Has anyone used both H&R Block and FreeTaxUSA? I'm considering switching permanently next year and wondering how they compare. Is FreeTaxUSA actually good or just cheaper?

I made this exact switch last month and can confirm it works perfectly! H&R Block's inability to e-file Form 8915-E was such a frustrating surprise after completing everything. FreeTaxUSA handled the 8915-E form without any issues and I was able to e-file successfully. The interface is definitely more basic than H&R Block - it's more like filling out the actual tax forms rather than the interview-style questions - but honestly I found it easier to navigate once I got used to it. One tip: make sure you have your AGI from last year's return handy when you switch, as FreeTaxUSA will ask for it to verify your identity. Also double-check that you're entering the correct distribution amount and date on the 8915-E form since the wording is slightly different between the two platforms. The whole re-entry process took me about an hour, which was way better than dealing with printing and mailing a paper return. My refund was processed normally and I got it via direct deposit in about 10 days after e-filing.

This is an incredibly helpful thread - I've been struggling with the exact same situation with my BetMGM gambling records. After reading through all these responses, I finally understand why my tax preparer kept asking me to "be consistent" with my methodology. One thing I wanted to add from my research: make sure you understand how your state handles gambling income if you're using the sessions method. Some states don't recognize the sessions method at all and require you to report the full W-2G amounts as income, even if you're using sessions for federal purposes. This can create a significant difference between your federal and state tax calculations. In my case, I live in a state that doesn't allow gambling loss deductions, so even though I'm using the sessions method federally to report $650k instead of $1.8m in W-2Gs, I still have to report the full $1.8m on my state return with no offsetting deductions. It's brutal, but at least the federal savings help offset the state tax hit. Also, for anyone considering the professional gambler route mentioned earlier - be extremely careful. I consulted with a tax attorney about this, and they warned that the IRS has been aggressively auditing professional gambler claims, especially for sports betting. Unless you truly treat gambling as a full-time business with systematic approaches, detailed business records, and can demonstrate consistent profit-seeking behavior over multiple years, stick with the sessions method as a recreational gambler. The documentation standards everyone mentioned are spot-on. I created a comprehensive audit file with my session calculations, methodology explanation, and supporting case law. Better to over-document than wish you had more records later.

The sessions method approach you're using is definitely the correct way to handle this situation. Your calculation of $815k in winning sessions as reportable income and $246k in losing sessions as your deductible losses is spot-on. What many people miss is that the sessions method isn't just about reducing taxes - it's about accurately reflecting the economic reality of your gambling activity. When you're making continuous bets on FanDuel throughout a day, each individual transaction doesn't represent a complete gambling event. The session as a whole does. A few key points for your situation: **Federal reporting**: Report the $815k as "Other Income" on Schedule 1 and deduct the $246k as gambling losses on Schedule A (subject to itemizing). You cannot mix methodologies by using session income but total transaction losses. **Record keeping**: Make sure you have clear documentation of how you defined each session (most likely by calendar day for online betting) and that you applied this consistently throughout 2023. Keep your FanDuel transaction exports and any spreadsheets showing your calculations. **Software considerations**: Tax software often defaults to W-2G amounts, so you may need to override these entries manually. Include a statement explaining your sessions methodology and reference supporting tax court cases like Mayo v. Commissioner. The $290k federal tax bill you're seeing is based on legitimate gambling income under an accepted methodology. While painful, it's much better than the alternative of reporting the full $2.3m in W-2Gs without proper session accounting. Consider having a tax professional who specializes in gambling taxes review everything before filing, especially given the substantial amounts involved.

Has anyone tried calling the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 800-908-4490? I had to do this last year when I lost my PIN and they were able to help me verify my identity to efile.

I went through this exact same frustration last year! Here's what worked for me without having to wait on hold with the IRS: First, try the AGI method that others mentioned - it's definitely the easiest if you can find your 2023 tax return. But if you're like me and had moved/lost everything, here's a backup plan: You can create an account on IRS.gov and use their "Get Transcript Online" tool. They'll ask you some identity verification questions (like previous addresses, loan amounts, etc.) and if you pass, you can immediately see your prior year AGI. I was able to do this at 11 PM when I was panicking about my deadline. If the online verification doesn't work, you still have options before resorting to paper filing. Some tax software will let you print and mail just the signature pages while still preparing everything electronically, which can speed up processing compared to a fully paper return. The key thing is don't stress too much - you have multiple paths to get this resolved and it shouldn't significantly delay your refund as long as you can verify your identity one way or another. Good luck getting it sorted this weekend!

I switched from an accountant to TurboTax last year for a similar situation with foreign dividends. Just a tip: make sure you're using TurboTax Premier or above, as the Deluxe version doesn't handle Form 1116 properly. Also, does anyone know if H&R Block software handles foreign tax credits better than TurboTax? I've heard mixed things.

Your experiment comparing TurboTax vs. your accountant is brilliant! I did something similar a few years ago and it really opened my eyes to what I was actually paying for. Regarding the "amount used" confusion - you're right that it corresponds to "foreign taxes claimed" on your accountant's statement. The key thing to understand is that Form 1116 calculates a limitation based on the ratio of your foreign source income to total income. If your foreign taxes paid exceed this limitation, the excess carries forward to future years. Your accountant's detailed carryover tracking is actually quite valuable - it ensures you don't lose any credits over the 10-year carryforward period. When TurboTax shows "amount used," it's applying the current year limitation and automatically carrying forward any excess. One suggestion: before making the switch, double-check that TurboTax is properly importing or allowing you to enter all your carryover amounts from previous years. This is often where DIY software falls short compared to a good accountant who maintains detailed records across multiple years. The decision isn't really subjective - it's all based on the Form 1116 calculations. But the expertise comes in ensuring nothing falls through the cracks over multiple years of filings.

Has anyone tried filing early but claiming the child tax credit in an amendment later? Wondering if I could get the base refund faster and then deal with the credit later.

One thing to keep in mind is that the delay isn't just about the Child Tax Credit itself - it's also about how you file. If you e-file and choose direct deposit, your refund will come faster once it's released than if you file a paper return or request a paper check. I've been through this a few times with my kids, and I've found that filing electronically on the very first day the IRS accepts returns (usually around January 21st) and then just accepting the mid-February wait is the most predictable approach. Yes, it's frustrating to wait, but at least you know roughly when to expect it. Also, make sure you have your bank account info exactly right for direct deposit - any mistakes there can add another week or two to the process. The IRS has to mail you a paper check if the direct deposit fails, which obviously takes longer.