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This is a really serious situation that needs immediate attention. Your spouse filing a joint return without your consent is not just "no big deal" - it's potentially fraudulent and could have major consequences for you. First, you absolutely DO need to report your LLC income on Schedule C. A single-member LLC with $28,000 in profit is significant taxable income that the IRS expects to see reported. You'll also owe self-employment tax on that profit (roughly 15.3% or about $4,284). Your spouse claiming you "don't need to file anything" is completely wrong and could result in substantial penalties. Here's what you need to do immediately: 1. Request a tax transcript from the IRS (Form 4506-T) to see exactly what was filed 2. Contact your divorce attorney - this unauthorized filing may violate court orders 3. Consider filing Form 8857 (Innocent Spouse Relief) to protect yourself from joint liability 4. If your LLC income wasn't included on the joint return, you'll need to file your own return (Married Filing Separately) or amend the joint return The IRS will eventually catch unreported business income, especially if you received any 1099s. Don't let your spouse's dismissive attitude put you at risk for tax fraud charges or massive penalties. Get professional help from a tax attorney or CPA who handles divorce situations - this is too complex and risky to handle alone. Document everything about this unauthorized filing for your divorce proceedings. Courts take financial dishonesty very seriously.
This is excellent comprehensive advice. I'm dealing with something similar and had no idea about the self-employment tax implications. My ex also filed without my consent and claimed my small business income "didn't matter." One thing I'd add - when you contact the IRS about this situation, be prepared to explain the timeline clearly. They need to understand that you had no knowledge of the joint filing and that you've been separated. I found it helpful to have documentation showing the separation date and any court filings related to the divorce. Also, if anyone is struggling to get through to the IRS about this (which seems to be a common problem based on other comments), don't give up. This type of unauthorized filing during divorce proceedings is something they take seriously once you can actually speak to someone.
I went through something very similar during my divorce two years ago. My ex filed jointly without telling me and excluded income from my consulting business. It was a complete mess, but I was able to resolve it. Here's what worked for me: I immediately filed Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit) since my information was used without permission, then followed up with Form 8857 (Innocent Spouse Relief). The IRS actually processed these faster than I expected - about 6 weeks total. For your LLC income, you absolutely need to report it regardless of what your spouse says. That $28K profit will require Schedule C and you'll owe self-employment tax (around $3,950). The IRS has automated systems that match business income to tax returns, so they WILL catch unreported LLC income eventually. One thing that really helped me was getting my own Taxpayer Advocate assigned to my case. Since this involves potential fraud and you're going through divorce, they prioritize these situations. You can request one through Form 911 or by calling the Taxpayer Advocate Service directly at 1-877-777-4778. Also document everything for your divorce attorney. In my case, the judge was not happy about the unauthorized filing and it actually worked in my favor during asset division. Courts see this as financial misconduct. Don't let your spouse gaslight you into thinking this "doesn't matter" - protect yourself and get professional help ASAP.
Thank you for sharing your experience - this gives me hope that there's a way through this mess. I'm particularly interested in the Taxpayer Advocate Service you mentioned. Did you have to wait long to get one assigned, and were they actually helpful in resolving the unauthorized filing issue? I'm also wondering about the timeline for Form 8857. You mentioned 6 weeks - was that from when you submitted it to when you got a decision, or just acknowledgment that they received it? I'm trying to figure out how quickly I need to act since my spouse filed just a few weeks ago and I only found out yesterday. The identity theft angle makes sense too. I never thought of it that way, but using my information to file without consent does seem like identity theft. Did filing Form 14039 complicate things at all, or did it actually help speed up the process?
I've been through this exact scenario! Living abroad definitely adds complexity to the IDme-IRS verification process. A few things to try: First, make sure you're accessing the IRS portal directly (irs.gov/account) rather than through any bookmarked links - sometimes cached URLs can cause loops. Second, when you get to the IDme login screen, look for text that says something like "authorize IRS access" after you log in - this is the key step many people miss. Third, if you're still getting stuck, try using a different browser entirely or clearing all cookies/cache for both irs.gov and id.me domains. The international IP address usually isn't the issue, but the verification system can be finicky about browser sessions. If none of that works, you might need to contact IDme support directly - they can see if there's a technical issue with your account's IRS authorization status.
This is really helpful advice! I'm also an expat and had similar issues. One thing I'd add is to check your IDme account settings to make sure your phone number is still current - sometimes the IRS verification requires SMS verification as a secondary check, and if your number changed when you moved abroad, that could cause the loop. Also, @520e1ca3c235 is spot on about using the direct IRS portal link - I was using an old bookmark that had some session parameters that kept causing issues.
