I've been researching Open Tax Solver myself and this thread has been incredibly valuable! As someone who's been using FreeTaxUSA but getting tired of the annual costs, I'm really drawn to the idea of open source tax software that keeps everything local. What really stands out to me from everyone's experiences is the consistent accuracy - multiple people comparing against commercial software and tax professionals with matching results is pretty compelling evidence. The security approach of local-only processing actually seems more trustworthy than cloud-based solutions, especially given how many data breaches we've seen with major companies. I'm planning to follow the advice several people mentioned about downloading it now to practice with last year's data. For anyone else considering this approach, I found the Open Tax Solver website has pretty good documentation and sample files to help get started. The GitHub repository that @Emily Parker mentioned also has helpful discussions in the issues section where users share tips and ask questions. One thing I'm curious about - for those who've made the switch from commercial software, do you miss any specific features, or has Open Tax Solver covered everything you need? I'm trying to decide if there are any deal-breakers I should know about before committing to this approach. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - this has been way more helpful than generic online reviews!

I've been following this discussion with great interest as someone who's been considering the switch from commercial tax software myself. The consistent theme I'm hearing about Open Tax Solver's accuracy and security approach is really compelling - especially the multiple accounts of side-by-side comparisons with commercial software and tax professionals showing matching results. What particularly resonates with me is the privacy-first approach of keeping everything local on your computer. As someone who works in cybersecurity, I've seen firsthand how vulnerable centralized data storage can be, regardless of how "secure" companies claim their systems are. The idea of maintaining complete control over my sensitive financial information while still getting professional-level tax calculations is exactly what I've been looking for. I'm definitely planning to follow the advice several people have mentioned about downloading the software now to practice with 2023 data before tax season hits. The learning curve seems very manageable based on everyone's experiences, and the long-term benefits of no annual fees plus enhanced privacy control make it worth the initial time investment. Thanks to everyone who shared detailed real-world experiences rather than just theoretical opinions. This thread has been incredibly valuable for someone like me who was on the fence about trying open source tax software. The community knowledge sharing here is exactly what makes these discussions so helpful!

As someone who's been following this discussion closely, I want to add one more perspective that might be helpful for others in similar situations. What really stands out to me is how this thread demonstrates the importance of understanding the "why" behind sales tax rules, not just the "what." When you understand that sales tax is generally designed to be collected once on the final consumer purchase, it makes sense why Colorado treats permanently installed items as real property improvements - the tax obligation is satisfied when the subcontractor buys materials, because they're the final consumer of those materials in that context. This conceptual understanding helps when you encounter edge cases or work in different states. Instead of memorizing specific rules for every scenario, you can apply the underlying logic: Who is the final consumer? When does the item become part of real property? Has tax already been paid at the appropriate point in the transaction chain? For anyone just starting to deal with these issues, I'd recommend taking time to understand your state's basic sales tax philosophy before diving into specific contractor rules. It makes the whole system much more logical and helps you spot potential issues before they become problems. The documentation and systematic approaches everyone has shared here are absolutely essential, but that foundation of understanding the underlying principles makes everything else much easier to implement correctly.

This entire discussion has been absolutely phenomenal! As someone who's just starting to navigate the intersection of consulting work and occasional construction subcontracting, I'm incredibly grateful for the depth of practical wisdom shared here. What really strikes me is how this thread perfectly illustrates why peer knowledge sharing is so valuable - we started with a specific question about Colorado sales tax and ended up with a comprehensive masterclass on subcontractor tax compliance that covers multiple states, documentation strategies, and systematic approaches that you simply can't find in official publications. The key insights I'm taking away: understanding the underlying "final consumer" philosophy behind sales tax (as Jamal explained), implementing comprehensive documentation systems (progress photos, communication logs, project tax profiles), maintaining clear separation between different types of work, and always getting official confirmation when in doubt. I'm particularly impressed by how everyone emphasized the importance of treating permanently installed items as real property improvements - this distinction seems crucial for proper tax treatment and is something I never would have understood without this discussion. The resource recommendations throughout this thread (state contractor guides, various compliance tools, and specific forms for written determinations) provide such concrete next steps. As someone who learns best from real-world examples, seeing how others have successfully navigated these complex situations gives me confidence to handle similar challenges. Thanks to everyone who contributed their expertise and experience - this discussion is going straight into my permanent reference library!

