Kinda confused on this. If someone doesn’t owe taxes at all, is there still a penalty for not filing? Or does the IRS only care if you actually owe money?
Location: Maryland
I guess since it’s legal advice, I just don’t want to get in trouble especially since it’s IRS related. I did post this in tax and IRS but I still need to get another lens on this…
I filed my 2025 taxes through someone who wasn’t a licensed tax preparer and they made mistakes, which resulted in a much larger refund than I should have received. Another accountant reviewed it and said it needs to be amended, so I’ll have to pay back part of the refund. Now I’m trying to pay the IRS online, but ID.me verification keeps failing (possibly due to 2024 tax info / identity issues).
TDLR: Has anyone dealt with this? What’s the best way to pay or fix the ID.me issue without online access?
Do I need to show up to the IRS? I thought I would be sent some mail or something but I’ve been dealing with this for like two months now…so there will be the penalty I have to pay as well…
Any help is truly appreciated.
As title states, I have a 401(A) with Empower that I am eligible to rollover even though I am below retirement age via a Separation in Service transaction.
The issue is that they do not offer a direct rollover, the only thing they will do is mail me a check and are forcing me to withhold 20% minimum for tax purposes. I understand that as long as I deposit the check within 60 days it does not create a taxable event, but will I have to foot the 20% withheld myself, and then wait to get it back during my next tax filing?
Also wondering what the implications of doing this are if I want to do a backdoor Roth in the future.
Anyone on this subreddit know who I should call for this kind of stuff? Account is too small for a CFP and I plan on running the portfolio myself anyway. CPAs haven't returned my calls.
Edited to add: Location is Oregon, USA
Hi all! Being at that slightly awkward stage where business growing much faster than our admin systems, and VAT has suddenly become one of those things I can’t just ignore anymore.
I’m running a small education-tech company out of UK. We sell paid training access, downloadable templates, and live workshop seats to startup teams. Most of our customers used to be local, but recently a decent chunk of sign-ups have been coming from Europe.
That sent me down a rabbit hole.
My problem isn’t one single tax question or something. It’s more like, where are customers located, what proof do we need to keep, when do we charge VAT, what rates apply, and who’s meant to file what. We also run occasional online events with speakers based in different countries, and some platforms collect tax automatically while others don’t, which makes the reports look kinda all over the place. as for now - I just need a system that works. Ideally VAT compliance services that can check whether we’re registered in the right place, sort out filings, review sales data, flag weird cases before they turn into expensive problems etc. Right now, everything is scattered between Stripe / our course platform / random CSV exports, so it’s very easy to miss something.
So looking at VAT compliance services as less of a tax trick and more like insurance against chaos. I need someone to tell me what data to collect, what registrations are actually required, how often returns need submitting, and whether our current sales setup is creating risks we haven’t noticed yet.
Basically I’d rather fix the process now than panic later when a tax office email shows up.
I’ve been getting IRS notices for the past few months about back taxes from a couple of years I didn’t file properly when I switched jobs.
I’m kind of overwhelmed and not sure if I should try to deal with it directly or get professional help. Has anyone here actually used a tax relief company? Are they worth it or just expensive middlemen?
I had a regular W-2 job last year and taxes were taken out of my paycheck, but I completely forgot to file by the deadline. I finally started working on my return and it looks like I’m actually getting a small refund, not owing anything.
What happens if you file your taxes late but don’t owe anything? Is there still a penalty, or is it mainly a problem when you owe taxes? Just trying to know what to expect before I submit it.
My federal tax return was accepted already, but my refund still hasn’t been approved or deposited yet. I checked the IRS refund tracker and it still seems stuck on the same status. I don’t think I made any major mistakes, but now I’m starting to worry because it’s taking longer than I expected.
Is this normal, or does it usually mean there’s an issue with the return? For those who experienced the same thing, how long did it take before your refund finally moved to approved or sent? Thanks in advance.
My employee had her house burn down earlier today, and I would like to give her some money to help with everything she is going through.
Is there a way for me & her to avoid payroll taxes on this money while it is still a business deduction?
Would setting up a go fund me and having the company donate avoid this?
