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.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet - if you're having trouble getting clear answers from your broker or the settlement company, you can also check your MLS system or transaction management platform. Many brokerages use systems like DocuSign, SkySlope, or dotloop that keep detailed records of who received what payments and when. I'd also suggest reaching out to other agents in your office who've been through this before. Most experienced agents are happy to help newcomers navigate the tax reporting confusion. And if your broker is being vague, try talking to the office manager or transaction coordinator - they usually handle the administrative side and might have better answers about who issues the 1099s. Don't panic though - as others mentioned, even if you never receive the forms, you can still file your taxes correctly with your settlement statements and commission records. The key is just making sure you report all the income, regardless of what paperwork you do or don't receive.

Adding to what others have said about tracking expenses - don't forget about your business license fees and any association dues you paid! Even if you only closed one deal, you likely had to pay for your real estate license renewal, NAR dues, and local board fees. These are all legitimate business deductions. Also, if you drove to showings, open houses, or client meetings (even if they didn't result in sales), keep track of that mileage. The IRS standard mileage rate for 2024 was 67 cents per mile for business use. Even as a new agent, those miles can add up quickly! One more tip - if you're planning to continue in real estate for 2025, consider getting a business credit card to keep all your real estate expenses separate. Makes tax time SO much easier when everything is clearly separated from your personal expenses. Good luck with your taxes!