Just a warning about the "keep it under $600 per platform" strategy - the rules are changing! The 1099-K reporting threshold was supposed to drop to $600 across all platforms last year, then got delayed, but it's likely coming soon. Also, the IRS can look at patterns. If they see you're conveniently just under reporting thresholds on multiple platforms, that could trigger questions. Better to just report everything properly and take advantage of all legitimate deductions. Honestly with your situation of low income this year and higher next year, you might even WANT to recognize more income this year while you're in a lower tax bracket!

Great thread everyone! As someone who went through a similar situation last year, I wanted to add a few thoughts that might help. The advice about recognizing income this year while you're in a lower bracket is spot on - that's exactly what I wish I had done. I ended up deferring a lot of sales and got hit harder tax-wise the following year when my regular income kicked in. One thing I learned the hard way: even if you're selling personal items at a loss (which is common with clothes), you still need to be able to reasonably document your original cost basis. I started taking photos of similar items online to show typical retail prices for the brands/styles I was selling. It's not perfect, but it helps establish that you're not just making up numbers. Also, don't forget about state taxes! Some states have different thresholds and requirements than federal, so make sure you're considering both levels. The suggestion about using a dedicated credit card for selling expenses is golden - makes tracking so much easier at tax time. I use a simple spreadsheet too, but having that card statement as backup is really helpful. Good luck with your sales! Sounds like you're being smart about planning ahead.

Based on what you've described with the Republic Bank RT Fee and Technology Fee that weren't disclosed, you definitely have grounds for a complaint. I had a similar experience where my preparer used electronic signatures to get authorization for fees they never verbally explained. What worked for me was first sending a formal written demand (email works) to the tax office referencing the specific IRS regulations about fee disclosure. I mentioned Publication 1345 which covers tax preparer responsibilities for clear communication of all charges. Give them 7-10 business days to respond before escalating. If they don't make it right, definitely file Form 14157 with the IRS. I also reported mine to my state's consumer protection agency since this falls under deceptive business practices. The combination of potential IRS penalties and state investigation usually gets their attention quickly. Document everything and keep pushing - preparers who pull this stuff are counting on people just giving up and eating the loss.

This is exactly why I always insist on reviewing every single document before signing, even if it takes an extra 30 minutes. Tax preparers who use electronic signature systems often rush clients through multiple forms hoping they won't read the fine print. For your situation, I'd suggest taking screenshots of those text conversations where the $285 fee was agreed upon - that's your smoking gun evidence. The fact that he's gone radio silent after you questioned the discrepancy is a huge red flag and shows he knows he messed up. One thing that might help speed up resolution: many tax prep offices are franchises or work under larger companies. If this is the case, try contacting the corporate office or regional manager directly. They often have more authority to issue refunds quickly to avoid bigger problems, and they definitely don't want complaints going to the IRS or state agencies. Keep us posted on how this turns out - stories like yours help other people recognize these tactics before they get burned.

Don't forget about local tax jurisdictions too! We operate in several cities with their own income taxes (mostly in Ohio and Pennsylvania) and they were actually the biggest pain during our name change. The state-level changes were relatively straightforward, but some of the municipalities required in-person visits or notarized forms. Cincinnati was particularly difficult because they needed proof the name change wasn't related to a merger or acquisition. One tip: if you use a payroll provider like ADP or Paychex, get them involved early. Ours was able to help with some of the updates and made sure our tax filings used the appropriate name during the transition period.

Great question, Fatima! I went through this exact situation about 18 months ago when our company rebranded. Here are a few additional considerations that might help: **Documentation timing tip**: Get your Articles of Amendment filed with your state's Secretary of State office FIRST before starting the tax agency updates. Most agencies will want to see this as proof, and having it ready speeds up the whole process significantly. **Banking coordination**: Don't forget to coordinate with your bank! We had issues with our tax payment ACH transfers getting rejected because the bank account name didn't match what the tax agencies had on file during the transition period. Consider keeping your old business checks available for a few months just in case. **Worker's comp and other agencies**: Beyond just tax agencies, make sure you update with your state's worker's compensation board, department of labor, and any professional licensing boards. These often get overlooked but can cause compliance headaches later. **Create a master timeline**: I wish I'd done this from the start - create a spreadsheet with all your filing deadlines for the next 6 months across all jurisdictions. This helps you prioritize which agencies to update first based on upcoming due dates. The whole process took me about 6 weeks to fully complete across 12 states, but it was totally manageable with good organization. You've got this!

15 One thing to consider - if you're receiving a 1095-C, it might mean your former employer still has you listed as eligible for benefits in their system. While not directly a tax issue, it could potentially cause problems if there's ever an audit of their benefits program. If you've been unsuccessful reaching HR, try contacting their payroll provider directly. Most large companies outsource payroll and benefits administration, and the provider might be able to update your status in their system.

8 I had this happen too. What I found out after finally getting through to someone is that my former employer had me listed as "on leave" rather than "terminated" in their system. That's why I kept getting the forms year after year.

Just wanted to add another potential resource that hasn't been mentioned yet - if the restaurant ever processed credit card payments (which most do), you might be able to get the EIN from the merchant services provider. Companies like Square, Stripe, or traditional payment processors require the business EIN to set up merchant accounts. If you can remember seeing any specific payment terminals or credit card processing equipment, try to identify the company (there are usually logos on the devices). You could contact their customer service and explain the situation - they might be able to provide the EIN or at least confirm it if you have other business details. Also, if you or any former coworkers ever made purchases at the restaurant and have old receipts, sometimes the merchant ID or business tax information is printed in the fine print at the bottom of receipts. It's a long shot, but worth checking if you have any old receipts lying around. The combination of all these suggestions should definitely help you track down that EIN. Good luck with your tax filing!

Great thread with tons of helpful suggestions! I wanted to add one more approach that worked for me when I was in a similar bind. Check if the restaurant ever had any workers' compensation insurance claims filed - even minor ones that you might not have been directly involved in. Workers' comp insurance companies maintain detailed records including the employer's EIN, and these records often remain accessible even after a business closes. You can contact your state's workers' compensation board or department of industrial relations and ask if they have any records for "Coastal Flavors LLC." They might be able to provide or verify the EIN, especially since you can prove you were an employee with your pay stubs. Also, if the restaurant was ever involved in any legal disputes - wage claims, vendor disputes, lease issues, etc. - court records are public and would contain the business's EIN in the legal filings. You can search your local court system's online records database using the business name to see if any cases were filed involving them as a plaintiff or defendant. These might be long shots, but given how suddenly they closed, there could very well be outstanding legal issues that would have required filing their EIN with the court system.