As someone who's been dealing with IRS software compatibility issues for years, I can share some insight on this. The virtual machine approach mentioned by Ella is technically sound, but you should be aware that H&R Block's EULA does have some language about "authorized installations" that could potentially be interpreted to restrict VM usage, though I've never heard of them actually enforcing this for individual users. A simpler solution might be to check if your local library has computers with tax software installed - many public libraries offer free access to H&R Block, TurboTax, and other tax prep software during tax season. This could serve as your backup option without worrying about licensing or VM overhead. Also, regarding the CD backup option mentioned in the original post - I called H&R Block about this last month and was told that even if you order the CD backup, it's just a backup of whichever version you originally purchased digitally. So if you bought the Mac download version and then ordered a CD backup, you'd get a Mac CD, not both platforms. If cross-platform flexibility is really important and you want to stick with established tax software, you might consider FreeTaxUSA's downloadable version - they allow installation on multiple computers regardless of OS with a single purchase, though their interface is more basic than H&R Block's.

Having dealt with this exact same frustration with H&R Block's licensing approach, I ended up switching to FreeTaxUSA last year and it's been a game-changer. Like Madison mentioned, their downloadable version allows installation on multiple computers regardless of OS with a single purchase, which is exactly what you're looking for. I was initially worried about missing features coming from H&R Block Premium, but for my situation (W-2s, some 1099s, mortgage interest, and basic deductions), FreeTaxUSA handled everything perfectly. The interface is definitely more straightforward - less hand-holding but also less clutter. The cross-platform compatibility is seamless. I prepared my taxes on my Windows desktop, reviewed everything on my MacBook, and even made some last-minute adjustments on my Linux laptop without any issues. All three installations pull from the same data file format, so there's no compatibility headache between platforms. The price difference alone made it worth switching - I saved about $60 compared to what I was paying for H&R Block Premium, and that's not even factoring in the time and hassle I used to spend dealing with their platform restrictions. For 2025, unless you have really complex business situations, I'd definitely recommend giving FreeTaxUSA a try rather than dealing with H&R Block's antiquated licensing model.

I've been dealing with IRS rejections for years as a tax preparer, and this 1095-A vs 1095-B mismatch is becoming increasingly common, especially for newlyweds! Here's my systematic approach that works about 95% of the time: **Step 1: Coverage Timeline Audit** Create a month-by-month timeline for both spouses for all of 2023. Include job changes, moves, any gaps in coverage, COBRA periods, and even brief unemployment. The IRS computer often picks up coverage you've forgotten about. **Step 2: Digital Archaeology** Log into Healthcare.gov accounts for both of you (even if you think you never used them). Sometimes people create accounts during job transitions or life changes and forget. Check your email for ANY correspondence from Healthcare.gov or your state exchange. **Step 3: The Nuclear Option** If steps 1-2 come up empty, request a "Coverage Information Statement" from both the federal Marketplace (1-800-318-2596) AND your state exchange if applicable. This is different from just asking if you have a 1095-A - it shows ALL coverage they have on record. The silver lining? Once resolved, joint filers often end up with better refunds than they expected. The system just needs everything to match up perfectly. Don't stress about penalties - having 1095-B coverage means you're compliant. What state are you in? Some have notoriously glitchy exchange systems that cause these false positives.

I went through this exact same headache two years ago! The most frustrating part is that the IRS rejection notice is so vague - it just says "missing 1095-A" without any context about WHY they think you should have one. Here's what I discovered after weeks of detective work: the IRS cross-references their database with the Marketplace's database, and sometimes there are phantom enrollments that show up. In my case, I had started an application on Healthcare.gov during a job transition but never completed it. Somehow the system flagged me as having Marketplace coverage even though I never paid a premium or used the insurance. A couple of quick things to check: • Did either of you ever start (but not finish) a Marketplace application, even years ago? • Any periods where you were unemployed and might have qualified for special enrollment periods? • Check if your parents claimed either of you as dependents for part of 2023 - sometimes adult children get included on family Marketplace plans without realizing it The Healthcare.gov phone number mentioned above (1-800-318-2596) is definitely your best bet. When you call, specifically ask them to check for ANY record of Marketplace enrollment or applications, not just completed ones. They can see things in their system that don't always generate 1095-A forms. Good luck! Once you get this sorted out, your return should process normally. The IRS computers are just being overly cautious about ACA compliance.

19 One thing to consider: have you looked into forming an LLC and electing S Corp taxation status instead of forming an actual corporation? That's what I did. It gives you the liability protection of an LLC with the tax benefits of an S Corp, plus LLCs are generally easier to maintain than corporations in most states.

