But aren't there still some above-the-line deductions that you can take even if you don't itemize? I thought stuff like HSA contributions and student loan interest didn't require itemizing?

You're absolutely right about above-the-line deductions! Those don't require itemizing and can be claimed in addition to the standard deduction. Common above-the-line deductions include HSA contributions, student loan interest (up to $2,500), certain IRA contributions, and self-employment tax. These appear on Schedule 1 of Form 1040 and reduce your adjusted gross income directly.

The IRS recommends keeping records that support income, deductions, or credits for 3 years from when you filed the return. But if you underreport income by more than 25%, keep records for 6 years. For property records (like your home), keep them until you sell the property plus 3 more years.

8 Does that work with W-2s too? My HR department acts like they're guarding state secrets whenever I ask for anything.

11 It's less consistent with W-2s because larger companies often use third-party payroll processors that release all forms at once. But smaller companies that handle payroll in-house might be able to generate yours early if you explain why you need it. With financial institutions like banks and investment companies, they're usually more flexible because they generate these forms on an ongoing basis. Your HR department probably has stricter policies because they're dealing with everyone's payroll data at once.

18 Some employers don't participate though. Mine shows up as "not available" every year and I have to wait for the paper copy like it's 1995 or something.

1 I actually tried bringing this up with HR last month, but they said they "don't have the administrative capacity" to handle those kinds of benefits right now. I work for a pretty large retail chain too, so it seems like they just don't want to bother with it. Would there be any other options if they refuse to set up a program like this?

9 Unfortunately, if your employer isn't willing to establish a qualified transportation fringe benefit program, you don't have many other options for making those parking expenses pre-tax. These benefits have to be employer-sponsored. You might consider looking into carpooling with coworkers to split costs or researching if there are any monthly parking passes that might reduce your daily rate. Some cities also have programs for retail workers in downtown areas - might be worth checking with your local transportation authority or downtown business association to see if any special programs exist for essential workers.

4 Monthly passes are definitely the way to go. I used to pay $18/day until I found a lot that offered $180/month instead of the $360+ I was spending. It was a 10-minute walk, but totally worth it. Some places also offer evening/weekend employee discounts if you ask - especially if you work at a business that brings customers to the area.

Thanks for the advice! Do you know how to set up that IRS Online Account? That sounds really helpful for next year.

You can set it up directly on the IRS website at irs.gov/account. You'll need to verify your identity with some personal info and either a credit card, mortgage, or loan account number. They've made the process more user-friendly recently. Once set up, you can see all W-2s, 1099s, and other income documents reported to the IRS under your SSN. It's super helpful for catching missing forms before you file. You can also use it to view your payment history, set up payment plans, and get transcripts of past returns if needed.

Mine took 9 months last year! Paper-filed and regretted it. The electronic amendments seem to go through much faster based on what friends have experienced.

Is that really true about the training? I always assumed those places had actual accountants or something. How do they get away with charging so much if the people aren't even experts?

Yep, 100% true. The training at the place I worked was just a few weeks long. Some locations might have a manager with accounting experience, but many of the seasonal preparers are just people who completed the company's basic training program. They're trained to use the company's software, which asks the same questions online software asks you. They charge so much because of overhead (physical locations, staff, etc.) and because many people don't realize they're mostly paying for data entry rather than specialized expertise. The companies market themselves as "tax experts" which gives a false impression. For complex returns, you're better off with an actual CPA - and for simple returns, online filing is usually just as accurate but much cheaper.

Yes! I used Free File last year through TaxSlayer since my AGI was under the limit (around $73k). The interface was exactly the same as their paid version, just free. It handles W-2s, simple self-employment, and basic deductions fine. The only annoyance was having to go through the IRS website first to access it - you can't just go directly to the company site or they'll try to upsell you.