All Posts

The TurboTax Community is a top online resource for anyone wanting to discuss their tax and finance questions year-round. This community is built for users to share knowledge with other members and engage with credentialed experts and Intuit employees. Users can also find highly ranked members known as Community Champions, who are top contributors and have demonstrated considerable experience and insight.   Join the Community Conversations Joining is simple. Visit the TurboTax Community and sign in with your existing credentials or create an Intuit account.    The TurboTax Community features dedicated discussion forums covering key areas like Taxes, Investing, Lower Debt, and Self-Employed. You can post your question on the forum that best matches your needs.  Check out our video, “How to join the TurboTax Community and post a question” to start your own tax & money discussion.    Searching for Answers Another quick way to get reliable help fast is to search the Community using a question or keyword. Search results are sorted by official TurboTax Articles (support FAQs) or active Community discussion threads. For the best results, filter your findings to show discussion threads that are marked as "solved". On average, questions receive answers within a few hours. Our video, “How to search the Community,” demonstrates how to easily find helpful threads for your specific situation.   Additional Resources: Discuss your Taxes Community News and Announcements Ask the Expert Events Calendar Life Event Hubs Tax Expert Tutorial Videos Get Started in the Community Need more help? Our TurboTax Community is here for you! Post your question in one of our dedicated tax forums.

If you are aged 70 1/2 or older, a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) offers a powerful way to reduce your taxable income while supporting your favorite charities. A QCD is a transfer of funds made directly from your IRA (excluding active SEP or SIMPLE IRAs) by the trustee to a qualified charitable organization.   The greatest benefit of using a QCD is its ability to satisfy your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) for the year, all while excluding the amount from your gross income. For the 2025 tax year, the maximum annual amount that can qualify for a QCD is $108,000. If you file jointly, your spouse can also utilize this limit from their own IRA, potentially totaling up to $216,000.   To qualify, the transfer must be made directly from the IRA custodian to a qualified 501(c)(3) charity; receiving the funds yourself and then donating them invalidates the QCD. You also do not need to itemize deductions on your return to receive the tax benefit of the exclusion.   How to Report Your 2025 QCD Using TurboTax Reporting a QCD accurately ensures the funds are properly excluded from your income. Your IRA provider will issue you a Form 1099-R summarizing the distribution. For the 2025 tax year, IRA providers have the option to use the new distribution code "Y" in Box 7 of Form 1099-R to specifically identify the distribution as a QCD. If Code Y is used, it will be combined with Code 7 (for a normal distribution) or Code 4 (for an inherited IRA). However, since using Code Y is optional, many Form 1099-R documents may still lack any specific indication that the distribution was a QCD.   To report your QCD, first you will input the distribution information exactly as it appears on your Form 1099-R. TurboTax will then guide you with follow-up questions to correctly identify it as a QCD.  Watch how TurboTax will guide you through reporting your QCD in our video guide, “How to enter Qualified Charitable Distributions”.   Additional Resources What is a Qualified Charitable Distribution? What is a qualified charitable organization? How does a retirement plan withdrawal (Form 1099-R) affect my taxes? Need more help? Our TurboTax Community is here for you! Post your question in one of our dedicated tax forums.