This is not a bonus or anything, all the firefighters were out there and there is verifiable proof about her house burning down if anyone were to question it. Unfortunately, several of her pets passed away in the fire.
I'm trying to get an idea of where to find the right CPA., I'm looking into relocating and starting a llc for construction services and would be over $200,000 / yr. I'm thinking it would be very simple in terms of expenses. Myself and one other person on payroll. Only other real expenses would be vehicle related.
Does anyone have any recommendations for providers? I dont believe I'd need a month to month service just for quarterly to make sure I dont screw anything up terribly. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
- EDIT : Think we've got it figured out, thanks!
I have already done my backdoor conversion for the year in March 2026. I rolled over my previous employers 401k into the current employers 403b and since both employer retirement accounts are at fidelity I never received the check. My traditional ira accounts are all 0 in value and will remain so. I don’t believe pro rata should apply but I thought I’ll check with the think tank. Maybe I should have just left this alone but I did it and now realizing what I’ve done.
I usually see people mention TurboTax, but I’ve also seen FreeTaxUSA recommended a lot. My return is pretty simple: W-2 income, maybe a little bank interest, and no business income.
Is FreeTaxUSA actually okay for a basic return, or is TurboTax worth paying for? Just trying to avoid making a mistake while also not spending more than I need to.
Long post but I want to give full context because this situation has been a saga.
Background
I've been with the same tax prep firm for nearly 10 years. They're primarily a business-oriented firm that has kept me on as a personal filer out of loyalty. This year my return was handled by someone I've never worked with before.
The OBBBA Overtime Deduction
My original 2025 return was filed and signed in mid-March. A week later I discovered, through a family member in accounting, that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act introduced a deduction for the FLSA premium portion of overtime pay for 2025-2028. I had a meaningful amount of overtime on my W2. The deductible premium portion is approximately 1/3 of total overtime, worth a few hundred dollars in federal savings.
My tax preparer never asked about overtime. Never mentioned the OBBBA in their planning opportunities summary. I had to bring it to them myself.
The Documentation Battle
My preparer initially said they needed a formal employer breakout of the FLSA premium portion, not just my pay stub. I went back to my employer's payroll department, who called their payroll provider directly. The response was that there was "no qualified OT to report for 2025" because the reporting infrastructure wasn't in place yet.
I then found IRS Notice 2025-69, which explicitly states that when an employer cannot provide a separate accounting, the employee may use pay statements and apply a reasonable method to calculate the premium. I sent this to my preparer and they finally agreed to proceed using my pay stub.
The Amendment
The amended return was signed April 1, well before the April 15 deadline. My preparer filed a 1040-X. On April 15, three payments hit my checking account exceeding my amended balance due by roughly $800. Two payments were labeled "Amended Return Payment" for the same amount, and a third was labeled "Balance Payment." The duplicate is clear.
My Questions
After researching, I came across guidance indicating that when a correction is caught before the filing deadline, the correct approach is to file a superseding 1040, not a 1040-X. A superseding return replaces the original entirely and is treated as the controlling document. A 1040-X filed before the deadline can create confusion and processing delays.
My preparer pushed back on this, saying superseding returns are "edge case" and the 1040-X was appropriate, and that the duplicate payment was an IRS processing issue unrelated to the form type used.
The IRS transcripts show the overpayment is on record but the amendment has not fully processed yet. I'm being told to wait and keep calling the IRS myself, which so far has meant two hours on hold ending in a disconnection.
Thanks in advance.
SoFi is offering 2% match on IRAs transferred in. I am currently at Schwab. I am unable to contribute to a Roth anymore for the last few years due to my income. The match value must go into the same account that is being transferred. Can I still take advantage of this offer?
SoFi’s support article says:
“The match or bonus is treated as interest earned.
This does not impact contribution limits, but will be reportable on IRS Form 1099-INT, 1099-MISC, or Form 1042-S as applicable. The member is responsible for any applicable federal, state or local taxes associated with receiving the offer. If a member is charged an early withdrawal fee due to withdrawing funds that earned the bonus before the five (5) year Holding Period is complete, they will not receive an updated IRS Form 1099.”
To me this reads like it should be fine. I’ll get the bonus, pay taxes on said bonus only, and then it just is a part of my Roth IRA going forward.
