I'm trying to read through Publication 17 on IRS and I started wondering are all the rules listed based on cash basis method or accrual basis method? What about rules regarding 1099 and 1098 forms? Is the default assumption that it's cash basis or accrual basis?
For last year's tax filing, I used TurboTax for myself and my parents and it was just too easy and fast. I got this feeling that "for most individuals and small businesses", tax filing has become MUCH easier due to those software tools.
Now with this trend, do you think there would be much less demand for enrolled agents??
I assumed it would be based on 2026 tax law if I take the exam in Jan 2027 but I wanted to double check.
For context, I did go to a state university in US many many years ago and got my bachelor's in history(but I did take many biochem/molecular courses because I was interested in them). 15 years later, I find myself really enjoying learning biochemistry/immunology through YouTube courses(taught by actual professors at universities).
Now the problem is after going through a divorce years ago, I don't have any money left so I can't go to an actual university(and I'm not eligible to get a loan). What I wanna ask is would it be possible or realistic to learn biochemistry/immunology on my own(maybe some tutors here and there) while working part time and then be at the level of a master's graduate in that field and then get a job in that field? Can I pass some really hard exam to prove my worth without any university degree in that field?
A few months ago, I had a rider who put in the wrong address and when I arrived, she told me she would pay me a few dollars in cash to go to the correct address(which was about 5 minutes away).
I refused and she got out of the car slightly angry. I gave her a 5 star anyway because I didn't think it was a big deal and I just didn't care much. A few days later, I realized my ratings went down because she gave me a 1 star(she was the only customer that week).
Fast forward to a few days ago, I got a customer from the same area who looked a bit similar to her but I honestly wasn't sure at all if that was the same customer that I had a few months ago. She was actually not rude or mad just neutral. I checked my ratings to day and I got another 1 star and now I'm sure it was her(I basically never got 1 stars except from her).
Now I'm wondering would it be possible for her to get my ride again and give me a 1 star again? The issue is I get so many riders and I would forget her face/name after a week so I wouldn't know if she gets in my car again.
What I heard was that riders can reverse the automatic block and choose to get the same driver again. Does anyone know if that's the case for sure?
Lately I read that according to Goldman Sachs, retail traders hold $12 trillion of equity assets in self-directed brokerage accounts, amounting to approximately 10% of total US corporate equity market value.
Now my question is what do they mean by "retail traders?? Are ETF shares and mutual fund shares bought by individual retail traders considered institutional investment because those ETF/mutual fund shares represent the baskets of equities specifically made by institutions?? Or are they considered retail investment because retail investors bought those shares and are holding them in their possession?
For a small retail investor that's not affiliated with any bank or investment org, is it possible to buy/sell ordinary shares of American stocks directly from NASDAQ exchange instead of buying any depository receipts or 3rd party?