I have to file for 2018 and 2019 tax years. I can't do past tax returns electronically, so I'll have to mail in the printed PDF forums, and I guess by mail it can take 6-8 weeks to process them, is that true?
However I hear a tax professional CPA can file the past two years electronically, so does that mean the returns will be machine scanned and will only take about two weeks to process?
The problem is that the hold on student loan collections ends on February 1st. So I would want the tax returns processed before, they could get garnished.
Can you still hand write on a 1040 tax return? Or must they be typed or printed, to be filled out?
I've never filed my tax returns myself before, but both years should be simple and straight forward, I only have income from my W2s, no other investments, and tax liabilities I believe.
For 2018, I only worked part of the year, so I have gaps in health coverage. I never bought coverage on the market, It's an employer 1095-C. For 2018 I can take a number of exemptions for my gaps of coverage. But from what I understand, since I only worked part of the year, I can simply check the coverage/exempt box on the 1040, since I'm under the $12,000 threshold for a single filer. According to the instructions for the 8965 Health Coverage Exemptions, I don't need to fill it out If I'm under $12,000. But should I just send the 8965 anyways, just in case they ask for one? It does have an exemption box to check, on line 7 part II, for below income threshold. Then leave part I, and part III of the 8965 blank.
For my 2019 tax return, I do have an HSA for part of the year, until I started a job elsewhere, that didn't offer an HSA. I made no personal contributions, only the employer did. I did not claim any distributions for 2019 either. In 2020 I did close it out and take the 20% penalty, since the provider began to leveraged various fees.
Anyways back to 2019. Part III line 18, last month rule... This shouldn't apply to me since, I made no contributions, and didn't abuse the last month rule. There's also something about the trial period in the instructions. That shouldn't apply to me either right? Guess I also have to fill out Schedule I, and write down a zero in part II, line 12, health savings account deduction. Should I also write zeros on the 8889, where it's needed, or just leave the lines blank?
Now would there be a need to fill out any other schedules, or IRS forms? any surprises to look out for?
Thanks for any helpful input.
