Great question! I had a similar concern when I was looking for tax help last year. Beyond what others have mentioned about state boards and NASBA's CPAverify, I'd also recommend checking if they have a PTIN (Preparer Tax Identification Number) through the IRS directory. Anyone who prepares tax returns for compensation must have one. You can search the IRS "Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications" online. This will show you if they're authorized to practice before the IRS and what type of credentials they hold (CPA, EA, attorney, etc.). Also, don't be afraid to ask them directly about their credentials during your initial consultation. A legitimate CPA should be happy to provide their license number and state of licensure upfront. If they're evasive or reluctant to share this basic information, that's a red flag. One more tip: if they're charging unusually low fees compared to other CPAs in your area, be cautious. Quality tax preparation by a licensed professional costs money, and if the price seems too good to be true, it often is.

Just want to add another verification step that saved me from a scammer - check if they're listed with the Better Business Bureau and look up reviews on Google. A legitimate CPA should have some kind of online presence and client feedback. I almost hired someone who had all the right credentials on paper, but when I searched their business name, I found multiple complaints about poor service and missed deadlines. Their CPA license was valid, but their business practices were terrible. Also, if you're working with someone remotely (which is pretty common now), ask for references from other clients. A good CPA won't have any problem providing a few references, especially for complex tax situations. Most of my best professional relationships started with a referral from someone who had a similar tax situation. One last thing - trust your gut. Even if all the credentials check out, if something feels off during your initial consultation, keep looking. There are plenty of qualified CPAs out there, so don't settle for someone who makes you uncomfortable or doesn't seem to understand your specific needs.

Just to clarify what others have said - Jackson Hewitt currently uses Republic Bank & Trust Company for their refund transfers, not MetaBank/Pathward as they did in previous years. The change happened in 2022. When comparing to other tax preparers, H&R Block uses Axos Bank and TurboTax uses Green Dot Bank for their refund transfers. Each bank has different processing timelines, with Republic typically taking 1-3 business days after receiving the funds from the Treasury.

I went through this exact same situation last year! After reading through everyone's experiences here, I can confirm that Republic Bank & Trust is indeed Jackson Hewitt's current partner for refund transfers. What helped me was calling Republic Bank directly rather than going through Jackson Hewitt's customer service - their tax services department was much more responsive and could actually tell me when they received my refund from the IRS. The key thing to remember is that once your WMR shows "approved," there's still that 1-3 day processing window at Republic Bank before it hits your actual account. It's frustrating but seems to be the standard timeline. Has your WMR status updated to approved yet, or are you still waiting for that step?

Just wanted to share my experience as someone who went through this exact situation last year! I had a similar duplex setup (65/35 split) and was terrified of making a mistake after reading horror stories online. Here's what I learned that might help: The key is being absolutely meticulous about your documentation. I created a simple spreadsheet tracking every expense and its allocation percentage. For the mortgage interest specifically, I made sure to clearly note on my tax return that the Schedule E amount represented only the rental portion. One thing that really helped me was creating a "property allocation worksheet" where I documented how I calculated my 70/30 split (square footage, rooms, whatever method you used). Keep this with your tax records because if you ever get audited, the IRS will want to see your methodology was reasonable and consistent. Also, pro tip: if you're using the same allocation method for multiple expenses (mortgage interest, property taxes, insurance, etc.), make sure you're applying it consistently across all of them. The IRS looks for consistency in your reporting. You're asking all the right questions - being cautious about double-dipping shows you're thinking about this correctly!

I just went through this same situation with my triplex property! One thing I'd add to all the great advice here is to be extra careful about how you handle improvements vs. repairs when allocating expenses. For regular repairs and maintenance (like fixing a leaky faucet or painting), you can deduct the rental portion immediately on Schedule E. But for improvements that increase the property's value (like a new roof or HVAC system), those need to be depreciated over time rather than deducted all at once. Also, since you mentioned you're filing soon, make sure you have your depreciation calculation ready for the rental portion of the property. This is often one of the biggest deductions new landlords miss! You'll need to determine the cost basis of just the building (excluding land value) and then depreciate 70% of that over 27.5 years. Keep detailed records of everything - I learned the hard way that good documentation is your best friend if the IRS ever comes knocking. Take photos of any repairs, save all receipts, and document your square footage measurements. Future you will thank you for being thorough!

Sole proprietorship is the simplest business structure but just remember you'll need to pay self-employment tax (about 15.3%) on your photography income. Even if it's under $1k, you still need to report it.

Don't forget you can also write off other stuff besides just equipment! I do wedding photography and deduct my website costs, part of my cell phone bill, mileage to/from shoots, lightroom subscription, business cards, etc.

Another angle worth trying - if you have a student email address (even from years ago if it still works), H&R Block often offers student discounts that can be pretty substantial. I used my old .edu email from graduate school last year and got 30% off the Deluxe version. Also, since you mentioned you've been using H&R Block for 3 years, try logging into your account and checking if they have any loyalty discounts or "returning customer" offers in your account dashboard. Sometimes they don't advertise these prominently but they show up once you're logged in. One more tip - if you end up not finding a code, consider waiting until closer to the April deadline. H&R Block typically releases "last chance" promotions in the final weeks of tax season to capture procrastinators. Obviously don't wait if you're expecting a refund, but if you owe money, the discount might be worth the strategic delay. The fact that you're already halfway through means you've done the hard part! Don't let the discount hunt derail your progress completely.

Welcome to the community, Aliyah! You're asking great questions. The discount codes should work on mobile - H&R Block's platform is designed to be mobile-friendly and your progress is saved to your account, not your device. So you can start on your phone, apply a discount code from your computer, and finish back on mobile without any issues. Since you're new to this, here's my recommended strategy based on what worked for me: First, sign up for H&R Block's email list right now (they often send welcome discounts within 24 hours). While waiting for that, check if your workplace has any employee benefits portal - many companies partner with tax prep services but don't advertise it well. Finally, if you have any memberships (AAA, Costco, credit union, alumni association), check their member benefits pages. Don't stress too much about finding the perfect discount - even saving $15-20 is worth it, but don't let the hunt delay your filing if you're expecting a refund. The most important thing is getting your taxes done correctly, especially with 1099 income like the original poster mentioned. H&R Block Deluxe handles that well and is still much cheaper than hiring a professional. Good luck with your first time doing your own taxes! This community is super helpful if you run into any issues.