Tax Year 2025 represents a strict deadline for homeowners seeking federal tax credits for home energy-efficient improvements. The passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) accelerated the expiration of most residential energy tax benefits. Homeowners must complete and place qualifying property in service on their U.S. residence before December 31, 2025, to claim these savings.   1. The Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (EEHIC) (Section 25C) The EEHIC provides tax benefits for certain equipment purchases and home improvements such as adding insulation, energy audits, or replacing windows and doors. For Tax Year 2025, this credit is generally equal to the lesser of 30% of the cost or an annual $1,200 limit.    Specific improvements have their own limits: exterior windows and skylights are capped at $600 per year, and exterior doors are limited to $250 per door (up to $500 annually). However, if you install a qualified electric or natural gas heat pump or a biomass stove/boiler, you can claim up to an additional $2,000 per year. This allows for a total possible annual EEHIC of up to $3,200 through the end of 2025. Note that this is a non-refundable credit, and any unused amount will not carry forward.    2. The Residential Clean Energy Credit (RCEC) (Section 25D) The RCEC applies to the installation of renewable technology such as solar panels, residential wind turbines, geothermal heat pumps, fuel cells and battery storage technology. These may be installed on your main home or your secondary residence, provided that you live in it part-time, and don’t rent it out to others.    The RCEC is worth 30% of your qualified expenses for property placed in service through December 31, 2025. If this non-refundable credit exceeds your tax liability for the year, the unused portion is beneficial because it can be carried over to offset tax owed in future years.   Watch our video, "How to Enter Home Energy Tax Credits" to learn how TurboTax can help you accurately report your qualifying improvements.   Additional Resources: 2024-2025 Energy Tax Credit: Which Home Improvements Qualify? What Are Energy Tax Credits? 10 Energy-Related Home Improvements You Can Make Today Federal Tax Credit for Residential Solar Energy What Is the IRS Form 5695?   Need more help? Our TurboTax Community is here for you! Post your question in one of our dedicated tax forums.

The Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) is the mandatory amount that must be withdrawn from  most retirement accounts each year. If you turned 73 in 2024 or earlier, understanding these rules and accurately reporting the income on your 2025 tax return is critical to avoiding IRS penalties.   RMD Rules and Deadlines for Tax Year 2025 Generally, RMD requirements apply to traditional IRAs, SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, 401(k) plans, and 403(b) plans. RMDs are not required from Roth IRAs during the original owner’s lifetime. If you were born after 1950, you typically start taking RMDs for the year you turn age 73. For the 2025 filing season, two key deadlines may apply, especially if you turned 73 in 2024:   First RMD (2024 tax year): If you reached age 73 in 2024 and delayed your first distribution, you must take it by April 1, 2025. Second RMD (2025 tax year): Your second RMD must be taken by December 31, 2025. Taking the first distribution in 2025 means you report two RMD incomes on your 2025 return. Failing to take a sufficient distribution can result in a 25% excise tax on the amount not withdrawn, though this penalty may be reduced to 10% if corrected within two years.    Entering Your RMD Income (Form 1099-R) All distributions received from retirement accounts are reported to you by your plan administrator or custodian on Form 1099-R and your RMD amount is found in box 12b of Form 5498, IRA Contribution Information.   Learn how to easily report your RMD on your tax return with our TurboTax video tutorial, "How to enter a Required Minimum Distribution."     Upcoming RMD Tax Law Changes  Congress continues to modify retirement rules under the SECURE Act 2.0. While the RMD age is currently 73, it is scheduled to increase again to age 75 in 2033.   Additional Resources: What are required minimum distributions (RMD)? Why don't I have an RMD listed on my 1099-R? Tax Tips for Retirement What Is IRS Form 5498: IRA Contributions Information? Retirement Plans: Taxing Distributions!   Need more help? Our TurboTax Community is here for you! Post your question in one of our dedicated tax forums.

