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Just a heads up that whatever course you choose, make sure it's updated for the latest tax law changes. I took a course in 2022 that was still teaching outdated info from before the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act changes, and it caused me a lot of confusion when I started actually doing returns. Also, look into getting your PTIN (Preparer Tax Identification Number) from the IRS website - you'll need this if you're preparing returns for others for compensation. It's easy to get and doesn't require any special credentials.
Seconding the PTIN advice! It's super important and only costs about $30. Without it, you technically can't sign as a paid preparer on tax returns. Also, check your state requirements. Some states have additional registration or education requirements for tax preparers beyond the federal PTIN.
Great question! I'd also recommend checking out the IRS's own free resources - they have Publication 4491 (Small Business/Self-Employed Virtual Tax Workshop) which covers individual tax preparation fundamentals. It's completely free and comes straight from the source. For more structured learning, Jackson Hewitt also offers a tax course similar to H&R Block's. I've heard good things about their online format and they cover all the basics you mentioned - filing statuses, standard vs itemized deductions, common credits like EITC and Child Tax Credit, etc. One thing I'd suggest is to start with whatever course you choose, but then supplement it with the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) training materials. Even if you don't volunteer, their training workbooks are excellent and available for free download. They're updated annually and very comprehensive for individual returns. Good luck with your tax prep journey! The 2025 season will be here before you know it.
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PrinceJoe
Have you tried the free calculator on H&R Block's website? They have one specifically for 2023 returns that allows you to input your original info and then add the mortgage interest to see the difference. I used it to estimate before amending my return (forgot some education credits) and it was pretty accurate. Just google "H&R Block tax calculator 2023" and it should come up.
I tried using their calculator but it kept giving me an error when I entered my income. Do you have to enter everything exactly as it appeared on your original return?
PrinceJoe
ā¢You don't need to enter everything exactly as it appeared on your original return, but you do need to be pretty close with the major categories. The most important things are your adjusted gross income, filing status, and any other significant deductions/credits you claimed. If it's giving you an error about income, try rounding to the nearest hundred - sometimes that helps with these online calculators. Also make sure you're selecting the correct tax year (2023) as they usually default to the current year.
Owen Devar
Just as a heads up, if your mortgage interest pushes you from taking the standard deduction to itemizing, make sure you've got ALL possible itemized deductions included when you amend. Many people forget to include charitable donations, medical expenses (if they exceed 7.5% of AGI), state and local taxes (SALT), etc. No point in filing an amendment and not maximizing the benefit!
Thanks for the reminder! I definitely need to check our charitable donations too. We did quite a bit last year but I think we were just under the standard deduction without the mortgage interest, which is why we didn't itemize originally. Do medical expenses include dental work? We had some expensive dental procedures last year.
Yes, dental work definitely counts as a medical expense! You can deduct dental procedures, cleanings, orthodontics, and even travel costs to get to dental appointments. The key is that your total medical and dental expenses need to exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income before you can deduct the amount over that threshold. So if your AGI was $80,000, you'd need more than $6,000 in medical/dental expenses to get any deduction. But if you had expensive dental work plus regular medical expenses, you might be surprised how quickly it adds up. Make sure to include health insurance premiums you paid (if not deducted elsewhere), prescription costs, and any other medical expenses throughout the year.
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AstroAlpha
Has anyone considered that the IRS might view this as a tax scheme rather than a legitimate business? I'm not saying it is, but starting a business primarily to reduce taxes seems risky.
Diego Chavez
ā¢This is actually a really good point. The IRS looks for "profit motive" in determining whether something is a legitimate business. If your lawn care service consistently loses money (after accounting for the truck depreciation), you might fail the "3 of 5 years profit" test that the IRS often applies.
Amy Fleming
The profit motive concern is absolutely valid and something you need to plan for carefully. I've seen too many people get caught up in the tax savings without thinking through the business fundamentals. Here's what I'd suggest: Before you buy that $98k truck, start small and actually prove the business model works. Get a few regular clients, use basic equipment, and show some profit in year one. This establishes legitimate business intent from the start. When you do scale up with the heavy truck, make sure the purchase makes business sense - not just tax sense. Can you realistically generate enough additional revenue to justify a $98k vehicle? Document your business plan showing how the truck will help you serve more clients or charge premium rates. Also consider the cash flow impact. Even with the depreciation deduction, you still need to actually pay for the truck. If your lawn business isn't generating enough cash to cover the payments, that's another red flag for the IRS. The strategy can work, but treat it as a real business first, tax strategy second. The tax benefits should be a bonus, not the primary motivation.
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Zara Khan
Don't forget you can also deduct a portion of your home expenses if you use part of your home regularly and exclusively for business. Look up "home office deduction" in TurboTax. It's based on the percentage of your home used for business. Totally legit deduction that many new business owners miss!
Great question! I went through this exact same situation when I started my consulting business last year. You're absolutely on the right track - all those startup expenses you listed are definitely deductible as business expenses on Schedule C. A few quick tips for TurboTax: When you get to the "Federal" section, look for "Business Income and Expenses" or "Self-Employment." Once you tell TurboTax you have business income, it'll create a Schedule C for you and walk you through different expense categories. Your business cards and flyers go under "Advertising," the DBA fee goes under "Legal and Professional Services," and the logo software subscription would be "Other Business Expenses." One thing to keep in mind - since these are startup costs, make sure you're clear about when your business actually "began" (when you started actively trying to make money vs. just planning). The IRS has specific rules about startup costs vs. ongoing business expenses, but based on what you've described, it sounds like you're well within the limits. Keep those receipts organized! I learned that lesson the hard way. Good luck with your business!
Ella rollingthunder87
Has anyone tried the Surgent Income Tax School? Their website looks good but I can't find many reviews. I'm debating between that and the H&R Block course.
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Yara Campbell
ā¢I took the Surgent course last year. It's decent but very text-heavy with fewer practical examples than I expected. H&R Block's course has more hands-on practice scenarios which helped me remember the concepts better. Surgent is good if you're already somewhat familiar with taxes and learn well by reading, but H&R Block is better for beginners.
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Zoe Dimitriou
Another option to consider is the Penn Foster Tax School - they offer a comprehensive online program that's self-paced and covers everything from basic individual returns to more complex scenarios. What I liked about it is that they provide real tax software training (using actual professional software, not just consumer versions) and include practice with mock client situations. The course covers all the fundamentals you mentioned - deductions, credits, filing statuses, plus things like rental property, small business income, and retirement distributions that come up frequently even in "simple" individual returns. They also keep the materials updated each tax season, which is crucial since tax laws change. The enrollment fee is reasonable (around $400-500 when I checked), and you get access to their materials for the entire tax season, so you can refer back as needed. They also offer job placement assistance if you decide to pursue seasonal work later. Might be worth looking into alongside the other suggestions here!
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