I went through this exact same situation a couple years ago when I started taking personal finance seriously! That initial shock of seeing your refund drop is really jarring, but you're absolutely making the right financial moves. One thing that helped me was thinking about it differently - that $520 difference in your refund represents roughly $2,364 in interest income you earned (assuming you're in the 22% bracket). So even after taxes, you still came out ahead by about $1,844 compared to keeping that money in a regular checking account earning nothing! For next year, I'd recommend starting with the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator in January to get a baseline, then checking it again around June when you have a clearer picture of your actual interest earnings. Interest rates can change throughout the year, so your projections might need adjusting. Also consider that if your savings continue to grow (which sounds like the plan!), your interest income will keep increasing, so you'll want to revisit your withholding annually. The key is just staying on top of it rather than letting it surprise you again. You've got this!

This is exactly what happened to me when I first opened my HYSA! The key thing to remember is that you're still way ahead financially - that $520 reduction in your refund likely represents around $2,300+ in interest income you earned (depending on your tax bracket), so you netted roughly $1,800 more than if you'd kept it in a regular savings account. For withholding adjustments, I'd recommend using the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator tool mid-year once you have a better sense of your actual interest earnings. HYSA rates can fluctuate, so your January estimate might be off by year-end. A simple approach: take your current quarterly interest earnings, multiply by 4 to get an annual estimate, then multiply that by your marginal tax rate (probably 22% based on your situation) to see how much extra tax you'll owe. Divide that by your number of paychecks per year and add that amount to line 4(c) on your W-4. Don't let this discourage you from the HYSA - it's still the smart move! You're just learning how to manage the tax side of building wealth, which is a good problem to have.

One creative approach worth exploring - have you considered doing a partial stock sale for certain assets and an asset sale for others? We did this with our manufacturing business. Sold some specialized equipment as assets (buyer wanted the depreciation) but did a stock transaction for the real estate holding portion. Saved a bundle on taxes without scaring away the buyer.

Great question about the tax implications! One thing I'd add to the excellent advice already given is to make sure you understand how your S-Corp's accumulated adjustments account (AAA) and any accumulated earnings and profits (AE&P) from prior C-Corp years will be affected by the asset sale. When the S-Corp recognizes gain from the asset sale, it increases the AAA, which then flows through to you as shareholders. This can actually be beneficial because it increases your stock basis, which might help offset some of the tax impact when you eventually liquidate the S-Corp after the sale. Also, since you mentioned installment payments over 5 years, consider whether you want to make a Section 338(h)(10) election if the buyer is willing. This can sometimes provide better tax treatment by treating the transaction as an asset sale for tax purposes while still being a stock sale legally. It requires buyer cooperation but might be worth exploring with your team. The depreciation recapture timing that others mentioned is crucial - with installment sales from S-Corps, the recapture generally gets accelerated and recognized in year one even though the payments are spread out. This can create a significant tax burden upfront that you'll want to plan for.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - identity theft is incredibly stressful, but you're absolutely doing the right thing by seeking advice quickly! From my experience working in financial fraud prevention, here are the key steps I'd recommend: **Immediate actions:** 1. **Don't contact the company first** - go straight to the IRS. File Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit) online at irs.gov immediately to flag your account 2. **Call the IRS Identity Theft Hotline** at 800-908-4490 to report this and get a case number for tracking 3. **File your legitimate tax return ASAP** - only report income you actually earned. Include a statement referencing your identity theft case **Protect yourself further:** - Check your Social Security earnings record at ssa.gov to see if there's other fraudulent employment history - Place fraud alerts on all three credit bureau reports (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) - Request your wage and income transcript from the IRS online to see if there are other fraudulent tax documents you don't know about yet **Important:** The IRS will likely issue you an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) for future years, which adds an extra layer of security to prevent future tax fraud. The process typically takes 3-6 months to fully resolve, but you'll have peace of mind much sooner once your account is properly flagged. The IRS has really improved their identity theft procedures - you've got this!

