Anyone else notice that TurboTax mobile app doesn't support all the same forms as the desktop version? I tried using it last year for my side business and had to switch back to desktop for Schedule C. Has this been fixed in the newest version?

I'm in a similar situation - had to sell my laptop last year and now only have my iPhone and iPad. I've been using TurboTax Online (the web version) through Safari on my iPad for the past two years and it's worked great for my situation with mortgage interest, student loan interest, and charitable deductions. The key thing is to make sure you choose TurboTax Online, not try to download the desktop software. The online version has all the same features as the desktop version - I've compared my returns from when I had a laptop and the deductions found were identical. One tip: keep all your tax documents in your Photos app or a cloud service so you can easily access them while filling out forms. The iPad screen is plenty big enough to have the tax form open while referencing your documents. I actually prefer it now to the desktop experience!

Congratulations on your incredible win, Miguel! A 2025 Lexus is absolutely amazing - what a life-changing moment that must have been! I haven't been through this exact situation myself, but reading through everyone's experiences and advice here has been so educational. It sounds like you've gotten some really solid guidance about the tax implications and strategic options to consider. A few questions for those who have been through similar situations: 1. **Insurance shopping** - For those who won cars, did you find that some insurance companies were better than others at handling high-value vehicles that were prizes? I'm wondering if the "acquisition cost" being essentially zero affects how they calculate premiums. 2. **Maintenance considerations** - Beyond the higher insurance costs everyone mentioned, are there other ongoing ownership costs that might be different for a luxury car versus a regular vehicle? Things like specialized maintenance requirements or parts costs? 3. **Documentation for the IRS** - If Miguel does pursue getting the prize value re-appraised or documents that the fair market value is lower than stated, what kind of documentation would be most compelling to the IRS? Professional appraisals? Comparable sales data? It's really encouraging to see how this community comes together to help someone navigate such a complex but ultimately positive situation. Miguel, it sounds like you're approaching this really thoughtfully and asking all the right questions. Even with all the tax planning required, you're still coming out incredibly far ahead! Looking forward to hearing how your conversations with the sweepstakes company go regarding timing and potential cash options.

Wow Miguel, congratulations on winning that Lexus! What an incredible stroke of luck! I can totally understand the mix of excitement and anxiety you must be feeling right now. Reading through all the amazing advice everyone has shared here, it really sounds like you're getting some solid guidance on navigating this complex but ultimately wonderful situation. The suggestions about timing flexibility, getting independent appraisals, and exploring partial cash options all seem like really smart strategies to pursue. One thing I wanted to add that I don't think has been mentioned yet - if you do decide to keep the car, you might want to consider whether your current living situation can accommodate a luxury vehicle. Things like whether you have secure parking, if you live in an area with high theft rates for luxury cars, or if you frequently drive in conditions that might not be ideal for a brand new Lexus (like areas with lots of road salt in winter, heavy construction zones, etc.). These factors won't affect your taxes, but they could impact your insurance rates and the long-term value retention of the vehicle. Some people find that winning a high-end car actually changes their lifestyle in ways they weren't expecting - like feeling anxious about parking it in certain areas or worrying about door dings. That said, even with all these considerations, you're still in an absolutely amazing position! A tax bill of $12k-15k for a $45k car is still an incredible deal. I'm really curious to hear how your conversations with the sweepstakes company go about timing and cash alternatives. Thanks for sharing your situation - it's been really educational for all of us!

This is such a complex situation! I went through something similar when my spouse and I had jobs in different states. One thing that really helped us was keeping detailed records of everything - days spent in each state, where we voted, which state our driver's licenses were in, etc. The employment situation with your wife potentially switching from salary to contract work is interesting - that could actually impact the tax analysis significantly since contract income is treated differently than W-2 income for state tax purposes. You might want to run the numbers both ways (her staying salaried in NJ vs. becoming a contractor) to see which scenario is more tax-advantageous overall. Also, don't forget about things like voter registration and car registration - these can be factors that states use to determine your "true" domicile if there's ever a question. Make sure whatever you choose is consistent across all your official documents.

