Has anyone had their FSA administrator reject expenses during an audit because the provider didn't have a tax ID? I'm in a similar situation with a small home daycare and worried my company might make me pay back the FSA money if they audit and find out the provider wasn't properly registered.

I went through almost the exact same situation two years ago with a home daycare that suddenly shut down. What really helped me was keeping a detailed timeline of everything - when I paid, when they closed, when I tried to contact them, etc. One thing I'd add to the great advice already given: check with your state's licensing board for childcare providers. Even if the daycare was operating without proper licensing, they might have records or complaints filed that could help you track down the owner's information. In my case, I found out through the state board that several parents had filed complaints when the daycare closed, and they actually had the owner's SSN on file from a previous licensing attempt. Also, don't stress too much about the FSA side of things. Your FSA administrator approved the reimbursement based on valid receipts for childcare expenses. The fact that the provider may have had licensing issues doesn't retroactively make your childcare expenses ineligible. You legitimately paid for childcare so you could work - that's what matters for FSA purposes. Just make sure to document everything thoroughly and you should be fine on both the FSA and tax filing fronts!

Has anyone tried using one of those Certified Acceptance Agents instead of going directly through the IRS? The thought of sending my wife's original passport in the mail is making me really nervous...

Just to add some clarity for anyone else in this situation - you absolutely can apply for an ITIN after filing your return! I went through this exact process with my partner last year. The key things to remember: 1. Use Form W-7 and include a complete copy of your already-filed tax return as supporting documentation 2. If you're nervous about mailing original documents (totally understandable!), definitely look into using a Certified Acceptance Agent - they can verify originals in person and submit copies 3. The ITIN application won't affect your already-filed return for this year, but it will give you more filing options next year The whole process took about 10 weeks for us when we went through a CAA. Yes, there's a small fee, but the peace of mind was worth it. Don't stress too much - this is a pretty common situation and the IRS handles it regularly!

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.

As a newcomer to this discussion, I'm really grateful for all the detailed insights everyone has shared. I'm currently in my first year as a youth pastor and just learned about Form 4361, so this conversation is incredibly timely for me. One question I haven't seen addressed yet - does anyone know how this exemption affects ministers who might transition between different types of ministry roles? For example, if I move from being a youth pastor to a senior pastor role, or if I eventually work for a denominational headquarters rather than a local church, does that impact the exemption status? Also, I'm curious about the interaction with state taxes. I know we're focusing on federal SE tax here, but do any states have similar exemptions or complications that ministers should be aware of when making this decision? The points about disability insurance and long-term financial planning have really opened my eyes. It sounds like this decision requires much more comprehensive financial planning than I initially realized. Thank you all for sharing your real-world experiences - it's helping me think through this decision much more thoroughly than I would have on my own.

Keep in mind that the "best" incorporation state isn't just about taxes. I incorporated in Delaware, and while I do pay the annual franchise tax, the legal protection has been invaluable. Had a major contract dispute with a client, and Delaware's Court of Chancery handled it efficiently. Also, if you ever plan to seek venture capital, many investors prefer Delaware C-Corps because of the predictable legal framework. Even if you save a little on taxes elsewhere, you might face higher costs if you incorporate elsewhere then need to convert to a Delaware entity later.

Great discussion here! As someone who went through this exact decision last year, I'd add that you should also consider the ongoing administrative burden of your choice. While Wyoming and Nevada are tax-friendly, Delaware has the most streamlined annual reporting process I've encountered. Their Division of Corporations website is actually user-friendly (shocking for a government site), and you can handle most filings online without needing to mail paperwork or deal with antiquated systems. Also, since you mentioned retaining earnings in the corporate structure - make sure to factor in potential accumulated earnings tax implications at the federal level if you're planning to hold onto significant cash without distributing it. This is a federal issue regardless of state, but some states have additional rules around unreasonable accumulation that could affect your strategy. Given your SaaS model and remote workforce, I'd seriously consider running the numbers on a Delaware C-Corp vs. the traditional tax haven states. The legal predictability and ease of administration might be worth the modest tax difference, especially as you scale.

Has anyone used QuickBooks Self-Employed for tracking both methods simultaneously? I heard there's a way to set it up to compare them at tax time.

As someone who's been through this exact scenario with my photography business, I completely understand your frustration! The "locked in" rule for actual expenses is one of those tax traps that catches a lot of small business owners off guard. Given your high mileage (15,782 business miles), the standard mileage deduction would give you about $10,337 this year alone (at 65.5 cents per mile). With actual expenses, you're probably looking at significantly less unless you have unusually high vehicle costs. Here's my take: if you're planning to keep this car for several more years and maintain similar mileage patterns, paying the $2,750 now is likely worth it. You'll probably recoup that cost within the first year of using standard mileage, and then continue saving thousands annually. Before making the final decision, I'd recommend calculating your total actual expenses for this year (including depreciation, gas, insurance, repairs, registration, etc.) and comparing that to what standard mileage would give you. If the gap is as wide as I suspect, the math strongly favors taking the hit now. Also consider consulting with a tax professional who specializes in small business returns - they can run the numbers for your specific situation and help you avoid any pitfalls with the amendment process.