Has anyone talked about Form 1041 yet? When my parent died with a trust, I had to file both their final personal tax return AND a tax return for the trust (Form 1041). The trust is its own tax entity.

I went through something very similar when my grandfather passed. The key thing that helped us was getting copies of all the original trust documents and any amendments to show the IRS exactly when assets were transferred and how the trust was structured. One thing to watch out for - if your father-in-law was both the grantor AND trustee of the irrevocable trust, the IRS might look more closely at whether it was truly irrevocable in practice. They sometimes argue that if someone retained too much control, it wasn't really separate from their personal assets. Also, definitely keep records of all those installment payments he made. If the IRS tries to claim interest or penalties accumulated after his death, you'll want proof of when payments stopped due to his passing. The debt doesn't keep growing once they're properly notified of the death. The good news is that with 15 years between trust creation and the tax issues, you're in a much stronger position than families who set up trusts after tax problems started.

Don't forget to adjust your W-4 again next year! I messed this up and had way too much withheld. Your withholding needs can change a lot when you have kids because of credits like the Child Tax Credit.

Congrats on baby Emma! Just wanted to add something important that others haven't mentioned - make sure you update your W-4 to reflect your new dependent. On the current W-4 form (2020 version), you'll want to fill out Step 3 where it asks about dependents. You can claim $2,000 for Emma since she's under 17, which will reduce your withholding appropriately. Also, since you're likely eligible for Head of Household status as others have explained, make sure you check that box in Step 1 rather than Single. The combination of HOH status plus claiming your child dependent will significantly reduce how much tax is withheld from your paychecks throughout the year. This means more money in your pocket each month rather than waiting for a big refund next year. One last tip - keep good records of all your household expenses (rent, utilities, groceries, childcare costs, etc.) since you'll need to prove you paid more than half the cost of maintaining your home when you file your actual tax return next year.

does anybody know if u can still contribute to HSA for 2023 taxes? i got a big tax bill and need more deductions. my w2 code w was only $1500 and my employer put in $750 of that.

Just wanted to add another important point about HSA contributions and Box 12 Code W - if you changed jobs during the year and had HSA contributions from multiple employers, you need to be extra careful about tracking everything. I had this situation last year where I worked for two different companies, each with their own HSA setup. My W2s showed different Code W amounts, and I also made some direct contributions. It was a nightmare to figure out what was deductible until I realized I needed to add up ALL employer contributions from both jobs, then subtract that total from ALL HSA contributions I made during the year. The key is making sure you don't accidentally double-count anything or miss contributions from a previous employer. Your HSA provider should send you Form 5498-SA showing all contributions received, which helps verify everything matches up with your W2 reporting. Also worth noting - if you had high-deductible health plan coverage for only part of the year (like if you started a new job mid-year), your contribution limit gets prorated, which affects how much you can actually deduct. The IRS has a worksheet for this calculation that's pretty helpful.

Has anyone used TurboTax to help with RMD calculations for inherited IRAs? I'm trying to figure out if it can handle this situation or if I need something more specialized.

I went through this exact situation when my aunt passed away in 2023. The key thing that helped me understand it was realizing that the SECURE Act completely changed the rules for deaths after 2019. What really matters is that you're a non-spouse beneficiary inheriting after 2019 - the fact that your uncle was already taking RMDs doesn't change your obligations as the beneficiary. You get the 10-year rule, period. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier: start thinking about your withdrawal strategy now, even if you don't need the money immediately. I spread mine out over 4 years to stay in lower tax brackets, and it saved me thousands compared to what I would have paid taking it all at once. The flexibility is actually a huge advantage once you understand the rules!

I'm in a similar situation and ended up documenting my parking expenses as part of my overall medical expenses (not as a work expense). Since my total medical expenses were already over the 7.5% AGI threshold, I was able to deduct these costs as part of my medical deduction. My tax preparer said it's legitimate since the parking is directly related to my documented medical condition. Just make sure you have good documentation - receipts, doctor's note about your condition, and proof that the expense is necessary due to your impairment. In an audit, you'd need to show it was medically necessary, not just convenient.

This is exactly the kind of situation where good documentation becomes crucial. I've been dealing with similar disability-related expenses, and what I've learned is that while the direct work expense deduction isn't available right now, there are still some paths forward. First, definitely keep detailed records of everything - receipts, medical documentation about your condition, correspondence with your employer about the accommodation request (or lack thereof). Even if you can't use these deductions now, having everything organized will be invaluable when the rules potentially change after 2025. Second, consider the medical expense angle that others mentioned. If your total medical expenses exceed 7.5% of your AGI, transportation costs that are medically necessary can sometimes qualify. The key is proving medical necessity rather than just work convenience. Finally, I'd strongly encourage you to push back on your employer's accommodation stance. A shuttle that runs every 30 minutes isn't a reasonable accommodation if it prevents you from doing your job effectively. You might be surprised how quickly they find closer parking spots when presented with the actual legal requirements rather than their interpretation of them. The tax situation is frustrating, but don't let that be the only avenue you explore. Your employer has obligations here too.