I'm confused about something. If the mom died in 2021 and the dad died in 2022, how were they filing a joint return? I thought you could only file jointly if both spouses were alive at the end of the tax year?

Just to clarify the timeline - the original post mentions mom died in June 2023 and dad died in April 2024. Dad filed a joint return for 2023, which is completely valid since mom was alive for part of that tax year. When one spouse dies during the tax year, the surviving spouse can still file a joint return for that year. The confusion might be coming from misreading the dates. Since dad filed the 2023 joint return after mom's death but before his own death in 2024, everything follows normal tax rules. The refund is now part of dad's estate since he was the last surviving taxpayer on that return. @f0a5c9e0aa63 - You should definitely review that trust document carefully. Even if it doesn't specifically mention tax refunds, it might have language about how "income" or "assets" from joint accounts or filings should be distributed between the families. This could impact whether your stepsister has any claim to the refund.

I work in a university bursar's office, and I can confirm what others have said. The official start date of the term according to the institution's academic calendar is what matters for 1098-T reporting, not when classes begin. Many universities (including mine) officially start the Spring term in December for administrative and financial aid purposes, even though students don't attend classes until January. This is completely normal and actually benefits students/parents because it allows the education expenses to be claimed in the earlier tax year. If your university has provided documentation showing the term officially begins in December, then the form is correct with Box 7 unchecked. You should claim any eligible education credits on your 2024 return.

I had this exact situation with my kid's college last year! The school's explanation is correct - it's about when the term OFFICIALLY begins according to the school's academic calendar, not when classes actually start. Our university does the same thing - the spring semester officially begins December 15th for financial and administrative purposes, even though classes don't start until mid-January. It's actually beneficial for tax purposes because it means you can claim the education credit in the earlier tax year. As long as the university can document that the term officially begins in December, the 1098-T is correct with Box 7 unchecked. Just keep the documentation from the school in case the IRS ever questions it.

Has anyone dealt with a situation where they're a member of a multi-member LLC taxed as a partnership, but have different liability allocations for different LLC debts? I guarantee some loans but not others, and I'm not sure how to calculate my basis correctly.

This is a great discussion that highlights how confusing partnership basis can be! I've been dealing with similar issues with my LLC interest. One thing I learned from my CPA is that the software warnings are often overly cautious because they can't analyze the specific terms of your operating agreement. The reality is that many LLCs have hybrid structures where members might have limited liability for some debts but economic risk of loss for others. Your basis calculation needs to reflect your actual economic exposure, not just your legal classification as a "limited partner." I'd recommend getting a copy of your LLC's operating agreement and looking for any sections about guarantees, capital calls, or deficit restoration obligations. These provisions can significantly impact how partnership liabilities affect your outside basis, even if you're technically a limited member. Also, don't forget that if you've been understating your basis due to software limitations, you might be able to amend prior returns to claim losses that were previously suspended. The statute of limitations for claiming refunds is generally three years, so it's worth reviewing your last few returns if you think you've been missing out on legitimate loss deductions.

I was in almost the exact same situation a few years ago - hadn't filed since 2014 and needed to catch up on multiple years with missing W2s. Here's what worked for me: First, definitely get those wage and income transcripts from the IRS like others mentioned. The online method is fastest if you can verify your identity, but don't stress if you have to use mail - it's the same information. One thing I learned the hard way: file the oldest year first and work your way forward. Some of the penalties and interest calculations can affect subsequent years, so doing them in order helps avoid confusion. Also, don't panic about penalties if you're actually owed refunds for some years. I was shocked to discover I was owed money for 2 out of 4 years I hadn't filed. The IRS doesn't penalize you for filing late if they owe YOU money. The whole process took me about 3 months from start to finish, but most of that was waiting for transcripts and then procrastinating because I was scared. The actual filing wasn't nearly as bad as I built it up to be in my head. You've got this! The hardest part is just getting started.

I went through this exact situation in 2019 when I needed to file back taxes for 2016-2018. The wage and income transcripts from the IRS are absolutely the way to go - they saved my life when two of my former employers had gone out of business. One tip that I wish someone had told me: when you get your transcripts, don't be overwhelmed by all the codes and numbers. The key things you need are pretty straightforward - your wages (usually in box 1), federal tax withheld, state tax withheld, and any other withholdings. Everything else is just additional detail. Also, if you're really behind like I was, consider reaching out to the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service if you run into any roadblocks. They're a free service within the IRS that helps taxpayers resolve problems. I didn't know about them until later, but they can be really helpful if you're dealing with multiple years and complex situations. The most important thing is just to start the process. I spent months stressing about it before actually taking action, and the reality was much more manageable than what I had built up in my head. You're already taking the right step by asking for help here!

Based on your situation, you definitely need to file Form 1065 and K-1s even with zero revenue. I went through this exact scenario two years ago with my consulting partnership. A few key points from my experience: 1. **Filing is mandatory** - The IRS requires partnership returns regardless of income level, and the penalties can add up quickly ($195 per partner per month). 2. **Your startup expenses are valuable** - Don't overlook deductions for business formation costs, professional fees, software subscriptions, etc. These can create losses that flow through to your personal returns. 3. **Extension strategy** - If you've missed the March 15 deadline, file Form 7004 immediately for an extension to September 15. Even if the extension request is late, it stops additional penalties from accumulating. 4. **Software options** - I used TaxAct Business which handled our simple partnership return well for around $150. The key is making sure it properly allocates expenses between partners according to your agreement. Don't dissolve the business just because of first-year filing complexity. Once you get through this initial return, future years become much more routine. The infrastructure you've built has value, and these startup costs will benefit you on your taxes. Feel free to ask if you need clarification on any specific expenses or allocation issues!

I've been through this exact situation with my tech consulting partnership! A couple of additional tips that might help: **Don't forget about Section 199A deductions** - Even though you had a loss this year, understanding how the 20% qualified business income deduction works for future profitable years is important. Partnerships typically qualify, so keep this in mind for your business structure planning. **Consider your state filing requirements too** - Most states also require partnership returns even with zero income. The deadlines and penalties vary by state, so make sure you're not just focusing on federal requirements. **Documentation is key** - Start a simple spreadsheet now tracking all business expenses with dates, amounts, and business purposes. This habit will save you tons of time in future years and help if you ever get audited. One thing I wish someone had told me: if you're planning to be active in the business going forward, make sure your partnership agreement clearly states you're both "general partners" or "managing members" (if LLC). This ensures you can fully deduct losses against other income without passive activity limitations. The first year is definitely the most confusing, but once you get through this filing, everything becomes much more routine. You've got this!