All Posts

Do you have a qualifying dependent?     Am I Head of Household?   https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-filing-status/qualify-head-household-2021/L0NxUtVc2_US_en_US?uid=m5x19jkx What is a "qualifying person" for Head of Household?   If you qualify as Head of Household, when you enter your marital status (single or married filing separately) into MyInfo, and then enter your qualifying dependent, TurboTax will offer HOH as your filing status.    

Gosh...  Feeling a bit silly here...  I've been using TT for so many years, when I started a new return today I went right to the Personal Info tab before (and without) ever having clicked on "BEGIN"...   Had I clicked on "BEGIN" (duh, of course) I would next have seen the old familiar import option...  I did LOOK on that BEGIN page and expected to see something in the blue links below that would point me to that but, oh the things we forget in a year...     My bad...  Sorry for taking your time but I do appreciate both you, VolvoGirl (pretty sure I've talked with you in past years) and baldietax for getting back to me so quickly...   I very much appreciate the help...  

The IRS will begin to accept/reject e-files on 1/26.   If you e-file sooner, your return will just sit in "pending" on a server, where you will not be able to touch it if you discover that you left out some income or made a mistake.

That is typical.  Last year it cost me $25 plus tax for each return so a family of four was $100 and the 2 children didn’t have income or abnormal deductions.   unfortunately with the AI moderators you can’t find out if the price will go up this year.

CHILD AND DEPENDENT CARE CREDIT   Have you entered income from working yet?   Did you enter a W-2 or self employment income?     You will not get the childcare credit until (unless) you enter income earned from working.   The credit does not work unless you enter your income first.   If you are filing a joint return you must show income for both spouses, or show that one or both of you was a student or disabled.   If you have self-employment income and show a loss you will not get the childcare credit.  You will not get the credit if you are filing married filing separately.     If you have entered all of your income and you have entered your dependent(s) then work on the childcare credit by entering the Tax ID or Social Security number of your childcare provider and enter the amount you paid for the childcare.   One of the most common mistakes that messes up the childcare credit for people is listing all of the earned income under only one name on a joint return.  Make very sure that your incomes are listed under each of your names.  It’s pretty easy to check.  Go to the Income section, and click “update” on Wages and Salary.  That will take you to the W-2 Summary.  Do you see income listed under both of your names?       The person receiving the care had to be 12 or under or qualified as mentally or physically disabled. To claim the childcare credit you need to be filing as Head of Household or Married Filing Jointly. (NOT married filing separately)    If your child was born in 2024 make sure you say the child lived with you all year. The credit is a percentage of your expenses based on your AGI (the higher the income, the lower the percentage)  You must provide the Social Security number for each child you are claiming, and the Social Security number or Tax ID for each care provider.    In the case of divorced or never-married parents—only the custodial parent can use the childcare credit.     And remember that the childcare credit is a NON-refundable credit.  It can reduce your tax owed down to zero, but it is not added to your refund.       https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/taxation/child-dependent-care-credit/L8h8A5Klg_US_en_US?uid=m5yifys1

Have you entered all your income yet? You need income to get the Child Care Credit. Are you married? You both have to have earned income. If you are married check if the income is entered under the right spouse's name.   Or that section might not be ready yet.    Does it give you a message?  Like asking if you are disabled or in school? 

@cfisher-sifadis , while it is not unusual to divide the income/gains/losses  equally between the joint owners if they file MFS, it could create an issue if the tax information documents like 1099-B etc. are issued in both names but ONLE ONE SSN is used.  Because the IRS  income match program ( AURS) will  see a mismatch and therefore issue a CP-2000.  All you have to do is respond to the  notice and explain that the income was recognized  50% by each MFS filer-- included copies of the relevant supporting documents.  That should settle the issue.   Is there more I can do for you ?

I do not have any expenses. Just making extra money as side gig. When I did my SE taxes, I do it as estimated taxes through irs (federal) and state taxation (state) to pay for SE taxes. I know at this point for 1099-k, still not ready to file yet since it says its coming soon

@taradianedavis , if you are going to prepare the return yourself, then my personal choice would be to use  Windows desktop version of  TurboTax  " Home  & Business" --- it has all the forms and interview questions  for the most complex situations.  Personally I like download versions because all the data stays on my local machine and  if amended return is needed, I can use the software  ( e.g. 2025 return in calendar year 2028 if need be ) without asking for any help from Intuit ( as in case of on-line versions).  IMHO