I went through this same frustrating experience last year! The trick is understanding that IDme verification and IRS authorization are two separate steps. Even with a verified IDme account, you still need to complete the IRS-specific authorization flow. Here's what worked for me as an international filer: 1) Make sure you're using the direct IRS.gov link, not any bookmarked pages, 2) When you log into IDme, look for the consent screen that specifically mentions sharing your verified information with the IRS - this is crucial and easy to miss, 3) Ensure your IDme profile address matches exactly what's on your most recent tax return (international addresses can be tricky with formatting), and 4) Try using a fresh browser session or incognito mode to avoid any cached authentication issues. The Canadian IP address shouldn't be a problem, but the address formatting and authorization consent are the most common culprits for the verification loop. If you're still stuck after trying these steps, IDme customer support can check if there's a technical issue with your account's IRS connection status.
This is exactly what I needed to hear! I'm dealing with this same issue right now from the UK. The part about the consent screen specifically mentioning IRS is key - I think I've been clicking through too quickly and missing that step. Quick question though - when you mention the address formatting, did you have to use the US address format or your actual international address? I've been going back and forth on whether to list my UK address or my last US address from before I moved.
This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm a tax preparer and see this question come up frequently with clients. Based on my experience and what others have shared here, the documentation really is everything. I always advise clients to get their concierge agreement reviewed before using HSA funds. The language needs to be very specific - words like "membership," "access fee," or "retainer" are red flags. Instead, you want language like "prepayment for medical services," "annual medical care package," or specific itemization of included services. One additional tip: if your concierge practice offers both membership tiers (like basic access vs. comprehensive care packages), make sure you're enrolled in the tier that clearly includes actual medical services rather than just scheduling privileges. I've seen clients successfully defend these expenses during audits, but it always comes down to having rock-solid documentation that shows you're paying for medical care, not convenience. The IRS guidance on HSA eligible expenses is pretty broad, but they're very focused on ensuring the expense is primarily for medical care rather than general health/wellness or convenience. Keep all your documentation organized and consider doing an annual review to make sure you're actually utilizing the services you're paying for!
As someone new to both HSAs and this community, this has been an absolute goldmine of information! I had no idea the documentation requirements were so specific or that the actual language in contracts mattered so much. I'm wondering - for those of you who've successfully navigated this, did you have to educate your concierge doctors about HSA requirements, or were most practices already familiar with structuring agreements to be HSA-compliant? I'm considering switching to concierge medicine but want to make sure I can use my HSA funds properly from the start rather than having to request contract revisions later. Also, @Paolo Longo, your point about membership tiers is really interesting. Could you elaborate on what specifically to look for when comparing different service levels? I want to make sure I choose the right option that clearly qualifies for HSA use. Thanks everyone for sharing your real experiences - this is exactly the kind of practical guidance that's impossible to find in official IRS publications!
Great question about concierge medicine and HSA eligibility! I've been working in tax compliance for several years and have seen this issue come up more frequently as concierge practices become more popular. The key issue is that the IRS requires HSA expenses to be for "qualified medical expenses" which are specifically for medical care. The challenge with concierge medicine is that many practices structure their fees as "membership" or "access" fees rather than payment for specific medical services. Here's what I recommend based on what I've seen work: 1. **Get the right contract language** - Your agreement should specify exactly what medical services are included (annual physical, quarterly visits, lab work, etc.) rather than just "unlimited access" 2. **Avoid membership terminology** - Contracts that use words like "membership fee," "retainer," or "concierge access" are more likely to be questioned 3. **Keep detailed records** - Track when you actually use services to demonstrate you're receiving medical care, not just paying for convenience 4. **Consider the provider type** - Make sure your concierge doctor is a licensed medical professional (MD, DO) as this strengthens your position While the IRS hasn't issued specific guidance on concierge medicine, the existing rules around qualified medical expenses can apply if the fee structure is clearly for medical services rather than access/convenience. If you're unsure, consider consulting with a tax professional who can review your specific agreement before you start using HSA funds.
The 1095-C confusion is so real! I remember getting mine for the first time and spending hours researching what all those codes meant. What helped me was understanding that this form is basically your employer's "report card" to the IRS showing they followed healthcare law requirements. Your codes 1E and 2F are actually good news - they mean your employer offered you comprehensive, affordable coverage that meets all the government standards. The 1E shows they offered coverage for you and your family (even if you don't have one), and 2F confirms the cost was reasonable based on federal guidelines. Since you mentioned this is your first job with benefits, here's a pro tip: keep all these forms (1095-C, W-2, any 1099s) in a dedicated tax folder each year. You might not need the 1095-C for filing, but it's useful to have if questions come up later. And don't stress about the codes showing for months before you started - employers often use simplified reporting methods that cover the full year regardless of your actual start date. You're doing great navigating your first "real job" tax situation! The learning curve is steep but you'll be a pro at this stuff in no time.
