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Has anyone successfully dealt with excess contributions through TurboTax? I'm confused about how to report this correctly in the software.
TurboTax actually handles this pretty well! When entering your IRA contributions, there's a section where it asks if you made excess contributions and if you've withdrawn them. Make sure to check "yes" for both. It'll then ask for the date of the excess contribution removal and any earnings associated with it. The key is making sure you have the correct documents from your brokerage showing it was an excess contribution removal specifically, not just a withdrawal. The software should generate Form 5329 properly if you input everything correctly.
I went through something very similar last year and can relate to the stress you're feeling! The good news is this is definitely fixable, but you'll need to be persistent with Fidelity to get it handled correctly. First, call Fidelity back and ask to speak with someone in their IRA department specifically - don't just talk to general customer service. Tell them you need to "recharacterize" your withdrawal as a "return of excess contribution" for 2024. They should be able to do this since you're still in the same tax year. Make sure they understand you're correcting an excess contribution, not just making a regular withdrawal. Once they process this correctly, you'll get a 1099-R form that properly shows the distribution as a return of excess contribution. Any earnings that were generated on that excess contribution will be taxable income for 2024 and potentially subject to the 10% early withdrawal penalty if you're under 59½. Since you've already filed, you'll likely need to file an amended return (Form 1040-X) once you get the corrected documentation from Fidelity. The timing actually works in your favor since you caught this so quickly - there probably weren't significant earnings on the excess contribution during that short time period. Don't panic about the penalties - if Fidelity processes this as a proper excess contribution removal, you should be able to avoid the 6% excise tax. Just make sure you get the right paperwork from them showing it was handled correctly.
This is really helpful advice! I'm curious though - when you say "recharacterize" the withdrawal, is that the same thing as what others have mentioned about requesting a "return of excess contribution"? Also, how long did it take for Fidelity to issue you the corrected 1099-R after you got them to process it properly? I'm worried about timing since I've already filed and accepted returns.
Yes, "recharacterizing" the withdrawal and requesting a "return of excess contribution" are essentially the same thing in this context - you're asking Fidelity to treat your withdrawal as the proper correction method for an excess contribution rather than just a regular distribution. In my case, it took about 2-3 weeks for Fidelity to issue the corrected 1099-R after I got them to process it properly. The timing shouldn't be a major concern even though you've already filed - the IRS expects amended returns when situations like this arise. The important thing is getting the correct documentation from Fidelity first, then filing the amended return with the proper forms. One tip: when you call Fidelity, ask them to put a note on your account about the recharacterization request and get a reference number. This way if you need to call back, any representative can see exactly what you're trying to accomplish. Sometimes it takes a couple calls to get someone who fully understands the process.
@Alfredo, based on your situation with $380K in S-Corp income, you'll definitely want to get this right! The K-1 will be issued to the QSST with the trust's EIN, but your son will report all the income on his personal return and pay the taxes. One thing I don't see mentioned yet - with that income level, your son may need to pay estimated taxes quarterly since there's no withholding from S-Corp distributions. The trust will still file Form 1041 but it's essentially just an informational return showing the pass-through to your son. Also, make sure your QSST election was filed properly with the IRS within the required timeframe (usually 2 months and 15 days after the stock transfer). If you missed that deadline, you could lose S-Corp status entirely. Your accountant should have handled this, but it's worth double-checking since the consequences are severe.
This is exactly the type of situation where getting professional guidance upfront can save you thousands in penalties and corrections later. With $380K in S-Corp income, the tax implications are significant. A few additional considerations for your QSST setup: 1. **Timing of the QSST election**: Make sure this was filed within 2 months and 15 days of the stock transfer. Missing this deadline can terminate your S-Corp election entirely. 2. **State tax implications**: Some states don't recognize QSSTs the same way the federal government does, so you may need separate state filings or elections. 3. **Future planning**: Consider whether your son will have other income sources that might push him into higher tax brackets when combined with the S-Corp pass-through income. 4. **Documentation**: Keep detailed records of all distributions vs. income allocations, as the IRS scrutinizes QSST arrangements more closely than regular S-Corp ownership. Given the complexity and the income level involved, I'd strongly recommend having your accountant walk you through the entire process again and provide written documentation of the reporting requirements. The interaction between S-Corp taxation and QSST rules has several nuances that can create compliance issues if not handled properly.
