If you're using tax software like TurboTax or H&R Block, just enter the W-2 exactly as it appears. The software will handle it correctly. I've had PEO W-2s for years (mine is through ADP TotalSource) and never had an issue with my Colorado taxes. The system knows to use the state withholding info rather than the employer address to determine where you file state taxes.

This is a really common situation that catches a lot of people off guard! As others have mentioned, Decision HR is acting as a PEO (Professional Employer Organization) for your company. Think of it like this: your marketing agency is still your "real" employer who hired you, manages your work, and makes decisions about your role, but Decision HR handles all the payroll processing, tax withholding, and W-2 generation behind the scenes. The key thing for your taxes is that you should file based on where you actually work (Colorado), not where the PEO is located (Florida). Since your W-2 shows Colorado state taxes were withheld, you're all set to file your Colorado state return as usual. The IRS and state tax systems are very familiar with this arrangement. It's unfortunate your HR didn't explain this transition better - most companies do communicate when they start using a PEO since it can be confusing when employees get their W-2s. But from a tax perspective, you can proceed normally with filing. Just enter the W-2 information exactly as it appears, and any tax software you use will handle the state filing correctly based on where the work was performed.

Something else to consider - you mentioned your parents want to help with a down payment. If they pay the money directly to the mortgage company or seller instead of giving it to your brother, it would qualify as a medical/educational exemption and wouldn't count toward the annual gift limit at all! My parents did this when they helped with my house.

My husband and I were confused about this last year! One thing that helped us was opening separate accounts and each writing our own checks to our daughter rather than giving from our joint account. Our tax software flagged that we didn't need to file Form 709 this way since each gift was individually under the limit.

Pro tip: if you can't get through on the main line, try calling your local Taxpayer Assistance Center. They sometimes have better luck getting you connected to the right person.

I've had success using the callback feature when it's available - sometimes they'll offer to call you back instead of waiting on hold. Also, try calling the practitioner priority line if you have a tax professional helping you, or consider reaching out to your local congressperson's office - they sometimes have staff who can help with IRS issues. The whole system is definitely frustrating, but don't give up! Your refund is out there somewhere. 😊

This is really helpful advice everyone! I had no idea about the quarterly payments - that sounds scary but I guess it's better than getting hit with a huge tax bill next year. One quick question though - when you say to set aside 25-30% for taxes, should I be doing that from my gross income ($6,500/month) or after I subtract my business expenses? I spend probably $200-300 a month on cleaning supplies and gas for driving to different properties.

Great question! As someone who's been in a similar situation, I'd strongly recommend getting professional help to make sure you're doing everything correctly. With $6,500/month in income, you're definitely in self-employment territory and will need to handle quarterly estimated taxes. A few key things to add to the excellent advice already given: 1) Consider getting an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS - it's free and makes you look more professional when dealing with clients who need to send you 1099s 2) Look into business liability insurance if you haven't already - it's usually pretty affordable for cleaning services and protects you if something gets damaged 3) Keep a dedicated calendar or log of all your cleaning appointments - this helps with mileage tracking and proves the business purpose of your expenses 4) Consider whether you want to charge sales tax (varies by state) - some states require it for cleaning services The quarterly payments might seem overwhelming, but they're actually a blessing in disguise. Paying as you go prevents that massive tax shock in April that catches a lot of new self-employed people off guard. You've got a solid income stream here, so getting the tax side organized properly will give you peace of mind to focus on growing your business!

Anybody know what happens if you just ignore the excess contribution? My brother accidentally contributed $300 too much to his HSA last year and his tax guy told him it wasn't worth the paperwork to fix it lol.

This is exactly the kind of HSA mess that catches so many people off guard! You're definitely not alone in this situation. Since you've already gotten the excess contribution back from your HSA provider, you're actually in better shape than many people who don't realize they have this problem until much later. A few additional points to consider beyond what others have mentioned: 1. Make sure you have documentation of when the excess contribution was made versus when it was withdrawn. The timing affects whether you owe the 6% excise tax for the full year or just part of it. 2. If your HSA provider sent you a 1099-SA for the excess contribution distribution, don't panic - this is normal and expected. You'll reconcile everything on Form 8889. 3. Consider setting up automatic contribution limits with your payroll department for next year to prevent this from happening again. Many people get tripped up by mid-year job changes or bonus payments that push them over the limit. The good news is that once you file correctly this year with Forms 8889 and 5329, you'll be completely squared away with the IRS. It's a pain to deal with, but it's a one-time fix rather than an ongoing problem.