As someone who's dealt with multi-state tax situations, I'd strongly recommend getting professional help early in the process rather than trying to figure this out on your own. The interplay between federal filing status, state residency rules, and employment classification can get incredibly complex. A few specific things to consider for your situation: 1. **Timing matters**: Since you're moving in April, you'll need to track exactly when you establish Colorado residency (often based on when you get a CO driver's license, register to vote, etc.). This affects your partial-year resident status in both states. 2. **Your wife's employment status**: If she switches to contract work, she'll need to pay self-employment taxes AND deal with quarterly estimated payments. This could significantly impact your cash flow and overall tax burden compared to staying on salary. 3. **Reciprocity agreements**: Check if NJ and CO have any tax agreements that might simplify your filing requirements or prevent double taxation on certain types of income. 4. **School district implications**: Since your daughter is finishing the school year in NJ, make sure your residency decisions don't inadvertently affect her enrollment status or create issues for next year in Colorado. I'd suggest consulting with a CPA who specializes in multi-state taxation before making any final decisions about filing status or your wife's employment classification. The upfront cost could save you thousands in the long run.

Does anyone know if books and supplies count for AOTC? My scholarship covered tuition but I paid for all my textbooks out of pocket (like $1200 per year).

This is exactly the situation I was in! I had a full scholarship that covered tuition and fees, but I was kicking myself for not knowing about AOTC until after graduation. What really helped me was understanding that the IRS actually wants you to optimize your tax situation legally. The scholarship allocation strategy everyone's mentioned is completely legitimate - it's outlined in Publication 970. The key insight is that you're not "cheating" the system, you're just choosing how to characterize money you already received. One thing I'd add: when you're doing the math, don't forget to factor in your state taxes too. Some states will tax the scholarship income you're reallocating, but many also offer their own education credits that can help offset this. Also, if you're going to amend multiple years, consider doing them in order (2022 first, then 2023, then 2024) so if the IRS has any questions, they can see the consistent treatment across all years. This helped my amendments process much more smoothly. The fact that you were a full-time student with low income during those years makes this strategy even more beneficial for you. You're likely to come out thousands ahead after the amendments!

Welcome to the survey world! I've been doing this for about 3 years now and can definitely confirm that the TurboTax expert gave you bad advice. ALL survey income is taxable, period - doesn't matter if it's $5 or $500, cash or gift cards. Here's what I wish I'd known starting out: create a simple tracking system from day one. I use a Google Sheet with columns for Date, Platform, Reward Type, and Amount. Takes 5 minutes a week but saves massive headaches at tax time. The $600 rule everyone mentions? That's just when survey companies are REQUIRED to send you a 1099 - has nothing to do with whether the income is taxable. You're legally required to report everything, even if no forms are sent. For your current situation with multiple platforms earning smaller amounts, you'll probably report this as "Other Income" on Schedule 1. If you start earning $500+ annually and doing surveys regularly, consider Schedule C for potential business deductions (internet, phone, home office space). Start tracking everything now - don't wait. Screenshot your earnings monthly from each platform as backup. Most sites provide year-end summaries, but having your own records is crucial in case platforms shut down or lose data. Bottom line: report all survey income, keep good records, and don't let bad advice from tax prep services get you in trouble with the IRS later!

As a newcomer to this community, I have to say this thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm just getting started with survey sites and had no idea about the tax implications. The fact that even tax professionals sometimes give incorrect advice about this is really eye-opening. What I'm taking away from all these detailed responses is that the key principles are pretty straightforward: ALL survey income is taxable regardless of amount or form, the $600 threshold only affects 1099 reporting requirements (not taxability), and good record-keeping from day one is essential. I'm planning to start with 2-3 survey platforms and expect to earn maybe $30-50 per month initially. Based on the advice here, I'll set up a simple Google Sheet tracking system with separate rows for each platform and payment type. The monthly screenshot backup routine also seems like smart insurance against losing data. For my expected income level, it sounds like Schedule 1 "Other Income" reporting is the way to go initially, with Schedule C becoming worth considering if I scale up to $500+ annually and start treating it more like a business. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and practical advice - this thread should definitely be pinned or saved as a resource for other newcomers! Much better guidance than what that TurboTax expert provided to the original poster.