Don't forget that there's a $10,000 cap on the total state and local tax (SALT) deduction. This includes state income taxes (or sales taxes if you choose that instead) PLUS your property taxes from both 5b and 5c combined. So if you're already over $10k with just your state income tax and real estate taxes, finding more to add to line 5c won't help your federal return. This is especially important if you live in a high-tax state like NY, CA, NJ, etc.

The $10,000 SALT cap is still in effect for 2025 - there hasn't been any legislation passed to change it yet. The cap was set to expire after 2025 under the original Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, but Congress would need to act to either extend it, modify it, or let it sunset. Some proposals have been floating around to raise the cap to $15,000 or $20,000, or to eliminate it entirely, but nothing has been finalized. Given the political dynamics, it's unlikely we'll see changes before the 2025 filing season. So for now, if you're in a high-tax state and already hitting the $10k limit with income tax and property tax, adding personal property taxes won't provide additional federal benefit - though it's still worth tracking for potential future changes and for state return purposes if your state allows itemized deductions.

I went through this exact same situation last year when I got my EIN through a service. Like you, I was really confused and worried when I saw someone else's name on the documentation. What helped me understand it better was thinking of it like hiring a lawyer or accountant to represent you - they can act on your behalf for specific purposes, but that doesn't make them the owner of your business. The third-party designee is essentially the same concept. The key thing that put my mind at ease was realizing that all my banking, tax filings, and business operations have worked perfectly fine with this setup. Banks, the IRS, and other institutions recognize that third-party designees are common and legitimate. If you're still feeling uncertain, you might want to keep a copy of your original application or any communication with the service that shows they were authorized to act on your behalf. I've never needed it, but it gives you documentation of the relationship if anyone ever questions it.

I had a very similar experience when I got my EIN through a service last year. At first I was really concerned seeing someone else's name on the documentation, but after doing some research and talking to other business owners, I learned this is completely standard practice. The way it was explained to me is that when you use a service to help with your EIN application, they become your "authorized representative" for that specific transaction. It's similar to how a tax preparer can be authorized to communicate with the IRS about your return - they're acting on your behalf, but you still own everything. What really put my mind at ease was that I've been using my EIN for over a year now for banking, contracts, and tax filings without any issues. The IRS, banks, and other institutions are very familiar with this arrangement and recognize it as legitimate. Just make sure to keep your EIN confirmation letter in a safe place - that's your proof of the EIN belonging to your business regardless of who helped you obtain it. You're all set to use it for any official business purposes!

21 Has anyone considered just shipping the items instead of carrying them? I use freight forwarders between Asian countries all the time and it's often cheaper than paying airline excess baggage + customs at the airport.

I went through something similar bringing electronics from South Korea to Vietnam last year. One thing I learned the hard way is that Indonesia actually has pretty strict rules about bringing in multiple identical items - they have specific guidelines that flag anything that looks like it's for commercial resale rather than personal use. For your Dyson situation, you'll definitely want to check Indonesia's import regulations on beauty electronics. They classify hair styling tools under a specific tariff code that can attract luxury taxes on top of regular duties. The total could easily hit 40-50% of your purchase value. My suggestion would be to contact the Indonesian customs office directly before your trip to get the exact calculation. They have a pre-clearance system where you can declare items in advance and get confirmation of the exact fees. This prevents any surprises or disputes at the airport. Also keep all your original receipts and consider getting them translated into Indonesian - it speeds up the process significantly. The key is being completely transparent about your intentions. If you're planning to resell, declare it as commercial import rather than trying to pass it off as personal use.

Just want to add that the threshold for receiving a 1099 from these platforms has changed. Underdog and PrizePicks now issue a Form 1099-MISC if you win $600 or more in a calendar year. But even if you don't receive a form, you're still legally obligated to report ALL winnings. Also, watch out for the sessions reporting requirement. Each time you log in and play could potentially be considered a separate session. So don't just report the net amount for the year - you technically need to report each winning session separately.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the importance of keeping your account statements from these platforms for at least 3 years after filing. The IRS can audit gambling income up to 3 years after you file, and they're particularly scrutinizing fantasy sports platforms now. I'd also recommend setting aside about 25-30% of your winnings throughout the year for taxes, especially if you're not having taxes withheld from other income. Getting hit with a big tax bill plus penalties for underpayment can be brutal. Another tip: if you're consistently profitable, consider making quarterly estimated tax payments. The IRS expects you to pay as you earn, not just at the end of the year. Missing this can result in underpayment penalties even if you pay your full tax liability by April 15th.

I completely understand the frustration you're going through - this is unfortunately a very common issue during filing season when the IRS systems get overwhelmed. The good news is that you're not alone and there are definitely steps you can take to resolve this. The most important thing to remember is that penalties and interest accrue based on your actual tax liability (what you calculated on your return), not what shows up in your online account. So every day you wait is potentially costing you money in penalties, even though you can't see the balance. Here's what I'd recommend doing immediately: 1. Make a payment through IRS Direct Pay for the amount shown on your filed tax return ($12,000). You don't need to wait for it to show up online - the system will match your payment to your account using your SSN and tax year. 2. Keep detailed records of your payment confirmation number and take screenshots of the confirmation page. 3. You can verify your payment was processed by calling the automated refund/payment line at 1-888-353-4537 about 3-5 business days after making the payment. If you can't pay the full amount right now, make whatever payment you can. Even a partial payment will stop penalties from accruing on that portion of your balance. The failure-to-pay penalty is 0.5% per month, so paying even half would save you significant money while you work on the rest. Don't let their system delays cost you hundreds in avoidable penalties. Take action based on what YOU filed, not what their slow website shows!

I'm going through this exact same issue right now - filed in February owing about $8,200 and my online account has been stuck at $0.00 for over 6 weeks. The stress has been incredible because I know those penalties are just accumulating in the background while I can't even see what I officially owe. After reading all these responses, I realize I've been making this way more complicated than it needs to be. The consensus is crystal clear: stop waiting for their broken system to catch up and just pay based on what my tax return shows. Every month I delay costs me another 0.5% in penalties - that's potentially $40+ per month I'm throwing away on my balance! I'm going to use the IRS Direct Pay system today to make at least a partial payment. Even if I can't pay the full amount right now, getting some money to them will stop penalties from accruing on that portion. The confirmation number will be my proof that I acted in good faith to pay on time. It's frustrating that we have to work around their technical problems, but it's better than letting their delays cost us hundreds in avoidable penalties. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - sometimes you need to hear from people who've actually been through this to realize you're overthinking a solvable problem!