I've been through this exact same situation! My ID.me account got suspended about 6 weeks ago and I was completely panicked since I needed my transcript for a loan application. What finally worked for me was being super persistent with the chat support at help.id.me - it took me trying 3 different times over 2 days but I eventually got an agent who could actually help. They told me my account was flagged because I had logged in from my phone's mobile data instead of my usual WiFi, which their system saw as a "new location." Had to go through the full identity verification again with crystal clear photos (seriously, the lighting has to be perfect or they'll reject it) and answer a bunch of security questions about my credit history. Got it resolved in about 5 days total. While you're dealing with the ID.me mess, definitely try calling that IRS transcript line at 800-908-9946 right when they open at 7 AM - I actually got through on my second try and they mailed me a copy in about 8 business days. It's such a broken system but don't give up! Most people do eventually get their accounts back with enough persistence.

I've been dealing with ID.me issues as a tax professional for the past few years and unfortunately this is becoming increasingly common. Based on your description, this sounds like one of their automated security flags - they've gotten extremely aggressive with suspensions lately, especially during tax season. Here's what I'd recommend: First, go straight to the chat support at help.id.me (skip the phone completely). Have your driver's license ready and make sure you're in a well-lit area for photo verification - their system is incredibly picky about shadows or glare. While you're working on that, call 800-908-9946 (IRS transcript line) right at 7 AM when they open - you'll have the best chance of getting through to request a mailed copy. It takes about 10 days but gives you a backup while dealing with ID.me. Also check if any of your personal info has changed recently (address, phone, etc.) as mismatches between government systems can trigger these suspensions. The whole system is frustrating but most accounts do get restored within 3-5 days once you connect with the right support agent. Hang in there!

I know this is slightly off topic, but which medical studies are paying so well? I've only been finding ones that pay like $50-100 for a day of testing, and you made $5,800? Are you doing pharmaceutical trials or something more involved?

I'm a tax professional and can confirm that your medical study income on 1099-MISC forms absolutely qualifies as earned income for Roth IRA contributions. The IRS considers compensation for your time, participation, and following study protocols as "payment for services rendered," which falls squarely under the earned income definition. The key test is whether you're being paid for your active participation versus just receiving reimbursement for expenses. Since you're undergoing tests, taking medications, attending appointments, and following specific protocols, you're clearly providing services that warrant compensation. A few important points to remember: - This income is subject to self-employment tax (15.3%), so plan accordingly - You'll need to file Schedule C to report this business income - Keep records of any unreimbursed expenses related to your participation (travel, parking, etc.) as these may be deductible - The $6,500 Roth IRA contribution limit for 2024 still applies regardless of your total earned income Your $5,800 from medical studies gives you plenty of room to make a substantial Roth contribution this year. Just make sure to set aside funds for the additional taxes you'll owe on this self-employment income.

Quick tip - I'm an accountant (not giving professional advice tho) and I always tell friends to just put "single" on their W4s if both spouses work similar incomes. It's not technically correct, but it's the easiest way to avoid owing. If your incomes are very different (like one person makes 80% of the money), then do "married" but add extra withholding. The IRS doesn't actually check or care what you put on your W4 as long as you don't severely underwithhold. They just want their money eventually lol.

Laura, you're definitely not alone in this situation! Marriage and tax withholding can be really tricky to navigate. Here's what I'd recommend based on your situation: Since you and your spouse have similar incomes ($78k vs $72k), you have a few solid options: 1. **The "technically correct" approach**: Update your W4 to "Married" and check the box that your spouse also works. This will increase your withholding to account for your combined income pushing you into higher brackets. 2. **The "practical" approach**: Many couples in your situation just select "Single" on their W4s. While not technically your filing status, it withholds at a higher rate and often prevents owing taxes. The IRS doesn't penalize this as long as you're not severely underwithheld. 3. **The "precise" approach**: Use the Multiple Jobs Worksheet on the W4 or the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator online to calculate exactly how much extra withholding you need. For state taxes, rules vary by state, but generally you should match your federal approach for consistency. Don't beat yourself up about this - the W4 changes in recent years have confused a lot of people, and owing taxes after marriage is super common. The important thing is you're addressing it now! I'd probably start with option 2 (selecting "Single") since it's simple and usually works well for couples with similar incomes like yours.

