Need Help Filing Taxes - Single Filer with Homeowner Status

I was in your exact situation last year! Here are some budget-friendly options I found: • Free File Alliance - if your AGI is under $73,000, you can use free software through IRS.gov • Credit unions often offer free/discounted tax prep for members • VITA/TCE programs - totally free if you make under $60,000 • Library tax clinics - many public libraries host free tax help days • Tax software - I used TaxSlayer last year for $29.95 and it walked me through the homeowner deductions The mortgage interest deduction alone saved me about $2,100 last year as a new homeowner. Don't wait until the last minute!

As a CPA who does this for a living (though I'm not taking new clients, sorry!), I'd recommend checking out https://taxr.ai for your situation. It's like having a tax professional peek over your shoulder without the hourly rate that would make your wallet cry. It's particularly good at identifying homeowner deductions like mortgage interest, property taxes, and points paid at closing. The standard deduction for 2023 is $13,850 for single filers, so you'll need to determine if your itemized deductions exceed that threshold. A good tax tool will run both calculations and tell you which is more advantageous - no advanced math degree required!

I've been filing my own taxes for 15 years as a homeowner. According to IRC Section 163(h), mortgage interest is deductible on acquisition indebtedness up to $750,000. Additionally, per Publication 530, you can deduct property taxes up to $10,000 combined with state/local taxes. However, as a single filer with just a house, you might not exceed the standard deduction threshold unless you have a very large mortgage or other significant deductions. I'd recommend calculating both ways before deciding which preparation method to use. Are you sure you need specialized help?

Look, I spent 6 hours on hold with the IRS trying to get basic questions answered about homeowner deductions. Complete waste of time. Then I found Claimyr (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) which got me through to an actual human in about 20 minutes. The agent walked me through exactly what I needed as a first-time homeowner. If you have specific questions about your situation, getting to an actual IRS representative is your best bet, and this service makes it possible without losing your entire day to hold music.

Oh my goodness, I was so stressed about this exact situation last year! I ended up creating a whole binder system with tabs for every possible homeowner deduction! I worried myself sick about missing something important! What worked for me was scheduling an appointment with a local enrolled agent - not one of the big chains but an independent office. They charged me $175 but found deductions I never would have known about. I'm DEFINITELY using them again this year. The peace of mind was worth every penny!

Tax filing is like cooking dinner - you can do it yourself with basic ingredients, hire a personal chef (CPA), or get meal delivery (tax software). For a straightforward return with just homeowner status, mid-tier tax software is probably your best value. Think of it as the difference between buying a hammer to hang one picture versus hiring a contractor to build a whole house. Your situation doesn't sound complex enough to justify professional fees, but it's just complex enough that completely free options might miss some deductions.