I'll try to be direct and concise:
Home price $350,000 (selling for this)
Country/State: US/CA
Income: $100,000-130,000/yr
Paying buying/selling commission: 3% each (6% tot on commissions)
Balance on mortgage: $289,000
Any way to estimate what I should set aside for tax? Don't want to spend money that will eventually need to be paid to IRS.
Keeping things vague for the sake of anonymity, but my parent is seeking to employ me as an assistant to their small business. This is an on-the-books company. They create the work hours and I will be paid an hourly wage, and be a part time employee. Should I be getting a W2 or 1099? Which one would be more beneficial for me financially to where I’d have to pay less taxes? And is there one option that’s “legal” here or are they both? Thank you in advance!
I purchase almost all my business’ inventory through a company called TCGplayer, a company owned by ebay. My business has a valid resale certificate / sales tax exemption since I resell the inventory I purchase from them. For 4 years they honored that resale certificate (in a way, they gave people store credit refunds for the sales tax they paid once monthly), then last July 2025 they appeared to stop accepting resale certificates and tax exemptions altogether.
I didn’t realize they did this, and they’ve collected over $25,000 this past year from me in sales taxes that I DO NOT OWE. I made 50k last year and this egregious sales tax exemption program decision has destroyed my business.
When I tried to rectify this with them they sent me to Florida Department of Revenue. Florida department of revenue said that I needed to get the tax from TCGplayer and not them, and if I wanted it from FDOR I had to get a form DR26A from TCGPlayer (vendor) and there’s a 0% chance they fill that out for me and give me rights to get the sales tax back.
If I pursue a one time lawsuit, they will likely ban me in retaliation and my business will be destroyed. Are they doing anything illegal in their sales tax exemption process and does anyone have any advice or have you seen any business just refuse to honor sales tax exemptions and apparently that’s legal?
Filed april 14th this year, transcripts says “no taxes filed” or sum like that no codes it’s been 29 days i don’t understand why simple return i’m in the army so only getting federal return i am getting the ACTC don’t know if that affects it since i filed in april im just confused why it’s taking long any help,advice, or anything.
My last day working as an office assistant/personal assistant for a therapist was on Friday. This evening, they texted me asking for my social security number. Do I have to give it to them?
Some background info: they hired me via craigslist about a year and a half ago. They were looking for someone to help with office work and also personal tasks. They never asked for personal information outside of my email and phone number, and I was paid weekly via Zelle. This was not a typical hourly wage and I was paid a small chunk of money according to how many tasks I completed that week.
Earlier in the year, I requested a 1099-NEC and was never given one. I filed the 8k I made as miscellaneous income.
I'm assuming they need my social security number for tax purposes, but I would like to avoid giving them my info. They are extremely disorganized, and they don't operate how they're supposed to. It took me way too long to realize my boss did not have boundaries and made a lot of questionable decisions.
Can I contact the IRS and provide my info directly rather than sharing it with my former boss? I read something about a Form SS-8. Should I fill out one of those?
Should I be concerned that they reached out via text on a Sunday evening to ask for this info? Thank you for your help.
Can I avoid capital gains here?
Note: this is ammended to remove the 2022 taxes as I have resolved them.
Hey friends.
Let me know if I'm doing anything wrong posting here.
Long story short; I live outside of the USA, moved 2021. I paid my taxes before I moved and did not have a proper income until well into 2022. Due to a mistake on my part, I didn't realize that I needed to file.
I have all of the appropriate numbers for the 2021 year and I want to file things to get caught up. I tried to work with a tax preparer and they said they couldn't file for year 2021. My tax preparer has helped me complete 2022 to current.
What forms do I have to file myself for 2021 to get them properly filed but obviously late? I don't have assets and my income was zero for the 2021 year. Is it just putting zeroes in the applicable fields in a 2021 dated 1040 and sending it in or is there something more I am missing?
Let me know if anything was unclear, I am happy to clarify. I need to know which forms to file for 2021, where to send it, and if I need to pay anything.
Thank you in advance. I am a rank novice in matters of tax and assistance is welcome. I tried posting this in r/taxhelp but it kept getting flagged by the filters. I have no idea why.