That's a great point! I just checked my student portal and it shows my status changed to "degree pending" after finals week, which was April 30. So technically I might not have been considered a full-time student during May at all. I'll definitely request an official enrollment verification to confirm this!

That "degree pending" status could be your golden ticket! Get an official enrollment verification letter that specifically shows your full-time status ended April 30. I've seen cases where this distinction made all the difference for the Saver's Credit eligibility. Remember to keep that documentation with your tax records in case of an audit. The Saver's Credit is worth up to $1,000 ($2,000 if married filing jointly) depending on your income level, so it's definitely worth pursuing if you're eligible.

Theres also a contribution limit to be aware of. The credit is only based on the first $2,000 you contribute ($4,000 if married filing jointly). And dont forget that if u take the full student loan interest deduction it might lower ur AGI enough to qualify for a higher credit percentage!

Great point about the student loan interest deduction! That can lower your AGI by up to $2,500 for 2024, which could bump you into a better credit percentage bracket for the Saver's Credit. Always good to look at how different deductions and credits work together. I made that mistake one year - focused so much on qualifying for individual credits that I missed how they interacted. Tax software helps, but understanding the connections yourself makes a big difference.

That's a great point about specialization. Do you think it's better to find someone who focuses on small businesses since I have the side gig income? Or would a general personal tax CPA be sufficient?

For your situation with both personal tax events (home purchase, 401k distribution) and a side business, I'd look for a CPA who specializes in individual taxes but has experience with small business owners or self-employed individuals. A good way to gauge this is to ask them specific questions about home office deductions and qualified business income deductions. If they give you detailed, clear answers rather than generalities, that's usually a good sign they have the right expertise for your situation.

This is really smart advice! I never thought about using a CPA as a one-time learning opportunity. Did you literally just ask them to walk you through what they were doing?

I tried to check my transcript but the IRS site keeps giving me an error when I try to create an account. Something about not being able to verify my phone number? Is there another way to check the transcript?

Yes, the IRS identity verification system can be frustrating! If you can't verify online, you can request your transcript by mail using Form 4506-T, but that obviously takes time. Another option is to call the IRS transcript request line at 800-908-9946. It's automated and separate from the main IRS line, so sometimes it's easier to get through. They can mail you a transcript, which will at least show what's happening with your return.

I filed Feb 1st and got my refund on Feb 18th, so about 2.5 weeks. My sister filed a week before me and got hers in 12 days. I think it really depends on the complexity of your return and whether you have certain credits or deductions that trigger extra review.

Thanks for sharing your timeline! Maybe mine is just taking longer because I have a home business this year with Schedule C stuff. Guess I'll try to be more patient!

Thanks for the tips! Do you have a specific system you use to organize all this? I'm worried about keeping track of all these little expenses throughout the year. Also, do you know if there's a minimum amount I should even bother tracking? Like if I grab a $3 coffee for my plumber, is that even worth documenting?

I use a simple three-folder system that has worked great for me. One folder for receipts (I scan them with my phone), one for expense logs (I use a basic spreadsheet with date, vendor, amount, purpose, and recipient), and one for property-specific expenses. Regarding minimum amounts - technically there is no minimum threshold for documentation. Even that $3 coffee should be documented if you're deducting it. During my audit, the IRS agent specifically looked for patterns of small undocumented expenses that added up over time. Those small $3-5 purchases can easily add up to hundreds of dollars annually, which is why they check them. Better safe than sorry!

Did your accountant say anything about providing these regularly vs occasionally? I give my maintenance crew donuts like every Friday when they come to check properties. Would that still count as "during work" or is it too regular to be considered that?

Thank you all SO MUCH for the helpful responses! This makes perfect sense now. I was overthinking it and getting worried for no reason. I'll go ahead and complete the Direct Pay process with my 2023 info for verification and make sure to select the correct tax year and form. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences - especially those who confirmed with actual IRS agents!

Do you know if there's a delay in processing when there's been a name change? I'm also newly married and worried my refund might get held up because of it.

There shouldn't be a significant delay due to a name change if you've already officially changed your name with the Social Security Administration before filing. The IRS cross-references with SSA records, so that's the important step. If you filed with your new name but haven't updated with SSA yet, there could be a slight delay while they verify your identity. But even then, it's usually not a major holdup compared to the normal processing times.