The home energy efficiency credits (like for your mini splits) are non-refundable but can be carried forward for up to 5 years if you can't use the full amount in the installation year. So you don't lose it! But be careful - the rules are different for the clean vehicle credit. The used EV credit that OP mentioned ($4,000) cannot be carried forward, so if you don't have enough tax liability to use it all in the purchase year, you lose the remainder.

Thanks for that info! That's a relief - we only got to use about half of our mini split credit last year, so good to know we can apply the rest to this year's taxes. I didn't realize the EV credits work differently though. That's important for anyone planning to claim both in the same year to consider which one to prioritize if they won't have enough tax liability for both.

I actually did get documentation from the installer, but it doesn't specifically say anything about meeting IRS requirements or efficiency standards. It's just the invoice with model numbers and installation details. Is that going to be a problem? Should I be requesting something more specific from either the manufacturer or the installer?

How do you handle items that are partially personal and partially for business? Like if I get a pedicure and use it both for content but also just for personal reasons?

You need to calculate a reasonable business-use percentage. For example, if you get a pedicure primarily for content creation but also enjoy it personally, you might deduct 70-80% as a business expense. The key is being reasonable and consistent with your approach. If you're using something like a cell phone for both business and personal, you'd calculate what percentage is business use. Same with internet, clothing items, or beauty treatments. Just be prepared to explain your calculation method if ever questioned. And always keep good records showing the business purpose of each expense.

Yes! I use an independent CPA (not one my family knows) and just say I'm a "digital content creator" or "online media producer." They know what questions to ask about expenses and deductions without needing specific details about the content. Just find someone who works with a lot of social media people and online businesses.

That's interesting because it contradicts what others are saying. So if I understand correctly, either I should: 1) Count the $250 gift card as taxable income AND deduct the full $290 expense, or 2) Not count the gift card as income AND only deduct the $40 I paid. Is that right? Which approach would be better for my situation?

You've got it exactly right - those are the two consistent approaches. If you're asking which is better, it typically depends on your specific tax situation. Option 1 (count card as income + full deduction) usually works better for businesses with significant expenses and deductions already, as the additional deduction value ($250) would likely exceed the tax impact of the additional income. This is especially true if you have business losses or are in a low tax bracket. Option 2 (no income + partial deduction) is generally simpler and often preferred for smaller side businesses or if you're in a higher tax bracket where additional income could push you into a higher rate. Since promotional gift cards are generally not considered taxable income, this approach is administratively easier and avoids potentially triggering an unnecessary audit flag.

Credit card points are generally treated differently than promotional gift cards. The IRS typically views credit card rewards as rebates on purchases you've already made (which is why they're not taxable income). So if you redeem points for a business purchase, you can only deduct your actual out-of-pocket cost after the points are applied. But it gets more complicated if you're using a personal credit card for business purchases and then using the reward points for business items. You might need to allocate the value of the points based on what percentage of your card spending was for business vs. personal.

Did you just call TurboTax customer service to get the refund for the early feature? I want to try this too since I'm in the same boat - paid for early refund but still waiting because of Child Tax Credit.

I used their chat support on the website and explained that I felt the feature was misleadingly advertised since it didn't disclose the PATH Act restrictions for Child Tax Credit claims. I was polite but firm that I wouldn't have purchased it had I known it wouldn't actually get my refund any earlier due to the mandatory IRS hold. The first agent tried to explain how the feature works, but I asked to escalate to a supervisor who approved the refund. Just be persistent - they know it's a bit deceptive for CTC filers!

Do you know if this also applies to the Additional Child Tax Credit or just the regular Child Tax Credit? I claimed both and wondering if that makes the wait even longer.

That's actually super helpful! We are planning to set up a joint account right after the wedding, but I hadn't thought about the refund issue. Did you have any problems updating your name with the IRS after you got married? I'm taking his last name so I'm a little worried about that process too.

The name change process wasn't too bad, but make sure you update your name with Social Security first before doing anything with the IRS. The IRS system checks against the Social Security database, so if the names don't match, it can cause processing delays. For the refund situation, you could either wait to file until you have a joint account set up, or you could always have the refund sent to just one of your existing accounts temporarily. Some people even choose to get paper checks for this reason, though that takes longer.

What wedding expenses could possibly be tax deductible??? I've never heard of this!