I wanted to add something that hasn't been mentioned yet - look into whether your state offers any caregiver tax credits or deductions. Many states have started recognizing the financial burden on families providing full-time care for disabled adult children. Also, since you left your job to become a full-time caregiver, you might qualify for the Premium Tax Credit if you're getting health insurance through the marketplace. The loss of employer-sponsored coverage due to caregiving responsibilities could make you eligible for advance premium tax credits, which could significantly reduce your monthly insurance costs. Another often-overlooked deduction is the cost of any professional development or training you've had to do related to your son's care. Things like CPR certification, specialized autism care training, or workshops on managing behavioral issues can sometimes be deductible as medical expenses if they're directly related to providing necessary care for your son's condition. Keep track of any adaptive technology purchases too - tablets with communication apps, weighted blankets prescribed for sensory needs, or specialized seating can all potentially qualify as medical expenses with proper documentation from healthcare providers. The fact that you're providing 24/7 care really opens up a lot of possibilities for legitimate deductions that many families don't realize they can claim.

California definitely has some great caregiver support programs! You should look into the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) and the Young Child Tax Credit - with your income level and dependents, you might qualify for additional state credits beyond the federal ones. For the behavior management course, that $800 should absolutely be deductible as a medical expense with proper documentation. Get a letter from the behavioral therapist stating the training was medically necessary for providing care for your son's autism. The IRS has generally been favorable toward training expenses that are directly related to caring for a dependent's medical condition. One more California-specific tip - check if you qualify for the state's Dependent Care Assistance Program or any regional center services that might provide additional support. Sometimes these programs can help offset expenses that would otherwise come out of pocket, and knowing about them can help with tax planning. Also, since you mentioned weighted blankets and sensory tools, make sure you're documenting the medical necessity for each item. A simple letter from an occupational therapist explaining how each tool addresses specific sensory processing issues related to your son's autism can make all the difference if you're ever questioned about these deductions. The fact that you're keeping such detailed records puts you in a great position to claim everything you're legitimately entitled to!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the importance of understanding how summer funding might be handled differently. Many grad programs have different funding structures for summer months - sometimes it's research assistant wages (W-2), sometimes it's fellowship money (1099 or no form at all), and sometimes students are on their own to find funding. I learned this the hard way when my summer research stipend was processed as a fellowship rather than wages, which meant no taxes were withheld at all. I ended up with a surprise tax bill the following year because I wasn't prepared for the different treatment. If your son's program has summer funding, I'd recommend asking the graduate program coordinator or financial aid office specifically how summer stipends are classified and reported. This way you can plan ahead for any potential tax differences rather than being caught off guard later. Some students end up needing to make quarterly estimated payments during summer months if taxes aren't being withheld from fellowship-type funding. Also, international students have completely different tax rules that can be even more complex, but I'm assuming your son is a US citizen/resident based on your post. Just wanted to mention it in case it's relevant for anyone else reading this thread!

As someone who's been through this maze myself, I can confirm that the tuition waiver portion should indeed be tax-free since your son is working as a research assistant! The key thing that saved me a lot of headaches was getting everything in writing from the university early on. I'd recommend having your son request a formal letter from the graduate school or financial aid office that breaks down exactly how his funding package is structured - specifically stating the tuition waiver amount and confirming his status as a research assistant. This documentation becomes invaluable if there are ever any questions down the road. Also, since he's in a 5-year program, it's worth noting that some universities change their internal systems or reporting methods over time. I had friends whose funding was reported differently in year 3 versus year 1 of the same program, not because the actual tax treatment changed, but because the university switched payroll systems. Having that baseline documentation helps ensure consistency. One last tip - if your son plans to do any conference presentations or publish research, keep track of any related expenses not covered by the university. These can sometimes be deductible as unreimbursed employee expenses, though the rules changed somewhat with recent tax law updates. Good luck navigating this - you're asking all the right questions!

