Don't feel too bad - this is one of the most common tax mistakes students make. I made the same error back in 2018 and got a similar surprise bill from the IRS. For anyone dealing with this in the future, look at box 5 vs box 1 on your 1098-T. If box 5 (scholarships/grants) is bigger than box 1 (tuition/fees), the difference is probably taxable income.

This is exactly why I think financial literacy should be a required course in high school! The fact that you can go through 5 years of college without anyone explaining that excess scholarships are taxable is a massive failure of the educational system. Here's what I'd recommend for your immediate situation: 1) Don't panic, but don't ignore the IRS notice either, 2) Contact the IRS ASAP to set up a payment plan - they're usually reasonable if you're proactive, 3) Gather all your education-related receipts (books, required supplies, lab fees) as these can reduce your taxable amount, and 4) Consider whether you qualify for education credits like the American Opportunity Credit which might offset some of the tax impact. The good news is that once you get through this, you'll know how to handle it correctly going forward. And if you're still in school, you can adjust your tax withholding or make quarterly payments to avoid a surprise bill next year.

Has anyone here actually gotten audited for EV or solar credits? I'm claiming both this year too and getting nervous about doing something wrong...

Just wanted to add my experience here - I claimed both the solar and EV credits last year without any issues. The key thing that helped me was organizing all my documentation beforehand. For the solar panels, I made sure to have the installation contract, receipts for all equipment, and proof that everything was installed at my primary residence. For the EV, I kept the purchase agreement, manufacturer's certification that it qualified for the credit, and documentation showing the final assembly location. One thing I learned is that the IRS is really focused on making sure people aren't double-dipping on expenses. So if you had any electrical work done for both the solar installation AND to support EV charging (like panel upgrades), make sure you're not claiming the same electrical work under both credits. But as long as the expenses are truly separate, you're absolutely fine claiming both. Also, don't stress too much about the audit risk - these are legitimate credits that Congress specifically designed to encourage clean energy adoption. Just keep good records and you'll be fine!

Has anyone used H&R Block? They're running a special for $195 for self-employed returns. Wondering if they're any good for this kind of situation or if they're basically just using the same software I could buy myself?

Given your specific situation with W-2s from two states, 1099 delivery income, and a mid-year move, I'd lean toward paying a professional this first year. Here's why: The multi-state aspect alone can be tricky - you'll need to figure out which state gets to tax what income, and there are often reciprocity agreements or credits that prevent double taxation that software might not catch. Plus, with $13K in delivery income, you're looking at self-employment tax on top of regular income tax, but also significant potential deductions. For delivery work, you can deduct mileage (65.5¢/mile for 2023), phone expenses, car maintenance, insurance portions, and potentially equipment costs. Even if you conservatively drove 10,000 miles for deliveries, that's $6,550 in deductions right there. At your income level ($68K total), a good preparer could easily save you more than their $350-450 fee through deductions you might miss and proper state allocation. Think of it as an investment in learning - ask them to explain what they're doing so you can potentially handle it yourself next year if your situation stabilizes. If cost is a major concern, look for an Enrolled Agent (EA) rather than a CPA - they're IRS-licensed tax professionals who often charge less than CPAs but have the same expertise for tax prep.

One thing to consider that nobody's mentioned - your time investment. Online takes me about 3-4 hours total each year. My sister goes to a CPA and spends maybe 30 minutes dropping off docs and 15 minutes reviewing. If you value your time highly or find taxes stressful, that difference matters.

This is such a helpful thread! As someone who's been doing taxes online for years, I'd say for your situation (W-2, stock sales, $7,800 side gig), online is probably the way to go - especially with all the great tools people have mentioned here. The key is being strategic about it. I'd recommend starting with one of the free/cheaper options like FreeTaxUSA that @CosmicCrusader mentioned, since they handle Schedule C for side businesses well. If you run into specific questions about stock transactions or business deductions, that's where services like Claimyr could be really valuable to get direct IRS guidance before you file. One tip from my experience: take your time with the business expense section. Software often asks generic questions, but for a $7,800 side gig, you might have deductions for equipment, supplies, or even a portion of your phone/internet if you use them for business. The AI tools people mentioned could be helpful here too. Bottom line - start online, use the tools available when you need expert input, and you'll probably save both money and stress compared to going straight to a CPA for a relatively straightforward situation like yours.

Something nobody's mentioned yet - watch out for the self-rental rules if your LLC owns any property that's being used by the business. When you create this parent-subsidiary relationship, it can trigger some complicated tax implications for rental payments between your entities. Had this bite me last year and ended up having to amend returns.

I actually did this exact restructuring last year. Made my first LLC (manufacturing business) owned by my second LLC (holding company). The key thing I learned: you MUST pay yourself reasonable compensation if you put yourself on payroll! I tried to be cute with a low salary and high distributions and got a nasty letter from the IRS.