEC, you probably also need to amend your state return. Each state has different rules and forms for amendments.

Just my 2 cents but I'd definitely amend. The peace of mind is worth it. I ignored a similar situation a few years back (was only around $700) and ended up with a surprise bill from the IRS that included the taxes plus interest and a penalty. The letter came almost 18 months after I filed, and by then the amount I owed had increased by about 25%.

Just want to add something nobody's mentioned - if you're audited for those gambling losses, the IRS will want to see that you had the financial means to sustain those losses. So if you're claiming $13,000 in gambling losses but your income for the year was only $40,000, they might question how you afforded to lose that much gambling. Make sure you can demonstrate that you had access to the funds that you supposedly lost. Bank withdrawals near casino locations are helpful for this. Otherwise, they might disallow some of your loss deductions if the amounts seem unreasonable compared to your income and other expenses.

I work at a casino and here's a tip many people don't know: if you're a regular gambler, ALWAYS use a player's card when you gamble. Not only do you get comps, but most casinos can provide you with an annual win/loss statement if you request it. This is GOLD for tax purposes! Way better than trying to recreate a gambling log after the fact.