Has anyone noticed how tax software doesn't handle these weird K1 scenarios very well? I got stuck on the exact same Box 17 AC with multiple years listed. Ended up calling my tax software's support line and they said to just use the most recent year and ignore the others. For any codes without dollar amounts (like your ZZ code), they said to leave them out completely if possible or enter $0 if the software forces you to enter something.

I've been dealing with S-Corp K-1s for several years now and can confirm what others have said - for Box 17 AC with multiple years listed, you only report the most recent year (2024 in your case) on your current tax return. The prior years are there for informational/tracking purposes only. For the ZZ code with "k3 not included" and no dollar amount, this is totally normal. The Schedule K-3 is for international transactions, and if your S-Corp doesn't have any foreign activities, there's no K-3 form to include. When your tax software asks for an amount with code ZZ, you can safely enter $0. This won't cause any issues with the IRS - they understand that some codes are informational only. One tip: make sure to keep a copy of your actual K-1 with your tax records in case there are ever questions later about why certain codes show zero amounts in your return versus what's printed on the form.

I just wanted to add that you're ahead of the game by even asking this question! So many new small business owners miss their first 941 filing and end up with penalties. The fact that you're using a payroll service and asking these questions before the deadline means you're already doing great. One tip: Set calendar reminders for all your quarterly tax deadlines now that you're an employer. The 941 is due by the end of the month following the quarter (April 30 for Q1), but there are also deposit schedules for the actual tax payments that are separate from the form filing. Your payroll software should handle the payments, but it's good to verify everything is happening on schedule.

Hey Kristin! Welcome to the world of being an employer - it's definitely overwhelming at first but you'll get the hang of it. Everyone has already given you great advice about the March 12 date (it's just a statistical snapshot, not your actual filing requirement). Since you're using Gusto, I'd recommend double-checking that they're set to file your 941 automatically for you. Most payroll services offer this as part of their service, which can save you from having to worry about the filing deadlines and form preparation. If they're not handling the filing, make sure you know exactly when your Q1 form is due (April 30th) and set that reminder now. Also, don't forget that as a new employer, you might be subject to semi-weekly deposit schedules depending on your payroll amounts. Gusto should handle this automatically, but it's worth confirming so you don't accidentally miss any deposit deadlines. The deposit penalties can be pretty steep even for small amounts. You're asking all the right questions - keep it up!

Another quick tip - if you're filling out multiple W9s for different clients, make sure you're consistent with how you write your name and business info across all of them. I learned this the hard way when one client's 1099 didn't match my tax return because I abbreviated my middle name on one W9 but wrote it out fully on others. Created a headache during tax season that could have been easily avoided! Also, keep copies of all the W9s you submit. It helps when you're doing your taxes and need to cross-reference with the 1099s you receive.

Pro tip from someone who's been filing W9s for years: I actually keep a master document with all my standard info (full legal name exactly as it appears on tax returns, SSN, address, etc.) that I copy from every time I need to fill out a new W9. This ensures I'm always consistent across all forms. I also take a photo or screenshot of each completed W9 before submitting it - way easier than keeping track of physical copies. When tax season comes around, I have a folder on my phone with all my W9s that I can reference when the 1099s start arriving. One more thing - if you ever move or change your name legally, make sure to update ALL your clients with new W9s. Otherwise you'll get 1099s with your old info that won't match your current tax return. Learned that one the hard way too!

Different situation but similar frustration - I couldn't figure out why my refund was stuck in processing for weeks. Called IRS multiple times with no luck. Finally used Claimyr to get through to an agent (claimyr.com) and found out there was a simple error code that needed to be manually cleared. Got my refund 3 days later. Sometimes you just need to talk to a human!

I'm dealing with the exact same thing! DDD of 3/14 with Capital One and still nothing. Last year my refund hit 3 days early, but this year seems totally different. I've been obsessively checking my account every few hours like it's going to magically appear lol. From what I'm reading in the comments, it sounds like banks are being more cautious this year and the IRS processing is just generally slower. The waiting is driving me insane but I guess we just have to be patient until our actual DDD passes. At least we're not alone in this frustrating experience!

One tip that helped me with EFTPS: you can schedule all your quarterly payments for the ENTIRE YEAR at once! I just set up all four payments in January with the correct due dates, and I never have to worry about forgetting a payment. The system will automatically process them on the dates you select.

Another thing to keep in mind when using EFTPS - make sure you're making your payment at least 1-2 business days before the due date, especially if it's your first time using the system. I learned this the hard way when I tried to make a same-day payment on the quarterly deadline and ran into technical issues with the website being slow. Even though EFTPS allows same-day payments, giving yourself that buffer helps avoid any last-minute stress. Also, if you're ever unsure about which tax period to select, the current quarter due dates are: Q1 (Jan-Mar) due April 15th, Q2 (Apr-May) due June 15th, Q3 (Jun-Aug) due September 15th, and Q4 (Sep-Dec) due January 15th of the following year.