Michigan's website been straight garbage this year ngl. Their IT dept needs to get it together fr

Same thing happened to me last week! What finally worked was clearing my browser cache completely and trying from an incognito/private window. Also make sure you're using the refund amount from your actual MI-1040 form, not any estimated amount. The Michigan system is super picky about exact matches. If you're still locked out, you can also try their live chat feature during business hours - sometimes they can manually look up your status.

Called MI treasury yesterday - they said theyre having website issues and to just keep trying. Classic government efficiency at its finest 🤡

Had the exact same issue last month! What finally worked for me was clearing my browser cache and cookies, then trying again with incognito/private browsing mode. Also double-check that you're using your AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) from line 11 of your MI-1040, not your total income. Michigan's system is super picky about which exact numbers you enter.

Has anyone used TurboTax for reporting income without a 1099? Does it ask for the form specifically or can you just enter the income amount?

You're absolutely right to be concerned, but don't stress too much! You can definitely file your taxes without the 1099-NEC. The key thing is that you report all your income accurately - which you can do since you have your bank records showing the $4,800. Here's what I'd recommend: 1. Report the $4,800 on Schedule C as freelance income 2. Keep all your bank statements and any emails/contracts with the client as documentation 3. Send one final professional email to the business stating you need the 1099-NEC and that the deadline has passed 4. If they still don't send it, you can report them to the IRS using Form SS-8 (though this isn't required for you to file your taxes) The IRS cares that you report your income correctly, not whether you physically have the form. You're being responsible by reporting everything you earned. Don't let their delay hold up your tax filing!

Does anyone know if a single-member LLC provides the same liability protection as a multi-member LLC for oil royalties? My CPA mentioned something about single-member LLCs having "weaker" liability shields in some states, but wasn't super clear on the details.

Great question about LLC setup for your royalty override! I went through this exact decision last year when I started receiving override payments from my position at a drilling company. One factor I didn't see mentioned yet is the depletion deduction. With an LLC, you can potentially take percentage depletion (up to 15% for oil and gas) or cost depletion, whichever is greater. This can be a significant tax benefit that you might not fully utilize on your personal return depending on your other income. Also consider the professional management aspect - having an LLC makes it easier to bring in partners later if your override interests grow, or if you want to purchase additional mineral rights. It establishes a clear business structure from the start. The key is getting your employment agreement reviewed first (as Oliver mentioned) to make sure there are no restrictions. My company required me to notify HR before setting up the LLC, but they were fine with it once I explained the liability protection benefits. The whole process took about 6 weeks from start to finish including getting the EIN and opening business accounts.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the timing of when you make this improvement. If you're planning to do this work early in 2025, you might want to consider whether it makes sense to accelerate it into 2024 depending on your current year income situation. Also, since you're dealing with water damage and erosion, make sure to document the current damage with photos and get it assessed before you build the wall. This helps establish that you're making a necessary protective improvement rather than an optional enhancement. The IRS likes to see clear evidence that structural improvements were driven by genuine business necessity rather than personal preference. Have you considered getting multiple contractor quotes? Sometimes having 2-3 professional assessments that all identify the same erosion threat can strengthen your documentation for the business purpose of this expense.

That documentation strategy is excellent - weekly photos showing progressive erosion will be incredibly valuable for establishing business necessity. For the contractor quotes, I'd definitely ask each one to specifically address the threat to your business operations. Having them state something like "failure to install retaining wall will result in continued foundation exposure that could compromise the structural integrity of the business workspace" gives you professional third-party validation of the business purpose. Since you're looking at March 2025 timing, you might also want to check if your state/locality has any permits required for retaining walls. Getting the proper permits not only ensures you're compliant but also creates an additional paper trail showing this is a legitimate structural improvement rather than DIY landscaping. One more thought - consider having your business insurance agent review the situation too. Even if they don't cover the retaining wall cost, having them document that the erosion poses a risk to your business property creates another layer of professional assessment supporting your position that this is a necessary business expense.