Slight tangent but related - has anyone noticed that the reporting thresholds for these forms keep changing? I know for 1099-K (for payment processors) they were going to lower the threshold to $600 for 2023 taxes but then delayed it. Is there a similar threshold change happening for 1099-MISC too? Just wondering if more people will be getting these forms for small amounts like OP.

One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you save a copy of that 1099-MISC form somewhere safe! The IRS already has their copy, but you'll need yours for your records and to reference when filing. I learned this the hard way when I lost mine and had to contact Zazzle to get a duplicate. Also, since this is your first time dealing with this, you might want to set up a simple spreadsheet or folder system to track your Zazzle earnings throughout the year. It makes tax time much easier when you can see your monthly totals and any business expenses you might be able to deduct. Even if you're not actively creating new designs, keeping organized records will save you headaches later. The good news is that once you figure out the process this year, it becomes pretty routine for future years!

I'm dealing with a similar situation with multiple healthcare staffing apps! One thing that really helped me was creating a simple monthly routine where I screenshot my earnings summary from each app right after I get paid. I store these in a dedicated folder on my phone labeled "Tax Documents 2024." Also, since you mentioned you're new to this type of work - don't forget about the home office deduction if you do any administrative work from home (like checking schedules, communicating with facilities, or managing your bookings). Even if it's just a corner of your bedroom where you handle work-related tasks, you might be able to deduct a portion of your rent/mortgage and utilities. The key thing is to be proactive about record-keeping going forward. The IRS cares more about you reporting all your income honestly than having perfect documentation, especially for legitimate gig work like healthcare staffing.

I can relate to your situation! I've been doing healthcare staffing through apps for about 3 years now and went through the same confusion my first year. Here's what I learned: First, definitely report all that income on Schedule C even without a 1099. The IRS actually expects this - they know many gig platforms don't issue forms for smaller amounts. Your payment records from the app are totally sufficient documentation. For organizing records, I create a simple spreadsheet with columns for: Date, Platform, Facility, Hours Worked, Gross Pay, and any expenses. I update it weekly while everything is fresh in my memory. This makes tax prep so much easier than scrambling at year-end. One thing that caught me off guard my first year was the self-employment tax (15.3%) on top of regular income tax. On $13,500, that's about $2,070 just for SE tax. I'd recommend setting aside 25-30% of your earnings going forward for taxes. Also, start tracking ALL work-related expenses now: mileage between facilities, parking fees, scrubs, stethoscope, any medical supplies you buy, license renewals, continuing education, even a portion of your phone bill if you use it for work communication. These deductions can significantly reduce your tax burden. Don't stress too much - this is very common in the healthcare gig economy and the IRS understands these situations!

@f14aaa367bcb Don't worry, you're definitely not alone in this confusion! I went through something similar when I first started filing my own taxes. Here's a quick way to check if you need that 1095-A: Look at how you pay for your Molina insurance each month. If the premium gets deducted directly from your paycheck, you probably got it through your employer and don't need a 1095-A. If you pay Molina directly (like through their website or by check), you might have bought it outside the marketplace and also wouldn't need the 1095-A. But if you remember getting any kind of financial help to lower your monthly premium when you signed up, or if you qualified for reduced copays/deductibles based on your income, then you probably went through the marketplace and would need that form. The good news is that if you DID go through the marketplace, your 1095-A should be available online even if they never mailed you a physical copy. Try logging into Healthcare.gov or your state's exchange website - if you have an account there, that's a pretty clear sign you went through the marketplace. Hang in there! This stuff is confusing but you'll figure it out. And honestly, once you get through your first year of filing, it becomes so much easier to handle. 👍

@f14aaa367bcb I completely understand your frustration! The 1095-A situation trips up so many first-time filers. Here's the simplest way to figure this out: Check your insurance card or any Molina paperwork you have. Look for these specific things: 1. If you see "QHP" (Qualified Health Plan) anywhere, you likely got it through the marketplace 2. If it mentions "Metal Level" (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum), that's also a marketplace indicator 3. If you see any reference to "APTC" (Advance Premium Tax Credit) or subsidies, definitely marketplace If your paperwork just shows basic Molina info without any of those terms, you probably bought directly from them or got it through another program. Also, try this: Go to Healthcare.gov and click "Log In." If you can successfully log in with an email/password you recognize, and you see a Molina plan listed there, then yes - you went through the marketplace and should have received a 1095-A. If you can't log in or don't see any plans there, you're probably in the clear and can skip that section in your tax software. The software asks everyone about 1095-A forms just to cover all bases, but tons of people don't actually need them. You're doing great tackling this yourself - the first year is always the hardest! 🙂

