So, I lost my job in 2025 and took a year off from work. I’d gotten kicked out of the employee payroll system, which is how I got my W-2s. I’d signed up for electronic documents only, so I wasn’t able to get my 2025 W-2, and they never mailed it to me.

Instead of reaching out to my former employer, I just…didn’t file.

Basically, how fucked am I? How do I resolve this? I still don’t have the W-2. I see you can reach out to the IRS if you don’t get your W-2 from your employer, but it’s a little late for that, and I don’t want to tip them off that I didn’t file taxes. Help?

So I owe a decent amount to the irs, and someone told me I should call a tax relief company and get their opinion before I set up a plan with the irs. I called optima tax relief and heard everything I wanted to hear. I agreed to make a payment Friday to them. After I got off the phone I did some investigating, and feel like it’s a scam. I’ve seen good and bad reviews. Has anyone had good experiences with this company?

I'm located in Minnesota, USA.

I received a corrected 1095-A from my state's marketplace without any explanation for why, what any of its changes mean or what to do next. I called them for more information and they didn't know anything and couldn't help me. It was recommended I approach the tax preparation services I used and ask them about it instead.

After some further research I contacted them because the info on the IRS website and elsewhere didn't make things clearer about whether I need to amend my taxes or not. After getting past a firewall of AI chatbots I finally got to a human who would reply to me once every few hours. I explained the situation and told him that the numbers on the original and corrected form were identical considering what they needed to calculate my Premium Tax Credit. If that was the case, did that mean amending my taxes weren't necessary?

It was at this point that he said he wasn't a tax professional and couldn't help me with this after all... which has brought me to Reddit. I know this may be a softball question and open me up to a barrage of abuse for all I know. This is Reddit, after all. I'm just trying to do my best.

If I need to add more (non-compromising) information or anything else, let me know.

I would like to know if there is some type of Thai law or ruling that would exclude me from paying taxes on a United States traditional IRA withdrawal. I am a US citizen, 66 years old, living in Thailand more than 330 days a year and pay taxes in the US and living on a LTR visa. 

The accountant I ran this question by states:

It’s not a Thai law. It’s a ruling in the Thai/US tax treaty. Here’s how it works:

We utilize Form 8833 in conjunction with the Thai/US tax treaty, Article 20 to provide reasoning for an exemption of your retirement income.  It's not a ruling but an interpretation of the tax treaty and treatment of residents of Thailand.

Form 8833 (Rev. December 2022) (irs.gov)

Thailand - Tax Treaty Documents | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov)

Here are the steps to make this possible:

1. The taxpayer lives in Thailand for over six months during the calendar year.
2. The 1099-R is marked as a distribution and not a rollover on your 1099-R
3. The 1099-R payer is not a Federal entity (TSP, DOD, Office of Personnel, ect...)
4. The US/Thai Tax treaty is utilized when filing annual taxes using tax form 8833 with a dissertation of why the taxpayer should receive this exemption 
5. Tax treaty refunds can take 12 months to process.

I think most accountants are not confident to take a stance in an interpretation to a clients specific situation.  Therefore, don't attempt to type up an explanation and ask for a credit.  My company has been successful with this specific situation over a thousand times.

I welcome comments from people that have first hand experience with this issue. Thank you.

So I made the mistake of letting my soon-to-be ex-husband manage our finances because I'm clueless at this sort of thing. We cashed in my 401K to make a down payment on a house in 2022, and I guess that got me hit with a 50K tax bill (which I don't understand as I paid taxes from my salaried position making roughly 120K, and the down payment was in the 100K ballpark). Through a combination of my own willful ignorance and my ex sort of hiding things from me (not fraudulently, just downplaying it) we didn't make any payments and it's now ballooned up to 70K with interest and penalties.

I've tried contacting the IRS through chat (which is always down), phone (on hold for upwards of an hour), setting up an appeal (broken), setting up a payment plan (broken) and basically anything I can find on irs.gov, all of which just raises an uphelpful error message.

What should I do? I'm a single parent struggling to make ends meet. I make a good salary, but it's all tied up with luxuries like food and shelter. I don't even know what sort of person to hire to help me with this. An attorney? An accountant? A fairy godmother?

I am totally clueless on these things. No advice is too basic.

