Has anyone used FreeTaxUSA? I switched from TurboTax a couple years ago because of the ridiculous price increases. It only costs like $15 for state filing (federal is free) even with somewhat complex returns. I've been pretty happy with it for my moderately complex situation with some investment income and a small business.

I've been in a similar situation with H&R Block - the inconsistent quality and slow error corrections are really frustrating. Based on everyone's advice here, I'm leaning toward trying the TurboTax + AI review combination for this year. One thing I'm curious about though - for those who've made the switch from H&R Block to self-filing, how do you handle the confidence factor? I always worry I'm going to miss something important or make a mistake that triggers an audit. The errors from H&R Block were annoying, but at least I felt like someone else was responsible if something went wrong. Also, has anyone dealt with estimated quarterly payments through these online platforms? That's been another headache with H&R Block - they never seem to calculate them correctly for my situation.

If your looking to actually understand whats happening instead of guessing, use taxr.ai - seriously the $1 tool saved me hours of research and stress. Just upload your transcript and it breaks everything down.

I had the exact same situation last year! Code 570 with Head of Household status and EIC. The good news is this is pretty routine - the IRS just needs to verify your filing status and EIC eligibility since those are common areas they review. Your transcript looks normal otherwise. The fact that your withholding (806) and EIC (768) credits are dated 4/15 means they've been processed and are just waiting for the 570 hold to lift. Most people see a 571 code (release) within 2-3 weeks. Don't stress too much, your refund is probably just fine! Keep checking your transcript weekly for updates.

Just wanted to add some specific FreeTaxUSA navigation tips for your backdoor Roth situation: 1. Go to the Deductions & Credits menu 2. Select "Retirement/IRA" 3. When asked about Traditional IRA contributions, select "Yes" 4. Enter the $16,000 contribution amount 5. Indicate it was a non-deductible contribution 6. Later in the section, it will ask about conversions to a Roth 7. Enter the conversion amount and date The software should then generate Form 8606 correctly. HOWEVER - for the excess contribution (anything over $6,000), you'll need to also report that. Look for the section about "Excess Contributions" and follow those prompts too. I did this exact process last year and it worked perfectly. The key is making sure to indicate the contribution was non-deductible.

Your friend is in the middle of what's called a "backdoor Roth IRA" which is completely legal but needs specific reporting. The issue isn't just that the previous accountant missed it - the $16,000 amount is a red flag. The IRA contribution limit for 2022 was only $6,000 (or $7,000 for those 50+). Unless your friend was contributing for both 2021 and 2022 in that single transaction (which would be unusual timing in April), he's looking at an excess contribution situation.

Anybody know if they work with amended returns?

I've been using Bank Mobile for about 3 years now and honestly it's been pretty reliable for my refunds. The key is to read the fine print - they do have fees but if you stick to their basic direct deposit option (not the instant transfer), it's usually free. Takes about the same time as any other bank, maybe 1-2 business days once the IRS releases it. Just avoid their "rapid refund" upsells - that's where they get you with the fees.

23 Has anyone used TurboTax or H&R Block software for this type of situation? Do they have good guidance for vacant rental properties or do I need to talk to an actual tax professional?

I went through something very similar with my rental property last year. One thing I learned is that you should keep really detailed records of everything - realtor communications, showing schedules, advertising receipts, maintenance done to prepare for rentals, etc. The IRS wants to see that you're genuinely trying to rent it out, not just claiming rental deductions on a vacant property. Also, don't forget about depreciation! Once you convert to rental use, you can start depreciating the property even if it's vacant. The depreciation basis is usually the lower of your original cost basis or the fair market value when you converted it to rental use. This can be a significant deduction that people sometimes miss. One last tip - consider getting a property management company involved if you haven't already. Even if they don't find tenants immediately, having professional management can strengthen your case that this is a legitimate rental business activity rather than just holding onto a property you can't sell.