Just to add from personal experience - I tried claiming my new fridge and washer last year and got a letter from the IRS saying they weren't eligible. Ended up having to pay back the credit plus interest. Double check everything before filing!!

This is exactly why I always recommend getting professional help for energy credits! The rules are so specific and change frequently. What happened to you with the fridge and washer is unfortunately common - people assume "energy efficient" automatically means "tax credit eligible" but the IRS has very narrow definitions. For anyone reading this, the key thing to understand is that the federal energy credits generally focus on major home systems (heating, cooling, insulation, windows) and renewable energy installations rather than standard appliances. Even if an appliance is Energy Star certified, that doesn't automatically make it eligible for tax credits. Before claiming any energy credit, make sure you have documentation that your specific purchase meets the technical requirements listed in the IRS instructions for Form 5695. And when in doubt, it's worth paying a tax professional to review your situation - much cheaper than paying back credits plus penalties later!

I went through the exact same situation when I bought my house two years ago! My mortgage was sold before my first payment too, and the new servicer's 1098 was missing the points. Here's what worked for me: I called the original lender (the one who actually processed my closing) and explained that their 1098 reporting was incomplete since the loan was sold. They were actually pretty helpful once I got through to the right department - turns out this happens frequently when mortgages are sold quickly after closing. They issued a corrected 1098 within about 10 business days. The key is to have your loan number from the original lender (should be on your closing documents) and your closing disclosure showing the points payment. If for some reason you can't get the corrected 1098, you can absolutely still claim the deduction using your closing disclosure as supporting documentation. Just make sure to keep detailed records in case of any questions later. The closing disclosure is an official HUD document, so it carries a lot of weight as proof of what you actually paid. Don't stress too much about it - this is more common than you'd think with how often mortgages get sold these days!

I actually work for a tax prep company and see this exact scenario multiple times every tax season! When mortgages are sold quickly after closing (especially before the first payment), the points reporting often gets lost in the shuffle between lenders. Here's the good news: you have several solid options. First, definitely try contacting the ORIGINAL lender who handled your closing - they're the ones responsible for reporting those points since you paid them at closing. Have your original loan number and closing disclosure ready when you call. If they're unresponsive or unhelpful, don't panic. Your closing disclosure is actually considered primary documentation by the IRS for points paid. You can claim the full $4,500 deduction on Schedule A using that document as support. Just make sure to keep detailed records and maybe include a brief note about the 1098 discrepancy when you file. Since this was for your primary residence purchase (not a refinance), the points should be fully deductible this year rather than amortized over the loan term. The fact that they're specifically listed as "discount points" on your closing disclosure makes this pretty straightforward. One tip: if you do get pushback from the original lender, mention that this is required tax reporting under IRS regulations - sometimes that gets you transferred to someone who actually knows what they're doing!

Make sure you get EVERYTHING in writing from the startup! I got burned badly last year when I did development work for equity and the company changed terms on me after 8 months of work. Had already deducted $3k in equipment on my taxes and then had nothing to show for it.

Benjamin, you're asking all the right questions! A few key points to add to the excellent advice already given: 1. **Documentation is crucial** - Keep detailed records of your equity agreement, work hours, business purpose, and all expenses. The IRS will want to see this is a legitimate business activity, not a hobby. 2. **Consider forming an LLC** - Since you're doing significant startup work, you might want to structure this properly. An LLC can provide liability protection and may make your business deductions cleaner. 3. **Track everything separately** - Keep your startup work completely separate from your W2 job. Separate bank accounts, time tracking, expense records, etc. This will help if you ever get audited. 4. **Quarterly estimated taxes** - Even though you're not getting cash now, if the startup starts generating income or your equity becomes valuable, you'll need to make quarterly payments. Plan ahead. The MacBook deduction is legitimate business expense that goes on Schedule C. Just make sure you can prove it's used primarily for the business (keep usage logs if needed). Good luck with the startup!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! As someone who just started a small online jewelry business this year, I was completely lost on these forms. The explanations here really clarified that Schedule C is for my business income/expenses while Schedule A is for personal itemized deductions. One thing I'm still wondering about - I've been working from home and converted part of my spare bedroom into a workspace for making jewelry and photographing products. I've heard about home office deductions but I'm not sure if that goes on Schedule C or if there are special rules for it. Also, since I'm renting (not owning), does that affect whether I can claim any home office expenses? The separate bank account tip is gold - definitely doing that before the year ends. And the mileage tracking advice will save me from scrambling to recreate my business trips later!

This is such a helpful thread! I've been lurking here for a while as a new small business owner and finally decided to jump in. Started a tutoring service this year and was completely overwhelmed by all the tax forms. The way everyone explained Schedule C vs Schedule A really clicked for me - business stuff goes on C, personal deductions on A. Simple but I was definitely overthinking it before. One question though - for my tutoring business, I drive to students' homes and also meet some at coffee shops where I buy drinks during our sessions. Can I deduct both the mileage AND the coffee expenses on Schedule C? Or is there some rule about not being able to claim both travel and meals for the same business activity? Also loving all the organization tips here. Definitely setting up that separate business account this week!

Great question about depreciation! As someone who's been through this exact confusion, let me add a few practical tips that helped me navigate this maze. First, regarding your specific assets - the laptop ($1,850), furniture ($3,200), and software ($1,100) - Section 179 is likely your best bet since your total is only $6,150 and you have $42,000 in business income. This lets you deduct everything immediately rather than spreading it over multiple years. One thing I learned the hard way: make sure you have documentation showing when each item was "placed in service" for your business. The IRS cares about the actual date you started using it for business purposes, not necessarily when you purchased it. Also, don't forget about the "business use percentage" if any of these items are used partially for personal purposes. The laptop needs to be used more than 50% for business to qualify for Section 179, and you can only deduct the business-use portion. For record keeping, I created a simple spreadsheet with columns for: Item Description, Purchase Date, Cost, Business Use %, Section 179 Deduction Claimed, and Receipt Location. This saved me tons of headaches later. One last tip: if you're unsure about anything, consider getting at least a consultation with a tax professional for your first year. Business depreciation mistakes can be costly if the IRS comes knocking later!

@Keisha Robinson - Based on your situation, I'd strongly recommend going with Section 179 for all your equipment. With $42,000 in business income and only $6,150 in qualifying assets, you can deduct the entire amount this year and significantly reduce your tax liability. Here's a quick breakdown for your specific items: - Laptop ($1,850): Fully deductible under Section 179 (assuming >50% business use) - Office furniture ($3,200): Fully deductible under Section 179 - Software ($1,100): Fully deductible under Section 179 The immediate deduction will likely save you more in taxes this year than spreading the depreciation over 3-7 years, especially if you expect your income to grow in future years. For TurboTax, look for the "Section 179 Election" when you're entering your business assets. It should walk you through each item and let you choose the deduction method. Make sure you have your purchase dates and receipts organized - TurboTax will need the exact dates you started using each item for business. One important note: keep detailed records of when you "placed in service" each asset for business use, as this determines which tax year you can claim the deduction. Good luck with your return!