Is it okay to copy and fill in my 2024 tax return using last year's return as a template?

This is definitely doable! Many people use their previous returns as a template. The basic structure of most tax forms hasn't changed dramatically between 2023 and 2024. However, there are some potential pitfalls to be aware of: 1. Tax laws change yearly. There might be new deductions or credits you're eligible for that weren't available last year, or previous benefits that have expired. 2. Income thresholds for certain credits and deductions often change with inflation adjustments. 3. Your life circumstances might have changed in ways that affect your tax situation (marriage, children, home purchase, retirement contributions, etc.). 4. The standard deduction has increased for 2024, so you'll want to double-check if itemizing still makes sense for you. I'd recommend using tax software that guides you through questions about your situation rather than just copying numbers. Many have free or low-cost options depending on your income level and complexity.

I was in a similar situation last year. Tax preparer wanted to charge me $650 when I had already been doing my taxes with them for years. I found https://taxr.ai and it was a game changer! I uploaded my previous year's return, and it analyzed everything and guided me through what had changed for the current year. It flagged differences in tax laws that I needed to be aware of and showed me exactly which forms changed from last year. The system asked me questions about life changes too (I had switched jobs) and made sure I didn't miss anything important. What I loved is that it showed me side-by-side comparisons with last year's numbers so I could easily spot anything unusual.

Just wanted to follow up about trying https://taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here. I was skeptical but decided to give it a shot since my tax guy wanted to charge me $700 this year. It was seriously impressive! It found a child care credit my previous preparer had missed completely last year (about $600 I never knew I qualified for!) and guided me through some changes that happened with 2024 forms. The comparison with last year made it super easy to spot where numbers should be different. It also explained everything in plain English instead of tax jargon. Definitely saved me hundreds of dollars between the fee difference and finding that missed credit. Just thought others might want to know since I was hesitant about switching from a professional to doing it myself.

Another issue with DIY taxes is getting stuck with questions and having nobody to ask. I spent 3 days trying to get through to the IRS last year with a question about my retirement distribution. Found a service called https://claimyr.com that got me through to an actual IRS agent in about 15 minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I was amazed since I'd already wasted so much time trying to get through myself. The agent answered my question about how to report the distribution and saved me from making a mistake that would have cost me hundreds in penalties. Really helpful when you're doing your own taxes and need clarification directly from the IRS.

I have to admit I was completely wrong about Claimyr. After posting that skeptical comment, I was so frustrated trying to reach the IRS about a notice I received that I broke down and tried it. Guys...it actually works. I had spent THREE HOURS on hold the day before and never got through. Using Claimyr, I got a call back in about 25 minutes with an actual IRS agent on the line. The agent helped me resolve an issue with my prior year return that would have cost me over $1,200 in penalties if I hadn't cleared it up. I can't believe how much time and stress it saved me. Sometimes it's worth admitting when you're wrong - this service is legitimate and actually does what it claims.

If you're just copying last year's return, be super careful about the tax brackets and standard deduction amounts! They change every year and using outdated numbers can really mess things up. I tried doing this last year and accidentally used the wrong standard deduction amount (I used $12,950 instead of the updated $13,850). Had to file an amended return which was a huge headache. Also double-check ALL your forms. I received a 1099-INT from a new bank account I opened that I almost forgot about. Little things like that can lead to nasty letters from the IRS later!

$800 seems crazy high unless you have a super complicated situation like multiple businesses, rental properties, or foreign income. I switched from an $350 tax preparer to doing it myself with TaxSlayer three years ago and my refund was actually HIGHER because the preparer had been missing some education credits I qualified for!