omg finding my TIN was such a nightmare when i was doing my taxes last yr 😩 turns out it was my social the whole time! spent like 3 hours searching through old papers for nothing lol. why do they gotta make everything so confusing??

For most people starting their first job, your TIN is just your Social Security Number - no need to overthink it! I remember being confused about this exact same thing when I was filling out my W-4 for my first job. The term "TIN" sounds so official and different, but it's really just the IRS's way of referring to any number they use to identify taxpayers. Since you mentioned this is for a new job, you'll definitely want to use your SSN. Just make sure you double-check the number before submitting - those 9 digits are pretty important to get right!

Those 2025 dates are definitely concerning and not normal for a 2024 return. The fact that you're seeing "Additional tax assessed" with a future date suggests there might be a system error or your return got flagged for review. The long number (71254-415-05330-5) is likely a notice reference code. I'd recommend trying to call the Taxpayer Advocate Service at 1-877-777-4778 - they can sometimes help when regular IRS lines aren't useful. Also, definitely keep an eye on your mail for any notices even though the transcript shows they were "issued" - sometimes there's a delay between when they show up on transcript vs when you actually receive them.

The 2025 dates are definitely a red flag - that's not normal for a 2024 return and suggests either a system glitch or your return got kicked into a special review cycle. The EIC being added then immediately removed usually means they're verifying your eligibility, possibly questioning dependents or income levels. That notice reference number (71254-415-05330-5) typically corresponds to CP letters they send out. Even though your transcript shows notices issued, sometimes there's a 2-3 week delay before you actually receive them in the mail. I'd suggest setting up informed delivery with USPS so you can track what's coming. If you don't receive anything by next week, definitely call that Taxpayer Advocate number Jordan mentioned - they're your best bet when the regular IRS lines are useless.

Just adding that if you use tax software like TurboTax or H&R Block to file late, they'll usually calculate all these penalties for you automatically. Saves a lot of headache trying to figure it out yourself.

I went through this exact same situation last year and can confirm what others have said - the late filing penalty does start from your extended October 15th deadline, not April. So you're not immediately hit with the maximum 25% penalty, which was a huge relief when I found out. However, here's what really caught me off guard: even though I filed an extension, I still owed estimated tax payments that should have been made quarterly throughout the year. Since I missed those AND the final payment due on April 15th, I was hit with both the failure-to-pay penalty (0.5% per month since April) plus interest on the unpaid amount. My advice is to file your return IMMEDIATELY to stop the late filing penalty from growing. Even if you can't pay the full amount owed, filing stops that 5% monthly penalty clock. Then you can set up a payment plan with the IRS for what you owe. The payment plan fees are usually much less painful than letting those penalties keep accumulating. Also, definitely look into first-time penalty abatement if you've been compliant for the past 3 years. It's basically a "get out of jail free" card that many people don't know about.

As someone who went through this exact situation last year with my EU-based Delaware LLC, I can confirm that the Form 5472 requirement is real and the penalties are no joke. Here's what I learned: 1. **ITIN Application**: You can file Form W-7 with your tax return, but I recommend applying earlier if possible since processing times are unpredictable. You'll need it for any future US tax filings. 2. **Form 5472 + Form 1120**: Even with zero activity, you still need to file Form 5472 with a "pro forma" Form 1120 as a cover sheet. This is specifically for foreign-owned disregarded entities and many tax preparers miss this requirement. 3. **State Requirements**: Don't forget Delaware's annual franchise tax ($300 minimum) and annual report. These are due by March 1st each year, separate from federal taxes. 4. **Mercury Bank Account**: If your balance ever exceeds $10,000, you'll need to file FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) by April 15th. This is separate from income tax reporting. 5. **Kickstarter Timing**: Yes, if your campaign concludes after April 15th, those funds would be reported on next year's return. Just make sure to track all related expenses from the start. The key is staying compliant from day one. The $25,000 penalty for missing Form 5472 is automatic and they don't care that you had no income. Better to file correctly even with zeros than to miss the requirement entirely.

I went through this exact situation two years ago as a nonresident alien with a Delaware LLC formed through Stripe Atlas. Here's what I wish someone had told me upfront: **You absolutely need to file Form 5472 even with zero activity.** This is the most commonly missed requirement and the $25,000 penalty is automatic - no warnings, no grace period. The form goes with a "pro forma" Form 1120 that essentially acts as a cover sheet. **For your ITIN application:** File Form W-7 with your first tax return rather than separately. It's faster and you avoid the back-and-forth with the IRS. You'll need certified copies of your passport and other identity documents. **Delaware state requirements:** The annual franchise tax ($300 minimum) and annual report are due March 1st each year, starting the year after formation. So if you formed in October 2024, your first Delaware filing is due March 1, 2026. **Mercury account considerations:** Keep track of your highest balance. If it hits $10,000 at any point, you'll need to file FBAR by April 15th. This caught me off guard in year two when my business grew. **Pro tip:** Document everything from day one, even setup costs paid from your personal account. Those are deductible business expenses once you start generating income. The learning curve is steep but staying compliant from the beginning saves you massive headaches (and penalties) later. Feel free to ask if you need clarification on any of these points!

Has anyone successfully received payments through PayPal after submitting the W-8BEN-E? I submitted mine 3 weeks ago and my account is still limited. Customer service just keeps telling me "it's being reviewed" but I'm getting worried because I have clients trying to pay me.

I went through this exact same nightmare a few months ago! PayPal's system seems to have a bug where it automatically requests W-8BEN-E forms from anyone who has ever selected "business" during account setup, even if you're just a freelancer. Here's what worked for me: First, check if your PayPal account is set to "business" type. If it is, you'll need the W-8BEN-E regardless of whether you think you should use W-8BEN. Don't try to fight the system on this - just fill out what they're asking for. For the W-8BEN-E form as a sole proprietor with no US connections: - Part I: Use your legal name and address - Line 4 (Entity type): Select "Disregarded entity" if you file business taxes, or "Individual" if you don't - Part II: Skip most of this unless you have specific US tax situations - Part III: Only fill out if your country has a tax treaty with the US (most do) - Certification: Sign as yourself The key is being consistent with how you're registered locally for tax purposes. Don't overthink it - most sections won't apply to your situation as a simple freelancer. PayPal's review process typically takes 2-3 weeks, but your account should work normally once approved.