Struggling with Intuit Academy Tax Prep Course - Anyone passed the Tax Returns section?

I passed the Tax Returns section of Intuit Academy about 5 months ago, so I definitely understand your frustration! The good news is you don't need 100% to pass - when I took it, the passing threshold was 80%. They're looking for competency in the key areas, not absolute perfection. The most common mistakes I noticed while studying were in the Schedule C sections and properly classifying business expenses. Make sure you're correctly distinguishing between personal and business expenses, and that you're applying the right depreciation methods. Another tricky area was properly handling retirement contributions and how they affect different parts of the return. Also, pay special attention to the supporting forms and schedules - sometimes the primary forms look right but there's an error in a supporting document that carries through to the final calculations.

After failing the tax returns portion of Intuit Academy twice, I discovered taxr.ai and it completely changed my approach. I was also overthinking everything and making small mistakes that were affecting the entire return. The website https://taxr.ai helped me analyze practice returns and identify exactly where my understanding was off. Their software highlights common errors in tax preparation and explains why certain choices are incorrect. I uploaded some of my practice returns, and it pointed out that I was consistently misclassifying certain business expenses and making mistakes with dependent-related credits. The detailed explanations helped me understand the concepts rather than just memorizing steps.

Just wanted to follow up - I took the advice about using taxr.ai and I PASSED my test yesterday! After uploading some of my previous attempts, the tool helped me realize I was consistently making errors with home office deductions and vehicle expenses on Schedule C. The site explained the distinction between direct and indirect expenses and showed me exactly how the allocation percentages should be calculated. What really helped was that it showed me the downstream impacts of my incorrect entries - how one mistake early in the form created multiple errors throughout the return. Now I actually understand the relationships between different sections instead of just mechanically filling in boxes. Definitely recommend it if you're stuck like I was!

I struggled with the Intuit Academy tests too and spent WEEKS trying to get through to their support for clarification on specific questions. After being placed on hold for hours and never getting callback, I found https://claimyr.com and used their service to actually speak with someone who could help. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c They got me connected to an Intuit Academy instructor in under 20 minutes when I'd been trying unsuccessfully for days. The instructor walked me through the most commonly missed questions and explained the reasoning behind certain answers. This personal guidance was exactly what I needed to finally pass the test.

I need to eat my words from my earlier comments. After continuing to fail the tax returns portion TWICE more, I finally tried Claimyr out of desperation. Within 35 minutes, I was speaking with an Intuit support specialist who actually teaches the course. The specialist explained that certain questions in the test are designed to check if you understand the "why" behind the tax rules, not just the mechanics of form completion. They pointed me to specific example problems that mirror the test questions and explained the underlying principles. That perspective completely changed my approach, and I passed on my next attempt with an 87%. The irony is that I was overthinking most questions but underthinking the conceptual ones.

One trick that helped me was printing out blank copies of all the forms and doing them by hand first, before entering anything into the system. When I tried to complete everything directly in the software, I was making careless mistakes because I wasn't seeing the big picture of how everything connected. The physical papers helped me trace the flow of numbers across different schedules and see dependencies I was missing. Plus, it slowed me down enough to really think through each entry instead of just clicking through fields. Maybe give that a try?

Has anyone actually contacted Intuit Academy directly? When I took the course last year, I emailed my assigned mentor about similar frustrations, and they provided a detailed checklist of common errors that students make. Might be worth trying before paying for outside resources.

I just passed the Tax Returns section last month after struggling with it for weeks! What finally clicked for me was realizing that many of my errors were in the order of operations - I was filling out forms in the wrong sequence, which created cascading mistakes throughout the return. The key insight was understanding that you need to complete certain supporting schedules BEFORE the main forms, not after. For example, Schedule C needs to be completely finished before you can accurately complete Form 1040, and Schedule SE depends on Schedule C being correct. I was jumping around between forms and missing these dependencies. Also, double-check your math on every single calculation, even the simple ones. I found I was making basic arithmetic errors under pressure that threw off entire sections. Take your time with each step rather than rushing to finish. The 80% passing threshold gives you some room for minor mistakes, but not for systematic errors that affect multiple parts of the return. Keep at it - once the logic clicks, it really does make sense!

I'm working through the same struggle right now! Reading through all these responses is incredibly helpful - especially the insights about form dependencies and the 80% passing threshold. One thing I'm curious about is time management during the actual test. Are you all finding that you have enough time to complete everything thoroughly, or is there pressure to work quickly? I tend to second-guess myself a lot, which makes me slower, but I'm wondering if that's actually helping me catch mistakes or just creating more anxiety. Also, for those who have passed - did you notice any particular types of taxpayer scenarios (like self-employed vs. W-2 employees, or simple vs. complex returns) that seemed to show up more frequently in the test questions? I'm trying to focus my remaining study time on the areas most likely to appear. Thanks to everyone who's shared their experience - it's really encouraging to know others have gotten through this!

