Just wanted to add - don't forget about state implications. Section 179 is federal, but some states don't conform with federal bonus depreciation rules. I got hit with this last year when I bought a heavy SUV for my rental business in California but live in Texas. Make sure you're looking at both federal AND state tax impacts, especially with properties in different states.

Everybody's talking about Section 179, but have you considered a 1031 exchange instead of paying those capital gains? I know you said it's part of a divorce situation which might complicate things, but did you already complete the sale or is it still in process?

Does anyone know a good affordable tax professional who can help with regular tax questions? After reading this thread I'm terrified of accidentally following bad advice. I tried using the free software options but my situation is a bit complicated (self-employed with some investment income).

Thanks for posting this question - it's really important that people know about these scams! As a tax professional, I see people fall for these schemes every year and it never ends well. The IRS has actually published a "Dirty Dozen" list of tax scams that they update annually, and sovereign citizen arguments are always on it. These promoters often target people who are genuinely struggling with tax debt or who feel overwhelmed by the tax system. What makes these scams particularly dangerous is that they often mix legitimate-sounding legal language with completely false interpretations of tax law. They'll cite real court cases but completely misrepresent what those cases actually decided. If anyone is dealing with legitimate tax problems, there are actual legal options available - installment agreements, offers in compromise, currently not collectible status, etc. The IRS has hardship programs for people who genuinely can't pay. There's never a need to resort to these bogus "sovereign citizen" theories that will only make your situation worse.

if ur using a mac try safari. chrome keeps blocking it for me but safari works fine

Had this exact same issue last month! The problem is usually with the IRS site's PDF viewer compatibility. Here's what finally worked for me: 1) Disable any ad blockers temporarily 2) Make sure JavaScript is enabled 3) Try accessing during off-peak hours (early morning works best) 4) If all else fails, you can request transcripts by mail using Form 4506-T - takes 5-10 business days but it's a guaranteed backup option. The mail route saved my mortgage application when the website kept failing me!

Just wanted to mention - don't forget to look at the hidden costs of moving states. I moved my LLC from California to Nevada thinking I'd save on taxes. But then I had to register as a "foreign entity" doing business in California anyway, AND pay the Nevada fees. Ended up paying MORE overall plus had the headache of maintaining registrations in two states. Sometimes the "tax-saving" strategies end up costing more than they save. Make sure you account for ALL costs before making big changes.

As someone who's dealt with franchise tax issues across multiple states, I'd strongly recommend getting professional advice before making any major structural changes. Your $320k revenue puts you in a tricky spot where small changes can have big impacts. A few things to consider: First, make sure you're calculating your franchise tax correctly. In Texas, you can deduct cost of goods sold OR compensation - whichever is greater - from your total revenue before calculating the tax. Many small businesses miss this and overpay. Second, timing matters. If you're close to a threshold, sometimes you can defer revenue or accelerate expenses to stay below certain levels, but this needs to be done carefully and legitimately. Third, consider whether you actually need the LLC structure. If you don't have significant liability concerns and can handle the self-employment tax implications, a sole proprietorship avoids franchise tax entirely in Texas. Before relocating or restructuring, run the numbers on ALL costs - not just the franchise tax. Include registered agent fees, additional accounting costs, potential loss of business relationships, and the time value of managing multi-state compliance. Sometimes paying the franchise tax is actually the most cost-effective option.

Really glad to hear you're getting your life back on track! Six years of unfiled returns might seem overwhelming, but it's absolutely manageable and you're taking the right step by addressing it now. A few key points to keep in mind: Since you mentioned having steady W-2 income with proper withholding, there's a good chance you may have been owed refunds for some of those years (though you can only claim refunds for the last 3 years). The penalty situation might not be as bad as you think if you don't actually owe much. Before jumping into anything, I'd suggest requesting wage and income transcripts from the IRS for each of those years - you can do this online at IRS.gov. This will show you exactly what income the IRS has on file for you and help you gather any missing documents. It's free and can really help you understand your situation before you start filing. Given your income level and the fact that you had withholding, you might be able to handle some of the simpler years yourself using tax software for prior years, but definitely consider getting professional help for at least the first year to make sure you're doing everything correctly. The peace of mind is worth it, and they can often spot opportunities for penalty abatements or other relief you might not know about. You've got this! Taking action now is the hardest part, and it sounds like you're in a much better place to handle it than you were before.

Thank you so much for sharing your story - it really resonates with me. I went through a similar situation about 3 years ago (4 unfiled returns) and was absolutely terrified about what it would mean for my future. The stress was keeping me up at night. Here's what I learned that might help: The IRS is actually pretty reasonable when you're proactive about fixing the situation. Since you have your W-2s and had proper withholding, you're already in a much better position than many people who face this issue. I'd strongly recommend starting by calling the IRS Practitioner Priority Service line if you decide to work with a tax professional, or the regular taxpayer assistance line if you're going solo. Yes, the wait times can be brutal, but getting an actual IRS representative to walk you through your specific situation is invaluable. They can tell you exactly what years they're concerned about and whether they've already filed substitute returns for you. One thing that surprised me was that 2 of my 4 unfiled years actually resulted in refunds that I was able to claim. The penalties on the years I owed weren't nearly as devastating as I'd imagined - mostly because I'd had adequate withholding like you mentioned. The most important thing is that you're addressing it now while you're in a stable place. Having steady income and being mentally/emotionally ready to tackle this makes all the difference. You've already overcome so much harder stuff than dealing with paperwork and penalties.