The Savers Credit doesn't have anything to do with medical expenses though? That's for retirement contributions. I don't think there's any tax credit specifically for dental work, just the medical expense deduction that everyone's been talking about.

Lmao I'm just imagining explaining to an IRS auditor that I'm depreciating my teeth at a rate of 10% per year 😂 "Sir, I've calculated that due to my coffee habit, my dental implant is depreciating faster than the standard rate

Does the Free File program have a mobile app or is it desktop only? My laptop died last month and I'm only using my phone right now.

Most of the Free File options are designed primarily for desktop, but several have mobile-responsive websites that work on phones. TaxSlayer and TaxAct specifically have decent mobile experiences through their Free File programs. If you're limited to just your phone, Cash App Taxes (mentioned in another comment) might be your best bet - it was literally designed as a mobile-first experience and works great on phones. It's free regardless of whether you access it through Free File or directly, and handles education credits without charging.

Yes, Credit Karma Tax is now Cash App Taxes. I used it this year with a W-2, 1098-T, and even some 1099-INT from my savings account. Completely free for both federal and state, and it handled my American Opportunity Credit without any issues. The interface is pretty streamlined and worked well on both my laptop and phone.

Good point! Do I need to wait for the federal amendment to be processed before I file the state amendment? Or can I do both at the same time?

You can typically file both amendments at the same time - you don't need to wait for the federal one to be processed first. However, make sure you use consistent information on both amendments. Some states may ask for information about your federal amendment, including any changes to your adjusted gross income. Also, many states have different timeframes for processing amendments than the IRS does. The IRS is currently taking 16+ weeks to process amendments, while some states might be faster or slower. Just keep track of both processes separately and follow up if either takes longer than expected.

That's not accurate info. The IRS doesn't "add" documents to an already processed return. They might have told your sister they already had the information from the 1099 issuer and would adjust her return automatically, which they sometimes do with document matching. But for a missing spouse's W-2 on a joint return, they definitely require an amendment. This is too significant a change to handle with a phone call.

What about repairs vs improvements? Like if I just replaced a broken dishwasher instead of remodeling the whole kitchen? Would that be fully deductible in the year it's done (well, 10% of it)?

For a repair like replacing a broken dishwasher, you're absolutely right - it would be handled differently than a full remodel. A repair maintains your property in good working condition without adding value or extending its life, so it would be fully deductible in the current year (at your business percentage of 10%). Capital improvements like remodeling that add value or extend the useful life of your property must be depreciated over time. This distinction is important because immediate deductions for repairs can provide better tax benefits in the short term than the small annual depreciation deductions for improvements.

I tried that but realized I was leaving too much money on the table. If you have a larger home office or live in an expensive area with high utility costs, the actual expenses method usually comes out ahead. It's definitely more paperwork though.

The divorce was finalized in 2019, but the agreement definitely doesn't call it alimony. It's labeled as "property settlement" in the divorce decree. Is that clear enough for the IRS or does she need additional documentation? And would the extra amount he paid her ($2,500 over the agreed amount) fall under the same category?

If the agreement specifically labels it as "property settlement" in the divorce decree, that's very clear documentation for the IRS. That's exactly what you want - language that explicitly categorizes the payment as division of marital assets rather than support payments. For the extra $2,500, that's a bit trickier. Since it wasn't specified in the original agreement, the IRS might consider it as a separate transaction. If her ex specifically characterized it as interest or compensation for the delay, it could be considered taxable income. If it was presented as an additional property settlement or a gift, it would likely not be taxable to her. I'd recommend documenting any communication about that extra amount (emails, texts) that explains the nature of that additional payment.

This is a really good point. When I went through my divorce, my ex-spouse incorrectly issued me a 1099 for a property settlement payment. I had to file Form 8275 (Disclosure Statement) with my tax return to explain why I wasn't reporting the amount as income. Saved me from an automatic audit flag when the IRS computers saw the 1099 but didn't see matching income on my return.

She hasn't received any tax forms yet, but that's a really good point! I'll tell her to wait before filing her taxes to make sure she doesn't get a 1099 from him. If she does, we'll definitely need to file that Form 8275 with an explanation. The divorce was such a mess that I wouldn't be surprised if he reports it incorrectly just to cause problems.