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Without being able to compare your return from last year to this year, it is hard to say for sure, but a lower-than-expected refund for Head of Household with dependents is typically caused by shifts in income, credit eligibility changes (especially for students), or more accurate tax withholding throughout the year.   For the 2025 tax year (filing in 2026), several specific factors may be impacting your refund: The most common reason for a sudden drop in refund for parents is a child turning 17. For 2025, the Child Tax Credit (CTC) is $2,200 per child, but only for those under age 17 at the end of the year. If one of your dependents turned 17 in 2025, they no longer qualify for the $2,200 CTC. Instead, they qualify for the Credit for Other Dependents, which is a non-refundable $500 credit. This is a $1,700 loss in credit value per child. Since you mentioned one dependent is a student, the type of credit you are claiming matters: The American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) is worth up to $2,500 (with up to $1,000 being refundable). However, it is only available for the first four years of post-secondary education. If your student has finished their first four years or is in grad school, you likely moved to the LLC. The LLC is non-refundable and capped at $2,000 per return, not per student. If you have no tax liability to offset, this credit will not increase your refund. Another reason may be due to The Earned Income Tax Credit. The EITC is highly sensitive to your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). The amount of your AGI can either increase or decrease your EITC.     Also, if your employer withheld less tax from your paychecks throughout 2025, you received that money "upfront" in your take-home pay rather than waiting for it as a large lump sum refund.   To see exactly where the money went, compare your 2024 and 2025 returns: Select Tax Tools > Tools from the left menu. Select View Tax Summary. Compare the following lines to your 2024 return: Total Income: Did your earnings increase? Total Credits: Is this significantly lower than last year? (Check Schedule 3 and Form 8812). Total Payments/Withholding: Did you pay in less through your employer?

You cannot change or add anything on the return that you just e-filed, nor can you stop it.  It is too late, just like when you put an envelope in a US mailbox on the corner.  The IRS does not allow you to take it back.   If you left out a W-2, a 1099G, or a dependent, or a 1099 etc…DO NOT change your return while it is “pending.”  The changes will go nowhere.   Now you have to wait until the IRS either rejects or accepts your return.  If your return is rejected, you will be able to go into your account and make the necessary changes to your tax return and re-submit your return.     If the IRS accepts your return, however, then you have to wait longer until it has been fully processed and you have received your refund.  THEN you can prepare an amended tax return and e-file or mail  it in. You have to be able to work from that return exactly the way it was when it was e-filed originally.  You will need to use a form called a 1040X.     Meanwhile, DO NOT go in and start changing anything on your return in the system, or you will make a mess for yourself.  Sit tight and wait until you see what the IRS does with the return you just e-filed   The Form 1040X you need becomes available in late February,  But wait until your return has been processed.

Yes, I suggest your CPA file an amendment to correct the mistake. Here is what I suggest your CPA do.   File an Amended Return (Form 1040-X): You need to "correct" the original filing. Attach the Missing Statement: Include the formal First-Year Choice election letter now, even though it's late. Explanation of Error: In the "Part III - Explanation of Changes" section of the 1040-X, state that the original return was intended to be a First-Year Choice election but the required statement was omitted due to professional error (CPA oversight), and that you did meet the SPT in 2025 before the original return was filed. Dual-Status Formatting: Since First-Year Choice makes you "Dual-Status," the top of your 1040-X should technically reference the resident period, and you should attach a "pro-forma" 1040-NR for the F1 portion of the year (January until your H1B start/arrival date).

The Turbo Tax section of lump sum social security payments is confusing. I am the person with a lump sum. My husband also receives social security. I’m asked to enter how much social security he received in 2024. He received no lump sums. Is the Turbo Tax program counting this income twice?

Form_1095A_Hold_Error - We've identified a potential issue that may have impacted the upload of your Form 1095-A: Health Insurance Marketplace Statement   Have you deleted the Form 1095-A and re-entered manually? Yes.   I've also uploaded the document that came from CoveredCA on the "Document" section of my account--does that help with anything?

