I went through the exact same thing two years ago and it stressed me out so much! Turns out my company had processed a small bonus in January that was attributed to the previous tax year, plus they made some adjustments for my HSA contributions that weren't reflected in my final December paystub. The key thing everyone here is saying is right - always use your W-2 numbers for filing. That's the official document that matches what your employer reported to the IRS. The paystub discrepancies are almost always just timing differences or year-end adjustments. I'd definitely recommend calling HR just to satisfy your curiosity about what caused the difference. In my case, they were super helpful and explained everything in about 5 minutes. It gave me so much peace of mind knowing exactly what happened instead of just wondering about it every time I looked at my tax return!

I've been through this exact situation and totally understand the anxiety! The $275 difference you're seeing is actually pretty typical for year-end adjustments. Like others have mentioned, your W-2 is the official document you should use for filing - that's what the IRS has on record from your employer. Common reasons for these discrepancies include: taxable fringe benefits (like life insurance over $50k), final HSA or 401k contribution adjustments, bonuses paid in January but attributed to the previous tax year, or corrections to benefit deductions. Definitely call HR - not because there's necessarily a problem, but because understanding what caused the difference will give you peace of mind. When I had a similar situation, HR explained it in just a few minutes and I felt so much better knowing exactly what happened. Plus, if the IRS ever has questions (which is unlikely for such a small amount), you'll already know the explanation. Don't stress too much about this - it's more common than you think and the IRS understands that these adjustments happen!

Yes!! Make the switch! I was in your exact situation last year - HSA account holder getting forced into TurboTax Deluxe. Switched to FreeTaxUSA and absolutely no regrets.

I made the switch from TurboTax to FreeTaxUSA two years ago for exactly this reason - they were trying to charge me $59 just for having an HSA! FreeTaxUSA has been fantastic and completely legitimate. The interface is definitely more no-frills compared to TurboTax's flashy design, but it walks you through everything you need and includes all the necessary forms in their free version. I actually prefer it now because there's no constant pestering to upgrade or buy additional services. One thing I really appreciate is their transparent pricing - what you see is what you get. No surprise fees at the end. The $15 state filing fee (if you need it) is clearly stated upfront, unlike TurboTax's habit of revealing costs at the last minute. Your tax situation sounds perfect for FreeTaxUSA's free tier. With just W-2 income, standard deduction, and an HSA, you'll have everything you need without paying a dime for federal filing. I've recommended it to several friends in similar situations and they've all been happy with the switch.

Great thread! I'm also considering making the switch from H&R Block. Reading everyone's experiences really highlights how much value a good EA can provide beyond just filling out forms. One thing I'm curious about - for those who switched, how did you find your EA? Did you go through the IRS directory, get referrals, or use another method? I want to make sure I find someone with experience in small business situations like mine (freelance graphic design work plus rental property). Also, when you first met with your EA, what questions did you ask to evaluate whether they were a good fit? I don't want to make the same mistake of ending up with someone who just goes through the motions, even if they have better credentials than H&R Block preparers.

I made the switch from H&R Block to an EA last year and it was absolutely worth it. My situation was similar - W-2 income plus a growing freelance business and some investment income. At H&R Block, I felt like I was getting cookie-cutter service for $340, and when I asked about business deductions, the preparer seemed unsure and kept looking things up. My EA charges $525, but in the first year alone they found $2,900 in deductions H&R Block had missed - proper business use of vehicle calculations, home office deductions I qualified for, and equipment depreciation I never knew about. They also helped me set up a SEP-IRA which saves me thousands annually. The biggest difference is the ongoing relationship. My EA proactively reaches out with tax planning suggestions throughout the year. Last fall, they recommended some equipment purchases and retirement contributions that significantly reduced my tax burden. With H&R Block, it was always just a once-a-year transaction. One tip: interview a few EAs before choosing. Ask about their experience with your specific situation and whether year-round consultations are included or extra. The good ones will ask detailed questions about your business and suggest strategies right in the initial meeting.

Filed January 23rd, stuck in pending until February 6th (a full 14 days!), then magically accepted overnight. The IRS is moving slower than a sloth on vacation this year! 🐌 But seriously, I wouldn't worry yet. I meticulously track my tax timeline every year in a spreadsheet (yes, I'm that person 😂), and this is by far the longest pending-to-acceptance window I've seen. Just be cautious about making any major financial plans that depend on your refund arriving by a specific date - I'd add at least an extra 2-3 weeks to whatever timeline you're expecting based on previous years.

Filed on 1/26 and still pending here too! This is so frustrating - I've been a TurboTax user for 8 years and never experienced anything like this. Usually get accepted within hours like you mentioned. I called TurboTax support yesterday and they basically said "it's an IRS issue, not us" which wasn't helpful at all. The uncertainty is the worst part - at least if they told us "expect 3-4 weeks this year" we could plan accordingly. Instead we're all just checking obsessively every day wondering if something went wrong. Thanks for posting this - it's oddly comforting to know I'm not alone in this pending purgatory!

Have you checked if your qualified education expenses already got factored into your tax calculation? Sometimes it's not showing up as a separate item but is still reducing your overall tax liability. Also, double check box 7 on your 1098-T. If box 7 is checked, it means the amounts in Box 1 include amounts billed for the first three months of 2025 (next year's academic term). Those amounts wouldn't count for this year's taxes.

Looking at your numbers, I think I see what might be happening. You mentioned your income went from $32k to $46k - while that's still well below the phaseout thresholds others mentioned, there's another factor to consider: your tax liability itself. Education credits can only reduce your tax owed, and some credits like the American Opportunity Credit are partially refundable while others like Lifetime Learning Credit are not. If your overall tax situation changed (maybe more was withheld, or you have other credits), you might have little to no tax liability left for the education credits to reduce. Also, since you're in your 5th year as mentioned in another comment, you've likely exhausted your 4 years of American Opportunity Credit eligibility. The Lifetime Learning Credit has different income thresholds and is calculated differently - it starts phasing out at much lower income levels for single filers. Try running a comparison: temporarily remove your education expenses entirely and see what your refund/tax owed looks like, then add them back. This will show you exactly how much benefit you're actually getting from the credits, even if it's not as much as you expected.