What you should REALLY be doing is e-filing anyway. I haven't mailed a paper return in like 10 years. No worries about lost mail, instant confirmation, faster refunds. Why is anyone still mailing paper returns in 2025??

Hey there! I totally understand your anxiety about this - I went through the exact same panic last year. The good news is that Priority Mail tracking DOES provide proof of mailing date for IRS purposes, even though it's not as ironclad as Certified Mail. Here's what you need to do RIGHT NOW: Go to the USPS website and print/screenshot your tracking information showing when your package was accepted. Save this along with your mailing receipt. The IRS accepts this as evidence that you filed by the deadline. I learned this the hard way when I had a similar situation. The key thing the IRS cares about is that your return was "properly posted" by the due date, and Priority Mail tracking establishes that acceptance date. While Certified Mail gives you that official green receipt card, Priority Mail tracking serves the same basic purpose for proving timely filing. Just make sure to save all that documentation now before the tracking expires online. You'll be fine - don't stress yourself out about having to resend everything!

I'm wondering whether the company match counts towards the annual 401k contribution limit? Like if the limit is $22,500 for 2025, does the employer match count against that or can I still contribute the full amount myself?

This is a great question that trips up a lot of people! The "401k co match" line on your paycheck is definitely showing you the employer contribution - it's money your company is adding to your retirement account, not taking from your pay. One thing I'd add to the other helpful responses: keep an eye on your contribution percentage to make sure you're getting the maximum match available. Many employers have a "vesting schedule" too, which means you might not be 100% entitled to that match money until you've worked there for a certain period (usually 2-6 years). The vesting info should be in your plan documents. Also, that $95 match suggests you're probably contributing a decent amount yourself - just make sure you understand whether your company matches dollar-for-dollar up to a certain percentage, or if they have a different formula. It's worth reviewing your benefits package annually to make sure you're maximizing this free money!

One thing nobody has mentioned - the penalties for incorrect filing or late filing of Form 3520 are BRUTAL. The minimum penalty is $10,000 and can go up to 35% of the gross value of what you received!!! I learned this the hard way when I messed up on my inheritance from the UK. Double check EVERYTHING and make sure you file on time. The deadline is the same as your regular tax return including extensions. If you're even a day late, they can hit you with those penalties.

I went through this exact situation with a similar inheritance from my grandmother in France. The key thing that helped me was understanding that you need to determine the fair market value of ALL assets as of the date you actually received them, not when your aunt passed away. For the $75,000 you mentioned, make sure you're using the correct valuation date - this is usually when the Spanish probate process officially transferred the assets to you, not the date of death. This can make a significant difference in the amounts you report. Also, keep in mind that you may need to file additional forms beyond just Form 3520. If any of the inherited assets generate income (like rental property or dividends), you might also need Form 3520-A or other international reporting forms. The IRS has a whole web of international forms that interconnect, and missing one can trigger penalties on others. I'd strongly recommend getting professional help if the total value is significant - the cost of a qualified international tax professional is usually much less than the potential penalties for getting it wrong.

Just to add another tip - make sure you keep copies of all W-9 forms you submit to clients. I've had situations where clients lost my paperwork and asked for it again months later, and having a copy on hand saved a lot of hassle. Also, if you're sending the W-9 electronically, consider password protecting the PDF since it contains your SSN or EIN. You can email the password separately for security.

Great question! I went through this exact same confusion when I started freelancing last year. You're absolutely right to check "Individual/sole proprietor or single-member LLC" - that's the correct box for your situation as an independent contractor who hasn't formed a separate business entity. Just to clarify the terminology that trips up a lot of people: "Individual" on the W-9 doesn't mean employee - it refers to you as an individual person operating a business (sole proprietorship) rather than as a corporation or partnership. When you're freelancing on your own, you're automatically considered a sole proprietor by the IRS even if you never filed any paperwork to "become" one. For section 3, literally just check that one box and you're done with that section. Make sure to put your legal name (not any business name you might use) on line 1, and if you do business under a different name, that would go on line 2. Use your SSN as your TIN unless you've gotten an EIN specifically for your freelance work. One last tip - keep a digital copy of your completed W-9 because you'll likely need to provide it to other clients as your freelance business grows!

17 Another thing to consider about property tax deductions - make sure you're actually itemizing! With the standard deduction so high now ($13,850 for single filers in 2024), you might not even benefit from tracking your property tax payments unless your total itemized deductions exceed that amount. I spent a whole year carefully tracking all my property tax payments only to find out I was still better off with the standard deduction. Now I just quickly check if my mortgage interest + property taxes + charitable donations exceed the standard deduction threshold before I bother with all the documentation.

9 One strategy I've used before with property taxes is to "bunch" payments in a single tax year when possible. If your property taxes are due in January, you could pay your current year property taxes in January and then prepay next year's taxes in December (if they've been assessed), getting two years' worth of property tax deductions in a single tax year. This can really help if you're on the border of whether to take standard or itemized deductions. One year you itemize with the bunched deductions, the next year you take the standard deduction. Just make sure the taxes have actually been assessed before you prepay!