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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

TaxSlayer might be part of the problem tbh. Used them for years but switched to FreeTaxUSA this year after TaxSlayer messed up my state return last time. Their system sometimes submits things in weird formats that trigger manual review flags at the IRS.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - filed in early February and still waiting. From what I've learned lurking in tax forums, divorce situations with kids are basically guaranteed to get extra scrutiny. The IRS has to verify that both parents aren't claiming the same children, which can take weeks or even months. One thing that helped me was setting up informed delivery with USPS so I could see if any IRS letters were coming before they actually arrived. Sometimes those verification letters get delayed or lost, and you don't want to miss the deadline to respond. Also, if you're really strapped for cash while waiting, some tax prep places offer refund advance loans, though the interest rates are pretty brutal. Might be worth looking into if you're facing late fees on bills.

I'm kinda shocked nobody's mentioned that Oregon has its own witholding form too (OR W-4). If you're only adjusting your federal W-4, you're missing half the equation. Oregon's state tax rates are pretty high (up to 9.9%!) and that might explain why your state refund was smaller than expected last time. You should check if your employer has you fill out a separate Oregon withholding form or if they just use your federal W-4 settings for state witholding too. Could make a big difference!

This is such great advice about the Oregon W-4! I honestly had no idea there was a separate state form. I just filled out the federal W-4 when I got hired and assumed that covered everything. Looking at my paystub now, I can see they're taking out Oregon state tax, but I have no clue what rate or how it was calculated. I'm going to check with HR tomorrow to see if I need to fill out a separate Oregon form. Oregon's tax rates being up to 9.9% is pretty scary - that could definitely explain why my state refund was so much smaller than I expected. Between potentially higher federal rates if TCJA expires AND making sure my Oregon withholding is right, I feel like I have a lot more to figure out than I thought! Thanks for pointing this out - I probably would have just focused on federal and gotten another surprise next year.