Just be careful about claiming this as a "business" at all if you're only flipping occasionally. The IRS has a "hobby vs business" test and if you don't show profit in 3 of 5 years they might classify it as a hobby which really limits what you can deduct. Make sure you keep super detailed records and run it like a real business if you want the business deductions.

This is a great discussion and Carmen, you're asking all the right questions! As someone who's been through the sneaker reselling tax maze, I wanted to add a few practical tips that helped me: First, definitely open that separate business bank account Sofia mentioned - it made my life so much easier come tax time. I use it for all sneaker purchases, sales deposits, and business expenses. No more digging through personal transactions trying to figure out what was business-related. Second, consider getting a simple invoicing app or using a spreadsheet template specifically for inventory tracking. I track purchase date, cost, selling price, platform fees, and profit/loss for each pair. This level of detail has been invaluable. One thing I learned the hard way - don't forget about state taxes! Some states have different rules for inventory and business income, so check your local requirements too. Also, since you're making good money at this ($8k profit is solid!), you might want to start making quarterly estimated tax payments to avoid a big bill next April. The IRS generally wants payments throughout the year for business income, not just one lump sum at tax time. Keep up the good work with the record keeping - it sounds like you're taking this seriously and treating it like the business it is!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm really grateful to find this thread! I'm dealing with a very similar situation - my 2023 amended return shows "Completed" as of January 3rd, 2025, so I'm still early in the waiting process but already feeling anxious after reading everyone's experiences. The range of wait times after "Completed" status is honestly shocking - from @Paloma Clark mentioning 2-3 weeks as typical, to multiple people waiting 3+ months like @Evelyn Kelly. @Lauren Wood's professional breakdown of the backend processing steps (quality reviews, check printing queues, mailing processes) that happen AFTER the "Completed" status really explains why the official IRS tools are so misleading. @Evelyn Kelly I'm rooting for you on that call tomorrow! At 3+ months past October 18th, you absolutely have grounds to demand answers. The success stories from @Ian Armstrong and @Miguel Ramos give me hope that once you get through to the right person, they can track down what happened and get things moving quickly. I'm bookmarking that customer service number (800-829-0582 ext 633) and @Lauren Wood's list of questions to ask. This thread has been infinitely more helpful than anything on the official IRS website - it's like having a real support network of people going through the same frustrating experience. Thanks everyone for sharing your timelines and insights!

As someone new to this community and dealing with amended return delays myself, I want to thank everyone for sharing their experiences! My 2023 amended return shows "Completed" as of December 28th, 2024, so I'm about 5 weeks out and starting to get concerned after reading all these stories. @Lauren Wood's breakdown of the backend processing steps after "Completed" status is incredibly valuable - I had no idea there were quality reviews, check printing queues, and mailing processes that happen after that date. It really explains why the official IRS tools are so misleading about what "Completed" actually means. @Evelyn Kelly you're definitely well past any reasonable timeframe at 3+ months since October. That customer service number (800-829-0582 ext 633) and the specific questions @Lauren Wood provided should help you get real answers tomorrow. The success stories from @Ian Armstrong and @Miguel Ramos show that persistence pays off once you get the right representative. It's frustrating how inconsistent these wait times are - some people get checks in 2-3 weeks while others wait months for the same "Completed" status. This thread has been way more informative than anything on the official IRS website. I'll definitely be calling if I don't receive anything by the 8-week mark. Please keep us updated on what you find out - this community support has been invaluable!

Has anyone used Vanguard or Fidelity for their solo 401k or other small business retirement plans? Do they help with setup?

I went through this same decision process last year for my S Corp. After researching extensively and consulting with a retirement plan specialist, I ended up going with a Solo 401(k) instead of a Keogh Plan. Here's what I learned: Keogh Plans are largely obsolete for S Corps. The term "Keogh" technically refers to qualified plans for self-employed individuals, but since S Corp owners are employees of their corporation (even if they're the sole owner), you don't qualify for traditional Keogh arrangements anyway. For S Corps, your main options are: 1. Solo 401(k) - Simple setup, high contribution limits, minimal admin costs 2. Traditional 401(k) with profit sharing - If you have employees 3. SEP IRA - Easy but lower contribution limits 4. Defined benefit plan - Complex but highest contribution potential The Solo 401(k) ended up being perfect for my situation. I set mine up through Schwab in about 2 weeks, and I can contribute up to $69,000 annually (2024 limits) between employee deferrals and employer contributions. No Form 5500 filing required until assets hit $250k. Skip the Keogh research rabbit hole - focus on Solo 401(k) vs. other modern options that actually apply to S Corps.

Just want to add that timing of the sale matters too. If your property has appreciated significantly, consider the impact of the sale on your overall income for the year. If the capital gains push you into a higher tax bracket, it might be worth delaying the sale to the following tax year if your income will be lower then.

This is such a complex situation, and I appreciate everyone's input here! I'm actually dealing with something similar but with an added twist - my property was a duplex where I lived in one unit and rented the other for part of the time. Does anyone know how the IRS handles mixed-use properties when it comes to the 2/5 year rule? I'm wondering if I can claim the primary residence exclusion for just my portion of the property or if the rental portion disqualifies the entire property. The depreciation recapture is already going to be painful enough without losing the capital gains exclusion entirely.

This is such important information that more students need to know! I wish colleges did a better job explaining scholarship tax implications during orientation. For anyone still confused about the calculations, here's a simplified way to think about it: Take your total scholarships/grants from Box 5 of your 1098-T, then subtract your qualified education expenses (tuition, mandatory fees, required books/supplies). Whatever's left over is generally taxable income that you need to report. One thing to watch out for - if you received scholarships in one tax year but they were applied to expenses in a different tax year, the timing can get tricky. The IRS generally wants you to report the income in the year you received it, not necessarily when it was applied to expenses. Also, keep really good records! Save all your financial aid documents, receipts for required textbooks and supplies, and your 1098-T forms. If you ever get questioned by the IRS later, having documentation makes everything much easier to resolve.

The timing question is really important and often overlooked! Generally, you report scholarship income in the year you have the right to receive it, which is usually when it's credited to your student account - not necessarily when you physically receive a refund check. For your specific situation with December aid applied to January expenses, check the dates on your 1098-T carefully. Box 1 shows payments received FOR the tax year, while Box 5 shows scholarships received DURING the tax year. Most schools report based on when the money was actually applied to your account. If you're ever unsure about timing, the safest approach is to follow what your school reports on the 1098-T, since that's what the IRS will be comparing your return against. You can always call your financial aid office to clarify exactly when specific disbursements were processed. One more record-keeping tip: create a simple spreadsheet tracking each semester's aid, qualified expenses, and the taxable portion. It makes tax time so much easier when you have everything calculated year by year rather than trying to reconstruct it all at once!