I can't imagine how stressful this must be for you! Identity theft involving tax documents is unfortunately becoming more common, but the good news is that there are clear steps to resolve it. The advice here about filing Form 14039 immediately is absolutely correct - this should be your first priority. I'd also recommend creating an online account with the IRS at irs.gov if you don't already have one, as this will make it easier to track your case and access your transcripts to see if there are other fraudulent documents you don't know about yet. One thing I haven't seen mentioned is to also check with your state's Department of Revenue if you live in a state with income tax. They often have separate procedures for identity theft cases, and you'll want to protect your state tax account as well. Document everything - dates, times, who you spoke with, case numbers, etc. Keep copies of all forms you submit and any correspondence you receive. This paper trail will be invaluable if you need to reference your case later. The IP PIN system really is a game-changer for preventing future fraud. Yes, it adds a small extra step each year when you file taxes, but the security it provides is well worth it. You'll get through this - stay organized and follow the steps systematically!

Had to do this last year after getting flagged for identity verification. Bring everything others mentioned but also consider bringing your W-2s or 1099s if you have them - they didn't ask for mine but the person next to me needed theirs. The staff was actually really helpful and walked me through what they needed. One tip: park at a nearby garage if you're in a city location because IRS building parking fills up fast, especially on Mondays and Fridays. Whole process took about 40 minutes and my refund showed up 6 business days later!

Just went through this process a couple weeks ago! In addition to what everyone mentioned, I'd recommend bringing a printed copy of your online account transcript if you have access to it - the IRS agent said it helped speed things up since they could see my filing history right there. Also, dress business casual if possible - I know it sounds silly but the security and staff seemed to take me more seriously vs the person before me in flip flops and a tank top. My appointment was at 10am and I was out by 10:35, refund hit my account exactly 8 days later. The whole thing was way less stressful than I built it up to be in my head!

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this frustrating situation, especially when your health needs are involved. Your landlord's defensive reaction to a reasonable request for documentation is definitely concerning and suggests she may be trying to avoid creating a paper trail. As others have mentioned, you do have established tenant rights after 6 months of consistent payments - this creates a legal month-to-month tenancy in most states, even without a written lease. For your immediate medical assistance needs, I'd recommend calling the program directly and explaining your situation. Use phrases like "month-to-month tenant" and "uncooperative landlord" - these are terms they're familiar with. Ask specifically about their alternative documentation policies or hardship exceptions. While you're waiting to hear back from them, start gathering every piece of evidence you can: bank statements or ATM receipts showing those $925 payments, any mail delivered to your address, photos of yourself at the property, screenshots of any texts with your landlord about rent, utility bills (even if not in your name). This creates a comprehensive picture of your legitimate tenancy. You might also create a simple notarized "Declaration of Tenancy" stating when you moved in, your monthly rent amount, and payment history. Many assistance programs will accept this type of self-created documentation when combined with supporting evidence. Consider reaching out to your local tenant rights organization or legal aid office - they often have templates specifically for situations like this and know what documentation your area's medical programs typically accept. Focus on getting your healthcare documentation sorted first. The tax reporting issue, while valid, should be secondary to ensuring you get the medical assistance you need.

I'm really sorry you're going through this difficult situation, especially when your healthcare needs are at stake. Your landlord's aggressive reaction to a simple lease request is definitely suspicious and suggests she's trying to avoid creating any documentation trail. The good news is you have more options than you might realize. After 6 months of consistent payments, you've established legal tenancy rights in most states - this is called a "month-to-month tenancy" and gives you legitimate tenant protections even without a written lease. For your medical assistance application, don't let her refusal stop you. Contact the program directly and explain that you're a "month-to-month tenant with an uncooperative landlord" - they hear this situation regularly. Ask about their alternative documentation policies or hardship exceptions. Start gathering evidence immediately: bank statements showing those $925 payments, any mail at your address, photos of yourself at the property, screenshots of texts about rent, even utility bills. You can also create a notarized "Declaration of Tenancy" documenting when you moved in and your payment history. Local tenant advocacy groups often have templates for exactly this situation and know what your area's medical programs typically accept. Legal aid offices can also provide guidance on your specific tenant rights. Regarding the tax evasion concern - while that's worth addressing eventually, prioritize getting your medical documentation first. Your health needs are urgent, and you need stable housing while sorting this out. You're not powerless here. Focus on your healthcare needs first, document everything you can, and don't let her intimidation prevent you from accessing the medical assistance you need and deserve.