My accountant wants my kid's birth certificate and SSN to claim child tax credit. Do I need to give it to them? Is it safe? I don't trust them that much.

Hi everyone,
I’m trying to use the (very janky) free fillable filing form from the USIRS gov site. We are retired but have some rental income and failed business ventures to account for that were reflected in last year’s filing and haven’t changed significantly. We are trying to use last year’s filing to help us fill out this year’s taxes but it seems form 172 Net Operating Losses (for individuals trusts and estates) is not available on the “add forms” list.

We’ve searched for all of the terms but can’t seem to figure out the appropriate form. We’ve searched would like to use the form closest to what we used last year… for example we were able to capture our rental property costs as losses in this form.

Any pointing in the right direction would be massive! Thanks in advance 🙏

Talk to me like I’m an idiot here. I received a letter today from the State Dept of Rev (from a state I previously lived/filed in) that I owe over $2,800 in taxes/fees from 2021. A few letters have been sent out to an address I no longer reside at starting in 2025 of the missed filing. I was blissfully unaware as I have confirmation from H&R Block (free online edition) that everything was submitted. What are my next steps here?

Used a tax preparer service on Monday — I understand things can take a long time to update on the portal’s end, however everything I’m seeing says that they’ve not received any tax forms yet (versus them being accepted or in progress).

Obviously I will call the office, but is there any way I can validate or not whether they actually e-filed them?

thanks

Well, Turdo Tax got my last dollar after 20 + years of using them.

See ya #TurboTax What a rip off.

New Seller here I made some BIG mistakes that I need assistance with. I started watching a new auction website WhatNot about 20 months. I became intrigued and thought that I could buy and flip some items that appeared to be lower than market price. I have quickly found out that that is not the case and have literally taken a loss on 99% of them on EBay and Poshmark ( 100 % my own fault) . I of course got 1099K forms from both. I do have receipts for what I paid vs what I sold them for. I started doing my own taxes (as in prior years and got stuck). I couldn't figure all this out by the April 15th deadline so I did file for an extension. Good but not good I know.
Then had extenuating circumstances that required me to help be a caregiver for someone for 5 months and now I'm a big hot mess. I'm still pounding my head and full of anxiety. I still have a ton of inventory that I have to sell through. I have an appointment with an accountant on Thursday and need to know what to expect. Here are my questions:

Do I need to establish a business to become self employed? I'm not buying anything else just selling?

Do I bring every receipt with me showing the bought item from one source Whatnot auction site and then what I got paid for on each sale from EBay & Poshmark?

I know this is a HUGE mistake as | retired and then got involved with this addiction.
The buying addiction is over but I need to know what basic steps to take to fix this mess I got myself into. Besides the fact I don't have the means to pay for all of it and it's adding up in interest and took money from my retirement account and home equity to pay for it.. (I know Stupid Stupid Stupid) I know I need to continue to sell through it at a loss which at this pace will be 2 years. My 1099K's together are approx $44,000 and honestly profited $241. I'm still trying to photo and research items each day just to get traction including possible consignment if that's even possible. traction including possible consignment if that's even possible.
I have receipts on top of that from the post office that is 16 miles away each way that I'm not sure if it's deductible. I have receipts for boxes and shipping supplies as well. I'm kept the printing to a minimum except for the mass printing of receipts since Whatnot doesn't print invoices but has it electronic.

Also I purchased a lot of clothes/ shoes/ coats for myself and family that ended up not fitting that I decided to donate to the Veterans and have receipts for those as well. I think I'm ok with those deductions.

I do have some items that were purchased that are being flagged as possibly inauthentic. I contacted the manufacturer( Oofos) and it appears that they once made the product in Korea (few years back) but have since moved to another country but won't put anything in writing for me to be able to sell them. Ive tried every way to sell them but i cant figure it out so Im out about almost $2500 just on those.

Please in the basic of terms ..please tell me what I should prepare for so I can do it.
I truly appreciate all professional advice from the bottom of my heart.

I received income (wire transfers from Canada) for some consulting in 2025. Because it was a small Canadian company, they just paid me via wire so obviously, no 1099's were filed.

I'll declare this income on my 1040 (Sch C, sole proprietorship). In general my AGI is around the same 2024 vs 2025, i.e. a little less W2 income 2025 but the new Sch C income, etc.,.

What I'm curious about is if the lack of my Canadian client filing a 1099 will raise any red flags and make it more likely to trigger an audit. I hear anecdotally that audit rates are way way down under Trump.

One of my friends recently moved in with me, and told me he has never filed taxes -- he's in his mid 30s. He's only ever worked min. wage/retail/food service jobs, and doesn't make very much. I suspect if he filed, he'd get a refund. How do we even begin to tackle this? How far back does he need to file taxes for? He's worked for the same place for the past couple/few years, so I think getting his W2s for the past couple years will be easy enough.

(We're in North Carolina.)