This entire discussion has been incredibly eye-opening! I'm just getting started with my freelance consulting business and have been completely avoiding the sales tax question because it seemed so intimidating. Reading through everyone's real experiences has shown me that I'm definitely not alone in this confusion, and more importantly, that there are actual solutions and resources available. The recurring theme I'm seeing is that most freelance services (like my business consulting) are typically not subject to sales tax in most states, but any digital or physical products definitely can be. I love the advice about separating services from products on invoices - that seems like such a simple way to keep things clear for both tax purposes and client understanding. I'm definitely going to start with the free SCORE mentoring that several people have recommended, then potentially use taxr.ai to handle the more complex multi-state calculations as my client base grows. The combination approach that Nia Davis described sounds perfect for getting both the personal guidance and the technical accuracy. One quick question for the group - for those of you who've been doing this for a while, how often do you review your sales tax obligations? Is this something you check annually, or do you need to monitor it more frequently as your business grows and potentially crosses into new states or revenue thresholds? Thank you all for sharing such detailed, practical experiences. This community is amazing for helping newcomers navigate these complex business issues that you just don't learn about until you're actually running a business!

This has been such an incredibly comprehensive discussion! As a newcomer to freelancing (just launched my copywriting business), I've been paralyzed by sales tax confusion for weeks. Reading through everyone's experiences has been both reassuring and educational. What really stands out to me is how many of you found success combining free resources like SCORE mentoring with paid tools like taxr.ai. That approach makes perfect sense - get the foundational knowledge and state-specific guidance from experienced mentors, then use technology to handle the complex calculations and tracking. I'm particularly grateful for the practical tips about separating services from products on invoices. As a copywriter, most of my work is pure service (writing blog posts, emails, etc.), but I sometimes create downloadable content guides or templates that clients can reuse. It sounds like I need to be much more intentional about categorizing these different offerings. The point about monitoring quarterly once established, but monthly when starting out, is exactly the kind of actionable advice I needed. I'm going to set up a simple tracking system now while my client base is small, rather than waiting until it becomes overwhelming. For those who mentioned international clients - this is really helpful since I'm starting to get inquiries from Canadian companies. It's good to know that US sales tax typically doesn't apply to international work, though I'll definitely verify this with SCORE. Thank you all for being so generous with sharing your real-world experiences. This thread has given me the confidence to tackle this systematically instead of continuing to avoid it. Off to contact SCORE this week!

This has been such an informative thread! As someone who went through a messy divorce a few years ago, I wish I had found this kind of detailed advice back then. My ex and I made so many mistakes with our tax filings because we didn't understand the rules properly. One thing I'd add from my experience is to make sure they also consider state tax implications if they live in a state with income taxes. Some states have different rules about dependents and filing status that might affect their decision about who claims which child. It's usually not a big deal, but worth double-checking since they want to get this right from the start. Also, I love seeing how collaborative and helpful everyone has been here - it really shows that even complex tax situations can be worked out when people communicate well and share good information. Your son and his ex are fortunate to have such a reasonable approach to co-parenting, and this tax arrangement should work great for them!

I'm a tax preparer and this thread has covered all the main points beautifully! Just wanted to add one practical consideration for your son and his ex: they should each make sure they have the children's Social Security numbers readily available when they file. It might sound obvious, but you'd be surprised how often divorced parents run into issues because one parent has all the important documents (SSN cards, birth certificates, etc.) and forgets to share the numbers with the other parent at tax time. Since they'll each be claiming a different child going forward, they should both have easy access to both children's SSNs. Also, if either parent uses tax software or works with a tax preparer, make sure to mention this arrangement upfront. Some software will flag it as unusual if it detects that another child with the same last name and address isn't being claimed, but it's completely normal in shared custody situations. The consistent approach they're considering really is the way to go - it eliminates so much confusion and stress compared to alternating years. Sounds like they have a good co-parenting foundation to make this work smoothly!