I'm dealing with this exact same issue! Still waiting for my Robinhood tax documents and it's incredibly frustrating. I've been checking daily for weeks now with no luck. What's really helpful about this thread is learning about some potential solutions while we wait. I'm definitely going to try that taxr.ai tool that several people mentioned - it sounds like it could give me a good estimate of what I owe even before the official documents arrive. The security concerns that were raised and then addressed make me feel more confident about trying it. I'm also going to set up those email notifications in my Robinhood settings right now so I don't have to keep manually checking. And if I need to actually speak to someone at Robinhood, that Claimyr service seems worth trying based on the positive experiences people shared. It's reassuring to know this is a widespread issue and not just my account. Hopefully they'll release another batch of documents soon - fingers crossed we don't all have to wait until the February 15th deadline! This whole experience is definitely making me consider switching to a more reliable broker next year.

I'm a newcomer to this community but dealing with the exact same frustrating situation! Been waiting for my Robinhood tax documents for weeks now and it's really stressful when you're trying to file your taxes on time. This thread has been incredibly helpful though - I had no idea there were services like taxr.ai that could help estimate your tax liability before the official documents arrive. After reading all the positive feedback and security explanations, I'm definitely going to give it a try since I did quite a bit of stock and crypto trading last year. I'm also going to set up those email notifications in my Robinhood settings right now so I stop obsessively checking my account every day. And if I need to actually get through to their customer service, that Claimyr service sounds worth trying based on the success stories people shared. It's both frustrating and reassuring to see this is such a widespread issue. Robinhood's lack of communication about timelines is really unprofessional, especially when other brokers seem to have this process figured out. Definitely considering switching to a more reliable platform next year to avoid this whole mess again! Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions - this community has been more helpful than Robinhood's customer service!

Since you're a witness in a criminal case, I'd strongly recommend contacting the prosecutor's office handling the case before taking any action on your returns. They may have specific guidance about how to handle this situation while the criminal investigation is ongoing. That said, you'll likely need to amend those returns eventually. Even though the preparer committed fraud, the IRS still expects you to file correct returns. The good news is that being a witness in a criminal case against her actually strengthens your position - it clearly establishes you as a victim rather than a co-conspirator. I'd suggest: 1) Ask the prosecutor if there's a preferred timeline for amending your returns 2) Keep detailed records of all costs you incur fixing this mess 3) Consider consulting with a tax attorney who has experience with preparer fraud cases The criminal conviction may help with any civil remedies you pursue later, but unfortunately the IRS will still expect the correct taxes to be paid. However, penalties are often waived in cases involving preparer fraud, especially when there's a criminal conviction involved.

I'm so sorry you're going through this nightmare! Tax preparer fraud is unfortunately becoming more common, but the good news is that you're handling this exactly the right way by refusing to lie to the IRS. Here's my advice as someone who works in tax resolution: **Immediate actions:** - Respond to the audit notice promptly - don't let deadlines pass - File Form 14157 (Complaint: Tax Return Preparer) immediately to officially report the fraud - Document every interaction with this preparer, especially his suggestion to lie - Gather all your legitimate tax documents (W-2s, 1099s) that prove you don't own a business **For the audit meeting:** - Be completely honest about having no knowledge of the fake business - Bring evidence of your attempts to contact the preparer and his evasive responses - Consider hiring an Enrolled Agent for representation - they're often more affordable than attorneys and specialize in IRS matters **What to expect:** The IRS has specific procedures for preparer fraud cases. When you can prove you were deceived and cooperate fully, they typically adjust your return to correct amounts and often waive penalties. You may still owe the correct tax amount plus interest, but penalties are usually forgiven for fraud victims. Also, definitely warn your brother-in-law about this preparer - he may have referred others who are at risk. Consider consulting with an attorney about suing the preparer for damages you incur from fixing this mess. You're doing everything right by being honest and proactive. This will get resolved!

Nobody mentioned this yet, but PLEASE check with the bank about their terms of service! Some banks explicitly prohibit using personal accounts for business purposes in their agreements, and they can shut down your account if they notice business activity. I learned this the hard way when Bank of America froze my personal account that I was using for my side gig. Took weeks to get it unfrozen and I had to provide a bunch of documentation. Not all banks care, but some definitely do. Credit unions tend to be more flexible in my experience.

As someone who went through this exact situation when I started freelancing, I can confirm that using a separate personal account temporarily is totally fine! The key is keeping it 100% separate from your personal finances. A few practical tips from my experience: 1. When you open the separate personal account, tell the bank representative it's for business use. Some banks will note this on your account and it can help avoid issues later. 2. For the healthcare stipend specifically, make sure you're documenting that properly since it's a bit different from regular contract payments. You'll want clear records showing what portion is for services vs. healthcare. 3. Consider getting that EIN sooner rather than later even if you haven't fully committed to the LLC yet - it's free, takes 15 minutes online, and having it opens more doors for business accounts and payment processors. 4. Keep all your invoices and documentation super organized from day one. When you do eventually switch to a business account, you'll thank yourself for having clean records. The liability protection aspect is important too - using a dedicated account (even if personal) shows you're treating the business as separate, which helps maintain that corporate veil protection once you do form the LLC. You're not missing anything major - this is a very common approach for people testing the waters with independent contracting!

Just to add another perspective - my partner and I were in exactly this situation 2 years ago. We weren't married, I claimed our daughter on my taxes for the childcare benefit through my work, and she had our daughter on her health insurance. The key thing that worked for us was keeping really good records. I documented all the expenses I paid for our daughter (diapers, clothes, childcare, etc.) to show I provided more than half her support. We never had any issues with either the IRS or the insurance company. Just make sure you're actually providing more than half the financial support if you're claiming the child as a dependent. If your girlfriend is paying more than half the expenses, technically she should claim the child, not you.

Congratulations on becoming a dad soon! This is definitely a confusing area, but the good news is that you're overthinking it a bit. Health insurance coverage and tax dependency are completely separate systems with different rules. Your girlfriend can absolutely add your son to her health insurance while you claim him as your tax dependent. There's no requirement that the person providing health insurance must also be the one claiming the child on their taxes. These benefits operate independently of each other. For your work's childcare subsidy, they only care that you legitimately qualify to claim your son as a dependent on your tax return. This means you need to provide more than half of his total support for the year and he needs to live with you for more than half the year (which should be easy since you live together). The IRS won't have any issues with this arrangement, and your employer's childcare benefit program won't either. Just make sure you and your girlfriend don't both try to claim him as a dependent on your respective tax returns - only one of you can do that, and it should be whoever actually provides more than half of his financial support. Keep good records of what you're paying for (formula, diapers, clothes, medical expenses not covered by insurance, etc.) to document that you're providing the majority of his support. This will help if you're ever questioned about your dependent claim.

Anyone know if the timing of the quitclaim affects how the IRS views this? I got my house in a divorce settlement last year but the quitclaim wasn't filed until months after our divorce was finalized. Worried this might cause problems when i eventually sell.

Just want to add some clarity on the capital gains exclusion that was mentioned earlier. Since you lived in the house from 2016-2020 (4 years) and then continued living there after the quitclaim until you sold in 2023, you definitely meet the 2-out-of-5-years requirement for the $250k exclusion as a single filer. Given your numbers: Original purchase $295k, sale price $495k, that's a $200k gross gain. But with your adjusted cost basis (original half + buyout amount + those improvements you mentioned), plus the $250k exclusion, you'll likely owe little to no capital gains tax. One thing to watch out for - make sure your divorce decree explicitly states the property transfer was part of the settlement. This helps establish that it was "incident to divorce" and keeps the transfer itself tax-neutral.