Something to consider if you're filing in multiple states: TaxSlayer has been pretty good for me as someone who moved mid-year and had to file a split-year return. Their premium package is around $60 and includes investments and multiple state returns, which was a huge savings over what TurboTax wanted ($120+) for the same situation. Their interface for handling state returns is actually really clean and intuitive. You just select which states you need to file in, and it guides you through the process for each one separately. Way less confusing than when I tried to do a multi-state return in TurboTax a few years ago.

I've been using TaxAct for the past two years after ditching TurboTax for similar reasons, and it's been solid! What really sold me was their upfront pricing - no hidden fees or surprise upgrades needed for investment income reporting. I paid around $50 total for federal and state with all my investment forms included. The interface is definitely more straightforward than TurboTax's increasingly cluttered design. TaxAct asks direct questions about your tax situation without the manipulative "lifestyle questions" that are really just upsell triggers. When you say you have investment income, it simply adds the necessary forms - no games. One tip: if you do switch to any new software, I'd recommend keeping your last TurboTax return handy for reference. Most alternative software can import some data, but having your previous return helps ensure you don't miss any recurring deductions or credits you've been claiming. The transition was much smoother than I anticipated, and I haven't looked back since!

I switched from H&R Block to FreeTaxUSA last year and couldn't be happier. It's only $15 for state filing (federal is free), and it walks you through everything step by step. I had some complicated stuff with crypto transactions and rental income, and it handled everything perfectly. The interface isn't as fancy as TurboTax, but it asks all the same questions and found all the same deductions for WAY less money. H&R Block wanted to charge me $389 for their premium service, but FreeTaxUSA cost me just $15 total.

I strongly recommend finding a local independent CPA instead of any chain tax service. After getting burned by H&R Block (they missed over $3,000 in deductions for my small business), I found a local CPA through my chamber of commerce. The difference is night and day! She charges me $400 flat rate no matter how complicated my return gets, is available year-round for questions (not just during tax season), and has saved me thousands by helping with tax planning throughout the year. Most importantly, she actually takes time to understand my business and financial situation.

Just want to point out that the process might be simpler than some are making it sound. I'm from the UK selling through Amazon US, and the state I needed a permit in (Washington) had a streamlined registration process for foreign businesses. The key is researching the specific requirements of the states you're dealing with. For example, some states have simplified seller use tax returns for marketplace sellers. And five states (Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon) don't even have sales tax! Look into whether you qualify for any streamlined filing programs or reduced frequency returns for smaller businesses. My permit requires filing only annually because my volume is relatively low.

As someone who went through this exact situation last year (I'm based in Germany selling on Amazon US), I can confirm what others have said - you absolutely need the sales tax permit first to get a valid resale certificate. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned much: check if your state offers any expedited processing for foreign businesses. When I registered in Nevada for my supplier there, they had a "priority processing" option that cut the wait time from 4-6 weeks down to about 10 business days for an additional fee. Since I had suppliers waiting for my resale certificate, it was worth the extra cost. Also, don't forget about the ongoing compliance requirements. Even with Amazon handling your sales tax collection, you'll still need to file periodic returns in states where you have permits. Most states allow electronic filing which makes it easier for us international sellers, but you'll want to set up reminders since the penalties for late filing can be steep. One last tip: keep detailed records of all your wholesale purchases with resale certificates. If you ever get audited, you'll need to prove those purchases were legitimately for resale and not for your own use.

Btw is anyone else having issues with TurboTax when trying to figure this out? It keeps giving me confusing prompts about whether i "can" be claimed vs if i "will" be claimed as a dependent.

Great question, Malik! The key thing to remember is that all four dependency tests have to be met for your parents to claim you - if you fail even one test, they can't claim you as a dependent. From what you've described, it sounds like you're failing the support test since you're paying for your own tuition, rent, and living expenses. The fact that you're under 24 and a full-time student only matters if your parents are ALSO providing more than half your support. One thing to be extra careful about: make sure you're counting everything when you calculate support. This includes the fair market value of housing (even dorm rooms), all food costs, medical expenses, transportation, etc. If you lived with your parents for those few months during shutdown, you'd need to factor in the value of that housing too. Since you mentioned loans and scholarships - student loans in YOUR name count as support YOU provided to yourself, while scholarships are generally considered third-party support and don't count toward either side's percentage. Keep detailed records of all your expenses from this year in case there are any questions later. Sounds like you're on the right track to file independently!

BE CAREFUL with using Venmo for tax refunds! I've seen numerous issues: • Venmo sometimes flags large government deposits as suspicious • Their customer service is nearly impossible to reach if there's a problem • Some users have had accounts temporarily frozen after receiving tax refunds • Venmo is not a bank and doesn't offer the same protections • If there's an issue with your deposit, resolving it takes much longer than with traditional banks Last year, my refund was held for "review" for 9 days before being released. The IRS confirmed they sent it, but Venmo's fraud department had flagged it. I couldn't reach anyone helpful at Venmo during that time. Never again!

I received my refund through Venmo yesterday (3/14) even though my DDD was 3/15! It posted at 2:18pm EST and showed up as "US TREASURY 310 TAX REF" just like others have mentioned. I was worried about potential delays after reading horror stories, but it actually came a day early. For anyone still waiting, I'd suggest checking your account transcript on the IRS website - if you see the TC846 code with your DDD, the money is definitely on its way. Venmo seems to process these deposits in the afternoon, so don't panic if you don't see it first thing in the morning like with traditional banks. Hang in there!