Has anyone used TurboTax or H&R Block software for filing these forms for a foreign LLC? I'm trying to figure out if I can DIY this or if I really need to hire a specialist.

I went through this exact same situation with my foreign disregarded entity LLC last year, and it's definitely confusing at first! Here's what I learned after working with a specialist: For **Form 5472**: You're correct that capital contributions go on the separate attachment for Part V, but they also need to be reported on Part IV Line 12 as "Other amounts received." This might seem like double reporting, but it's intentional - Part IV tracks cash flows while Part V provides the detailed breakdown. For **Form 1120**: The capital contribution should appear on Schedule L (Balance Sheet) under owner's equity, not as income. Look for lines related to "Capital stock" or "Additional paid-in capital" - the exact line depends on how your LLC is structured. For **Form 1040NR**: You're absolutely right not to include it on Schedule C. Capital contributions aren't income to you personally, so they don't belong anywhere on your individual return. The key is creating a clear narrative across all forms. I included a detailed statement explaining the capital contribution and referencing it on each form where it appears. This shows the IRS you're being transparent about the financial flows. Don't stress too much - as long as you document everything clearly and consistently, the IRS understands these are complex structures. Focus on transparency rather than perfection.

Anyone else worried this could trigger an audit? My accountant says claiming 100% for restaurant meals is a red flag even with documentation. He says the safe approach is just claiming the standard 50% and avoiding potential headaches.

This is exactly the kind of situation where proper documentation makes all the difference. As a restaurant owner myself, I've navigated this gray area successfully by treating it like legitimate business research rather than just "dining out." The key distinction the IRS looks for is whether your primary purpose was genuinely research-based or if it was primarily for entertainment/relationship building. From your description - visiting 5 restaurants specifically to analyze farm-to-table concepts, taking detailed notes, speaking with managers about suppliers - that sounds like legitimate research to me. Here's what I'd recommend: Create a formal research protocol before each visit. Document your specific research objectives, take photos (with permission), maintain detailed notes about what you're studying, and most importantly - follow up with how this research actually influenced your business decisions. The IRS wants to see that this wasn't just a nice meal but genuine business development. Your accountant's hesitation is understandable - many CPAs prefer the conservative 50% approach to avoid potential scrutiny. But with proper documentation, research expenses can absolutely qualify for 100% deduction. Just make sure you can clearly demonstrate the research intent and business purpose if questioned.

I went through something very similar when a small retail store I worked at during college closed suddenly. Here's what I learned from that experience: First, definitely try the IRS wage and income transcript - you can request it online at irs.gov. Even if the business is gone, they may have filed your W-2 before closing. If that doesn't work, check your state's Secretary of State business database. You can usually search by business name and find the registered agent or owner information. Sometimes they're required to maintain contact info even after dissolution. Also, try reaching out to your state's Department of Labor or wage and hour division. They sometimes have records of businesses that have closed and can help track down former owners for employment-related issues. If all else fails, Form 4852 is your backup. Keep any documentation you have - pay stubs, bank deposits, anything that shows your earnings. The IRS accepts reasonable estimates when the employer fails to provide proper documentation. And yes, you do need to report all W-2 income regardless of the amount - there's no minimum threshold for employee wages like there is for contractor payments.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now! My advice would be to start with the free options first before paying for any services. The IRS Get Transcript tool is definitely your first stop - go to irs.gov and request your wage and income transcript. Even if the restaurant closed, they were legally required to file your W-2 with the IRS by January 31st, so there's a good chance it's in their system. If that doesn't work, try your state's business registration database. In most states you can search for the business name and find the registered owner's information. Sometimes they're required to keep a forwarding address even after closing. Also check if your state has an unclaimed property database - sometimes final paychecks and tax documents end up there when businesses close. For what it's worth, $450-500 is definitely reportable income as a W-2 employee (there's no minimum threshold), and if they withheld any taxes from your paychecks, you'll want those withholdings back as a refund! So it's worth the effort to track this down. If all the free options fail, then Form 4852 with your best estimate is perfectly acceptable. Just document your efforts to obtain the actual W-2 in case the IRS ever asks.

Does anyone know if there's a way to revoke the Form 4361 exemption later if your beliefs change? I filed for the exemption 15 years ago when I was part of a different denomination that strongly encouraged it. Now I'm in a different church and my views have evolved.

This is such a helpful discussion! As someone who's been wrestling with this exact decision for months, I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences. One thing I want to add that might help others - make sure you understand the housing allowance implications too. When I was researching Form 4361, I discovered that ministers can designate part of their salary as housing allowance, which is exempt from income tax (though still subject to SE tax if you haven't filed the exemption). This can be a significant tax benefit that partially offsets the decision either way. Also, for anyone still within their filing window, I'd strongly recommend calculating the actual dollar impact over your entire career, not just the immediate savings. The SE tax is 15.3%, but you need to factor in what you'd lose in Social Security benefits at retirement. For some ministers, especially those with lower lifetime earnings, the Social Security benefits might actually be worth more than the taxes saved. The disability insurance point that Kai brought up is crucial too - that's honestly something I hadn't fully considered until reading this thread.

I'm probably the most impatient person when it comes to waiting for my refund, but I've learned my lesson about Chime's early deposits. Last year I had a 3/15 DD date and was refreshing my Chime app every 10 minutes starting on 3/13. It finally hit at 4:37pm on 3/14. This year, same situation with a 3/12 date, and it came through at 2:18pm on 3/11. I've started setting a calendar reminder for 48 hours before my DD date so I don't drive myself crazy checking constantly before then.

I'm in the same boat with a 3/26 DD date on my transcript! Based on what everyone's shared here, it sounds like we should realistically expect to see it hit our Chime accounts sometime between 3/24-3/25. I've been checking my account obsessively too, but I think I'm going to follow Amun-Ra's advice and just set a reminder for 3/24 morning instead of driving myself crazy refreshing the app. The consistency everyone's reporting with Chime's early deposits is actually pretty reassuring - seems like once you have that 846 code with your DD date, it's just a matter of waiting for the 1-2 day early window. Thanks for all the data points, this community is so helpful for managing expectations during tax season!