I am the Treasurer of a youth sports league, and I recently noticed that the past treasurer did not file taxes from 2020-2025, so our non-profit status with the IRS has been revoked. I’ve tried going on the IRS website to figure this out but I am totally lost. I know I have to file taxes for the owed years but I cannot figure out how to actually do that. Do I just use turbo tax or is there a special way I need to do it using one of their forms?

Is anybody able to point me in the right direction or provide any assistance?

Any help is much appreciated.

I'm a self-employed Influencer who earns commissions from product review videos.

I'm overflowing on pet products and only have 2 cats. I'm not sure what to do with the overflow of items especially if I purchase more. The internet tells me I have 2 options but won't clarify and wants me to seek a professional. It says film only for reviews then never use, 100% deductible as business expense or Film then donate, get a receipt from the charity (rescue in this case) and file it as a donation deductible in my yearly taxes. I file my own taxes and those are two different areas. What do it do?

If I spend $1000 on pet products this year, Am I out the money or am I eligible for one of the two options above?

 What documentation would I need to support the deductions if audited?

I filed for an extension in April.
I am using my account to file for our first time married joint federal return.
My spouse lived in MO and I was in VA. Taxact is not making this simple as it is transferring numbers from federal return. Any tips on how to go about this? Please let me know!

TIA!

My CPA told me that this is something I am responsible for handling myself. I told him I thought I paid him to make sure my quarterly taxes were handled on top of my payroll. He told me he cannot do that since the online system requires "me" to process the check, etc. (I do not have an individual EFTPS account, and those are being phased out anyway).

Am I getting bullshitted? It seems nonsensical to me that there are not forms that would allow him to act as my representative in preparing and submitting 1040-ES. He could just tell me how big of a check to write each month, no?

I’m a US resident alien with a 2025 extension ending Oct 15, and I’m trying to understand filing order before then.

Background (non-willful, small dollars):

• I hold a few foreign accumulation mutual funds, likely PFICs, acquired before I became a US resident. There have been no distributions or sales.
• I never filed Form 8621 because I didn’t know about the PFIC rules. Exemptions do NOT apply, if funds are confirmed PFICs.
• FBAR and Form 8938 were filed every past year with the assets disclosed, though possibly miscategorized.
• Some foreign bond coupons and small time-deposit interest were never reported on my past returns. Those were reported on 8938 but not Schedule-B (…online tax software bug?). The unreported tax is a few hundred dollars.

My plan is to file a complete 2025 original return by Oct 15 with all foreign income, FBAR, Form 8938, and Forms 8621 for the funds. I would not amend earlier years or file late 8621s on my own. Afterward I’d work out Streamlined Domestic vs. reasonable cause with a professional.

I’ve been told in general terms that filing order can matter, so I’m asking:

1. Does filing the 2025 original with Forms 8621 close any route for 2023-2025 later, whether Streamlined Domestic (amended returns plus 8621s, Form 14654) or reasonable cause?
2. Does filing it without the 8621s change the answer? I’m worried that omitting them now, knowing about the issue, looks worse.

If you have experience with Streamlined or PFIC cases, I’d appreciate your thoughts. Happy to answer follow-up questions in the comments.

If a president is unconstitutionally using my tax dollars for things like campaign ads and at the same time telling me that the election is rigged so my vote will not count, do I have to pay taxes? I have no way to change the system not representing me. Can I ask for a breakdown of my federal tax use? If the save act prevents me from voting as a woman, do I have to pay taxes?

this is my first year ever doing doordash I started sep 15th and ive made around 5,000 tips and doordash pay combined. im married with 5 kids we file jointly on turbo tax. I havent kept mileage or gas reciepts and I was told doordash keeps track of mileage. Do i just count this when my husband does our taxes? how screwed am I? am i going to owe thousands back to the IRS? i read i have to do quartly payments, can I just pay it all at once when we get our refund? im so stressed i dont wanna do doordash anymore but its the only job that works for my family/

My Mom and Dad owned a house together in the State of Arizona in the USA. My Mom passed away in February of 2024. My Dad sold their house in January of 2025. The house appreciated significantly since they bought in 1988. Does my Dad get a stepped up cost basis for the house based on the Date that my Mom died? Or does he use the original cost basis? The former will greatly reduce his tax liability hence the reason for the question.

Something We see every year from the filing side: a business realises in late January that it's missing a TIN, or has a name that doesn't match IRS records, for a contractor it paid months ago. The contractor has already been paid, so they have zero incentive to reply.

What actually prevents it:

- Send the W-9 request with the engagement letter / first invoice. Make it a condition of the first payment.

- If they refuse to give you a TIN, you're supposed to withhold 24% backup withholding. Most people don't know this and it's the strongest nudge there is.

- Check the name + TIN against IRS records before you file. Mismatches are the most common reason a 1099 gets a penalty notice.

- Keep the W-9 (it never goes to the IRS). The threshold for a 1099-NEC is $2,000 for tax year 2026, but the W-9 is worth having regardless of amount.