I'm still confused about one thing - if I can't create an online account because of the verification issues (I don't have a credit card or loan), is there any other way to get my transcripts quickly? Will calling the IRS help? And once I get the transcript, how do I know which codes to look for specifically for my amended return status?

If you can't create an online account due to verification issues, you have a few alternatives! You can request transcripts by mail using Form 4506-T (takes 5-10 business days), or call the automated transcript line at 1-800-908-9946. For phone requests, you'll need your SSN, date of birth, and filing status. For amended returns specifically, focus on these key codes on your Account Transcript: TC 971 (amended return received), TC 570 (account frozen for review - this is normal initially), TC 290/291 (adjustment made), and TC 846 (refund issued). The sequence typically goes 971 → 570 → 290 → 846. If you see 570 without movement for over 4-6 weeks, that might indicate additional review is needed. The "Where's My Amended Return" tool online can also give you basic status updates without needing full transcript access, though it's less detailed than the actual transcript codes.

As someone new to this community, I'm really grateful for all the detailed experiences shared here! I've been using a traditional bank for years and always wondered if these online banks actually deliver on their early deposit promises. The data from @Asher Levin is particularly eye-opening - 1.7 days early average for Go2Bank seems pretty consistent with what others are reporting. I'm planning to switch from my credit union (which sounds like it's right on target with that 0.3 days early average) to either Go2Bank or Current for next year's refund. This kind of real user feedback is so much more valuable than the marketing claims these banks make!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm really impressed by the quality of information being shared here! I've been doing research on different banks for my tax refund and this thread has been incredibly helpful. @Asher Levin your data tracking across multiple banks is exactly the kind of objective analysis I was looking for - much better than relying on marketing claims. I'm currently with a traditional bank that always deposits exactly on the IRS date, but seeing the consistent 1-2 day early pattern with Go2Bank from multiple users here is making me seriously consider switching. The fact that @Bruno Simmons, @Zane Gray, and @Haley Stokes all had similar positive experiences gives me confidence this isn't just luck. Thanks everyone for sharing your real experiences - this is so much more valuable than generic online reviews!

This is so frustrating but unfortunately very common right now. I went through the exact same thing earlier this year - verified my identity in early February and the portal kept showing "Action Required" until mid-March. The key thing to remember is that once you successfully completed the identity verification process (and hopefully got some kind of confirmation screen or reference number), you're done on your end. The "Action Required" message is basically a glitch in their system display. What helped me track actual progress was checking my tax transcript weekly instead of the portal. The transcript will show processing codes and movement even when the portal status hasn't updated. Look for codes like 971 or 570 which indicate your return is moving through their system. I know it's nerve-wracking when you need that refund for reinvestment, but try not to stress too much. Based on what I've seen here and experienced myself, most people see their accounts update within 4-6 weeks, not the full 9 weeks they quote. Hang in there!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Verified my identity about 12 days ago and that "Action Required" message is still mocking me every time I check. Reading everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful - it sounds like this is just a known issue with their system not updating the display properly. The most reassuring thing I'm taking away from this thread is that once you've completed the verification successfully, you're actually done. The portal just doesn't know how to communicate that to us. I had no idea about checking the transcript for more current information - that's a game changer! It's frustrating that the IRS hasn't fixed this display issue when they clearly know it's confusing people. But at least now I know I'm not alone in this waiting game and that 2 weeks is actually pretty normal. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's saved me from calling and potentially making things worse by re-verifying!