One thing nobody's mentioned yet - you might not even need the 1095-B form for your 2024 taxes! The tax penalty for not having health insurance (the "individual mandate") was effectively eliminated starting in 2019 at the federal level because the penalty was reduced to $0. So technically, you don't need to prove you had coverage on your federal return. However, some states (California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and DC) have their own individual mandates with penalties, so if you live in one of those places, you would still need documentation of your coverage.

Great question about why 1095 forms are still issued! Even though the federal penalty is gone, these forms still serve several purposes. First, they help you maintain records of your health coverage, which can be useful for various reasons like applying for other benefits or proving continuous coverage if you switch plans. Second, some tax preparation software and tax preparers still ask about health coverage as part of their comprehensive review process, even though it's not technically required for federal taxes. Third, as mentioned, some states still have their own individual mandates with penalties. Finally, these forms help government agencies track health coverage statistics and ensure people are receiving the benefits they're entitled to. The IRS and state agencies use this data for program administration and compliance purposes, even if there's no penalty involved for individuals. So while you may not "need" the 1095-B for penalty purposes, it's still good documentation to have for your records!

Has anyone successfully gotten their refund after going through this whole amended return process? I'm in the same boat where my ex claimed our daughter when it was my year according to our divorce decree. I filed an amended return 3 months ago with all the documentation and haven't heard anything. Starting to wonder if it's worth the hassle or if I should just make sure I claim her first next year.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - it's incredibly frustrating when someone fraudulently claims your child and you feel powerless to stop it. The good news is that you absolutely can still fix this situation even though you already filed. Here's what I recommend: File Form 1040X (amended return) to claim your child as your dependent, and include Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit) since someone is using your child's SSN without permission. Don't let the paperwork intimidate you - the IRS has free filing assistance through VITA programs if you need help. The IRS won't tell you who claimed your child due to privacy laws, but they will investigate when they receive conflicting returns. Since you're the custodial parent, you should prevail if you have proper documentation (school records, medical records, etc. showing your child lives with you). Most importantly, get an Identity Protection PIN for both you and your child from IRS.gov right away. This will prevent anyone from e-filing with your child's SSN next year without that PIN. You've lost out on thousands of dollars - don't let this happen again. The amended return process typically takes 3-4 months, but you'll get the full refund you're entitled to.

Hey after reading all this, I think i'm in a similar situation & didn't even realize it lol. I walk dogs through an app and the app company sent me a 1099 for last year. Does that mean I'm technically a sole proprietor too?? This tax stuff is so confusing 😩

This is such a helpful thread! I'm actually in a very similar situation - I do freelance graphic design work for a couple different companies and they all send me 1099s. I've been stressed about whether I was filing correctly, but reading through everyone's explanations about independent contractor = sole proprietor for tax purposes really cleared things up. One thing I wanted to add that might help others: if you use part of your home exclusively for business (like a home office), you can potentially deduct home office expenses on your Schedule C. I learned this last year and it made a significant difference in my tax liability. Just make sure the space is used ONLY for business - the IRS is pretty strict about that "exclusive use" requirement. Also, @Atticus Domingo - since you mentioned this is only your second year, definitely keep detailed records of all your business expenses throughout the year rather than trying to reconstruct them at tax time. I use a simple spreadsheet to track mileage, software subscriptions, professional development courses, etc. Makes filing so much easier!

I've been following this discussion closely because I'm in a similar tax situation. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet is the importance of understanding the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) implications when using these credits. Some transferable credits can trigger AMT calculations or be limited by AMT rules, which could reduce their effectiveness depending on your income level and deductions. I learned this the hard way when planning my tax strategy last year - the credits looked great on paper but AMT limitations meant I couldn't use the full amount. Also, for anyone considering this strategy, make sure you understand the depreciation recapture rules if you're buying credits related to business assets. The tax benefits might not be as straightforward as they initially appear. I'd strongly recommend running scenarios with a tax professional who understands both the credit transfer rules AND AMT before making any large purchases. The intersection of these rules can get complicated quickly.

One aspect that hasn't been covered much here is the state tax implications of purchasing transferable credits. While everyone's focused on federal tax benefits, some states don't conform to the federal transferable credit rules or may treat the purchased credits differently. For example, in my state (California), I discovered that purchased federal credits don't automatically flow through to state returns the same way they would if I had directly invested in the qualifying project myself. This meant I had to make adjustments on my state return that reduced the overall benefit. Before purchasing credits, I'd recommend checking with a tax professional familiar with your state's specific rules. Some states might also have their own transferable credit programs that could be more beneficial depending on your situation. Also, for those worried about IRS scrutiny - I've purchased credits for two tax years now and haven't had any issues. The key really is proper documentation and working with reputable sellers who understand the compliance requirements. The IRS guidance is pretty clear on what's needed, so as long as you follow it, you should be fine. The bigger risk I see is people getting excited about the savings and not doing proper due diligence on the credits they're buying. Take your time, verify everything, and don't let FOMO drive you into a bad deal.

I'm currently dealing with this exact same situation from Montreal! After reading through all these suggestions, I ended up trying the Google Voice method that several people mentioned. Here's my experience: I set up Google Voice about 2 weeks ago using a VPN connected to a US server, and it worked perfectly for calling the IRS appointment line. The call quality was crystal clear and I was able to schedule my appointment for next month when I'll be back in the States. A few important details for anyone trying this approach: - Make sure to verify your Google Voice number while you're still connected to the US VPN - I had to add $10 in calling credit even though it's supposed to be free for US calls - The IRS rep was completely unaware I was calling from Canada - the system showed a regular US number One thing I'd add that I haven't seen mentioned yet: if you're planning to return to the US within the next 60 days, you can also try explaining your situation to the IRS International line (+1-267-941-1000) and ask if they can schedule the appointment on your behalf. They can't do it directly, but some reps have been helpful in facilitating a warm transfer to the domestic appointment line. The whole system is definitely broken for expats, but at least there are workarounds that actually work!

I ran into this exact same issue when I was working in Toronto for 6 months last year. The geographic blocking on the 844 number is incredibly frustrating, especially when you're still legally obligated to handle US tax matters from abroad. Here's what worked for me after trying multiple approaches: **Google Voice + VPN method** (most reliable): - Used NordVPN to connect to a US server first - Set up Google Voice with a US number while connected to VPN - Added $10 credit just to be safe (ended up not being charged for the call) - Called through the Google Voice web interface, not the mobile app - Worked perfectly and the IRS had no idea I was calling from Canada **Alternative that helped a friend**: She used Vonage's mobile app with international calling credits. The app routes through US servers so it bypassed the geographic restriction entirely. **Pro tip**: Once you get through, ask the rep to add a note to your taxpayer record about your temporary international status. Some reps can flag your account so future calls are handled with more flexibility. The system definitely needs to be updated for the reality of US taxpayers living/working abroad, but these technical workarounds have proven pretty reliable. I'd recommend trying the Google Voice method first since it's free beyond the initial setup.