I completely understand your frustration - I was in the exact same position about 6 months ago and felt like I was going crazy! After reading through all these helpful responses, I wanted to add one more perspective that really helped me. Beyond all the great technical advice about form dependencies and study resources, I found that my biggest issue was test anxiety. I knew the material but was making careless mistakes under pressure. What turned things around for me was changing my mindset from "I need to get this perfect" to "I need to demonstrate competency at the 80% level." This shift helped me stop second-guessing every single entry and focus on the big picture relationships between forms. I also started doing timed practice runs where I forced myself to complete returns within a reasonable timeframe, which built my confidence for the actual test. One practical tip: I kept a simple checklist of the most common error types mentioned in this thread (form sequence, Schedule C classifications, home office calculations) and did a final review specifically looking for those issues. It's amazing how many mistakes you can catch with just a targeted 10-minute review at the end. You've clearly put in the work - sometimes it just takes finding the right approach that clicks for your learning style. Don't give up!

I've been following this thread closely as someone who just started the Tax Returns section, and wow - the collective wisdom here is incredible! Reading everyone's experiences has already shifted my approach before I even take my first attempt. A few key takeaways I'm noting: the 80% passing threshold (huge relief!), the critical importance of form sequence/dependencies, and the focus on Schedule C scenarios. I'm definitely going to try the physical forms approach that Kristin mentioned - I'm a very visual learner and I think tracing those number flows by hand could really help me understand the connections. One question for those who've passed: when you were doing your final review pass, about how much time did you typically spend on it? I'm trying to plan out my time management strategy and want to make sure I'm allocating enough time for that crucial double-check phase. Also, Derek - I hope you passed! Your original post perfectly captured the frustration so many of us are feeling, and it's been amazing to see how this community came together with practical solutions. This thread should honestly be required reading for anyone starting the Tax Returns section!

This thread has been such a lifesaver! As someone who just signed up for Intuit Academy and was feeling intimidated by all the stories about the Tax Returns section, reading through everyone's experiences and solutions has given me so much confidence going in. I'm particularly intrigued by the combination of approaches mentioned here - using physical forms to understand dependencies, the taxr.ai tool for identifying specific error patterns, and the mindset shift from perfectionism to demonstrating 80% competency. It seems like the key is having multiple strategies rather than relying on just one approach. One thing I'm curious about - for those who used taxr.ai, did you find it more helpful during the learning phase while working through practice problems, or was it better as a final check tool right before taking the actual test? I'm trying to figure out the best timing for incorporating it into my study routine. Also, huge thanks to Derek for starting this conversation. Your frustration really resonated and sparked such a helpful discussion that's going to benefit so many future students. The community response here shows how much collective knowledge exists when people are willing to share their struggles and solutions!

Just wanted to add my perspective as someone who recently went through this exact struggle! I failed the Tax Returns section three times before finally passing last month, and reading through all these responses brings back so many memories of that frustration. What ultimately made the difference for me was combining several of the approaches mentioned here. I started with the physical forms method that Kristin suggested - printing everything out and hand-calculating before entering into the system. This really helped me visualize the flow between schedules and catch dependency errors I was making. But the real breakthrough came when I stopped trying to memorize procedures and started focusing on understanding the "story" each tax return was telling. Every number has to make logical sense in the context of that taxpayer's situation. When I shifted from "fill in the blanks" to "tell the story accurately," the relationships between forms became much clearer. One specific tip: I created a simple flowchart showing the order of operations for complex returns (Schedule C → Schedule SE → Form 1040, etc.) and kept it next to me during practice. This prevented the sequencing errors that were killing my scores. The 80% threshold is definitely achievable once you get past the mental block. You've got this, Derek! And thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this thread is going to help so many future students avoid the same pitfalls we all fell into.

This thread has been absolutely incredible to follow! As someone who's been struggling with the same Tax Returns section for the past month, I can't believe how much valuable information has been shared here. I want to particularly thank everyone who mentioned the 80% passing threshold - I had no idea about that and have been driving myself crazy trying to achieve perfection on every practice return. That mental shift alone is going to help me approach my next attempt with less anxiety. The combination of strategies discussed here is what really stands out to me: physical forms for visualizing dependencies, understanding the "story" behind each return rather than just filling blanks, creating flowcharts for form sequences, and having systematic review processes. It's clear that success comes from having multiple tools in your toolkit rather than relying on just one approach. I'm planning to implement several of these suggestions this week - starting with printing out the forms to work through by hand, creating my own order-of-operations flowchart, and focusing on those Schedule C scenarios that seem to be heavily weighted in the test. Derek, thank you for having the courage to share your frustration publicly. Your post sparked one of the most helpful discussions I've seen in any online community. This thread should definitely be pinned or turned into a study guide for future students!

