As someone who made the transition from Jackson Hewitt to a regional accounting firm, I can tell you that the experience absolutely can help your career - but success depends heavily on how you approach it. The reality is that JH will give you high-volume experience with basic returns, which teaches you efficiency and client interaction skills. However, the real value comes from what you do beyond their minimum requirements. I made it a point to: 1. Study every tax code section I encountered, even for simple issues 2. Research complex situations thoroughly rather than just following software prompts 3. Build relationships with more experienced preparers who could mentor me 4. Keep detailed notes on unusual scenarios for future reference When I interviewed at my current firm, I didn't hide that I worked at JH - I emphasized the problem-solving skills I developed and specific tax knowledge I gained. The managing partner actually said my practical client experience gave me an advantage over candidates who only had academic knowledge. One season is usually enough to gain credibility, but make sure you're learning something new every day. Start networking with local firms in March/April when they're planning for the next year. Focus your resume on tax concepts you've mastered rather than just the volume of returns you processed. The key is treating JH as tax school with a paycheck, not just a job. Good luck!

As someone who recently transitioned from Jackson Hewitt to a mid-size CPA firm after one season, I can definitely say the experience was worthwhile - but you need to be strategic about it. The training at JH is pretty basic, but what you'll get is real-world client experience that textbooks can't teach you. You'll learn how to handle difficult clients, explain tax concepts in plain English, and work efficiently under pressure during busy season. These soft skills are just as valuable as technical knowledge when interviewing at better firms. My biggest piece of advice: Don't just rely on their training materials. When you encounter something you don't fully understand, research it on your own time. I spent evenings reading IRS publications and tax court cases related to issues I saw during the day. This deeper knowledge really impressed interviewers later. Also, network while you're there! Many JH locations have preparers who previously worked at local CPA firms or have connections in the industry. I got my current job through a referral from someone I worked with at JH who had moved on to a regional firm. The experience will definitely help your career if you approach it as a learning opportunity rather than just a paycheck. One season of practical experience plus your master's degree should make you competitive for positions at smaller firms. Just make sure to emphasize the tax knowledge you gained and client skills you developed rather than focusing on the workplace itself.

I'm dealing with the exact same frustrating situation! Filed in early March, accepted immediately, but still getting that "Your Information Is Not Available" message when I try to check my balance. One thing that helped me was checking my account transcript instead of just the balance page - go to "Get Transcript" and look at your Account Transcript for 2023. Mine actually showed the return was processed even though the balance page was still showing the error message. Also, if you know you owe $3,800, you can absolutely make a payment now through IRS Direct Pay without waiting for the balance to show up. Just select "Form 1040" and "2023" as the tax year. The system will accept payments even when your balance isn't displaying properly. I did this last week and got a confirmation number, so at least I know my payment went through. The waiting is nerve-wracking but from what I've read, this seems to be happening to a lot of people this year. Hopefully both our accounts update soon!

I'm experiencing the exact same issue! Filed my 2023 return in mid-February, got the acceptance confirmation within 24 hours, but I've been getting that same "Your Information Is Not Available at This Time" message for over 6 weeks now. What's really frustrating is that I can see on my Account Transcript that the return was actually posted to my account about 10 days ago, but the balance page still won't load properly. It's like their systems aren't talking to each other. I ended up calling the Taxpayer Advocate Service (1-877-777-4778) after getting nowhere with the regular IRS lines. They told me this is a known system issue affecting thousands of taxpayers this season, particularly those who filed early. The representative said the balance pages should start updating properly over the next 2-3 weeks as they work through their backlog. In the meantime, I went ahead and made my payment through IRS Direct Pay like others have suggested. At least I have peace of mind knowing I won't accrue interest while waiting for their technology to catch up. Definitely check your Account Transcript though - it might show more current information than the balance page.

