Has anyone considered that the IRS might view this as a tax scheme rather than a legitimate business? I'm not saying it is, but starting a business primarily to reduce taxes seems risky.

The profit motive concern is absolutely valid and something you need to plan for carefully. I've seen too many people get caught up in the tax savings without thinking through the business fundamentals. Here's what I'd suggest: Before you buy that $98k truck, start small and actually prove the business model works. Get a few regular clients, use basic equipment, and show some profit in year one. This establishes legitimate business intent from the start. When you do scale up with the heavy truck, make sure the purchase makes business sense - not just tax sense. Can you realistically generate enough additional revenue to justify a $98k vehicle? Document your business plan showing how the truck will help you serve more clients or charge premium rates. Also consider the cash flow impact. Even with the depreciation deduction, you still need to actually pay for the truck. If your lawn business isn't generating enough cash to cover the payments, that's another red flag for the IRS. The strategy can work, but treat it as a real business first, tax strategy second. The tax benefits should be a bonus, not the primary motivation.

Have you tried the free calculator on H&R Block's website? They have one specifically for 2023 returns that allows you to input your original info and then add the mortgage interest to see the difference. I used it to estimate before amending my return (forgot some education credits) and it was pretty accurate. Just google "H&R Block tax calculator 2023" and it should come up.

Just as a heads up, if your mortgage interest pushes you from taking the standard deduction to itemizing, make sure you've got ALL possible itemized deductions included when you amend. Many people forget to include charitable donations, medical expenses (if they exceed 7.5% of AGI), state and local taxes (SALT), etc. No point in filing an amendment and not maximizing the benefit!

Don't overlook the safe harbor provisions! As a new freelancer, you can avoid penalties by paying either: - 90% of your current year tax - 100% of your prior year tax (110% if your income was over $150k) For first-year freelancers, using last year's tax liability is often the easiest method since you just look at your previous tax return. If you didn't owe any tax last year, you might not need to make estimated payments at all!

One thing nobody mentioned - make sure you're tracking all your business expenses from day one! As a video editor, you can deduct portions of: - Computer equipment - Editing software subscriptions - External hard drives - Office space (even home office) - Internet costs These deductions can significantly reduce your taxable income and might even keep you under that $1000 threshold longer than expected!

Don't forget you can also deduct a portion of your home expenses if you use part of your home regularly and exclusively for business. Look up "home office deduction" in TurboTax. It's based on the percentage of your home used for business. Totally legit deduction that many new business owners miss!

Great question! I went through this exact same situation when I started my consulting business last year. You're absolutely on the right track - all those startup expenses you listed are definitely deductible as business expenses on Schedule C. A few quick tips for TurboTax: When you get to the "Federal" section, look for "Business Income and Expenses" or "Self-Employment." Once you tell TurboTax you have business income, it'll create a Schedule C for you and walk you through different expense categories. Your business cards and flyers go under "Advertising," the DBA fee goes under "Legal and Professional Services," and the logo software subscription would be "Other Business Expenses." One thing to keep in mind - since these are startup costs, make sure you're clear about when your business actually "began" (when you started actively trying to make money vs. just planning). The IRS has specific rules about startup costs vs. ongoing business expenses, but based on what you've described, it sounds like you're well within the limits. Keep those receipts organized! I learned that lesson the hard way. Good luck with your business!

Has anyone tried just using both names? When I got married, I filed as "Jane Maiden-Married" since my paperwork was still processing. It went through without issues.

I just went through this exact situation a few months ago! The key thing to understand is that there's often a delay between when you submit your name change application and when it actually updates in the IRS verification system. Here's what worked for me: I called the Social Security Administration directly (yes, the wait times are brutal) and asked them to confirm what name is currently showing in their records for my SSN. They told me that even though I had submitted my paperwork, my maiden name was still the "active" name in their system until the processing was complete. I ended up filing my taxes using my maiden name, and it went through without any issues. You can still file as "married filing jointly" even while using your maiden name - the filing status is separate from the name issue. One tip: if you do need to call SSA, try calling right when they open (usually 7 AM local time) to avoid the worst of the hold times. Good luck, and don't stress too much - this is a super common issue that lots of newly married people deal with!