unpopular opinion but H&R Block's interface is actually better than TurboTax now ngl

Been using TaxAct for the past 3 years and honestly it's been solid. Way cheaper than TurboTax (like $25 vs $120+) and I've never had issues with accuracy. The interface isn't as flashy but it gets the job done. Also has good customer support if you get stuck on something. Might be worth adding to your comparison list!

Another approach that worked for me was looking at my year-end pay statement or final paystub from December. Many employers include a year-to-date summary that breaks down all the deductions with more descriptive labels than what appears on the W2. Also, if you're still employed with the same company, you could try reaching out to a coworker in payroll or accounting - they often know these codes by heart since they deal with employee questions about them regularly. Sometimes they're more accessible than HR and can give you a quick answer. One more tip: if the amount in Box 14 matches exactly with something you remember paying for or receiving (like parking fees, gym membership reimbursement, or educational assistance), that's usually what it represents. The IRS requires employers to report certain benefits and reimbursements even if they don't affect your taxable income.

For anyone still struggling with Box 14 codes, here's another resource that might help: the IRS Publication 15-B (Employer's Tax Guide to Fringe Benefits) actually lists many of the common items that employers report in Box 14. While it doesn't decode specific company abbreviations, it explains what types of benefits and payments typically end up there. You can find it on the IRS website, and it's written in relatively plain English compared to most tax documents. It covers things like educational assistance, dependent care assistance, group-term life insurance, transportation benefits, and other fringe benefits that employers commonly report. Also, if you're using tax software like TurboTax, FreeTaxUSA, or TaxAct, many of them have help sections or FAQs specifically about W2 Box 14 that can guide you through whether you need to report these amounts anywhere else on your return. Even if they don't decode your specific employer's abbreviations, they can help you understand the tax implications once you figure out what the code represents.

I'm confused. The support test is throwing me off. if my son lives with me but pays me $500/month for rent, does that count as HIM supporting himself or ME supporting him since he's living in my house thats worth way more than $500/month?

Just want to add something that might help with the support calculation confusion. I went through this exact scenario with my accountant last year when my 23-year-old was transitioning from college to work. The key insight was that even though my son earned $60k+ after graduation, he was still a full-time student for the spring semester (January through May), which satisfied the 5-month student test. This meant he qualified as a "qualifying child" rather than a "qualifying relative," so the income limit didn't apply at all. However, I still had to pass the support test. What really helped was creating a detailed spreadsheet of ALL expenses for the year - not just what he paid me, but everything: fair market rent value, groceries, utilities, phone bill, car insurance, medical expenses, clothing, etc. I had to be honest about what he paid for himself versus what I covered. The tricky part was that his student loans and any money he spent on personal items (even savings) counted as HIM providing support. But since I covered housing, food, and most other expenses for 8 months of the year, I still provided more than 50% of his total support. Bottom line: if your son was a student for 5+ months in 2024, focus on the support test calculation rather than worrying about his income. The student status changes everything!

Derek, based on what you've described, it sounds like your entire pension distribution is taxable. When Box 2a is empty and Box 2b is checked for "taxable amount not determined," combined with $0 employee contributions shown on your 1099-R, this typically indicates that your employer funded the entire pension with pre-tax dollars. Code 7 just means it's a normal distribution - no early withdrawal penalties or special circumstances. The key factor here is that $0 in employee contributions. If you had contributed after-tax money to the pension during your employment, you'd be able to recover those contributions tax-free. But since there are no employee contributions listed, the IRS will treat the full amount as taxable ordinary income. I'd recommend double-checking with your former employer's HR or pension administrator to confirm your contribution history, but based on the 1099-R you received, you'll likely need to report the entire distribution as taxable income on your return. Make sure to set aside money for the tax liability if you haven't had taxes withheld from your pension payments.

I went through this exact same situation two years ago with my pension from a manufacturing company where I worked for 22 years. The 1099-R looked identical to what you're describing - empty Box 2a, Box 2b checked, and $0 employee contributions. After consulting with a tax professional and reviewing my old employment documents, we confirmed that the entire distribution was indeed taxable. The company had funded 100% of the pension with pre-tax dollars, so there was no tax-free portion to recover. One thing that helped me was requesting a "Summary Plan Description" from the pension administrator. This document clearly outlined how the plan was funded and confirmed that employees didn't make any after-tax contributions to this particular pension plan. It gave me the confidence I needed to report the full amount as taxable income. Since you mentioned you're currently working at a different company, just make sure you're prepared for the tax impact. Pension income can push you into a higher tax bracket, especially if you're still earning wages. I ended up increasing my quarterly estimated tax payments to avoid a big bill at filing time.

I've been through this exact same worry! As someone who's dealt with this issue multiple times over the years, I can confirm what others have said - the banking information simply isn't visible on any transcript you can access online. Here's what I've learned from experience: **Quick verification steps:** 1. Log into your tax software account if you e-filed - most keep your submitted return accessible for months 2. Check your email for any filing confirmations that might include account details 3. Look at your bank statements around the time you filed - sometimes you can spot what account number you likely used based on recent activity **Red flags to watch for:** - If it's been more than 21 days since your expected refund date with no deposit - Your "Where's My Refund" tool shows any processing issues - You receive any IRS notices about payment problems The good news is that even if there was an error, the IRS will mail you a paper check once the direct deposit fails - it just adds 3-4 weeks to the process as others mentioned. I actually had this happen in 2019 and while frustrating, I did eventually get my full refund. At your age, I totally understand wanting to avoid unnecessary delays with your money. The peace of mind is worth a quick double-check of your filed return copy!

As someone who just went through tax filing season, I can add a few practical points to what everyone's shared: **For immediate peace of mind:** If you used tax software like TurboTax, H&R Block, or FreeTaxUSA, log back into your account. Most platforms keep your complete filed return available for download as a PDF through at least October of the filing year. This will show exactly what banking info you submitted. **Alternative verification:** Check your bank's mobile app or online banking - you can compare your current routing/account numbers with what you remember entering. Most people use their primary checking account, so if those numbers match what you recall, you're probably fine. **What I learned from my tax preparer:** The IRS actually prefers the security of NOT showing banking details on transcripts. She mentioned that identity thieves often try to access transcripts, so keeping that financial info hidden is intentional protection. If you're still worried after checking your software account and it's been under 21 days since your expected refund date, I'd honestly just wait a bit longer before calling. The phone wait times are brutal right now with tax season, and most direct deposit issues resolve themselves one way or another within that timeframe. Hope this helps ease some of the anxiety - I know how stressful it can be waiting for a refund!