Just a tip - if you're really in a hurry to file, you can actually submit your taxes with a substitute W-2 form (Form 4852) if your employer hasn't provided your W-2 by the end of January. You'll need your last paystub to complete it accurately though. I had to do this last year and my refund wasn't delayed at all.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now! My former employer said they mailed W-2s on January 15th but I haven't received mine yet either. Based on what others have shared here, it sounds like we should give it until the end of this week before getting worried. One thing that helped me feel more prepared was calling my old HR department to confirm they have my current address on file. Turns out they still had my old address from when I first started there years ago! Might be worth double-checking that detail if you haven't already. Also, if you have your final paystub from December, keep it handy since you'll need those numbers if you end up having to contact the IRS or file a substitute form later. Fingers crossed both our W-2s show up soon!

This is exactly the situation my husband and I were in last year! We also pay from a joint account and were really worried about getting it wrong. After doing a ton of research, we ended up splitting our mortgage interest 50/50 on our separate returns since we contribute equally to the joint account. One thing I'd definitely recommend is running the numbers both ways (joint vs separate filing) before you commit to MFS. We almost lost money overall because of all the credits and deductions you can't take when filing separately. In our case, filing separately only made sense because of some specific income-based student loan considerations. Also, keep really good records! We created a simple spreadsheet showing our deposits to the joint account throughout the year, just in case. The IRS never questioned it, but having that documentation gave us peace of mind. Your accountant's advice sounds right to me - splitting based on actual contribution is the correct approach.

Based on everything shared here, it sounds like you're on the right track! Your accountant is correct - you can split the mortgage interest deduction when filing separately as long as you can substantiate that both of you actually paid portions of the mortgage interest. Since you're paying from a joint account that you both contribute to equally, a 50/50 split is perfectly reasonable and defensible to the IRS. The key things to remember: 1. Keep documentation of your equal contributions to the joint account (bank statements, pay stubs, etc.) 2. Both spouses must itemize if one itemizes - you can't mix and match 3. The same principle applies to property taxes and other itemized deductions 4. Make sure filing separately actually benefits you overall before committing to this approach I'd also echo what others have said about running the numbers both ways. Sometimes the tax savings from filing separately get eaten up by losing various credits and deductions. But if you have specific reasons like income-driven student loan payments, it might still make sense. The documentation aspect really isn't as scary as it might seem - your regular banking records showing consistent equal contributions should be more than sufficient if the IRS ever asks. Good luck with your 2024 filing!

Great discussion here! I went through almost the exact same situation last year when my employer didn't offer health benefits. Let me share what I learned after talking to both a tax professional and the marketplace directly. The key insight is that premium tax credits are usually WAY more valuable than trying to deduct premiums as medical expenses. Here's why: 1. Medical expense deductions require itemizing AND only apply to expenses over 7.5% of your AGI. For most people, this threshold is very high. 2. Premium tax credits reduce your monthly insurance cost directly - it's like getting an immediate discount rather than waiting for tax time. 3. The credits are quite generous if you qualify. Based on your situation (tech startup employee), you might be surprised how much assistance you're eligible for. One thing I wish I'd known earlier: when you apply through the marketplace, you can choose to have the credits applied monthly to reduce your premium, or take them as a lump sum refund when you file taxes. I chose monthly and it made our budget much more manageable. Also, losing coverage through your wife's employer definitely qualifies you for a Special Enrollment Period, so you won't be stuck waiting for open enrollment. The marketplace website has a preview tool where you can see estimated costs and credits before you actually apply. Highly recommend starting there to get a sense of what you might pay.

Just to add another perspective as someone who went through this exact transition - don't forget to factor in the potential COBRA option from your wife's employer when she leaves. You have 60 days to elect COBRA coverage, which might bridge you while you're setting up marketplace coverage. COBRA is usually expensive (you pay the full premium plus 2% admin fee), but it can be worth comparing to marketplace options, especially if you have ongoing medical needs with current providers. The advantage is you keep the same plan and network temporarily. However, in most cases, marketplace coverage with premium tax credits will be significantly cheaper than COBRA. I ended up saving about $400/month by going with a marketplace plan instead of COBRA, even after factoring in the credits. One more thing - if your wife does any freelance or consulting work after leaving her job, even minimal income, she could potentially qualify for the self-employed health insurance deduction that someone mentioned. This is a really valuable "above-the-line" deduction that you can take even while using the standard deduction. Worth exploring if she has any self-employment income at all.