Can we talk about how ridiculously complicated this whole process is? I mean, why on earth do they use cryptic codes like BP and 8B instead of just clearly stating what each distribution is? And why doesn't tax software correctly handle these common situations? I had a similar issue last year with an excess contribution to my Roth IRA (different from your 401k situation but similar principle) and ended up paying hundreds to a CPA just to fix what should be straightforward. The tax code is deliberately made confusing so that average people mess up and either overpay or have to hire expensive help.

I just went through this exact situation with my Roth 401k excess contributions! The confusion is totally understandable - these distribution codes are incredibly confusing even for tax professionals. Here's what I learned after dealing with this mess: You're absolutely right that you don't need to amend your 2020 return. The BP-coded distribution represents the return of your already-taxed Roth contributions, so it shouldn't be taxable in 2021 either. The 8B-coded distribution is the earnings on those excess contributions, which IS taxable in 2021. The tricky part is getting TurboTax to handle this correctly. What worked for me was: 1. Enter both 1099-Rs as normal 2. For the BP form, look for an "override" or "adjust" option when TurboTax tries to add it to taxable income 3. Force the taxable amount to remain $0 for the BP distribution 4. Let TurboTax handle the 8B form normally since it's correctly treating that as taxable One thing that helped me understand this better was realizing that when your plan fails ADP testing (which sounds like what happened to you), they have to return contributions even from non-highly compensated employees to bring the plan back into compliance. It's not your fault - it's a plan-wide issue. Don't skip reporting the BP form entirely - you need to report it but ensure it's not taxed twice. The IRS expects to see both 1099-Rs on your return even if one isn't taxable.

Newbie question here... I just received my first K-1 too, and I'm wondering which tax software people recommend for this situation? I've always used FreeTaxUSA for my simple returns, but I'm not sure if it handles K-1s and these unreimbursed partner expenses properly?

As someone who went through this exact confusion last year, I can confirm what others have said - you definitely don't need to file a Schedule C with your K-1. The key thing to understand is that a K-1 already reflects your share of the partnership's income and deductions. However, I want to add one important point that hasn't been fully addressed: make sure you're not double-counting deductions! The equipment, travel, and other expenses you mentioned might already be reflected in your K-1 if the partnership paid for them or if they were considered partnership expenses. Before claiming any unreimbursed expenses on Schedule E, carefully review your partnership agreement to see what expenses partners are expected to cover personally. Also, look at the detailed statements that came with your K-1 - they should show what categories of expenses were already deducted at the partnership level. For home office expenses specifically, these are tricky with partnership income and may not be deductible the way you think. The rules are different than for sole proprietors, so definitely research this carefully or consult a tax professional. Don't rush into claiming deductions without being certain they qualify - the last thing you want is to trigger an audit over improperly claimed expenses!

Just a heads up that depending on how much your HSA distribution was, this might push you into a higher tax bracket when combined with your other income. My $4,800 non-qualified distribution last year bumped me up and I wasn't prepared for the bigger tax hit.

I noticed nobody mentioned state taxes. Depending on your state, you might need to add the HSA distribution to your state taxable income too. Some states like California don't recognize HSAs at all, which makes it even more complicated. FreeTaxUSA should handle this automatically, but it's good to be aware.

Has anyone tried just asking for a copy of their quarterly 941 form? That's what employers use to report wages and taxes to the IRS each quarter. My previous restaurant manager showed me mine when I had a similar issue. Might be worth asking for that specifically.

One thing that's helped me is creating a simple daily tip log using a notes app on my phone. I record cash tips, credit card tips, and any tip-outs to other staff every single shift. Takes maybe 30 seconds but gives you solid documentation. Also, if your restaurant uses a POS system like Square or Toast, sometimes you can ask to see your individual sales reports that show the credit card tips tied to your transactions. This can help you verify if they're calculating your reported income correctly. Some managers are more willing to show you this data than full payroll reports since it's less sensitive information. The key is catching discrepancies NOW rather than waiting until January when your W-2 arrives. Fixing errors after the fact is a nightmare that can drag on for months.

Something else to watch out for - if you're an international student on an F-1 or J-1 visa, the tax rules for scholarships are TOTALLY different! Most tax software doesn't handle this correctly either. International students often need to file form 1040NR and may be exempt from taxes on scholarships under tax treaties.

This is such an important PSA - thank you for sharing! I work as a tax preparer and see this mistake constantly. What makes it even more confusing is that the IRS gets a copy of your 1098-T, so they KNOW exactly how much scholarship money you received. When your return doesn't include the taxable portion, it's basically guaranteed to trigger a notice. One thing I'd add: keep detailed records of ALL your education expenses, not just tuition. Required textbooks, lab fees, course materials - these can all be used to reduce the taxable portion of your scholarships. I've seen students save hundreds in taxes just by properly documenting these expenses. Also, if you're a graduate student with a teaching or research assistantship, those stipends are almost always taxable income and should be reported on a W-2 or 1099. If your school isn't withholding taxes on stipends, you might need to make quarterly estimated payments to avoid owing a big chunk at tax time. The whole system is way too complicated for students who are already stressed about finances!