Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this is exactly what I needed to hear! I was really worried about submitting an "incomplete" form, but it sounds like the IRS actually expects most people won't have access to SSNs. Based on all the advice here, I'm going to focus on making the description section as detailed as possible. I have pretty good documentation of the suspected violations, including approximate timeframes and dollar amounts, so I'll make sure to include all of that. It's reassuring to know that people have actually gotten acknowledgment letters and even seen follow-up actions taken. I was starting to think these forms just went into a black hole somewhere. Going to submit mine this week - wish me luck!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I've been in a similar situation where I witnessed what I believe to be significant tax evasion but didn't have access to the person's SSN. Reading through everyone's experiences has given me the confidence to move forward with filing Form 3949-A. What really stands out to me is how many people have successfully submitted these forms without SSNs and actually received acknowledgment from the IRS. The key seems to be providing as much detail as possible in the sections you can complete - names, addresses, specific violations, timeframes, and estimated amounts. I particularly appreciate the advice about including supporting documentation. I have some business records and communications that could help the IRS identify the individual and understand the scope of the suspected violations. It's good to know that even without the SSN, these additional materials can strengthen the report. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - it's made all the difference in understanding that this is a normal part of the process, not a fatal flaw in my reporting attempt.

Based on my experience as a tax professional, unfortunately the advice you've received is correct - W-2 employees cannot deduct unreimbursed business expenses like hotel stays on federal returns since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act took effect in 2018. However, I'd suggest a few additional strategies that haven't been fully explored: 1) **Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for Transportation** - Some employers offer commuter FSAs that can cover certain transit costs with pre-tax dollars. While this typically applies to public transit and parking, it's worth asking HR if your situation qualifies. 2) **Negotiate a "Travel Allowance"** - Instead of asking for reimbursement, propose a monthly travel allowance that's built into your compensation. This gives your employer predictable costs and you guaranteed coverage. 3) **Document Everything for Potential Job Changes** - If you ever become a contractor or start a side business, these same expenses could become deductible. Keep meticulous records of dates, business purposes, and all related costs. 4) **Consider the Total Cost Analysis** - When presenting to your employer, include not just hotel costs but also the productivity impact. Those 7+ hour drive days likely result in reduced work output that has real business costs. The state tax angle mentioned by others is definitely worth investigating - some states still allow these deductions even though federal law changed.

One additional angle worth exploring - have you looked into whether your company offers any flexible work arrangement policies that could help reduce these monthly trips? Many employers have started implementing "hybrid work" guidelines that allow employees to substitute some in-person requirements with virtual participation. You might be able to propose attending every other monthly meeting virtually, cutting your hotel costs in half. Also, if your role involves specific tasks that require office access (like equipment, files, or face-to-face collaboration), consider batching multiple months' worth of office work into longer but less frequent visits. Instead of monthly overnight trips, you could potentially do quarterly 2-3 day trips, which might be more cost-effective and easier for your employer to justify reimbursing. The key is presenting it as a business efficiency improvement rather than just a cost-saving request. Show how reducing travel frequency could increase your overall productivity and reduce the company's indirect costs from your travel days.

I'm confused by all this. So if I make $30k total but only have 1099s for $20k, I just put $30k on my Schedule C and that's it? I don't need to tell them which income came from where? I've been itemizing each client separately and its so time consuming!

Just to add some reassurance from personal experience - I had this exact scenario happen to me two years ago. I was a freelance graphic designer reporting about $32,000 in total income, but I never received 1099s from three of my smaller clients (totaling around $5,500). I was really nervous about it too. I reported my full $32,000 on Schedule C anyway, and my return processed completely normally with no delays. The IRS received 1099s for about $26,500, so my reported income was higher than what they had on file. No red flags, no correspondence, nothing. The key thing to remember is that the IRS computer systems are looking for underreporting, not overreporting. When you report MORE than what's on the 1099s they received, it just means you had additional income sources (like cash payments) which is totally normal for sole proprietors. Your refund shouldn't be delayed at all since you're being conservative and reporting everything. The matching happens after your return is processed anyway, so it won't hold up your refund.

This is why our tax code is so messed up. An EV battery providing power to a house is functionally identical to a Powerwall doing the same thing. But one gets a tax credit and one doesn't because of some arbitrary distinction about "primary purpose." Meanwhile the electrical grid gets the same benefit either way! Politicians talk about wanting to encourage clean energy adoption but then create these convoluted rules that just confuse everyone. Ugh.

Based on what I've seen from following similar cases, the IRS has been pretty consistent about denying these claims for EVs, even ones with impressive bi-directional capabilities. The "primary purpose" test isn't really about how you use it day-to-day, but about what the manufacturer designed and marketed it for. That said, I'd suggest documenting everything about your home integration setup - the equipment you purchased specifically for home connection, any monitoring systems showing energy flow patterns, utility company agreements if you're selling power back to the grid. Even if you can't claim the residential energy credit, this documentation might be useful for other incentives or if the rules change in the future. Also worth checking if your utility company offers any rebates or time-of-use rate programs for customers with bi-directional EV charging. Sometimes the utility incentives can be more valuable than the federal tax credits anyway, and they don't have the same "primary purpose" restrictions.

Has anyone considered the potential red flags of someone wanting to pay such a large amount upfront? In some cases it could be completely innocent, but I've heard of people using rent payments to launder money. Might be worth asking why they want to pay it all upfront.

I'd also suggest getting references and doing a thorough background check if you haven't already, especially with such a large upfront payment. Legitimate tenants who want to pay in advance usually have good reasons - like they're relocating for work, received a windfall, or just prefer the convenience of not dealing with monthly payments. One practical tip: consider asking for the payment via bank transfer or certified check rather than cash, and make sure you provide a detailed receipt that breaks down exactly what months the payment covers. This creates a clear paper trail for both tax purposes and your own protection. Also, don't forget that you'll still need to provide the tenant with proper documentation at year-end (like a 1099 if applicable) showing the total rent they paid, even though you'll be reporting the income across multiple tax periods as others have mentioned.