@Amara brings up excellent points about the complexity here. As someone new to this community but dealing with a similar situation, I'm wondering about the practical day-to-day management of a QSST arrangement. With $380K flowing through, are there any specific bookkeeping practices you'd recommend to keep the trust administration separate from the beneficiary's personal finances? I'm concerned about maintaining proper documentation for both the trust's informational return and ensuring the beneficiary has everything needed for their personal tax filing. Also, has anyone dealt with situations where the S-Corp needs to make distributions to cover the beneficiary's tax liability on the pass-through income? I assume this needs to be coordinated carefully to avoid any issues with the trust terms or QSST requirements.
This is a really common concern, and you're smart to be thinking about it proactively! The short answer is that true reimbursements for expenses you paid on behalf of the LLC generally aren't taxable income to you. Since you're getting paid back exactly what you spent (no markup or profit), keeping detailed records with receipts, and the payments are made within a reasonable timeframe, this fits the definition of an accountable plan arrangement. The LLC is essentially just returning your own money that you fronted for their business purposes. However, there are a couple of things to watch out for: 1. **Payment app reporting**: With the $600 reporting threshold for payment apps, you might receive a 1099-K from PayPal even though these transactions aren't taxable income. If this happens, don't panic - it's just a reporting requirement, not a determination of taxability. 2. **LLC's handling**: Make sure the LLC isn't issuing you a 1099 that includes these reimbursements. They shouldn't, since these aren't payments for services rendered. Your documentation sounds excellent - that spreadsheet tracking system and receipt collection will be crucial if there are ever any questions. The $38k total might seem high, but as long as you can match each reimbursement to a legitimate business expense with proper documentation, you should be fine. Keep doing what you're doing with the record-keeping, and consider having a brief conversation with the LLC about their reimbursement policies to make sure you're both on the same page!
This is really helpful, thank you! I'm new to dealing with this kind of situation and wasn't sure if the amount would trigger any automatic flags. One follow-up question - you mentioned having a conversation with the LLC about their reimbursement policies. What specific things should I ask them about to make sure we're handling this correctly? I want to make sure I'm not missing anything that could cause problems later.
Great question! Here are the key things to discuss with the LLC to ensure you're both handling reimbursements correctly: 1. **Written reimbursement policy**: Ask if they have (or can create) a written policy outlining their reimbursement procedures, required documentation, and submission timeframes. Even a simple document helps establish this as an accountable plan. 2. **1099 reporting practices**: Confirm that they understand reimbursements shouldn't be included on any 1099s they might issue to you. If they're unsure, suggest they consult their accountant. 3. **Documentation requirements**: Make sure they're satisfied with your current receipt and tracking system. Ask what level of detail they need for their records. 4. **Submission timeframe**: Clarify their expectations for how quickly you should submit reimbursement requests after making purchases. 5. **Expense categories**: Discuss whether they need expenses categorized in a specific way for their bookkeeping (office supplies, equipment, event materials, etc.). 6. **Their record-keeping**: Ask how they're tracking these reimbursements on their end - they should be recording them as business expenses, not as payments to contractors. Having this conversation shows you're both taking the proper approach and helps prevent any misunderstandings that could complicate things later. Plus, if they ever get questions about these transactions, you'll both be prepared with consistent documentation and policies.
Another thing to consider - if you're fronting $38k annually for this LLC, you might want to ask them about setting up a corporate credit card or purchase account in your name instead. Many banks offer business credit cards where you could be an authorized user, which would eliminate the reimbursement issue entirely since the LLC would be directly responsible for the charges. This approach has several benefits: no more tracking reimbursements, no potential 1099-K issues from payment apps, and the LLC gets direct records of business expenses without the complexity of managing reimbursements. Plus, you wouldn't have to tie up your personal funds waiting for repayment. Just a thought - it might simplify things significantly for both you and the LLC's bookkeeping! Worth bringing up in that conversation about reimbursement policies that others mentioned.
