I switched from TaxAct to FreeTaxUSA this year after having similar login problems. Their interface is way more reliable and honestly easier to use. Plus it's cheaper for most filing situations. Might be worth looking into for next year if you keep having issues.

I had the exact same issue with TaxAct last week! The login loop is so frustrating. What finally worked for me was completely logging out of all Google/Microsoft accounts in my browser first, then clearing all site data for TaxAct specifically (not just cookies), and then trying again. If you're still stuck, you can also try accessing TaxAct through their mobile app instead of the website - sometimes that bypasses whatever browser-specific issues they're having. The mobile app saved my progress when the website wouldn't let me back in. Really hoping they fix these server issues soon. It's ridiculous that we have to jump through so many hoops just to file our taxes!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I've been making estimated tax payments for years but never fully understood the safe harbor calculation. The key insight that it's based on Line 24 (total tax AFTER credits) rather than before credits makes a huge difference in my situation. I have substantial credits from solar panels and energy-efficient home improvements, so my Line 24 was significantly lower than my pre-credit tax amount. I've been overestimating my safe harbor requirement and essentially giving the government an interest-free loan. For anyone else reading this - definitely make sure you're using the right line from your 1040. It's Line 24 "Total Tax" after all credits have been applied. Then apply either 100% or 110% depending on whether your AGI was above or below $150k. Simple once you know which number to use!

This discussion has been incredibly enlightening! I'm a newcomer to the community and have been struggling with estimated tax payments for my freelance work. Reading through all these explanations about using Line 24 (total tax after credits) for the safe harbor calculation has saved me from making a costly mistake. I was about to base my calculation on my pre-credit tax amount, which would have resulted in significant overpayment. The distinction between 100% vs 110% based on the $150k AGI threshold is also crystal clear now. One follow-up question for the group: if you're self-employed and your income varies dramatically month to month, is it better to make equal quarterly payments based on the safe harbor amount, or should you try to match your payments to your actual income flow throughout the year? I've heard the IRS prefers even payments, but I'm curious about practical experiences with uneven payment schedules. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences - this community is incredibly valuable for navigating these complex tax situations!

This thread has been absolutely phenomenal - thank you to everyone who shared such detailed, practical advice! As a travel agent working independently, I've been wrestling with these exact deduction questions and feeling pretty overwhelmed by all the conflicting information online. What's been most valuable to me is hearing from people who've actually been through IRS audits and succeeded with proper documentation. It really drives home that the key isn't avoiding deductions out of fear, but rather claiming legitimate expenses with solid justification. I'm implementing several strategies mentioned here immediately: - Setting up the cloud-based digital filing system for receipts and trip documentation - Starting the voice memo habit during business activities (so much smarter than trying to scribble notes while networking!) - Creating detailed trip reports for fam trips that demonstrate clear business value - Keeping that business calendar to track follow-up activities and client bookings resulting from travel For @Zainab Omar's original question about the $8,850 in travel expenses - based on everything discussed here, those all sound like legitimate business deductions as long as you have proper documentation showing business purpose. The fam trips just need the most detailed records, but even the "enjoyment" factor doesn't disqualify them if they serve a real business purpose. One thing I'd add: this conversation has convinced me to also consult with a tax professional who specializes in travel industry businesses, at least initially, to make sure I'm setting up my documentation systems correctly from the start. This thread should honestly be pinned as a resource for travel agents - it's better than any article or guide I've found online. Real experiences from real professionals dealing with these exact challenges!

This has been such an incredibly comprehensive and helpful discussion! As a fellow travel agent who's been in the industry for about 4 years, I want to echo what everyone has said about the importance of thorough documentation - it really is the difference between confidently claiming legitimate deductions and worrying about potential issues down the road. One additional tip I'd share from my experience: consider creating a simple "business justification statement" for each major trip or expense category at the beginning of each tax year. For example, "Fam trips in 2025 will focus on evaluating luxury resort amenities for high-end honeymoon clients" or "Conference attendance will target learning about emerging sustainable travel trends to serve eco-conscious travelers." This helps establish the business framework for your travel decisions and makes it easier to document how each specific trip fits into your overall business strategy. Also, don't overlook the value of networking expenses during these trips - business meals with hotel managers, vendor representatives, or other travel professionals can often be partially deductible when they serve a legitimate business purpose. Just make sure to note who you met with and what business topics were discussed. The voice memo and trip report strategies mentioned throughout this thread are absolutely game-changers. I started using them after a close call with questionable documentation a couple years ago, and they've made tax season so much less stressful. For @Zainab Omar - your expenses definitely sound reasonable for an active travel agent. The key is just implementing the documentation systems everyone has outlined here. This thread has become an amazing resource that I'll definitely be referencing going forward!