Attention taxpayers, if you purchased an electric vehicle (EV) before the September 30, 2025, deadline, you may be eligible to claim the Federal Clean Vehicle Tax Credit. This credit offers a dollar-for-dollar reduction of the taxes you owe. However, the legislation known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has ended this incentive.   The Critical September 30, 2025, Deadline For qualifying vehicles, the credit is only applicable if purchased before September 30, 2025. To meet this EV credit deadline, you must have signed a contract and made a down payment or trade-in by this date.   For new vehicles purchased during this window (through September 30, 2025), you may claim up to $7,500. For used electric vehicles, the credit is up to the lesser of $4,000 or 30% of the purchase price. Used vehicles must also have a sale price of $25,000 or less and be purchased from a dealer.   Key Eligibility Requirements for 2025 To claim the credit using IRS Form 8936, you must meet strict requirements, which include income limitations, specific vehicle component sourcing, and North American final assembly. Income Limits: Eligibility is based on your modified adjusted gross income (AGI) from the year of purchase or the preceding year, whichever is lower. New EVs: Can't exceed $300,000 for married couples filing jointly, $225,000 for heads of households, or $150,000 for all other filers. Used EVs: Can't exceed $150,000 Married Filing Jointly, $112,500 for heads of households, or $75,000 for all other filers. Vehicle Assembly and Components: The vehicle must receive final assembly in North America. Vehicles purchased on or after April 18, 2023, must also meet critical mineral and battery component requirements.   Remember that this is a nonrefundable credit. While you can reduce your taxes owed dollar-for-dollar, you can't receive more than your total tax liability. Taxpayers purchasing an EV in 2025 may also have the option to transfer the credit to the dealer to be applied as a discount at the point of sale.   Continued Tax Savings While the primary EV purchase credit is ending, the EV charging equipment credit remains available for purchases made up to June 30, 2026, and equals 30% of the cost of the qualifying property up to a maximum credit of $1,000 per item.   Ready to learn how to enter your EV into TurboTax? Watch our brief tutorial, “How to enter the Clean Vehicle Credit” now.    Additional Resources Understanding the New Clean Vehicle Credit Filing Tax Form 8936: Qualified Plug-in Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit Tax Credits for Hybrid Cars and Electric Vehicles: Maximize Your Savings What Is Form 8911: Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit Need more help? Our TurboTax Community is here for you! Post your question in one of our dedicated tax forums.

Tax filing status impacts several key areas of your federal tax return: whether you are required to file, the size of your Standard Deduction, your tax rate, your eligibility for specific tax credits, and ultimately, the amount of tax you owe (or the refund you receive). Your status is typically based on whether you are considered married or unmarried as of December 31st of the tax year. The IRS recognizes five statuses: Single, Married Filing Jointly (MFJ), Married Filing Separately (MFS), Head of Household (HoH), and Qualifying Surviving Spouse (QSS). If multiple statuses apply to your situation, TurboTax is designed to help you select the one that results in the biggest tax break. Status Highlights: What You Need to Know Single: Unmarried, divorced, or legally separated taxpayers who don't qualify for Head of Household status file Single. For 2025, the Standard Deduction for Single is $15,750. Head of Household (HoH): This status is available if you maintain more than half of the expenses of your home and claim a qualifying dependent. It provides a larger Standard Deduction and more favorable tax brackets compared to filing as Single. For 2025, the HoH Standard Deduction is $23,625. Married Filing Jointly (MFJ): Generally considered the most favorable status for married couples, MFJ offers the largest Standard Deduction, which is $31,500 for 2025, and wider tax brackets, often leading to a lower tax bill. Married Filing Separately (MFS): This is often referred to as a "penalty status" because it usually results in fewer tax benefits and higher overall tax compared to MFJ. MFS filers receive the same Standard Deduction as Single filers ($15,750 for 2025).  Qualifying Surviving Spouse (QSS): This status is available to taxpayers whose spouse died in one of the two prior tax years and who have a qualifying dependent, provided they have not remarried. QSS is beneficial, because it allows the taxpayer to use the generous Standard Deduction and favorable tax rates that apply to those filing MFJ. New Senior Bonus Deduction for 2025: Does filing status matter? Your filing status matters if you’re married and age 65 or older, by the end of the year. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) introduced a new bonus deduction for seniors, but if you are married, then you must use MFJ as your filing status to qualify. Additionally, the new senior bonus deduction is available if you take the Standard Deduction or itemize. It phases out once your modified adjusted gross income exceeds $150,000 for joint filers ($75,000 for Single).   Ready to ditch the confusion? Watch our quick video, "How Does My Filing Status Affect My Return?" to see how TurboTax will help guide you to pick the best filing status for your situation.    Additional Resources The 5 Filing Statuses - Get it Right! Married Filing Jointly vs Separately: How Should You and Your Spouse File Taxes? Guide to Filing Taxes as Head of Household Taxes 2025-2026: One Big Beautiful Bill Tax Law Changes and How That Impacts You Need more help? Our TurboTax Community is here for you! Post your question in one of our dedicated tax forums.