idk if this helps but my accountant told me that for 2025 filing season there are specific delays with 1099-NEC processing due to some last minute tax law changes. something about gig work classification that congress changed in december. if you have self employment income like you mentioned that could be your issue for sure.

Just to add another perspective - if you're comfortable with it, you can also check the IRS.gov website directly under their "Forms and Instructions" section. They sometimes post notices about delayed forms that might not be immediately visible in tax software. For what it's worth, the 1099-NEC delay that others mentioned is very real. I'm a tax preparer and we got official notice from the IRS about this specific issue affecting gig workers. The February 15th date mentioned by Oliver is accurate based on the latest IRS communications we've received. In the meantime, you could prepare the rest of your return and just leave the self-employment section incomplete until the forms are ready. That way you won't have to re-enter all your other information when the time comes.

Little known tip: If you're military, a student, or have income below $58,000, you might qualify for in-person help through VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) or TCE (Tax Counseling for the Elderly if you're 60+). They'll prepare your taxes completely free. I volunteered with them for 2 years and we helped tons of people who were paying places like Jackson Hewitt unnecessarily. Google "VITA site locator" to find locations near you. You usually need an appointment and to bring your documents, but they'll handle everything and file both federal and state returns for free.

I'm really glad you found these free options! I went through almost the exact same situation a few years ago - being broke and having tax prep services demand upfront payment was so frustrating. One thing I learned that might help: if you do end up using any of the free filing services mentioned here, make sure to file as early as possible if you're expecting a refund. The IRS processes returns in the order they receive them, and during peak season (late February through April), processing can slow down significantly. Also, once you file, you can track your refund status on the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool. Just have your SSN, filing status, and exact refund amount ready. It updates once a day, usually overnight. Hope you get your refund quickly - I know how much that money can mean when you're in a tight spot financially!

I'm new to this community and just wanted to say how incredibly helpful this entire discussion has been! As someone who's never had to deal with "federal tax paid" requests before, I was completely lost when I encountered this same question on a rental application last week. Reading through all the explanations here, it's clear that Line 24 (Total Tax) is the go-to answer for most situations. What really helped me understand was the distinction several people made between what you were "legally obligated to pay" versus what was actually withheld from paychecks. I had been thinking about it backwards! I ended up using Line 24 for my rental application and it was accepted without any issues. The landlord's office even confirmed that's what they typically see people use for that field. For anyone else stumbling across this thread with the same confusion - the consensus seems to be Line 24 unless the application specifically asks for something else. And if you're unsure, definitely call and ask for a specific line number like others suggested. It could save you from having to resubmit paperwork later. Thanks to everyone who shared their expertise here - this community is such a valuable resource for navigating these confusing tax situations!

As someone who's new to this community and has been following this excellent discussion, I wanted to add my recent experience that might help clarify things further. I just dealt with this exact same confusion last week when applying for a student loan refinancing. Like many others here, I was stumped by the "federal tax paid" request and initially thought it meant my withholding amount from Line 25d. After reading through similar advice (and calling the lender), I learned that what they actually wanted was Line 24 (Total Tax) from my 2024 Form 1040. The customer service rep explained it perfectly: "We want to know your actual federal tax obligation for the year, not how much was taken out of your paychecks." This makes so much sense when you think about it - your tax liability (Line 24) represents your true federal tax burden regardless of your withholding situation. Whether you got a refund, owed money, or broke even, Line 24 shows what you were actually responsible for paying in federal taxes. For anyone still uncertain, I'd echo the advice others have given: when in doubt, use Line 24 and call the requesting organization if you need confirmation. In my experience, most legitimate applications are looking for your tax liability, not your payment history. Hope this helps others navigate this confusing terminology!

Great analysis! One additional consideration that might tip the scales further toward W2 - worker classification compliance. The IRS has been increasingly strict about proper classification, and if you're working at a single location, using their equipment, following their schedule, and doing work that's integral to their business, you likely meet the criteria for W2 employee status anyway. If the client company gets audited and the IRS determines you should have been classified as an employee, both you and the company could face penalties and back taxes. The company would owe the employer portion of FICA taxes they should have paid, plus penalties and interest. You'd potentially owe additional taxes if deductions were disallowed. Given that this is a standard office job at one location through a staffing agency, the W2 classification is not only financially better but also legally safer. The agency is likely offering the choice to shift some tax burden to you, but the risk/reward doesn't favor the 1099 option in your situation.

You're absolutely right to lean toward the W2 option! Your calculations look solid, and most folks in similar situations find W2 more beneficial financially. One thing I'd add - if you do end up with any 1099 work in the future, keep detailed records of everything. The IRS loves documentation, especially for home office deductions and business expenses. I learned this the hard way when I couldn't substantiate some deductions during an audit a few years back. For your current situation though, the W2 route gives you that employer FICA contribution (essentially free money), potential access to benefits, and removes the headache of quarterly estimated payments. Plus, if the contract doesn't get renewed, you'd likely be eligible for unemployment benefits as a W2 employee. The peace of mind alone is worth it - no worrying about whether you're setting aside enough for taxes or if your deductions will hold up under scrutiny. Sometimes the simpler path is the better path!

Has anyone used TurboTax to handle this Form 8959 stuff? Does it calculate everything automatically or do I need to figure out the Additional Medicare Tax manually? I'm getting really confused with all these extra forms.

I went through this exact same situation last year and it was so confusing at first! The Additional Medicare Tax is basically a "luxury tax" on higher earners - it's 0.9% on income above $250k for married filing jointly. What probably happened is you and your spouse's combined wages crossed that $250k threshold, but your employers didn't withhold enough because they only look at individual wages (they start withholding the extra 0.9% when someone individually makes over $200k). So you end up owing it at tax time. The $1,350 on line 24 that flows to line 25c is legit - you do have to pay it. But for next year, you can avoid the surprise by either having extra tax withheld from your paychecks or making quarterly estimated payments. I had my employer withhold an extra $100 per paycheck and it covered it perfectly this year. Don't stress about it - it's just part of the tax code for higher income households. The IRS Publication 15 has more details if you want to dive deeper into how it's calculated.