I went through this same confusion last year! One thing that really helped me was calling the IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center directly - not the main number, but the local office. They were able to walk me through my specific situation in about 10 minutes. In my case, I had Social Security benefits of around $21,000 for the year and no other income. The agent confirmed I didn't need to file since my "combined income" (half of SS benefits plus other income) was only $10,500, well below the $25,000 threshold for single filers. But here's what I learned that might help you: even though I didn't HAVE to file, I ended up filing anyway using the IRS Free File program. It was super simple with just the SSA-1099, took maybe 20 minutes, and gave me complete peace of mind knowing everything was officially documented. The agent also mentioned that if you're ever unsure in future years, the IRS Publication 554 has a really clear flowchart that walks you through whether you need to file based on your income sources and amounts. Much easier to follow than trying to parse through all the general advice online!

I'm in a very similar situation and wanted to share what worked for me. I was getting overwhelmed by all the conflicting advice too, but I found a simple approach that gave me confidence in my decision. First, I used the IRS's own "Do I Need to File a Tax Return?" interactive tool on their website - it asks you specific questions about your income sources, filing status, and amounts, then gives you a clear yes/no answer. Since you mentioned your only income is Social Security, this tool should be perfect for your situation. Second, I did the math myself using the formula several people mentioned here: I took my total Social Security benefits from Box 5 of my SSA-1099, divided by 2, and since that amount was well under $25,000 (I'm single), I confirmed I didn't need to file. However, like a few others here, I decided to file anyway using IRS Free File. With just Social Security income, it's incredibly simple - basically just entering the numbers from your SSA-1099. The whole process took about 15 minutes, and now I have official documentation that I don't owe anything. Plus it prevents anyone from filing a fraudulent return using my Social Security number. Even though you probably don't need to file based on what you've described, filing voluntarily might give you the same peace of mind it gave me. Either way, you're definitely not alone in this confusion!

Great question about tax treaty resources! The IRS has a page dedicated to tax treaties (Publication 901) that covers the basics, but for country-specific details on retirement distributions, I'd recommend checking your host country's tax authority website first - they often have English-language guides for expats. For more comprehensive treaty analysis, the tax software tools mentioned earlier (like taxr.ai) can be really helpful since they analyze specific treaty articles that apply to your situation. I've also found that expat Facebook groups for your specific country often have members who've dealt with identical situations and can share their experiences. One thing to watch out for - some treaties have "saving clauses" that allow the US to tax its citizens as if the treaty didn't exist, which can affect retirement distributions. Also, make sure you understand if your host country considers these distributions as pension income (often taxed favorably) or regular income. The timing suggestion from AstroAdventurer is spot-on too. I learned the hard way that taking a large distribution in December can push you into a higher bracket for that year, whereas spreading it across January and February of the following year might keep you in lower brackets for both years.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the potential impact of state taxes on your 401k withdrawals as an expat. Even though you're living abroad, you might still owe state taxes depending on which state you last resided in before moving overseas. Some states like California and New York can be particularly aggressive about claiming you're still a resident for tax purposes. Also, regarding the Roth conversion strategy you mentioned - while you can't contribute to a Roth IRA without earned income, you CAN do Roth conversions from your traditional 401k. This might actually be a smart move while you're in lower tax brackets abroad. You'd pay tax on the conversion amount, but then the money grows tax-free in the Roth account. The key is timing these conversions when your overall income is low to minimize the tax hit. Since you mentioned not working currently, this could be an ideal time to convert portions of your traditional retirement savings to Roth, especially if you can stay within the lower tax brackets. Just make sure you have enough cash flow to pay the taxes on the conversion without having to withdraw even more from retirement accounts.