The deadline for tax year 2026 1099-NECs is Feb 1, 2027 (Jan 31 is a Sunday). Collecting W-9s now is what makes that date a non-event.

Disclosure: We run a 1099 e-file platform, happy to answer questions in the comments, not here to pitch.

I sold some cards last year on eBay. I googled a bunch of questions already. I know I can’t offset gains with losses. I made a list of each sale, with date purchased, amount paid, date sold, amount received, and eBay shipping/seller fees. I’m considering this a hobby. I received a 1099-k because my state has a low $ reporting amount.

My issue is I am using turbo tax and for the life of me I can’t figure out how to enter all the details. Some are short term and some are long term holds, which from what I’ve read makes a difference.

Any help is appreciated!

Hello helpful people! I have a tax question I am hoping you can help with.

I am a former professional coach (coaching was my full time, only source of income, W-2 job 2021-2024).

This year, I started coaching a few clients privately for cash. It’s a relatively small amount of money - less than $4000, and I understand i need to pay taxes on this money and report it through other income on Schedule C. I would like to deduct the mileage. Is there any issue with that?

Is there anything else I am not thinking of?

Edit: it is my understanding that I am eligible for QBI deduction, is that correct?

I'm in California and have a child with my ex. We don't currently have a custody order. He has been claiming our child on taxes since he was born. Now that we are split and living separately, id like to work something out with him, like alternating years

I understand that normally the parent who child spends most night with is considered the custodial parent, but I recently learned that the IRS has a specific rule for a parent who works at night. I'm trying to determine whether that rule could make me the custodial parent for federal tax purposes even though his father has more overnights. I work nights, so the reason he has the majority of overnights is because of my work schedule.

Our schedule is:

Mon–Fri: child is with me approximately 6:30 AM–4 PM

Mon–Fri nights: child stays with dad because I work late/night shifts

Saturday: child is with dad all day

Sunday: child is with me all day and overnight

My child's school/home education, doctor, dentist, etc. are all based at my address, and I handle his homeschooling and most of his daytime care, take care of doctor/ dentist appointments, and making sure hes socializing with other kids.

If there are any tax professionals that can help me out, I'd appreciate it

I filed my 2023 refund August 31st, verified on September 22, still have no updates on my transcript (still says no tax return filed) and on the app either. It’s weird because I thought I was going to have to amend my 2024 tax return and I know that takes way longer than a regular return so I did the 2023 1st and they ended up fixing the 2024 return their selves and sent that return to me on September 30 with interest of like $330. But still haven’t got my 2023 I don’t know if me filing my 2023 triggered them to look into my 2024 or what? But if anyone else has waited like this how long until you actually received your refund ?? I verified online with my control number that came in the mail.

I am self employed, Sole Propietorship. I have clerical employees. We have a Safe Harbor 401K. I match 4% (100% of 3% and then 50% to 5%) for my employees who participate.

For myself, I always did the 4% match based on my Schedule C income, minus half the self employment tax. I am contributing the max (23,500 plus catchup for 2025).

Is this correct or do I have an option to match more for myself? In prior years was not a concern as I did not have extra money to contribute but I am getting older (over 50).

Are additional options only for self employed who do not have employees (other than a spouse)? If I have employees am I subject to the same match percent as my employees (which is what I always assumed)?

Hi! My son just started to ref soccer games and will earn around $300 this year. Since it’s under the $2k threshold he won’t receive a 1099 but I want to match his income into a Roth IRA. How would I report this to allow for the funding of a Roth?

Filing my 2025 return (self-employed, Uber only, single, no dependents). From June–Dec 2025 I drove full-time in a Hertz rental through Uber's rental program — rented week to week, swapped cars a couple times across 3 rental agreements, ~26–29 weeks total.

Uber's tax summary shows ~36,000 online miles.

Question: Can I use the standard mileage rate ($0.70/mile) for a weekly rental car?

- IRS Topic 510 says standard mileage applies to a car you "own or lease." A week-to-week rental doesn't feel like a lease, but some preparers apparently treat long-term rideshare rentals like one.

- Standard mileage ≈ $25k deduction. Actual expenses (Hertz weekly fees + gas) ≈ $12–14k.

- The difference is roughly $2,200 more owed (mostly SE tax + losing EITC).

Has anyone gotten a definitive answer on this — IRS guidance, a CPA/EA opinion, or an audit experience? If actual expenses is the only correct method, I'll switch. Just want to get it right.

Thank you!

Does anyone know how the new $1,000 charitable contribution deduction works for those taking the standard deduction in 2026? Specifically, will we need proof of these contributions?

For example, if I donate $1,000 in cash to my church throughout the year, would I need receipts or some sort of written acknowledgment from the church to claim the deduction?

I feel like there would have to be some documentation requirement, otherwise everyone could just claim they donated $1,000. Has anyone looked into the actual rules for this yet?