This thread has been incredibly valuable for someone like me who's completely new to tax preparation! I've been researching entry-level opportunities and was initially leaning toward H&R Block just based on name recognition, but the detailed comparisons here have really opened my eyes to the advantages of starting with Jackson Hewitt instead. The emphasis on their structured training program and mentorship opportunities really appeals to me - I'd much rather have that solid foundation even if it means a more rigid environment initially. And honestly, the prospect of being busier during tax season sounds better than having slow periods where I'm not learning as much. A couple of practical questions for those with Jackson Hewitt experience: How far in advance do they typically post their seasonal job openings? I want to make sure I'm ready to apply as soon as positions become available for the 2025 season. Also, is there anything specific I should be doing now to prepare myself as a stronger candidate - like studying particular tax topics or getting familiar with certain software? The insights about supplemental learning resources and the reality of needing IRS contact skills have also been eye-opening. It's clear that the company training is just the starting point, and serious preparers need to invest in additional education and tools to really succeed. Thanks to everyone for sharing such honest, detailed experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world insight you can't get anywhere else!

Really appreciate all the detailed insights everyone has shared here! As someone who's been on the fence about entering tax preparation, this discussion has been incredibly helpful in understanding the real differences between these companies. Based on what I'm reading, it seems like Jackson Hewitt's structured training approach and better software systems make it the stronger choice for beginners, even if it means a more rigid environment initially. The mentorship program aspect that several people mentioned is something I definitely wouldn't have thought to ask about, but it makes total sense that having an experienced preparer to learn from would be invaluable during those first few weeks. I'm particularly interested in Emily's advice about visiting locations during busy season to get a feel for the office culture. That's such a smart way to see how they actually treat their staff when under pressure, rather than just going off the interview experience. One question I have for those with Jackson Hewitt experience - do they typically prefer candidates with any specific background or skills, or are they generally open to training complete newcomers? I have a customer service background but zero tax experience, so I'm hoping that communication skill set would be valued even without technical knowledge. The timing advice about applying in November/December is noted - I'll make sure to get my applications in early for 2025. Thanks to everyone for being so generous with sharing your real-world experiences!

I want to add something important that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you understand the income limits for education credits now that you're filing as a resident alien. The American Opportunity Credit phases out for single filers with modified adjusted gross income between $80,000-$90,000, and the Lifetime Learning Credit phases out between $59,000-$69,000. As a graduate student or someone with campus employment, you're probably well below these thresholds, but it's good to be aware of them. Also, you can only claim the American Opportunity Credit for 4 tax years per student, so if this is your first year filing as a resident alien, make sure to track how many years you claim it going forward. One more tip - if you're planning to continue your education or pursue graduate studies, keep all your 1098-T forms organized. Now that you're eligible for education credits, these will be valuable for tax planning in future years. The transition to resident alien status really does open up significant tax benefits that most international students don't realize they're missing out on during their first five years.

The 4-year limit for the American Opportunity Credit is based on the number of tax years you actually claim the credit, not years of enrollment. So if you take a gap year and don't claim the credit that year, it doesn't count against your 4-year limit. This is actually beneficial for students who might have breaks in their education. Just to clarify a few other important points for anyone transitioning to resident alien status: 1. The American Opportunity Credit requires that you be enrolled at least half-time in a program leading to a degree or credential, and you cannot have finished the first 4 years of higher education before the beginning of the tax year. 2. You can claim both tuition AND required fees, plus up to $4,000 in qualified education expenses per year for the AOC. With $28k in tuition like the original poster mentioned, you'd easily max out the credit. 3. The credit is worth up to $2,500 per student, and up to $1,000 of that can be refundable (meaning you can get it back even if you owe no taxes). Since you're just starting this process, I'd also recommend keeping a simple spreadsheet tracking which tax years you claim education credits. It'll make things much easier when you're doing your taxes in future years and trying to remember what you've already claimed. The transition to resident alien filing really is a game-changer for international students - congratulations on making it through the substantial presence test milestone!

Has anyone used TurboTax to figure this out? Does it let you compare both scenarios (being claimed vs not being claimed)?

Hey Chloe! I was in almost the exact same situation when I was 24. The big thing that caught my attention in your post is that you mentioned a "HUGE difference" in your refunds between years - that's actually a red flag that there might be other factors at play beyond just the dependent status. Here's what I learned: if you're working two jobs and have been employed continuously, you're probably earning enough that your mom can't legally claim you as a dependent anyway. The income limits and support tests are pretty strict at your age. But here's the real kicker - if you qualified for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) in one of those years but not the other, that alone could explain the hundreds of dollars difference you mentioned. The EITC can be worth up to $600+ for single filers with no kids, and you lose it completely if you're claimed as a dependent. My advice: before you and your mom make any decisions, figure out if you actually qualify as her dependent first. With two jobs and planning to move out, you probably don't. Then you can both file independently and maximize your combined refunds. Good luck with the new apartment!