Has anyone considered that the parents might be claiming OP as a dependent incorrectly? If you're 27 and making $24,500, you're definitely not a qualifying child, and probably not a qualifying relative either unless you live with them.

This is exactly why I always recommend people get their own tax transcript before letting anyone else handle their taxes. You can request it for free from the IRS website (irs.gov) and it will show you exactly what has been filed under your Social Security number in previous years. If your parents have been claiming you as a dependent when they shouldn't be, that could explain the pushiness. They might be panicking about potential issues if you file independently this year. At your age and income level, you should definitely be filing your own return and claiming your own personal exemption. The good news is that even if there's been an issue in past years, you can still file correctly going forward. If both you and your parents accidentally claim you in the same year, the IRS will send letters to both parties to resolve it - it's not uncommon and they have processes to handle it.

Another option to consider is using the charging tracking features that come built into many EV chargers now. I have a ChargePoint Home Flex that tracks all my charging sessions automatically in their app, including kWh used and time of charging. My tax guy said this is perfectly acceptable documentation as long as I export the data regularly and note which sessions were for my business vehicle. The app lets me categorize charges and export detailed reports that show exactly how much electricity was used. Might be easier than installing a separate meter if you're planning to get a new charger anyway.

This is a great question and you're definitely on the right track with your thinking! As someone who's been navigating business vehicle expenses for a few years now, I can confirm that tracking your home EV charging costs is absolutely legitimate when you're using the actual expense method. The kWh meter approach you're considering is spot-on. I'd recommend getting one that plugs in between your charger and the wall outlet - they're pretty affordable (usually $20-40) and give you precise readings. Just make sure it can handle the amperage of your charger. For your log, I'd suggest tracking: - Date and time of each charge - kWh used (from your meter) - Odometer reading or trip purpose - Your electric rate at time of charge (some utilities have variable rates) One thing to consider is whether your utility company offers special EV charging rates or time-of-use pricing. Mine has cheaper overnight rates, so I charge during those hours and note the lower rate in my log for more accurate deductions. The documentation you're planning should definitely satisfy IRS requirements, especially since it's more detailed than what many businesses maintain for other utilities. Keep those records organized with your other vehicle expense documentation and you'll be all set!

Has anyone dealt with the issue of DeGiro not providing proper French tax forms? When I was with a French broker, they used to give me a "Imprimé Fiscal Unique" that made declarations super easy, but DeGiro doesn't do this.

I went through this exact same situation last year when I opened my DeGiro account. Here's what I learned from speaking with a tax advisor: 1. **Form 3916** is mandatory every year for ANY foreign account, regardless of balance or activity. Even if you just opened it and haven't invested anything yet, you must declare it. 2. **Form 2047** is for reporting actual income (dividends, capital gains, interest) from foreign sources. If you haven't earned anything yet, you still need the 3916 but can skip the 2047 for now. 3. **Timing matters** - you need to declare the account for the tax year in which it was opened, even if it was December 31st. 4. **Documentation** - Keep all your DeGiro statements and correspondence. The French tax authorities can ask for proof of the account details at any time. One thing that caught me off guard was that even my unused cash sitting in the DeGiro money market fund counted as a "foreign investment" and needed to be reported differently than just cash in a bank account. The good news is that once you've done it the first time, subsequent years are much easier since you just update the same forms with current balances and any new income.

Mine hit this morning! approved 2/5, deposit 2/7 with local credit union

I'm dealing with a similar situation but with federal refunds. Sometimes there can be additional processing delays when there's an adjustment made to your refund - the system might need extra time to verify the changes before releasing funds. Since your refund was "adjusted" (not just approved), that could explain the delay beyond the normal 48-hour window. The fact that you haven't received the explanation letter yet also suggests they might still be processing everything on their end. I'd definitely call tomorrow if nothing shows up - even with high call volume, they should be able to give you a status update on both the deposit and the adjustment letter.

As someone who went through this exact confusion when I started my pottery business, I want to emphasize what others have said about keeping meticulous records. The IRS doesn't automatically see your daily transactions, but they have multiple ways to track income patterns. One thing I learned the hard way - even though cash sales don't leave an electronic trail to payment processors, if you're depositing large amounts of cash regularly, that can actually trigger bank reporting requirements. Banks monitor for unusual deposit patterns, and sudden increases in cash deposits can generate Suspicious Activity Reports. My advice: Open a separate business checking account if you haven't already, and treat it like the IRS is watching (because during an audit, they essentially are). Document every deposit - whether it's from Etsy sales, cash customers, or personal funds you're putting in to cover expenses. I use a simple spreadsheet noting the date, amount, and source of each deposit. Also, regarding your cash sales - while you don't have to deposit cash immediately, you absolutely must report that income in the tax year you earned it, not when you deposit it. The timing of bank deposits and income recognition for tax purposes are two different things.

Great question! I went through this same confusion when I started my small consulting business. Here's what I learned from my CPA and some research: Banks don't automatically send your daily transaction details to the IRS, but they do file reports in certain situations: - Currency Transaction Reports (CTRs) for cash deposits/withdrawals over $10,000 - Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) for unusual patterns - Form 1099-INT for interest earned on business accounts Payment processors like PayPal, Square, Stripe, etc. will send you AND the IRS a 1099-K if you process more than $600 in payments during the year. The key thing to understand is that during an audit, the IRS absolutely can and will request your bank statements. They'll do what's called a "bank deposits analysis" where they scrutinize every deposit and compare it to your reported income. Any unexplained deposits become presumed unreported income unless you can document otherwise. For your specific situation with cash sales and personal transfers, I'd recommend: 1. Keep a detailed log of all cash sales (even if not deposited immediately) 2. Clearly document any personal-to-business transfers with notes like "Owner contribution for inventory purchase" 3. Consider opening a separate business account if you haven't already 4. Save receipts and records that can explain any deposits Remember, you must report ALL business income regardless of whether you receive a 1099 form or not. The absence of a form doesn't mean the income is hidden from the IRS.