Has anyone had experience with e-filing a deceased taxpayer's return as a Personal Representative? I'm trying to avoid paper filing if possible, but I'm not sure if the major tax software programs properly handle this situation.

I'm currently going through this same situation with my father's estate. One thing I want to emphasize that hasn't been fully covered - keep detailed records of EVERYTHING you do as Personal Representative. The IRS may request documentation later, and having organized files will save you major headaches. Also, consider getting an EIN (Employer Identification Number) for the estate if there are any ongoing income-generating assets or if you expect the estate to remain open for an extended period. This separates estate income from the final 1040 and helps with record-keeping. For the signature issue specifically, I found it helpful to practice writing "John Doe, Personal Representative for [Deceased's Name], Estate" a few times before signing the actual return. The IRS wants clarity about who is signing and in what capacity.

I just want to add another option that helped me when I was in a similar situation - check if Goodwill uses a third-party tax document service like TaxSlayer or Paychex for W2 distribution. Some employers outsource their tax document delivery to these services. You can usually find this information by calling Goodwill's main HR line and asking specifically which service they use for W2 distribution. If they do use a third-party service, you might be able to access your W2 directly through that service's website using your SSN and some basic employment information. Also, if you're really pressed for time and can't reach anyone at Goodwill, remember that you can call the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service at 1-877-777-4778. They're specifically designed to help taxpayers who are having problems that can't be resolved through normal IRS channels, including issues with employers not providing W2s. They're separate from regular IRS customer service and often more effective at getting results quickly. Don't panic - this happens to thousands of people every tax season and there are always solutions available!

I work in HR and wanted to add some additional context that might help. First, employers are legally required to mail W-2s by January 31st to employees' last known address. If you moved after leaving Goodwill and didn't update your address with them, that's likely why you haven't received it yet. Here's what I'd recommend in order of priority: 1) Call Goodwill's regional payroll department (not your local store) and provide your current address. They can often email you a digital copy immediately while sending a corrected one to your new address. 2) If you can't reach them by phone, send a written request via email or certified mail. Include your full name, SSN, dates of employment, and current address. This creates a paper trail showing you made reasonable efforts. 3) Check if you still have access to any employee portal or payroll system you used while employed there. The good news is that if you truly can't get your W-2 after reasonable efforts, the IRS won't penalize you for filing late as long as you can document your attempts. Keep records of all your contacts with Goodwill. If push comes to shove, you can file Form 4852 using your last paystub information, but it's always better to get the actual W-2 if possible to avoid potential discrepancies later.

Great question, and I really appreciate how thoughtfully you're approaching this! As someone who's been creating health and wellness content for a few years, I've wrestled with similar questions about what can legitimately be deducted. The consensus here is spot-on - medication expenses are extremely difficult to justify as business deductions because they're inherently personal, even when they become part of your content. The IRS looks very carefully at "dual-purpose" expenses, and medical treatments almost always fall on the personal side of that line. What I'd suggest instead is focusing on building a rock-solid business foundation first. Document everything from day one - your content planning, time spent creating vs. personal use of any materials, revenue goals, and actual income as it starts coming in. This creates a paper trail showing legitimate business intent. For your Zepbound journey specifically, consider these more defensible approaches: - Deduct equipment for documenting your progress (scale, body composition monitor, camera gear) - Professional consultations specifically for content creation (nutritionist interviews, medical professional collaborations) - Software and tools for content creation and business management - Educational resources about content creation in the health space Once you have that foundation established and are generating consistent income, then you might explore whether any small allocation of health-related expenses could be justified - but I'd definitely consult with a CPA who specializes in content creators at that point. Best of luck with your channel! The fact that you're asking these questions upfront shows you're going to approach this the right way.

