Has anyone ever had a payment plan completely disappear? Like, you set it up through TurboTax but the IRS has no record of it? I'm worried this might happen to me too.

I went through this exact same panic last year! The key thing to remember is that TurboTax is just the messenger - once they submit your payment plan request to the IRS, it's completely out of their system. That's why you can't see it in your TurboTax account anymore. Here's what helped me feel better about the situation: I called the IRS automated phone line (1-800-829-1040) and used their automated system to check my account balance. Even before my payment plan showed up online, the automated system mentioned that I had "payment arrangements" on my account. It didn't give details, but at least confirmed something was there. Also, if you got a confirmation screen in TurboTax when you set it up, that's your proof that you submitted the request before the deadline. The IRS can't penalize you for late payment plan setup if you have that confirmation, even if there are processing delays on their end. Don't stress too much - in my experience, these TurboTax payment plans almost always go through correctly, it just takes a few weeks to show up properly in the IRS system!

This is actually a pretty common issue, especially with restaurants and small businesses. Your employer is definitely in the wrong here - they are legally required to mail W-2s to former employees' last known address by January 31st. Making you come pick it up in person is not compliant with IRS regulations. Here's what I'd recommend: First, call them and politely but firmly request that they mail your W-2 to your current address. Make sure to document this request (date, time, who you spoke with). Give them a reasonable deadline - maybe a week from your call. If they still refuse, you have a few options: 1. Contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 to report the issue 2. After February 15th, you can request Form 4852 (substitute W-2) to file your taxes on time 3. File a complaint with your state's labor department if applicable Don't let them bully you into making that drive. You have rights as a former employee, and they need to follow federal tax law regardless of how things ended between you. The inconvenience of not getting your tax documents on time could actually cost you money if you file late, so this is definitely worth pursuing.

I went through this exact situation with a retail job I left last year. The key thing to remember is that your employer is legally required to provide your W-2 by January 31st, and for former employees, that means mailing it to your last known address - they cannot force you to pick it up in person. Here's what worked for me: I sent a certified letter (so I had proof of delivery) requesting they mail my W-2 within 7 business days. I included my current address and referenced IRS Publication 15 which clearly states the mailing requirement for former employees. I got my W-2 in the mail 4 days later. If they continue to refuse, definitely report this to the IRS after February 15th. The IRS can impose penalties of $50-$270 per W-2 for employers who don't comply with distribution requirements. You can also request Form 4852 to file your taxes on time while the IRS handles your employer. Don't let them intimidate you into making that drive - especially since you mentioned not leaving on good terms. You have every right to receive your tax documents by mail, and they're breaking federal law by refusing to send it. Document everything and stand your ground!

2 One thing nobody's mentioned yet - did you replace the flooring with the EXACT same type of material? If you upgraded from, say, vinyl to hardwood, that's definitely a capital improvement. But if you replaced damaged vinyl with the same quality vinyl, there might be an argument for it being a repair under certain circumstances.

Based on what you've described, your floor replacement would definitely be categorized as a capital improvement rather than a repair for tax purposes. Since you replaced the "entire bottom floors" due to deterioration, this falls under the IRS definition of a "restoration" - bringing a property component back to its ordinarily efficient operating condition after it had deteriorated to a state of disrepair. For your tax forms, I'd recommend describing it as "Floor replacement - capital improvement due to deterioration" rather than "patching of flooring." This clearly indicates the scope and nature of the work to the IRS. You'll need to depreciate this $3,200+ expense over 27.5 years using the MACRS system for residential rental property. The fact that you used similar quality materials doesn't change the classification - it's the replacement of an entire building component that makes it a capital improvement. Your accountant should be familiar with Treasury Regulation §1.263(a)-3, which covers exactly these types of situations. If they're still uncertain, you might want to consider getting a second opinion from a CPA who specializes in rental property taxation.

This thread has been incredibly informative! As someone who's dealt with payroll issues in the past, I wanted to add one more perspective that might be helpful. If your employer uses a third-party payroll service (like ADP, Paychex, etc.), sometimes the multiple W2s are generated automatically based on how different tax jurisdictions are set up in their system. This could explain why you're seeing the same wage amount distributed across different boxes on different forms. One thing I'd also suggest checking - look at the "Employer identification number" (EIN) in box B on all three forms. They should all be identical since it's the same employer. If they're different, that could indicate your employer has multiple business entities or subsidiaries, which would be another legitimate reason for multiple W2s. The state issue you mentioned is definitely the priority to get fixed, but don't be surprised if your employer tells you this is "just how their system works." Many companies, especially larger ones, have complex payroll setups that can't easily be changed. The good news is that as others have mentioned, tax software is designed to handle these situations. One last tip - when you talk to your employer tomorrow, ask if they have a written policy or FAQ about their W2 process. Many companies that routinely issue multiple W2s have documentation they can share that explains exactly why they do it this way. This can be really helpful for your records and future reference!

I'm reading through all these responses and they've been incredibly helpful! I actually had a somewhat similar situation a couple years ago, though not quite as complex as yours. One thing I wanted to mention that I don't think anyone has covered yet - if your employer does end up issuing corrected W2s, make sure you understand the timeline for when you'll receive them. The IRS requires employers to provide corrected forms "as soon as practicable" after discovering an error, but in practice this can sometimes take several weeks, especially if they need to coordinate with their payroll service provider. If you're planning to file your taxes soon and the corrected forms might not arrive in time, you have a few options. You can either wait for the corrected forms (and potentially file an extension if needed), or you can file with the original forms while noting the discrepancies and then file an amended return later when you get the corrected W2s. Also, just a heads up - when you do talk to your employer tomorrow, it might be helpful to have the conversation with someone from HR or payroll rather than just your direct supervisor. They'll likely have more detailed knowledge about how their tax reporting works and will be better positioned to actually make any necessary corrections. Good luck with everything! This community has given you some really solid advice, and it sounds like you're well-prepared for that conversation now.

This is a tricky situation that many people in the film industry face! The key issue here is that when your employer includes per diem in your taxable wages, it becomes much harder to deduct those meal expenses under current tax law. Since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, most unreimbursed employee business expenses (including meals) are suspended for W-2 employees through 2025. Even though you're being taxed on money meant for work expenses, the IRS generally doesn't allow these deductions unless you fall into very specific categories. A few things to consider: 1) Check if you qualify as a "qualified performing artist" under tax code - this is one of the few exceptions that still allows above-the-line deductions 2) Ask your employer about switching to an accountable plan for per diem, which would make it non-taxable in the first place 3) If you have any 1099 income from film work, you might be able to deduct meal expenses against that self-employment income I'd recommend keeping detailed records of all your meal expenses (dates, locations, business purpose) just in case, and consider consulting with a tax professional who understands the entertainment industry since there are some nuanced rules that might apply to your specific situation.

I work as a location sound mixer and have dealt with this exact situation for years! One thing I've learned is that it's worth tracking ALL your work-related expenses throughout the year, not just meals. Even if the per diem meal deductions don't work out due to the current tax law limitations, you might have other unreimbursed expenses that could push you over the 2% AGI threshold if you itemize. Things like professional equipment maintenance, union dues, specialized clothing/gear, continuing education courses, and travel expenses between job sites can add up quickly in our industry. I keep a detailed spreadsheet with dates, amounts, and business purposes for everything. Also, don't forget that some states have different rules than federal - California, for example, still allows some employee business expense deductions that the feds suspended. Worth checking what your state allows if you're not in a no-income-tax state. The accountable plan suggestion from others is spot on though. I've had a few production companies switch to this after crew members brought it up, and it makes life so much easier for everyone.