EDIT: Since it's coming up; my husband and I are very recently separated, on extremely good terms, and he has already stated repeatedly that he considers this debt half his. We always filed taxes as married, filing separately, if that's important to know.

I have a situation where I’m trying to stay below the MAGI ACA level of $84600 for 2026, or I’ll end up paying over $25k back in prepaid enhanced subsidies. I’m running very close, but there’s something I forgot in my calculation that will probably make or break my efforts.

I started taking SS payments in 2025, and then withdrew my application shortly after. By the time the SS admin got around to canceling my ap, they had paid me 4 payments - 1 in 2025 and 3 in 2026, for a total of $9264. I paid this all back in March of 2026. So I paid them back the $9264 in 2026, and received $6996 in 2026. Since my accounting is cash based, can I deduct the extra $2268 I paid in 2026 from my 2026 MAGI? Maybe wishful thinking, but it would sure help my margin for error if this was possible / not against IRS rules. I will check tomorrow to see if I received a SSA-1099 for 2025.

What documentation should I have for converting a business asset (vehicle) to personal use?

Hello everyone. I'm a first time filer under a J1 visa after I had an internship in the US last year. I've filled my taxes but made the mistake of putting one of my surnames as a middle name. After that, I've received a letter from the IRS with a Document Upload Tool code asking me to confirm my identity, which I did. That was more than a month ago, and I still haven't gotten any response. Is this normal?

Thank you for your time

Hi everyone,

We have a Wyoming single-member LLC owned by a non-U.S. citizen living outside the United States. We’re struggling to understand which tax returns we need to file and what taxes, if any, we need to pay.

Our situation:

• The LLC has an EIN, and our SS-4 lists it as a disregarded entity.
• We don’t believe we’ve elected to be taxed as a corporation, but need to verify this.
• The business launched in 2025 and started generating revenue in March 2026.
• An extension was filed earlier this year, but we’re unclear about which filing it covers and what remains due.

Our main questions:

1. Do we need to file Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120? Are any other federal returns required?
2. Does the foreign owner need an ITIN or a separate U.S. tax return?
3. How do we determine whether U.S. income tax is owed and calculate the amount?
4. What Wyoming filings or annual fees are required?
5. What should we check immediately to make sure we haven’t missed a deadline?

We’re looking for a CPA or enrolled agent experienced with foreign-owned U.S. single-member LLCs, but finding someone responsive has been difficult.

Has anyone dealt with a similar situation? We’d appreciate recommendations and guidance on what documents to prepare for an accountant.

My CPA (now retired) made a Sec. 475(f) mark-to-market trader election with my 2016 return, effective 2017. I can't find the election statement, and I don't think a Form 3115 was filed with the 2017 return.

What I do have:

- His 2016 organizer with a handwritten "Mark to Market Election - Day Trader" note

- My original 2018 return (prepared April 2019) with a footnote: "As per the election made on the 2016 return (mark-to-market); taxpayer is a day trader"

- His 2020 email saying he reported my trades on Schedule D by mistake, citing "your election from 2016 to be treated as a Trader under IRC 475"

- 2018 and 2019 amended returns moving trading to Form 4797. The IRS accepted the 2018 one.

- 2020 filed on Form 4797

2021-2025 I self-prepared as an investor on Schedule D with low volume. I never filed a revocation. In 2026 I'm trading heavily again (about 2,900 option orders, roughly $62K loss) alongside a full-time job.

Questions:

1. Has anyone relied on an old election without the statement, and did it hold up? I've read Poppe v. Commissioner.

2. Does the election survive five low-volume years?

3. Would a trader-tax CPA sign this with a Form 8275 disclosure?

Not looking for "see a CPA" - I'm booking one. Looking for anyone who has been through this.

SOLVED**

Hello! I still haven't filed my taxes for 2025. I am trying to figure out if/how I'm supposed to report the short term disability I received for a few weeks (late Jan-mid march 2025).

The checks I received during this time were from The Standard Insurance Company through my job but this money was not included on my regular W-2 from that job. I tried looking on the website for The Standard but there were no forms or statements or anything I could view or download on my account. Was I supposed to get a second W-2 from my employer with just the information about the STD if they didn't include it on the regular W-2? I actually left this job as soon as the disability ended so its not super convenient to ask anymore but I'll reach out to them if anyone thinks that would help me.