This is such helpful advice! I'm also dealing with my first year of employer benefits and had no idea what to do with all these forms. The "report card" analogy really helps me understand what the 1095-C is actually for - I was so confused thinking it was something I had to actively use for my taxes. Your tip about keeping a dedicated tax folder is great too. I've just been shoving everything in a random drawer, but organizing it properly from the start makes so much more sense. Thanks for explaining that the codes showing for the full year is normal even when you didn't work there the whole time - that was throwing me off too! It's reassuring to know that other people found this stuff overwhelming at first. Makes me feel less clueless about the whole process.
I completely understand your confusion! When I first received my 1095-C, I had the exact same panic thinking I was missing something important or would owe extra money. The good news is that everyone here is absolutely right - this form is purely informational and doesn't require any action on your part when filing your taxes. Think of it this way: your employer is required to send this form to prove they offered you health insurance that meets ACA standards. The codes 1E and 2F are actually positive indicators showing your employer provided comprehensive, affordable coverage options. You don't enter these codes anywhere in TurboTax or any other tax software unless you're in the very specific situation of claiming premium tax credits from a Marketplace plan. Since this is your first job with benefits, here's what I wish someone had told me: keep the 1095-C with your tax records, but focus your energy on the forms that actually matter for filing - your W-2, any 1099s, and tax documents from banks or investments. The 1095-C is just documentation that you had access to qualifying health coverage, nothing more. You can definitely file your taxes this weekend without worrying about this form affecting your refund or creating additional tax liability. Good luck with your first "real job" tax season - it gets much easier once you understand which forms actually require action!
This is exactly what I needed to hear! I've been stressing about this form all week thinking I was going to mess up my taxes somehow. Your explanation about it being documentation rather than something actionable really clicks for me. I'm definitely going to focus on just getting my W-2 entered and stop worrying about the 1095-C. It's such a relief to know that those codes are actually good things and not red flags that I did something wrong. Thank you for taking the time to explain this so clearly - especially the part about it not affecting my refund at all. That was my biggest fear! Now I can actually enjoy my weekend tax prep instead of panicking over forms I don't need to use. Really appreciate everyone in this thread who took the time to help explain this stuff to us newcomers!
Emma Thompson
This is exactly why I love this community - seeing everyone jump in to help decode these confusing transcripts! šŖ From what you've shared, it looks like you've been through quite the journey. That 810 freeze code from March 2023 plus the amended return (977) definitely explains why things took so long. The examination codes (420/421) show they did a thorough review but closed it in April, which is actually great news! Those credits totaling over $11k ($3,599 + $7,935) are substantial - no wonder the IRS wanted to take a closer look. With the examination closed and the refund hold removed (577 code), you're definitely in a much better position now. Keep an eye out for that 846 code everyone's mentioning - that's your golden ticket showing the refund has actually been issued with a date. Given where you are in the process, I'd expect to see movement soon. The worst part (the examination) is behind you! Stay strong - you've made it through the hardest part of this process! š
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Anastasia Sokolov
ā¢Thanks for breaking this down Emma! š As someone new to this whole transcript thing, it's really reassuring to hear that the examination being closed is good news. I was honestly panicking when I saw all those codes - thought maybe I did something wrong on my taxes. The waiting has been brutal but knowing I'm past the worst part gives me hope. Really appreciate everyone in this community taking the time to help decode all this confusing IRS language!
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Ava Thompson
This is such a relief to see someone else going through the same thing! I've been dealing with a similar situation - had a refund freeze last year and just went through an examination that finally closed a few weeks ago. Looking at your codes, you're actually in a really good spot! That 421 code showing your examination closed in April is huge - mine just closed and I can tell you the relief is real. The fact that they removed your refund hold (577) right after closing the exam is a great sign. Those credits you're seeing ($3,599 + $7,935) are legitimate and were processed back in April 2023, but the freeze kept them from being released. Now that everything's cleared, you should definitely be seeing an 846 code with a DDD (direct deposit date) soon. I know the waiting is absolutely brutal - I've been checking my transcript obsessively for months. But based on what I'm seeing here, you've cleared all the major hurdles. The IRS doesn't remove refund holds unless they're satisfied with their review. Hang in there - after almost two years of this process, you're finally at the finish line! š¤āØ
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Miguel Herrera
ā¢This gives me so much hope! š I've been checking my transcript like every day and getting more anxious when I don't see changes. It's really helpful to hear from someone who just went through the same process. Two years feels like forever but if you made it through, maybe there's light at the end of the tunnel for me too. Did you get any advance notice before your 846 code showed up or did it just appear one day? Trying to manage my expectations here lol
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