Has anyone actually itemized their deductions after buying their first home? I'm wondering if it's even worth it with the standard deduction being so high now ($27,700 for married filing jointly in 2025). We just bought our first home for $350k with a conventional mortgage at 6.2%, and I'm trying to figure out if itemizing would be better than taking the standard deduction.

Don't be too disappointed about potentially taking the standard deduction! Even if itemizing doesn't benefit you in year one, remember that homeownership has other financial advantages beyond just tax deductions. Also, your situation might change in future years - you could have higher charitable giving, medical expenses, or state/local taxes that push you over the standard deduction threshold. Many homeowners find they alternate between itemizing and standard deduction from year to year. One thing to consider: if you paid any points at closing on your conventional loan, those are typically deductible in the first year and could help push your itemized total higher. Also, don't forget about any PMI premiums you'll be paying - if the deduction gets extended for 2025 (which is still uncertain), that could add another $1,000-3,000 to your itemized total depending on your loan amount and PMI rate. Keep good records of everything just in case, and consider using tax software that can easily compare both scenarios for you!

Hey OP, which state are you in? Some states have free tax prep services for low-income filers. Might be worth checking out!

I totally understand the frustration with the 1040! When I first started doing my own taxes, I felt completely overwhelmed too. One thing that really helped me was breaking it down section by section and using the IRS's own interactive tax assistant tool on their website - it walks you through each line with plain English explanations. Also, don't feel bad about taking your time with it. Better to go slow and get it right than rush and make mistakes. You've got this! 💪

Instead of trying to get the refund back (which is difficult once offset), you might want to adjust your withholding for the rest of 2024 to get more money in each paycheck. This approach worked better for me than fighting the offset system for months. It's like choosing to take a different route when the main road is blocked - you'll still reach your destination (getting your money), just through a different path. Michigan's offset appeals success rate is much lower than simply adjusting your tax situation going forward.

I went through this exact situation in Michigan last year! First, check if you received a "Notice of Offset" in the mail - it's legally required and should specify which agency claimed your refund. If you haven't gotten it yet, call Michigan Treasury at (517) 636-4486 and ask for the offset department directly. They can tell you which agency has your money and provide contact info. For recovery, you have a few options: 1) If it's a mistake, file Form 4419 with documentation proving the debt isn't yours, 2) For hardship cases, contact the collecting agency (not Michigan Treasury) to request a hardship review - you'll need financial statements and proof of hardship, 3) If it's child support, contact Friend of the Court immediately as they have specific procedures. The key is acting fast - most agencies have 60-90 day windows for appeals. Don't waste time with general customer service lines; go straight to the offset/collection departments of the specific agency that took your refund.

For future reference - KEEP 👏 DETAILED 👏 RECORDS! This is the easiest way to protect yourself. I use a dedicated credit card for all gambling deposits and a spreadsheet tracking every bet. Takes maybe 5 minutes after each session. When tax time comes, I have perfect documentation of my actual profits/losses. Also a small tip - if you're using multiple betting platforms, be strategic about withdrawing from sites where you're down vs. sites where you're up. This can sometimes help with the documentation side.

This is exactly why I always tell people to treat sports betting like a business from day one. The tax implications are brutal if you're not prepared. Here's what I learned after going through a similar situation: DraftKings and other sportsbooks are required to report ALL your winning bets as gross winnings on Form W-2G, regardless of your overall profit/loss. It's not their fault - that's literally what the IRS requires them to do. The key thing to understand is that you're not stuck paying taxes on money you didn't actually win. You can deduct your gambling losses, but ONLY if you itemize deductions. This means you'll need to add up all your potential itemized deductions (gambling losses, mortgage interest, state/local taxes, charitable contributions, etc.) and see if they exceed your standard deduction. If your total itemized deductions are less than the standard deduction ($13,850 for single filers in 2023), then unfortunately you're in a tough spot where you might pay taxes on phantom income. This is one of the most unfair aspects of gambling taxation. For documentation, your bank statements showing deposits/withdrawals are helpful, but the IRS really wants to see detailed records of individual bets. Most sportsbooks let you download your complete betting history - I'd recommend doing this ASAP before you lose access to older records.

As someone who works with veterans' benefits, I want to emphasize that your client's VA disability payments are protected from IRS garnishment - this is a huge advantage in their situation. The IRS cannot legally seize VA disability compensation to satisfy tax debt, which means their basic living income is secure while you work on resolving this. Given that they're living solely on VA disability, they should have a very strong case for an Offer in Compromise based on doubt as to collectibility. The IRS looks at reasonable collection potential, and for someone with protected income and minimal assets beyond their primary residence, this could realistically result in a settlement for 5-10% of the original debt. I'd also suggest contacting the Taxpayer Advocate Service - they have special procedures for cases involving disabled veterans and can often expedite resolution when normal IRS processes aren't working effectively. This is a free service that can really help navigate the bureaucracy.

I wanted to add something important that might help your client's case - make sure to document any medical expenses related to their disability when preparing the Offer in Compromise application. The IRS allows reasonable medical expenses as part of the necessary living expenses calculation, which can significantly reduce their ability-to-pay determination. For a veteran with permanent and total disability, ongoing medical costs (even if covered by VA healthcare) like transportation to medical appointments, prescription copays, medical equipment, or home modifications can all be factored in. This could further strengthen their case for a very low settlement amount. Also, if your client received any VA compensation increases or adjustments after 2022, make sure those aren't counted as "available income" in the OIC calculation, since VA disability ratings and payments are specifically for loss of earning capacity, not discretionary income.