FREE ARITS SELF-EMPLOYED PARENT CHECK

Get a tighter, more useful tax estimate.

Use totals from your records and answer separately for each person you may claim. When the facts are complete, this tool aims for a preliminary federal range no wider than $2,000–$3,000.

Accuracy before a range

BUSINESS INCOME AND EXPENSES

Start with exact totals from your records

Use year-end totals whenever possible. For a joint return, include both spouses' income in the household fields.

Use your completed P&LA P&L shows what the business received, spent, and kept. Building it first gives this check a stronger starting point.

Contact ARITS for P&L assistance

Tax year Expected filing statusYour marital and household facts—not the largest refund—determine filing status. Gross business income$All business and gig payments before expenses, including cash and payment apps. Documented business expenses$Business costs supported by your P&L and records. Total W-2 wages for the return$Use Box 1 from every W-2, including your spouse's W-2s on a joint return. Federal income tax already paid$Add W-2 Box 2 withholding and confirmed federal estimated-tax payments. Other taxable income$Examples: unemployment, taxable retirement, or other income not entered above. Interest, dividends, and investment gains$Use your tax forms. Investment income can affect the earned income credit. Known adjustments that reduce income$Examples may include eligible HSA, deductible IRA, or student-loan-interest amounts. Qualified tips reported for the year$Enter only voluntary tips reported on a tax form or other statement. Occupation and income rules apply. Qualified overtime premium$Usually only the extra half of time-and-a-half pay—not all overtime wages. Interest on a qualifying personal vehicle loan$Enter interest only when the vehicle and loan appear to meet the current federal requirements.

I used income and payment records.I checked all Forms W-2 and 1099, payment-app reports, deposits, cash logs, and estimated-tax confirmations. I used documented business expenses.I did not add personal costs or change expenses to produce a particular refund.

HOUSEHOLD AND CREDIT CHECK

Tell us what could affect the estimate

These questions identify issues that can change a refund by thousands of dollars. "I'm not sure" is always safer than guessing.

Your age on December 31Used to screen age-based earned income credit rules. How many people might you claim?We will ask about each person separately. Do you—and your spouse on a joint return—have Social Security numbers valid for work?Do not enter the actual numbers here. Could someone else claim you or your spouse as a dependent? Were you—and your spouse on a joint return—a U.S. citizen or resident all year? Did you pay more than half the cost of keeping up your home?Important when checking head-of-household filing status. Did you have Marketplace health insurance?Marketplace insurance must be reconciled before a tight range can be supported. Could an education credit apply?ARITS will need Form 1098-T and education-payment records. Work-related childcare expenses$Amounts paid so you—and your spouse on a joint return—could work or look for work.

I answered using my actual household situation.I understand ARITS must confirm filing status and credit eligibility from complete records.

ONE PERSON AT A TIME

Check each possible dependent separately

Use a nickname or initials—do not enter Social Security numbers here. Select each numbered tab and complete every answer.

Earned income and benefits are different

Money from working is earned income. Social Security retirement, survivor benefits, SSDI, and SSI are generally not earned income. However, benefits spent on this person's living expenses can affect whether you provided more than half of their support. ARITS will review any taxable portion separately.

Example: Your mother received $18,000 in Social Security and earned $2,500 at a part-time job. Enter $2,500 as money earned from working and $18,000 as Social Security benefits. Then enter how much of the $18,000 she actually spent on her own rent, food, medical care, transportation, and other living expenses. The $18,000 is not treated as earned income, but the amount she spent can affect whether she qualifies as your dependent.

I answered from actual family and household facts.I can support age, relationship, where each person lived, and who paid their expenses.

PRELIMINARY RANGE AND MISSING ITEMS

Your refund is based on the law and your actual records.

ARITS will never recommend changing, leaving out, inventing, or moving income merely to increase a refund. All income must be reported accurately, and every expense and credit must be supported.

Contact ARITS to Prepare My Taxes

This is a preliminary federal planning range—not a completed return, guaranteed refund, eligibility decision, or tax advice. It does not include every special rule, state return, repayment, penalty, or tax situation. ARITS must review complete documents and conduct required due diligence before preparing a return.

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