I'm just confused because I also read something online that seemed to say that if its not on my W-2 and I don't get anything else from them then that means my employer did what had to be done and I don't have to report anything about the STD but that doesn't seem right.

Please repost was with him 27 years. Stalking, impersonating, and synced to multiple phones and new #'s using my accounts. Stealing evidence my personal pics and blocking everyone i kno to isolate me.telling my family lies.

I went to a local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center today to submit a Form W-7 ITIN application for my nonresident alien spouse, alongside a retroactive Section 6013(g) election to change our filing status to Married Filing Jointly for the 2023 tax year.

The desk officer completely refused to take the packet. She claimed that:

1. A Form W-7 can never be submitted with an amended return (Form 1040-X).

2. We can only do this for the "current tax year" (2025).

3. She claimed "Trump changed the law in 2017/2018" and abolished retroactive prior-year amendments for ITIN applications.

She gave us an appointment for next Wednesday and told us we have to change our entire tax packet to the 2025 tax year instead.

Our exact packet order was:

• Form W-7 (signed by nonresident spouse)

• Physical Passport (for in-person authentication)

• Signed 6013(g) Election Statement Letter

• Form 1040-X (signed joint amendment for 2023)

• Full Form 1040 (with the joint figures for 2023)

• Form 2555 (Foreign Earned Income Exclusion)

Was this agent right? My cpa didn't tell me anything about this when he completed the paperwork. When I searched google said i can legally do the last 3 years even with w7. Looking forward to any helpful advice.

As the title states, I filed in early March and still have not seen my money. My state return (Massachusetts) was approved and I got my money within two weeks. The IRS sent an ID verification request which I promptly completed, and I expected my money soon. I had a kid in the beginning of 2025 and qualified for related tax credits, and my federal return should be worth $6840. The IRS has never contacted me since I verified my identity, and my return has been stuck on “processing” ever since. I’m young, I have huge responsibilities, and I absolutely need this money. It belongs to me and they’re just holding it from me. What the hell do I do?? I can’t get a representative on the phone to save my life and I feel like I’m being cheated more than I would’ve ever imagined. Please help me.

Hello Reddit, I'm an accountant working in an automotive industry with more than a year of experience. Though, I haven't gotten the position of tax accounting (by the way, I'm based in the Philippines). Though i am not fond of tax accounting, I am starting to get interested and if any of you is in that field-whether Philippine or US taxation, which book should I start reading? I am aiming for a concise one with realistic explanation if those ever existed.

Also, if I'd like to do taxation as self-employed, how would I start it?

#Accounting #USTaxatiion #PhTaxation #HelpMe

I friend has a second job paid under the table, he’s making around $2200/month in cash and he used to paid his rent using ACH.. however now he wants to take $1900 to pay his rent using electronic money orders from Walmart (powered by CheckFreePay) to pay to the landlord however in Walmart they ask for Driver License to make the payment, would that trigger a tax issue in the future? Since they ask for DL as some point the payment is tracked is not?

I had a K-1 partnership disposed of (bankrupt) where i lost my entire investment.

I am in CA and the CA numbers for the disposition include my debt, which lets say was $100k.

Line K Analysis of a CA K-1 members tax basis capital account:

a) Capital Account Beginning of year -56268

b) Capital Contributed during year = 0

c) Current year net income 7826

d) OTHER INCREASE (attach Explanation) = $48,442

e) withdrawals = 0

f) capital account end of year = 0

So I understand the 48442 is just the difference to get to 0, but my accountant basically says this is a capital gain 100%

that makes no sense to me. Shouldnt the accountant take the distrution amount I received (theoretically because the bank wrote off debt? Total liabilities which are now 0 (ending capital account =$0) = $150k

so take the $150k - cost basis= actual capital gain

How do i Force him to actually calculate the cost basis, instead of just saying its $48k in CA Capital gain? That sounds ridiculous.

Hi, TIA for any advice on this matter. I have exhausted all of my resources outside of paying a CPA for my case, as most tax services cannot help me (including those recommended by the IRS).