 You will be able to access the 2024 return you started by using the exact same account and user ID that you used when you started it.   But you can no longer use online software for any further changes.       Start a 2025  return online and enter some personal information  so that the menu on the left opens up and lets you access your past year returns.   Online tax preparation and e-filing for 2024  returns is now permanently closed.    Now it is too late to use online software or to e-file. If you have any changes/corrections at all to make to your 2024 return, you now have to complete it using desktop software, which you must download to a full PC or Mac  (not to a mobile device).Then you need to print, sign and mail it.   https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/printers-printing/finish-prior-year-return-started-turbotax-online/L9Oe4M90A_US_en_US?uid=m68tffpe   If you already paid for your online software you can ask customer support for a download of the desktop software.   They are available from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time Monday - Friday   https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899263-what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number     If you are getting a refund, there is no penalty for filing late.  If you owe tax due, then file and pay the amount due as shown on the Form 1040, but expect a bill later from the IRS for the penalty and interest you will owe.  Only the IRS will calculate this—TurboTax will not calculate it.     When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s.  Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.   Federal and state returns must be in separate envelopes and they are mailed to different addresses.  Read the mailing instructions that print with your tax return carefully so you mail them to the right addresses.  

It depends. If you did have a job and you received a W-2 you can follow the instruction from xmasbaby0.  If you had a job that was considered independent or self employed then you may have state tax due if you didn't pay any estimated tax payments.   If the income was from something other than a job, it is also possible the state tax was not withheld or paid.   If you have more questions, please add them here and we will help you.

If you are age 65 or older and meet the requirement, the additional deduction is automatically added on your federal tax return.   Standard deductions for 2025 Single - $15.750 add $2,000 if age 65 or older Married Filing Separately - $15,750 add $1,600 if age 65 or older Married Filing Jointly - $31,500 add $1,600 for each spouse age 65 or older Head of Household - $23,625 add $2,000 if age 65 or older   New Bonus Standard Deduction (OBBB): An additional $6,000 deduction for taxpayers 65 and older. This is per eligible individual, meaning a married couple both over 65 could get $12,000. Important: This bonus deduction is temporary, lasting from 2025 through 2028. Income limitations: It phases out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income over $75,000 for single filers and $150,000 for joint filers. The amount is calculated on Schedule 1-A, Part V, with that amount flowing to Form 1040 Line 13b Look at your Form 1040 - You can view your Form 1040 plus Schedules 1, 2 and 3 at any time using the online editions. Click on Tax Tools on the left side of the online program screen. Click on Tools. Click on View Tax Summary. Click on Preview my 1040 on the left side of the screen.

Your AGI is not on your W-2.   Where do I find my AGI?   https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/agi/help/how-do-i-find-last-year-s-agi/01/25947   Your 2024 tax return shows your 2024 Adjusted Gross Income  (AGI)  If you filed a joint return then the AGI is the same for each of you.   Form 1040        line 11   If entering the amount from your 2024 tax return does not work, then try entering “0” instead.  If that does not work and you still cannot e-file, then print, sign, and mail your tax return.   You can get a free transcript of your past return from the IRS:   https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript Note: If you filed late or amended your return, your correct 2024 AGI may not be in the system.  https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1944348-how-do-i-print-and-mail-my-return-in-turbotax-online Note:  If you mail your federal return, you will also need to mail your state return.  You will not be able to e-file your state return.   https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/printing/help/how-do-i-print-and-mail-my-return-in-turbotax-online/00/26258  

Non-taxable lawsuit settlements do not have to be reported on the tax return.  See this example from IRS publication 4345.   If you receive a settlement for personal physical injuries or physical sickness and did not take an itemized deduction for medical expenses related to the injury or sickness in prior years, the full amount is non-taxable. Do not include the settlement proceeds in your income.

Confirming that this is also an issue for me. There is no way to account for decentralized crypto transactions or exchanges that do not provide a 1099-DA. I will never use TurboTax again if I am going to be required to manually enter hundreds to thousands of transactions for each decentralized wallet or exchange. It doesn't seem to make sense to not provide a way to upload transactions in bulk.

For certain new cars purchased in 2025: CAR LOAN INTEREST Go to Federal>Deductions and Credits>Cars and Other Things You Own>Car Loan Interest The amount will go on Schedule 1a and end up on Form 1040 on line 13b  

Yes.   In TurboTax, use only one account and use the account of the spouse you will be listing first on your Married Filing Jointly return.   When you file a Married Filing Jointly return, one spouse will be listed first and the IRS will file this return under that Social Security Number.  You should always use that same name order for all the future returns you use.    @elbigperro     

$31500 + 1600 + 1600 = 34700 ... not 33700   Totals on other websites are as high as 47500 after adding the additional 12000 bonus deduction.   The numbers are all over the place ... my Turbo Tax is only showing 34700 for the Std Deduction ...

Yes, you should amend the Form 8606 to include the accurate amount on the tax return. Amended forms (1040-X) will be available later this month. You have time to get it done. How to Correct Federal Tax Returns Tax Form Availability NOTE:  If by chance your return should get rejected you can correct it and refile. If it is accepted you need to amend.