1 I actually tried bringing this up with HR last month, but they said they "don't have the administrative capacity" to handle those kinds of benefits right now. I work for a pretty large retail chain too, so it seems like they just don't want to bother with it. Would there be any other options if they refuse to set up a program like this?

9 Unfortunately, if your employer isn't willing to establish a qualified transportation fringe benefit program, you don't have many other options for making those parking expenses pre-tax. These benefits have to be employer-sponsored. You might consider looking into carpooling with coworkers to split costs or researching if there are any monthly parking passes that might reduce your daily rate. Some cities also have programs for retail workers in downtown areas - might be worth checking with your local transportation authority or downtown business association to see if any special programs exist for essential workers.

4 Monthly passes are definitely the way to go. I used to pay $18/day until I found a lot that offered $180/month instead of the $360+ I was spending. It was a 10-minute walk, but totally worth it. Some places also offer evening/weekend employee discounts if you ask - especially if you work at a business that brings customers to the area.

22 I never thought to check for preliminary 2024 forms! Just did, and sure enough, there's my December trade listed on my 2024 form. So frustrating that they got it wrong. What's the best way to approach them about fixing this?

5 Since you found the trade on your 2024 preliminary forms, that makes your case much stronger. Contact your broker's tax department directly (not just customer service) and specifically request a "corrected 1099-B for tax year 2023" to include the December 28th trade. Mention that you understand IRS regulations specify that trade date, not settlement date, determines the tax year for reporting purposes. Be prepared to provide your trade confirmation showing the December 28th date. If the first person you speak with doesn't understand, ask to escalate to a supervisor or tax specialist. Most brokerages can resolve this fairly quickly once you reach someone who understands the issue.

4 This happened to me last year! It was such a headache. The IRS sent me a notice claiming I owed an additional $2,300 in taxes because of a "missing" stock sale, but it was actually just reported in the wrong year. Took me three letters back and forth to resolve it.

So if I have code 1E on line 14 and 2B on line 16, what does that actually mean? And do I have to report this anywhere on my 1040? I'm getting really stressed about these codes.

Code 1E means your employer offered you minimum essential coverage that provides minimum value. Code 2B typically means you were not a full-time employee during that month, so your employer is showing why you might not have been offered coverage for all months. You don't need to report anything from the 1095-C on your 1040. The form is informational only and isn't part of your tax filing process. Just keep it with your records. The IRS gets a copy directly from your employer already, so you don't need to submit anything.

This is a really important question! Code 1B means your employer offered you minimum essential coverage for you only (not your dependents). If that employer coverage was considered "affordable" (generally less than 9.61% of your household income for 2022), you would NOT be eligible for the premium tax credit for marketplace coverage, even if you declined the employer plan. Box 15 on your 1095-C should show the employee share of the lowest cost monthly premium. If that amount, when calculated against your income, shows the coverage was affordable, you might have to repay some or all of the premium tax credits you received.

Do you know if FreeTaxUSA can import previous year's TurboTax returns? Or would I need to enter everything manually the first time I switch?

You'll need to enter your information manually the first year you switch. FreeTaxUSA can't directly import TurboTax returns, which is honestly the biggest downside of switching. However, you can reference your previous TurboTax PDF while entering info, and after that first year, FreeTaxUSA will import your previous FreeTaxUSA return data. The manual entry took me maybe an extra 20-30 minutes the first year, but I've saved much more than that in both money and time (avoiding upsells) every year since.

I used Cash App Taxes last year after using TurboTax for years. It's legitimately free and worked fine for my relatively simple return (W-2, some investment income, student loan interest deduction). The interface is decent but not as hand-holdy as TurboTax. The only limitation I found is that it doesn't support multiple state returns, foreign income, or some more complex situations like trusts. But for most people with straightforward taxes, it's a solid free option.

This! My brother and I got audited because my mom filed her own taxes claiming herself while my brother also claimed her. What a nightmare that was to sort out.