Thanks for confirming this! So what would you recommend I do now? Should I just request an amended return or should I also file a complaint? I don't want to overreact but I'm also pretty upset about this.

You should definitely request an amended return with the additional information you have. This is your right and will get you the full refund you're entitled to. Regarding filing a complaint, that depends on how the preparer responds when you confront them about this issue. If they acknowledge their mistake, take responsibility, and fix it promptly without charging you additional fees, you might give them a second chance. However, if they're defensive or dismissive, then yes, I would file a complaint with the appropriate body depending on their credentials (IRS, state board, or professional organization).

Same happened to me, but I used FreeTaxUSA for the amended return and it made the process a lot easier. Their interface walks you through exactly what changed from the original return.

Doesn't filing an amended return increase your chances of getting audited though? I've always heard you should avoid amendments if possible.

That's actually a common misconception. Filing an amended return doesn't automatically increase your audit risk. The IRS understands that people need to make corrections or additions to their returns for legitimate reasons. What increases audit risk is when the amendment drastically changes your tax situation or seems inconsistent with your original return. In this case, adding education credits later is a common and understandable amendment that wouldn't raise any red flags.

In my experience, state returns are processed independently from federal returns, even if you file them together. Each state has its own processing system. That's why your state return was accepted while federal was rejected.

I've done both calculations for my last two tax years. For me, the regular method was WAY better - I got almost $2,200 in deductions versus $500 with the simplified method. But I live in a high-cost area with expensive rent and utilities. The simplified method is obviously easier, but worth running both calculations before deciding.

Thanks for sharing your experience. That's a huge difference! I'll definitely calculate both ways. I'm in a higher cost area too so maybe the regular method will be better for me as well, even with the extra record keeping.

Also, if you're a W-2 employee who can't take the federal home office deduction, some states still allow it on state returns! I know Massachusetts and New York have provisions for this. Definitely worth researching your specific state rules.

That middle ground approach sounds reasonable. I really don't want to blow up my family relationships, but I also can't continue like this. Do you think it would be reasonable to ask my relative to start properly employing me going forward, but not worry about the past years? Or am I legally obligated to correct previous years too?

You technically have a legal obligation to file taxes for all years where your income exceeded the filing threshold. However, from a practical standpoint, many people focus on moving forward correctly while addressing past issues gradually. The IRS generally looks more favorably on taxpayers who voluntarily come into compliance before being caught. If you decide to start filing properly from this point forward, you reduce additional non-compliance issues. Then you might consider filing amended returns for the previous three years (that's typically how far back the IRS looks unless they suspect fraud).

This is so true. My cousin worked under the table for years at a construction job. He fell off a roof and broke his back. No workers' comp, no disability, nothing. His boss completely abandoned him and he ended up on Medicaid with no income. It's been 5 years and he's still fighting for any kind of compensation while being permanently disabled. Don't wait until something happens!

What exactly counts as MAGI for the ACA premium tax credit? Is it just the AGI from the tax return or are there adjustments? I had some student loan interest and moving expenses last year if that matters.

For ACA premium tax credit purposes, MAGI is your AGI plus certain additions: non-taxable Social Security benefits, tax-exempt interest, and foreign earned income. Student loan interest deductions don't affect your MAGI calculation since they're already accounted for in your AGI. Moving expenses generally don't factor into the MAGI calculation either, as long as they're legitimate deductions on your tax return. The key is focusing on which months you were legally considered a dependent - that's what determines whether your income counts toward your mom's household income for premium tax credit purposes.

I used TurboTax Premier and it handled my similar situation pretty well. It asks month-by-month questions about household composition and walks you through the premium tax credit calculations. Just make sure you have your 1095-A form handy and know which months your status changed.