Welcome to the community! I'm also pretty new here but went through this exact same confusion a couple months ago. The IRS withholding estimator told my wife and me to put $2,800 on Line 3 even though we don't have any dependents, and I was completely lost. What helped me was learning that the W4 form got completely redesigned in 2020, and Line 3 isn't just for dependents anymore - it's basically become a general withholding adjustment line. When the estimator suggests an amount for Line 3, it's not telling you to claim fake dependents. It's saying "your current withholding is going to result in you overpaying by this amount, so let's reduce it." Think of it this way: if you're on track to get a $2,800 refund, that means you're essentially lending the government your money interest-free for months. The estimator is helping you keep that money in your paychecks instead. I was nervous at first, but after reading through experiences like the ones shared here, I went ahead with the adjustment and it worked perfectly. The key thing I learned is that your W4 withholding and your actual tax return are completely separate. The W4 just tells your employer how much to take out of each paycheck - it doesn't affect what you can actually claim when you file your taxes. Following the IRS's own calculator can't be wrong!

Welcome to the community! I went through this exact same confusion when I first encountered the new W4 system. Like many others here, I was completely baffled when the IRS withholding estimator told me to put money on Line 3 despite not having any dependents. What really helped me understand this was realizing that the IRS isn't actually suggesting you claim dependents you don't have. The confusing part is that Line 3 is labeled "Claim Dependents" but it actually serves multiple purposes in the redesigned W4 system. It's essentially become a general withholding adjustment mechanism. When the estimator analyzes your tax situation and determines you're likely to overwithhold (meaning you'd get a big refund), it uses Line 3 as the most straightforward way to reduce that withholding. Each dollar you put on Line 3 directly reduces the amount of tax withheld from your paychecks by that same amount. Think of it this way: if you're projected to overpay your taxes by $4,200 this year, that money would be much more useful in your monthly paychecks rather than sitting with the IRS as an interest-free loan until you file your return. The estimator is just helping you optimize your cash flow throughout the year. I was hesitant at first too, but I followed the calculator's recommendations and it worked perfectly. Just remember that if your income situation changes significantly during the year, you'll want to re-run the estimator to make sure your withholding is still on track.

This is such an important distinction that I wish more people understood! I made the CPA mistake myself when I first started having more complex tax situations. What really opened my eyes was when I needed help with some rental property depreciation issues. The CPA I went to charged me $450 and honestly seemed to be googling things right in front of me. When I later switched to an EA who specialized in real estate, not only was it $200 cheaper, but she immediately knew exactly how to handle accelerated depreciation and even suggested some strategies I hadn't considered. I think the "prestige" factor of CPAs makes people feel like they're getting better service, but for pure tax work, EAs often have more current, specialized knowledge. Plus, like you mentioned, they can represent you to the IRS just like CPAs can, so you're not giving up any protection. The only time I'd recommend a CPA over an EA is if you genuinely need services beyond tax prep - like if you're looking for business financial planning, need audited financial statements, or want comprehensive financial advisory services. But for tax preparation and planning? EA all the way.

As a newcomer to this community, this thread has been absolutely invaluable! I've been dreading tax season because I started a side business this year (Etsy shop) and assumed I'd need to shell out big money for a CPA. Reading all these real experiences has completely changed my approach. The distinction between CPAs and EAs makes so much sense when you break it down like this. I love the surgeon/Band-Aid analogy someone used earlier - that really crystallized it for me. For my situation with just some Schedule C income from selling handmade items, an EA's specialized tax knowledge sounds perfect. I'm definitely going to use some of the resources mentioned here to find an EA who has experience with small online businesses. The cost savings alone ($200-300 vs $600+) would more than justify the switch from my current plan of just winging it with TurboTax and hoping for the best. Thanks for sharing all your experiences - this is exactly the kind of practical, money-saving advice that makes this community so valuable!