22 Does anyone know if the forms auto-save on Free Fillable Forms? I'm having the same login issues, but I'm wondering if my information will still be there if I eventually get back in, or if I should just give up and use TurboTax or something?

I went through this exact same issue last month! The login loop is incredibly frustrating. What finally worked for me was completely clearing all browser data (not just cookies - everything including cache and stored passwords), then restarting my browser and trying again. Also, make sure you're not using any browser extensions like password managers or autofill tools when logging in - these can interfere with the site's authentication. If that doesn't work, try using an incognito/private browsing window. Sometimes the site has conflicts with stored session data. The Free Fillable Forms site is notoriously finicky, especially during peak season. I also found that waiting until very early morning (like 5-6 AM) when server traffic is lowest helped me get through. Don't panic about the deadline - if worst comes to worst, you can always file for an extension to give yourself more time to sort this out!

Just to add another perspective - I've been volunteering with a disaster relief nonprofit for 3 years and learned some nuances about volunteer deductions the hard way. One thing that caught me off guard: if you volunteer at an event where they provide meals, you generally CAN'T deduct the "value" of those meals even though you're not paying for them. The IRS doesn't consider free meals as reducing your charitable contribution. Also, if you use your personal vehicle for volunteer work, keep a detailed log! I track date, starting/ending locations, miles driven, and purpose of the trip. The 14 cents per mile adds up quickly - I deducted over $400 last year just from driving supplies to different volunteer sites. One last tip: if you're volunteering regularly at the same location, consider asking if they need any ongoing supplies. Sometimes buying things like paper towels, cleaning supplies, or office materials for the organization can be more tax-advantageous than just volunteering your time, since those are fully deductible as charitable contributions.

This is such a common misconception! I volunteer as a tax preparer through the VITA program and see this question every year. You definitely cannot deduct the value of your lost wages or time - the IRS is very clear that volunteer time has no deductible value regardless of your professional rate or what you gave up to volunteer. However, don't overlook the expenses you CAN deduct! Beyond the obvious mileage (14 cents per mile), you can deduct: - Any supplies you purchase specifically for the nonprofit - Special clothing/uniforms required for volunteer work (but not suitable for everyday wear) - Travel expenses if you volunteer away from home overnight - Parking fees and tolls during volunteer activities I'd recommend keeping a dedicated folder for all volunteer-related receipts and mileage logs. Even small expenses add up over the year, and proper documentation is key if you ever get audited. The nonprofit should also provide you with an acknowledgment letter for your records, even though your time isn't deductible. Your heart is in the right place wanting to maximize your charitable impact - just remember that the tax code rewards actual out-of-pocket expenses, not the opportunity cost of your time.

Something I don't see mentioned yet - you'll also need to make quarterly estimated tax payments going forward if you continue getting 1099 income! The IRS expects you to pay taxes throughout the year, not just at filing time.

As someone who went through this exact same confusion last year, I feel your pain! One thing that really helped me was understanding that the 1099-NEC doesn't get "attached" anywhere - it's just your record of income that you need to report. Here's what worked for me: In your tax software, look for sections labeled "Business Income," "Self-Employment," or "Freelance Work" rather than looking for "1099-NEC" specifically. The software will ask you to enter the income amount from Box 1 of your 1099-NEC, then it automatically generates Schedule C and Schedule SE for you. Don't panic about the additional taxes - yes, you'll owe more than usual since nothing was withheld, but you can also deduct legitimate business expenses like software, equipment, and even a portion of your home internet if you use it for work. Keep all your receipts! If you're really stuck, consider upgrading your tax software or switching to one that includes self-employment features. It's worth the extra cost to avoid mistakes on your first year with 1099 income.