Don't forget to get the property formally appraised before transferring! This establishes the fair market value at time of transfer, which is crucial for gift tax purposes. If the house really is in bad shape, an appraisal will document the lower value and could save you thousands in potential gift tax implications.
Is a formal appraisal absolutely necessary? Those cost like $500 where I live. Couldn't you just use comparable sales in the area or tax assessment values?
@Jessica Nolan While you *could* use comparable sales or tax assessments, a formal appraisal is really your best protection if the IRS ever questions the value you reported. Tax assessments are often outdated and don t'reflect current market conditions or property deterioration. Comparable sales can be tricky because you need to adjust for the specific condition issues your property has. Think of the $500 appraisal cost as insurance - if it documents a significantly lower value due to the property s'poor condition, it could potentially save you thousands in gift tax reporting. Plus, having professional documentation makes your Form 709 filing much more defensible if there are ever questions. Given that you re'already losing money on this property, the appraisal might actually help minimize your tax burden by establishing the lowest supportable fair market value.
Another important consideration - make sure you understand the cousin's tax situation too! When he receives the property through the quit claim deed, he'll inherit your "carried-over basis" rather than getting a stepped-up basis. This means if he ever sells the property later, he could face capital gains tax based on the original value when your wife inherited it. This might actually work in everyone's favor though - if the property has deteriorated significantly, his basis for future sales will be higher than the current fair market value, potentially giving him a tax loss if he sells later. Just something to keep in mind for family harmony - you don't want him to get surprised by unexpected tax implications down the road. Also, since you mentioned you've been paying property taxes and maintenance costs, make sure you're not entitled to any deductions for those expenses before you transfer the property. If it was being used as a rental property (even rent-free), there might be some deductions available.
This is really helpful information I hadn't considered! The carried-over basis issue could definitely affect family relationships if the cousin doesn't understand it. Should we have him speak with a tax professional too before we finalize this transfer? I'd hate for him to get blindsided years from now if he decides to sell. Also, regarding the rental deductions you mentioned - we never charged rent, but we did pay for repairs and property taxes while he lived there. Can we still claim those as deductions even though we weren't collecting rental income? We probably spent close to $8,000 in the past 10 months on various repairs and maintenance.
Leo Simmons
Something I don't see mentioned yet - you'll also need to make quarterly estimated tax payments going forward if you continue getting 1099 income! The IRS expects you to pay taxes throughout the year, not just at filing time.
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Lindsey Fry
ā¢This caught me off guard my first year freelancing. The estimated tax deadlines are weird too - they're not exactly quarterly (April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 of the following year).
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Jungleboo Soletrain
As someone who went through this exact same confusion last year, I feel your pain! One thing that really helped me was understanding that the 1099-NEC doesn't get "attached" anywhere - it's just your record of income that you need to report. Here's what worked for me: In your tax software, look for sections labeled "Business Income," "Self-Employment," or "Freelance Work" rather than looking for "1099-NEC" specifically. The software will ask you to enter the income amount from Box 1 of your 1099-NEC, then it automatically generates Schedule C and Schedule SE for you. Don't panic about the additional taxes - yes, you'll owe more than usual since nothing was withheld, but you can also deduct legitimate business expenses like software, equipment, and even a portion of your home internet if you use it for work. Keep all your receipts! If you're really stuck, consider upgrading your tax software or switching to one that includes self-employment features. It's worth the extra cost to avoid mistakes on your first year with 1099 income.
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Zoe Papadakis
ā¢This is such helpful advice! I'm in a similar boat as the original poster - got my first 1099-NEC this year for some freelance writing work. I was also looking for a place to "attach" the form and getting frustrated. Your explanation about looking for "Business Income" sections instead of "1099-NEC" specifically makes so much sense now. Quick question - you mentioned keeping receipts for business expenses. I work from my kitchen table and don't have a dedicated home office. Can I still deduct things like my laptop and internet costs, or do I need an actual separate office space for those deductions?
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