Has anyone used TurboTax to do this amendment? Their interface keeps confusing me when I try to switch methods.

Yes, you can definitely amend your 2023 return to switch from actual expenses to standard mileage! This is actually a smart strategic move that many business owners don't realize they can make. The key rule is that you must use standard mileage in the FIRST year you place the vehicle in service for business to maintain flexibility between methods in future years. Since 2023 was your first year using this car for business, amending that return to use standard mileage will "reset" your election and give you the flexibility to choose either method going forward. You'll need to file Form 1040-X along with a revised Schedule C. Remove any depreciation, actual expenses, and Section 179 deductions you claimed for the vehicle, and replace them with the standard mileage deduction (65.5 cents per mile for 2023). Make sure you have solid documentation of your business miles for 2023 - mileage logs, calendar appointments, receipts showing business locations, etc. One important note: if you claimed any depreciation or Section 179 deductions on the vehicle, you may need to deal with depreciation recapture when switching to standard mileage. The calculation can get complex, so consider using tax software that handles amendments or consulting with a tax professional to make sure you get it right. You have until April 2027 to amend your 2023 return (three years from the original filing date), so you have plenty of time. But I'd recommend doing it sooner rather than later so you can plan your 2024 and future tax strategies accordingly.

I went through this exact scenario last year and can definitely relate to the confusion! Here's what I learned from my experience: First, absolutely try calling the company's accounting department as others have suggested. When I called mine, they admitted they weren't sure how to handle interview reimbursements and just defaulted to issuing a 1099-NEC. Unfortunately, they wouldn't correct it because their books were already closed for the year, but it's still worth trying. Since you'll likely need to go the Schedule C route, here's exactly how I handled it: I reported the $950 as "Interview travel expense reimbursement" on the income line, then deducted the same amount as "Interview travel expenses" on the expense side. Being very specific in the descriptions helps anyone reviewing your return understand this isn't actual business income. For documentation, I kept everything in one folder: flight receipts, hotel bills, email confirmations of the reimbursement, even the original interview scheduling emails. The IRS accepted my return without any issues, and having that paper trail gave me peace of mind. Regarding the multi-state filing, check that state's non-resident threshold. Most states require filing only if you exceed $1,000-$3,000 in state income. At $950, you'll likely be under their threshold and can skip filing there entirely. One last tip: if you had any meals during the interview trip, you can deduct 50% of those costs as business expenses too, which might actually give you a small deduction if your total expenses exceeded the reimbursement amount. This situation is annoying but totally manageable - you've got this!

I've been through this exact headache before! Got hit with a 1099-NEC for interview travel expenses from a company I didn't even end up working for. Here's what I learned: The company is basically treating you like a contractor for that one transaction, which feels wrong but is unfortunately how some accounting departments handle these reimbursements. You have two main options: **Option 1 (Try this first):** Call their accounting/HR department and explain this was a reimbursement for expenses YOU incurred for THEIR interview process, not income you earned. Ask if they can correct the 1099-NEC. Some companies will admit they made an error and issue a corrected form. **Option 2 (If they won't correct it):** Report the $950 on Schedule C as income, then deduct your actual travel expenses (flight, hotel, meals at 50%, etc.) as business expenses. This should zero out or even give you a small deduction if your expenses exceeded the reimbursement. For the multi-state issue, check that state's non-resident filing threshold. Most require filing only if you earn over $1,000-$3,000 in their state. At $950, you'll probably be under their threshold and won't need to file there at all. Keep EVERYTHING - flight receipts, emails about the reimbursement, hotel bills, even the original interview scheduling communications. Having a clear paper trail makes this much easier to defend if questions ever come up. This situation is super common during job hunting season, and while it's annoying, it's definitely manageable!

Anyone else notice the IRS is moving slower than molasses this year?🐌

Pro tip: Don't rely just on WMR (Where's My Refund) tool, it's not always accurate. Your transcript is the real source of truth once it updates. Also check your account transcript, not just return transcript.

Just want to add - be careful about expectations with hardship claims. I filed one on January 17th this year and while it was eventually approved, the money took until March 2nd to actually arrive. The process varies dramatically by state. Some states like California have clear hardship guidelines while others make it nearly impossible. Document EVERYTHING and be prepared for multiple follow-ups. These agencies don't make it easy, but persistence pays off if you have legitimate hardship circumstances.

I'm dealing with a similar offset situation right now - had $2,100 taken from my refund last week. What I've learned from calling around is that you need to act quickly because most states have strict deadlines for hardship appeals. One thing that helped me was requesting a "detailed accounting" of the overpayment from the state unemployment office - turns out they had miscalculated my benefit period and I wasn't actually overpaid. Also, if your mother qualifies as your dependent for tax purposes, that strengthens your hardship case significantly. Document her medical expenses with dates and amounts - this creates a paper trail showing immediate financial need. The key is proving that losing this refund creates "undue hardship" beyond normal financial inconvenience.

Does anyone know if this credit phases out at higher incomes? I make about $150k and sometimes tax benefits disappear for me.

Just wanted to share my experience as someone who was in your exact situation last year! I had two kids (ages 18 and 19) who aged out of the Child Tax Credit, and I was also getting a refund due to overwithholding. I can confirm that claiming the Credit for Other Dependents absolutely increased my refund by the full $1,000 ($500 per kid). The credit reduces your tax liability first, and then any remaining refund from overwithholding gets added on top of that. So yes, it's definitely worth doing the paperwork! One tip: make sure you have all their information ready (SSNs, birth dates, etc.) and double-check that they meet the qualifying criteria. My tax software made it pretty straightforward to add them once I confirmed they qualified. Don't leave that money on the table - it's essentially free money the government owes you for supporting your dependents.