Great question about monetization strategies! I've been creating health and wellness content for about 3 years now, and I've found diversifying income streams is key to building a sustainable business that the IRS would clearly recognize as legitimate. Here's what's worked for me: **Primary Revenue Sources:** - Affiliate marketing (supplements, fitness equipment, health tracking devices) - this generates about 40% of my income - Sponsored content with health brands - around 30% - Digital products like meal plans and workout guides - 20% - YouTube ad revenue and platform monetization - 10% **Documentation Tips:** - I track every income source in a separate spreadsheet with dates, amounts, and sources - Keep all contracts and payment records in organized folders - Use separate business bank account for ALL business transactions - Track time spent on business activities vs personal use of any products/services The key is showing consistent effort to generate profit, not just document your personal journey. I started by creating valuable content first, then gradually introduced monetization. Having multiple revenue streams also helps demonstrate this isn't just a hobby - you're actively working to build a profitable business. For your Zepbound content specifically, you could potentially partner with telehealth companies, weight management apps, or even fitness brands as your audience grows. Just make sure any partnerships align with providing genuine value to your audience rather than just pushing products. Start tracking everything from day one - it makes tax season so much easier and gives you solid documentation if questions ever come up!

Check your email. TurboTax sends confirmation. Look for "Refund Advance" in subject line. Also check spam folder. They sent mine there. Had same issue in 2022. Thought I applied. Didn't get confirmation. Called TurboTax. They confirmed no application on file. Entered card doesn't equal applying. Need to complete all screens. Very confusing process.

I went through this exact confusion two years ago! The key thing to understand is that TurboTax makes the advance application process intentionally separate from just entering your banking information. Here's what you should check: 1. Log into your TurboTax account and look specifically for a document called "Refund Advance Agreement" or similar 2. Check your email (including spam) for any messages with "Refund Advance" in the subject line 3. Look for any mention of loan terms or advance amounts in your tax documents The fact that you have clear documentation from last year but nothing this year is a pretty strong indicator that you didn't complete the advance application. The Credit Karma card entry is just for receiving your regular refund - it doesn't automatically trigger the advance process. If you really need the funds quickly, you might want to call TurboTax directly to get a definitive answer, but based on what you've described, it sounds like you'll be waiting for your regular refund instead. The good news is that refunds are processing pretty quickly this year!

I've been through a similar situation with my S Corp and 1031 exchanges. What worked for me was creating a single-member LLC that was 100% owned by the S Corp before initiating the exchange. Since the LLC is a disregarded entity for tax purposes, the IRS treats the S Corp as the actual taxpayer for both the sale and purchase. The key is making sure the S Corp owns 100% of the new LLC throughout the entire exchange process - any change in ownership percentage would break the "same taxpayer" rule. I had to be very careful with the timing and documentation to ensure the exchange qualified. My advice would be to set up the LLC structure well before listing the property (at least 30-60 days) and make sure your qualified intermediary understands the entity structure. Also, keep detailed records showing the S Corp's continuous ownership of the LLC throughout the process. This approach gave me the liability protection I wanted while preserving the 1031 exchange benefits.

This is exactly the kind of complex entity structuring issue that trips up so many real estate investors! I went through something very similar with my family's S Corp last year when we wanted to sell a rental property but needed the replacement property in an LLC for liability reasons. The key insight that finally clicked for me was understanding that the IRS looks at the "tax reporting entity" rather than just the legal entity name. Since a single-member LLC owned 100% by an S Corp is disregarded for tax purposes, both transactions effectively flow through to the same taxpayer (the S Corp) for 1031 purposes. I'd strongly recommend getting this structure set up ASAP if you're planning to list next month. You'll want at least 30-45 days of the LLC being operational before starting the exchange to show it's not just a tax maneuver. Also, make sure your qualified intermediary is experienced with disregarded entity structures - not all of them are comfortable with this approach. One other tip: consider having the new LLC obtain its own EIN even though it's disregarded. This makes the paperwork cleaner and helps establish it as a legitimate business entity rather than just a shell for the exchange.