Great thread everyone! As someone who just went through this process myself, I wanted to add a few key points that might help other new business owners: 1) **Don't rush the S Corp election** - I almost made the mistake of filing Form 2553 too early in my excitement. You really do need to have your state entity formed first (LLC or corporation), then get your EIN for that entity type. 2) **Consider your income threshold** - Several people mentioned this but it's worth emphasizing. The general rule of thumb I've seen is that S Corp election typically makes sense when you're making at least $60,000+ annually, but it really depends on your specific situation. 3) **State taxes matter too** - Don't forget to research how your state treats S Corps! Some states don't recognize the federal S Corp election or have additional fees/taxes that could affect whether it's worth it. 4) **Keep good records from day one** - If you do elect S Corp status, the IRS is pretty strict about that "reasonable salary" requirement. Start documenting comparable salaries in your industry now so you're prepared. The advice about forming an LLC first and then electing S Corp taxation is solid - gives you more flexibility down the road if your business needs change!

Congratulations on your marriage! You're definitely not alone in forgetting to update things after getting married - it happens to the best of us! Yes, you should absolutely update your W-4 with your employer's HR department. Since you got married in June, you've likely been having taxes withheld as if you were single for the past several months, which could mean you're overwithholding (especially with your husband working part-time). There's no strict deadline, but the sooner you update it, the better your withholding will align with your actual tax situation. For your filing strategy, married filing jointly is usually more beneficial for couples in your situation. With one spouse working full-time and the other part-time, joint filing often results in a lower overall tax rate. Plus, you'll get a higher standard deduction ($27,700 for 2023 if filing jointly vs. $13,850 each if filing separately) and access to credits that might be limited when married filing separately. With your blended family setup, just make sure you coordinate with your ex about who's claiming which child for 2023 taxes. It sounds like you already have a good system in place with the alternating years. I'd recommend documenting this arrangement (even just via text/email) to avoid any confusion. Consider running the numbers both ways using tax software before you file - most couples in similar situations save significantly by filing jointly, but it's always worth double-checking with your specific numbers!

Welcome to the married life! I just went through this exact situation myself about 8 months ago. Here's what I wish someone had told me: You're likely overwithholding right now since you're still on single status. This generally means you'll get a bigger refund, but it's basically giving the government an interest-free loan with your money. Better to update your W-4 sooner rather than later so you can keep more of your paycheck throughout the year. For the blended family tax strategy, I'd strongly suggest using the IRS withholding calculator on their website (it's free!) after you get your W-4 updated. It'll help you figure out exactly how much should be withheld based on your combined incomes and dependents. One thing that caught me off guard - if you and your husband have very different income levels (sounds like you do with him working part-time), married filing jointly can actually bump you into a lower effective tax rate overall. The tax brackets for joint filers are much more favorable. Also, since you work for a college, don't forget to look into education-related tax benefits! There might be some deductions available to you as an education professional that could save you even more money when filing jointly. The dependency coordination with your ex is crucial - definitely get that in writing for each tax year. I've seen too many friends get into messy situations when the IRS flags duplicate claims.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with a similar partnership property distribution situation and had no idea about Form 8308 requirements or the Section 754 election implications. One additional consideration I'd mention - make sure you review your partnership agreement's language around distributions before proceeding. Some agreements have specific valuation methods or approval processes that must be followed, even for distributions at book value. We discovered our agreement required unanimous consent for any property distributions, which we had overlooked initially. Also, regarding the K-1 footnotes, I found it helpful to include a brief description of the property being distributed (e.g., "Distribution of Unit 2A, 1-bedroom apartment") in addition to all the financial details everyone has mentioned. This makes it crystal clear what specific asset was distributed, which can be important if the IRS has questions later or if the partner needs to reference the distribution for future tax purposes. The documentation suggestions about getting an appraisal are spot-on. Even though it's an additional expense, it's much cheaper than dealing with an IRS challenge down the road if they question your valuation.

This is exactly the kind of situation where having a solid understanding of partnership tax law becomes critical. I went through a similar property distribution two years ago with our 5-partner real estate LLC, and there are a few additional considerations that haven't been fully addressed yet. First, regarding the Section 734 adjustment that @KylieRose mentioned - even if you don't have a Section 754 election in place, you should seriously consider whether making it now makes sense. The election applies to the tax year it's made, so you could still benefit from basis adjustments on this distribution. With 15% appreciation, the math might work in your favor, especially if you have other depreciable assets in the partnership. Second, don't overlook the potential for "hot assets" in your distribution. Even though you're distributing real property, if there are any Section 1245 or 1250 recapture amounts, or if the property generates ordinary income, there could be complications. Make sure your tax professional reviews whether any portion of the distribution could be treated as ordinary income rather than capital. Finally, consider the timing of this distribution relative to your partnership's tax year end. If you're distributing near year-end, you'll want to make sure all the depreciation allocations are properly calculated through the distribution date. This affects both the partnership's final depreciation deduction and the basis of the distributed property. The K-1 reporting everyone has discussed is spot-on, but I'd add that you should also consider providing the departing partner with a detailed statement showing exactly how their final capital account was calculated. This becomes invaluable documentation if there are ever questions about the transaction.