As a newcomer who just got my PTIN last week, this discussion has been absolutely invaluable! I had completely underestimated the complexity of multi-state tax preparation compliance. Like many others here, I assumed the PTIN was essentially a nationwide license and was already planning to help family members in Texas, Florida, and California. Reading about the specific restrictions in each state - especially the Texas "accountant" terminology issues and California's CTEC requirements - has completely changed my approach. The advice about starting with your home state first is spot on. I was getting overwhelmed just thinking about tracking all the different state requirements, renewal dates, and continuing education rules. Building expertise locally before expanding makes so much more sense. I'm particularly grateful for the practical resource recommendations throughout this thread. The NASBA website, state CPA society guidance documents, and especially the spreadsheet tracking approach seem like essential tools for anyone serious about multi-state practice. One thing that really stands out is how important the marketing language compliance is. It's scary to think how easily a new preparer could violate state regulations just through innocent advertising mistakes. The examples of prohibited terms and required disclaimers have been incredibly helpful. Thank you all for sharing your hard-earned knowledge and helping newcomers like me avoid potentially costly compliance mistakes. This is exactly the kind of real-world guidance that makes all the difference when starting out in this profession!

As someone who just received my PTIN and is completely new to the tax preparation field, this entire discussion has been both enlightening and slightly overwhelming! I had no idea when I started this journey that state regulations could be so complex and varied. Reading through everyone's experiences, I'm realizing how close I came to making some serious compliance mistakes. I was already drafting a website that included terms like "comprehensive accounting services" and planning to advertise nationally. Thank goodness I found this thread before launching anything! The recurring theme about starting with your home state first really makes sense now. I was initially excited about the potential to help clients across the country, but I can see how that would quickly become a compliance nightmare for someone just starting out. Better to master the basics locally before taking on the additional complexity of multi-state regulations. I'm particularly struck by how many subtle ways you can violate state regulations - not just through obvious things like lacking proper registration, but through marketing language, client intake procedures, and even how you describe your services. The examples shared here about prohibited terminology and required disclaimers have been incredibly valuable. The resource recommendations throughout this thread (NASBA, state CPA societies, the spreadsheet tracking approach) seem like they'll be essential tools for building a compliant practice. I'm definitely going to implement these systematically as I build my business. One question for the community: For newcomers who are planning their first tax season, what would you recommend as the essential compliance checklist before taking on that very first client? I want to make sure I'm not missing any critical steps in my preparation.

I'm in almost exactly the same situation! Filed my 2021 and 2022 returns at the same time in February, got my 2022 refund back in about a month, but I'm still waiting on my 2021 return after nearly 4 months. Reading through all these responses has been such a relief - I was starting to worry that something had gone wrong with my filing! The explanation about different processing systems really makes sense now. I had no idea that prior year returns require so much more manual review and go through separate channels from current year returns. The Where's My Refund tool has been completely unhelpful - just shows "processing" for months with no updates or timeline. It's actually really comforting to know that so many people are experiencing these same delays with older returns and that 6+ months is apparently normal processing time. I also had more complexity in my 2021 return with multiple jobs like you mentioned, so that might be adding some verification time too. Thanks for posting this question - it's exactly what I needed to see to stop stressing about whether my return got lost in the system!

I'm going through almost the exact same situation! Filed my 2020 and 2021 returns together in January, got my 2021 refund in March, but I'm still waiting on my 2020 return after 6+ months now. I was getting really stressed about it until I found this thread - it's such a relief to see so many people with identical experiences! The explanation about different processing systems makes total sense. I had no idea that older returns go through separate manual review processes that take so much longer. The Where's My Refund tool has been completely useless - just shows "processing" for months with no timeline or details whatsoever. What really helps is seeing that these 6+ month delays are apparently totally normal for prior year returns, not a sign that something went wrong with our filings. I was convinced my return had disappeared into some IRS black hole! I also had way more complexity in my 2020 return (multiple 1099s and some rental property stuff), so that probably adds to the review time too. Thanks for posting this - reading everyone's experiences here has saved me so much anxiety about whether I need to start panicking or taking action. Sounds like patience is really the only option for these older returns!