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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.
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).
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.
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?
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 When entering your IRA contributions, there's a section where it asks if you made excess contributions and if you've withdrawn them.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.
Malik Thomas
I'm currently going through this exact same situation - my Michigan return went under review 4 days ago and I was immediately concerned I'd made an error somewhere. This thread has been incredibly helpful and reassuring to find! Like so many others here, I also have medical expenses coming up (some dental work that can't be delayed much longer) and was really counting on that refund timeline being consistent with previous years. The complete absence of any estimated timeframe from Michigan Treasury is really frustrating when you're trying to plan around healthcare costs. From reading everyone's experiences here, it sounds like that 2-3 week window is pretty typical for these reviews, and most seem to resolve on their own without needing any additional documentation. The randomness factor that several people mentioned actually gives me some peace of mind - knowing it's likely just standard verification rather than something I did wrong on my return. I'm going to try to be patient and wait at least 2 weeks before calling, but it's comforting to know that when people do call, they typically get useful information about what triggered the review. Thanks to everyone for sharing their timelines and outcomes - this thread has been a huge help for managing the anxiety that comes with waiting on money you need for medical expenses. I'll definitely update with my progress to help others who are starting this waiting period. It's reassuring to know we're all navigating this uncertainty together!
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Aisha Patel
ā¢I'm also dealing with this right now - my Michigan return went under review yesterday and I was getting really worried until I found this thread! It's such a relief to see so many others going through the exact same thing. I also have medical expenses coming up (some tests my doctor wants me to get done) and was really hoping for that predictable timeline we've had before. The lack of any timeframe estimate from Michigan is definitely stressful when you're trying to plan medical payments. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like that 2-3 week range is pretty normal and most people get through without needing to do anything extra. The fact that it's likely just random verification makes me feel a lot better - I was worried I'd messed up my filing somehow. I'm going to try to wait it out for at least 2 weeks before calling. Thanks for offering to update with your progress - it really helps knowing we're all in this waiting situation together!
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Jamal Thompson
I'm going through the exact same situation right now! My Michigan return went under review 6 days ago and I was starting to panic thinking I'd made some kind of mistake on my filing. This thread has been such a lifesaver - it's incredible to see how many people are experiencing this identical situation this tax season. Like so many others here, I also have upcoming medical expenses (some follow-up appointments after a recent injury) and was really counting on that refund timeline being predictable like it's been in previous years. The complete lack of any estimated timeframe from Michigan Treasury is so frustrating when you're trying to budget for healthcare needs. From reading everyone's shared experiences, it sounds like that 14-21 day window is pretty standard for these reviews, and the vast majority resolve automatically without requiring any additional documentation from us. The randomness factor that several people mentioned actually gives me some comfort - knowing it's likely just routine verification rather than an error I made. I'm going to try to be patient and wait at least 2 weeks before calling, but it's reassuring to know that when people do reach out, they usually get helpful context about what triggered the review. Thanks to everyone for sharing your timelines and outcomes here - this thread has been incredibly helpful for managing the stress that comes with waiting on money you need for medical expenses. I'll definitely update with my progress to help others who are just starting this waiting period. It's comforting to know we're all navigating this uncertainty together!
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