I think another factor that might explain the discrepancy is the different ways states handle standard and itemized deductions for part-year residents. Many states prorate the standard deduction based on the portion of the year you were a resident. So if you lived in a state for 3 months, you might only get 3/12 of the standard deduction amount. For itemized deductions, some states require you to prorate all itemized deductions, while others allow you to claim the full amount of deductions for expenses like property taxes or mortgage interest on property located in that state, regardless of your residency period. Have you checked if your tax software is prorating your standard deduction correctly? That could account for some of the difference you're seeing.

This is a really complex situation that many people face when moving between states mid-year. From what you've described, there are several factors that could be causing the discrepancy between your calculations and TaxSlayer's results. First, Washington State actually doesn't have a personal income tax on wages, salaries, or most other types of income. Are you perhaps referring to a different state? If you meant a different state with income tax, that would explain the confusion. However, regarding the 529 distribution tax you mentioned - that's likely correct. Many states do impose taxes and penalties on non-qualified 529 withdrawals, and this is often overlooked when people do their own calculations. For Oregon, the difference you're seeing could be due to how they handle the various loss limitations. Oregon has specific rules about how much of your capital losses and rental losses can offset other income in the current tax year, and these limits might be stricter than federal rules or different from what you calculated. I'd recommend double-checking which state you actually lived in before Oregon (since Washington doesn't have income tax), and then reviewing both states' specific rules for part-year residents. The "taxation based on total annual income" method that others mentioned is definitely a key factor that catches many people off guard.

Quick tip from someone who's been there - KEEP EVERY RECEIPT for anything remotely school related. My professor required this specific calculator for stats class, and I almost threw away the receipt. That $129 ended up being deductible as a required course material! Same goes for any required subscriptions to online platforms or software.

As someone who just went through this exact situation last year, I can definitely relate to the confusion! One thing that really helped me was organizing all my education-related expenses into categories first - tuition, required materials, technology, etc. Since you mentioned your parents still claim you as a dependent, they'll be the ones who can claim the American Opportunity Credit for your tuition expenses. But don't worry - you can still benefit! They can potentially get up to $2,500 back, which many parents are happy to share with their student. For your DoorDash income, make sure you're tracking your mileage religiously if you haven't been already. The standard mileage deduction is 67 cents per mile for 2024, and that can add up quickly with delivery work. Also keep track of any phone expenses related to the app, car maintenance, etc. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier - if you paid any student loan interest, that's deductible up to $2,500 even if you're claimed as a dependent. It's an "above-the-line" deduction, so it reduces your adjusted gross income. The laptop situation can be tricky, but if you have documentation from your graphic design program showing it was required, you should be good. Keep that syllabus or program requirements handy!

Just to add something that hasn't been mentioned - depending on what type of work you'll be doing, be careful about creating an expectation of payment with a later "waiver" of that payment. That can sometimes be viewed as constructive receipt of income. The cleanest approach is to establish from the very beginning that this is a volunteer position with no compensation. Don't have them process payroll and then "donate" it back, or anything similar. That creates unnecessary complications.

This is such a thoughtful question, and I'm glad you're being so careful about doing everything properly! I went through something similar when I started volunteering as a music director at my church a few years ago. One thing I'd add to the excellent advice already given - make sure you and the church are on the same page about the scope and expectations of your volunteer role. Even though you're not being paid, it's important to have clear boundaries about your responsibilities, time commitment, and decision-making authority. This protects both you and the church. Also, consider whether there might be any employment law implications depending on your state. Some states have specific rules about volunteer work that could affect how the arrangement needs to be structured, especially if you're taking on significant responsibilities that would normally require paid staff. The key points others have mentioned are spot-on: establish it as volunteer work from day one, avoid any arrangement where compensation is processed and then redirected, and get something in writing that clearly states you're volunteering without expectation of payment. Your heart is in the right place wanting to serve your community - just make sure the legal framework supports that intention!

kinda surprised no one mentioned this yet but another thing to consider is health insurance. if ur on ur parents insurance plan, some providers require that u be claimed as a dependent. not all do this but worth checking before u make any decisions.

I went through this exact situation with my parents two years ago! After a lot of research and talking to a tax professional, here's what I learned: Your mom is incorrect about it being fraud. The IRS explicitly states that claiming dependents is optional - you "may claim" qualifying dependents, not "must claim" them. This is clearly outlined in IRS Publication 501. However, the reality is more nuanced than just the tax aspect. Even if your parents don't claim you, you're still considered a dependent student for FAFSA purposes until you're 24 (unless you meet specific exceptions like being married, having dependents, military service, etc.). So federal financial aid likely won't change. BUT - and this is important - there can be tax benefits to consider. If your parents' income is too high to claim education credits, you might be able to claim the American Opportunity Tax Credit yourself if they don't claim you as a dependent. This could be worth up to $2,500. My advice: Run the numbers both ways. Calculate what your family saves/loses in total taxes under both scenarios, then factor in any potential institutional aid differences at your specific school. Sometimes the tax implications alone make it worthwhile, even without FAFSA changes. Also, definitely talk to your school's financial aid office about whether they consider tax dependency status for their own institutional aid - some do, some don't.

This whole Form 8948 situation perfectly illustrates why tax prep can be so frustrating! I appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and clarifications here. Just to summarize what I'm understanding from this thread: 1. Right now (before e-filing opens): No Form 8948 needed for paper filing since e-filing isn't available yet 2. After January when e-filing opens: Form 8948 required for preparers who file 11+ returns but choose to paper file eligible returns 3. Individual taxpayers filing their own returns: Never need Form 8948 4. Returns that must be paper filed anyway (like certain amended returns): No Form 8948 needed It's helpful to see the different exception codes too. I'm bookmarking this thread for reference once e-filing season actually starts. Thanks to everyone who shared resources and firsthand experiences - this community is invaluable for navigating these constantly changing requirements!

As someone who's been doing tax prep for about 15 years, I can confirm everything that's been said here is spot on. The Form 8948 requirement really only kicks in when you're a preparer who normally must e-file but choose paper filing for returns that could be e-filed. One additional tip I'd add - keep good records of why you're paper filing each return, even if you don't need Form 8948 right now. If the IRS ever questions your filing method later, having documentation of the circumstances (like e-filing being unavailable) can be really helpful. I learned this the hard way during an audit a few years back where I had to reconstruct why certain returns were paper filed. Also, for those mentioning the complexity - you're absolutely right that it keeps getting more complicated! I've found that staying active in communities like this and keeping a good relationship with other preparers is essential for staying on top of all these changing requirements.