Has anyone tried H&R Block's free version? I thought they handled HSAs in their free tier but maybe that changed this year?

I went through this exact same frustration last year! TurboTax's HSA upsell is so misleading - they hook you with "free" filing then spring the upgrade requirement on you halfway through. For what it's worth, I ended up using FreeTaxUSA and was really happy with it. The HSA forms (Form 8889) were handled seamlessly in their free federal version, and I only paid the $15 for state filing. The interface isn't as polished as TurboTax but it gets the job done without any surprise fees. One tip: make sure you have your HSA year-end statement handy before you start. It shows your total contributions, employer contributions, and any distributions you made. That's really all you need for the HSA portion, and it should only add maybe 10 minutes to your filing time. Don't let these companies convince you that having an HSA makes your taxes "complex" - it's literally just one additional form!

This has been such a helpful thread! I'm also a new business owner and was completely confused about the 1099 requirements for different entity types. One thing I learned the hard way is to also check if your state has different rules. I'm in California and discovered they have additional reporting requirements that caught me off guard. Even though federal law says no 1099 needed for S-corp elected LLCs, some states might have their own quirks. Also, for anyone just starting out like me, I'd recommend setting up a simple tracking system from day one. I created a basic spreadsheet with contractor name, entity type, total payments, and 1099 status. Takes just a minute to update each time I pay someone, but saves hours of scrambling at year-end. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and tools - definitely going to check out some of the resources mentioned here!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! As a tax professional, I want to add a few additional points that might help other business owners: 1. **Multi-member LLCs**: If you have an LLC with multiple members that hasn't elected S-corp status, they're typically taxed as a partnership and DO require 1099s. 2. **Single-member LLCs**: These are "disregarded entities" by default (taxed like sole proprietorships) and also require 1099s unless they've elected corporate tax treatment. 3. **Box 3 on W-9**: Pay special attention to this box where contractors indicate their tax classification. If it's blank or says "other," follow up for clarification. 4. **Legal services exception**: Even S-corps and C-corps must receive 1099-MISC for legal services if you paid them $600+ (Box 1). Also, regarding the state requirements mentioned - this varies significantly by state. Some states like California require 1099s to be sent to certain entities that are exempt federally, while others mirror federal rules exactly. Always check your specific state's requirements. Great job everyone on emphasizing proper documentation and W-9 collection. That really is the foundation of compliant 1099 reporting!

I just wanted to jump in here as someone who works in business accounting and has helped clients through this process many times. All the advice here is spot on, especially about calling the business line at 800-829-4933. One thing I'd add that might help everyone - if you're calling during busy periods and getting frustrated with hold times, try calling right when they open at 7 AM (they're on Eastern time). The hold times are usually much shorter in that first hour. Also, Mondays and Fridays tend to be busier, so Tuesday-Thursday are typically your best bet for shorter waits. Another tip: if you're planning any major business changes in the next year (like changing your business structure or name), it might be worth asking the agent about those processes while you have them on the line. They can't always help with everything in one call, but they can at least point you toward the right forms and procedures so you're prepared for future changes. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed experiences - this is exactly the kind of practical, real-world advice that makes these processes so much less intimidating for first-timers! 🙌

Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who recently went through this process! I actually tried the online route first through the IRS Business Online Services portal, but like others mentioned, it didn't work for updating the EIN address. However, I did find it useful to create an online account beforehand because it gave me confidence that I had all my business info correct before calling. When I finally called the 800-829-4933 number, I followed Andre's advice about calling early (around 7:30 AM EST on a Wednesday) and only waited about 15 minutes! The agent was super professional and the whole thing took maybe 12 minutes once connected. One small tip I'd add: if you're nervous about the call like I was, practice explaining your situation out loud beforehand. Sounds silly, but it helped me feel more prepared and confident when talking to the agent. Also, make sure your phone is fully charged - nothing worse than your phone dying during an important call! The address change showed up in my online IRS account within about 10 business days, which was faster than I expected. Thanks everyone for making this process feel so much more manageable! 💪

I went through this exact same thing last year! The status change from "Being Processed" to "Still Being Processed" at 8 weeks usually indicates your return has moved into a manual review queue. This could be for income verification, identity verification, or just routine quality control checks. In my case, it took about 3 more weeks after the status change, but I did get my refund plus interest for the delay. The key thing is that "Still Being Processed" doesn't mean there's necessarily anything wrong - it's just their way of acknowledging it's taking longer than the standard timeframe. I'd definitely recommend checking your IRS transcript online to see if there are any specific codes that might give you insight into what's being reviewed. Hang in there - most people in your situation do get their refunds eventually!

The status change from "Being Processed" to "Still Being Processed" at 8 weeks is actually pretty standard and usually just means your return needs some additional review time. This could be anything from income verification to identity checks, or sometimes you just get stuck in a backlogged queue. I went through this same thing two years ago and it took about 6 more weeks, but I did eventually get my refund with interest for the delay. The key is that "Still Being Processed" doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem with your return - it's more about the IRS acknowledging it's taking longer than their standard processing time. Definitely check your IRS transcript online if you haven't already, as it might show specific codes that could give you more insight into what's causing the delay. Try to stay patient - I know it's frustrating, but most people in your situation do get their refunds eventually!

Did you check if you qualify for education credits? Since you mentioned you just got out of college, you might be eligible for the American Opportunity Credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit if you paid for educational expenses in the past year.

One thing that might help explain your situation is to look at your actual tax liability vs. what was withheld from your paychecks. With your total income of around $56,300 ($17,800 + $38,500), you're definitely in a higher tax bracket than what each individual employer was probably calculating when they withheld taxes. The multiple job issue that others mentioned is spot on - it's one of the most common reasons for smaller refunds or even owing money. Each employer's payroll system calculates withholding as if their job is your only income source, which can lead to significant under-withholding when combined. For next year, I'd definitely recommend using the IRS withholding calculator mid-year to check if you need to adjust your W-4. You might need to claim fewer allowances or request additional withholding on line 4(c) to avoid this surprise again. The $400 charitable donation will help a little, but it's relatively small compared to your total income. Also worth double-checking those education credits that Mohammed mentioned - if you paid any qualified education expenses this year, that could significantly boost your refund!