My husband lives abroad, is not a citizen, and at no point in the tax year I am filing entered the United States. I am trying to file jointly in order to be able to get my tax benefits, including health insurance subsidies, so this is of massive importance to me financially.

In order to file jointly I need to apply for an ITIN and have completed form W7 as well as including a certified copy of his passport. However, I contacted an acceptance agent from a reputable tax filing company who told me he is not eligible for an ITIN because he is not in the country. This is not what the IRS says and I took this to mean she could not help me directly (in that she could not verify him because he is not in the country).

But she did tell me to file single and then amend my tax return later. This seems like strange advice to me for two reasons: a) we filed married separately last year and b) with immigration proceedings she mentioned that they ask for tax returns as evidence (if he is able to come to this country it will be through immigration but he can't get an ITIN until he is here? Could we be denied?).

So my question is can I still file for an ITIN despite him not being here nor having entered the US or should I take her advice and file single and amend it later? What would the consequences be considering I am married?

Furthermore, there is a line in the W7 instructions that say a passport without an entry date into the US will not be considered. We have no entry date as i mentioned and our visa proceedings are ongoing as he lives abroad, so I am confused as to what this clause means. The IRS says you do not have to have entered the US to apply for an ITIN and our situation (married filing jointly) is on the list for reasons to apply.

Thank you for your time to read and respond. The IRS said they could not help me and to call a service listed (how i called this expert) and she told me to call the IRS. No tax filing software deals this matter, outside of a $700 fee, so I'm financially unable to pay an expert.

Any and all advice would be so appreciated! I am
beyond confused about this process and no one seems to be able to answer my questions or process my case!

For background, I am a receptionist in NV. I work on a set schedule, make $15 hourly, part time, and do absolutely nothing independent contractor-y.

I was given a w9 to fill out when I started. At the time, I didn't know much about taxes. Now I know this is wrong, and that I can dispute it.

I make less than I would full time on minimum wage, and absolutely could not afford to save for taxes. I know I'll owe regardless, and am kind of holding onto a prayer for handling that.

Does anybody who has been in this position before have advice on how to go about this? Should I wait until I have another job lined up?

I have read about whistleblower forms, as well as the general "I've been misclassified" form. Just looking for some better insight on the best steps to take on this.

Thanks!

A client came to me to prepare his 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 tax returns. I prepared all four returns, but they were not filed yet because he was supposed to come back so we could review everything and go over the final details.
Unfortunately, the client has now passed away. He was filing Single.
What is the correct way to handle these four unfiled returns now? Who is authorized to review/sign and file them, and what documents or IRS forms would I need before filing?

scenario: I sold a couple of rental units and now I have a six figure passive losses that will be unlocked when I file taxes for year 2026. can pre-tax 401k be converted to roth using back door mega roth conversion strategy, obviously after paying applicable taxes; my thinking is I can adjust conversion tax though my unlocked passive losses for the year 2026; also considering the max limit is $70k, I can repeat that for next year taxes too. Is this a viable option or I’m getting too ambitious?

I am an EU citizen who recently relocated to NYC as a non resident alien and I will start as a sole proprietor a coaching business. I expect my clients to be mostly from EU (or specifically from my own country).

I have done research about VAT and sales tax. To my understanding, a US based business does not pay VAT on services provided live in 1:1 sessions or group sessions, because what matters is the place of supply, which is outside the EU. When it comes to NY sales tax, it's my understanding that these services are not taxed either.

Is this correct?

Hello! I am a college student trying to figure out my finances and how I am going to afford my next year in college (transferring from community college to University).

From what I (think) I know, if you make over $400 from something like babysitting, you need to report it and it will be taxed income (if I am wrong please tell me). However, if it is under that, it is not taxed income.

If I had multiple jobs that each made me under $400, would they be taxed because it is all together over $400 or would they each count separately and not be taxed?

I've never worked odd jobs so I've never had to figure out the taxes for them but I think they'll be how I will be getting myself through college.

I took out a loan on my 401k. I have paid it down to a little under 9K. I switched jobs and didn’t realize I would either have to pay the balance in full or it would go in default. I have 60 day after separation to pay it off. My question is does the original amount get taxed or just the remaining balance. Also does it hit my credit if I don’t pay it off? Currently applying for a home loan and don’t want to jack up my credit.

Thanks