I didn't even think about checking if my doctor is in-network! Thanks for pointing that out. I take a maintenance med for high blood pressure so I'll definitely check the prescription coverage too. Is there an easy way to see which plans include specific doctors? The Healthcare.gov site seems a bit overwhelming with all the plan options.

Most plans on Healthcare.gov will have a link to the insurer's website where you can search for specific doctors. But honestly, the most reliable method is to call your doctor's office directly and ask which marketplace plans they accept. The online directories are sometimes outdated. For prescriptions, look for the plan's "formulary" - that's their list of covered medications. Different tiers have different costs, so check which tier your medication falls into. Some plans also offer prescription discounts before you meet your deductible, which can make a big difference.

I'm in Illinois. From what I've seen, we use the federal Healthcare.gov site, right?

Yep, Illinois uses Healthcare.gov. But worth noting that some states have additional programs beyond what's on Healthcare.gov. For example, if your income is low enough during your unemployment period, you might temporarily qualify for Medicaid in Illinois, which could be free or very low cost until you find a new job.

I've been using Xendoo for my ecommerce business for about 2 years and they've been really good. They specifically get digital business models and understand things like affiliate commission structures, digital asset depreciation, and home office setups for online work. Not the cheapest option but definitely worth it for the specialized knowledge.

Thanks for the suggestion, but I'm pretty deep into my return on FreeTax USA already. Did TurboTax also explain how to handle the SS-8 form? And did you end up getting a determination from the IRS about your worker status?

TurboTax handled the 8919 form but like others mentioned, the SS-8 is filed separately regardless of which software you use. They do provide guidance about it though. I did eventually get a determination from the IRS, but it took almost 8 months. The good news is they ruled in my favor and determined I was an employee. My former company had to pay the employer portion of the taxes. Just be prepared for a long wait - the SS-8 process isn't quick, but filing Form 8919 with reason code G protects you in the meantime.

This is really important advice. My friend filed SS-8 and not only did it create tension, but the company actually tried to retroactively create documentation to make it look like he was properly classified as a contractor. Make sure you have copies of all relevant emails, texts, schedules, etc. BEFORE you file!

I hadn't even thought about that aspect. Thankfully I don't work for them anymore, but I still need references from them. Do you think I should give them a heads up before filing, or would that just create problems sooner?

I claimed CTC for my kids too and got my refund after about 4 weeks. Did you also claim Earned Income Credit? That usually takes longer. You might want to try getting your tax transcript from the IRS website - sometimes it shows more details about what's happening with your return.

You're even more detail oriented than me lol! Have you always used FreeTaxUSA? I've been thinking about switching from TurboTax to save some money.

I've used FreeTaxUSA for the last three years after switching from TurboTax. The interface isn't quite as polished, but it's completely adequate and handles all my tax situations correctly. The federal filing is free and state is only $15 compared to the $120+ I was paying with TurboTax for the same exact results. If you have a fairly straightforward tax situation (even with some common deductions and forms like I listed), it works great. The only people who might want to stick with the more expensive options are those with extremely complex situations like multiple businesses, complex investments, or unusual tax situations.

Do student loans fall into this category? If your spouse has defaulted federal student loans, will they take your refund if you file jointly?

Yes, defaulted federal student loans can definitely lead to tax refund offsets. If your spouse has defaulted loans and you file jointly, the entire refund could be seized to repay those loans. Filing Form 8379 (Injured Spouse Allocation) can help you get your portion of the refund back, but it adds complexity and delays your refund by several months. If the student loans are in good standing or on an income-driven repayment plan, then you don't have to worry about refund offsets - it's only for defaulted loans. This is actually another situation where filing separately might make sense if one spouse has defaulted loans, as it protects the other spouse's refund entirely.

Which tax software did you find easiest to use for comparing both options? I tried H&R Block online but it was confusing to switch between filing statuses to compare.