I just want to echo what everyone else has said - this thread has become an absolute goldmine of practical advice! As someone who's been quietly struggling with the same issues Derek originally posted about, seeing all these different approaches and success stories is incredibly motivating. What strikes me most is how many people found success by combining multiple strategies rather than relying on just one method. The physical forms approach, the AI analysis tools, the mindset shift from perfectionism to competency demonstration, understanding form dependencies - it seems like having that multi-pronged approach is what finally breaks through the barriers. I'm particularly grateful for all the specific details people shared - like the 45-minute review time breakdown, the focus on Schedule C scenarios, and the importance of understanding the "story" behind each return. These aren't the kind of insights you typically find in course materials, but they're clearly what makes the difference between struggling and succeeding. Derek, I hope you've been able to implement some of these suggestions and that your next attempt goes much better. Your willingness to share your frustration openly created something really valuable for this entire community. Sometimes the best learning happens when we're honest about our struggles and support each other through them. For anyone else still working through this section - we've got this! The collective wisdom in this thread proves that this challenge is definitely conquerable with the right approach and persistence.

This thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! As someone who just started the Intuit Academy program and was already feeling anxious about the Tax Returns section, all of these insights have completely changed my approach before I even begin. The collective wisdom here is remarkable - from the revelation about the 80% passing threshold (huge relief!) to the specific strategies like using physical forms, understanding form dependencies, and focusing on Schedule C scenarios. What really stands out is how everyone found success through different combinations of approaches rather than any single magic solution. I'm planning to implement several strategies mentioned here: starting with physical forms to understand the flow between schedules, creating a flowchart for form sequencing, and most importantly, shifting my mindset from perfectionism to demonstrating competency. The idea of understanding each return as telling a "story" rather than just filling out forms is a perspective shift that already makes more sense to me. Derek, thank you for being vulnerable about your struggles - it opened up this amazing discussion that's going to help so many of us. And to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions, you've created an invaluable resource for future students. For anyone else just starting or still struggling with this section, this thread proves that with the right strategies and persistence, this challenge is absolutely conquerable. Let's support each other through it!

As someone who's been quietly following this thread and struggling with the exact same issues, I can't thank everyone enough for sharing their experiences and solutions! Derek, your original post perfectly captured the frustration so many of us have been feeling. I'm particularly struck by how many different approaches have led to success - it really shows there's no one-size-fits-all solution. The 80% passing threshold revelation alone has already shifted my mindset from paralyzing perfectionism to focused competency demonstration. What I'm taking from all these insights is the importance of understanding the WHY behind tax principles rather than just memorizing procedures. The "story" approach that several people mentioned really resonates - thinking of each return as telling a complete financial narrative rather than just filling in disconnected boxes. I'm planning to combine several strategies from this thread: starting with physical forms to trace number flows, creating a sequencing flowchart for complex returns, and doing systematic review passes focused on those common error areas everyone identified (especially Schedule C classifications and form dependencies). This community response shows what's possible when people are willing to be vulnerable about their struggles and generous with their solutions. Thank you all for turning Derek's frustration into such a valuable resource for everyone facing this challenge!

This thread has been absolutely amazing to read through! I just completed the Tax Returns section last week after struggling for over a month, and I wish I had found this discussion earlier. What finally worked for me was combining the physical forms approach with a systematic error-checking routine. I printed out all the forms and worked through them by hand first, which really helped me see how the numbers flowed between schedules. Then I created a checklist based on all the common mistakes mentioned here - Schedule C classifications, form sequencing, home office deductions, etc. The 80% passing threshold was such a relief to learn about! I had been paralyzing myself trying to achieve perfection on every single detail. Once I shifted to focusing on demonstrating solid competency rather than perfection, my confidence improved dramatically. Derek, thank you for being brave enough to share your struggles - you've created an incredible resource that's going to help so many future students. And to everyone who contributed their experiences and solutions, this community response is exactly what makes these forums valuable. The collective wisdom here is better than any study guide I found in the official materials! For anyone still working through this section, all these strategies really do work. The key is finding the right combination that matches your learning style and being persistent. You've got this!

I just wanted to circle back and update everyone - I PASSED the Tax Returns section yesterday! This thread literally saved my sanity and my progress through the program. After reading through all your amazing advice, I implemented a combination of strategies: started working with physical forms to understand the dependencies, created a flowchart for form sequencing, and most importantly, shifted my mindset from trying to be perfect to demonstrating 80% competency. The "story" approach that several people mentioned was a game-changer - thinking about each return as telling a complete financial narrative rather than just filling in boxes. What really made the difference was Danielle's advice about Schedule C classifications and the systematic review process that several people described. I also tried the taxr.ai tool Roger mentioned, which helped me identify specific error patterns I kept making with business expense classifications. I can't thank everyone enough for sharing your struggles and solutions. What started as my frustrated vent turned into the most helpful study resource I could have imagined. For anyone still working through this section - all these strategies really work! The key is finding the right combination for your learning style and being persistent. This community is incredible. Thank you all for proving that we're stronger when we support each other through these challenges!