I just did this last week for my three kids! The IRS.gov process is pretty straightforward now compared to previous years. I followed the guide on https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/get-an-identity-protection-pin and was able to get PINs for all three children in about an hour total. The verification part took the longest. Make sure you have your ID and their social security cards handy before you start.

I just went through this process for my two kids last month and wanted to share a few tips that made it smoother: 1. Do the ID.me verification during off-peak hours (like mid-morning weekdays) - it's much faster 2. Have both your driver's license AND a utility bill ready - the system sometimes asks for additional verification 3. Write down the PINs immediately and store them securely - you'll need them when filing next year's taxes One thing I wish I'd known earlier: if you use tax software like TurboTax or H&R Block, make sure it supports IP PINs before you start filing. Most do now, but it's worth double-checking. The peace of mind is totally worth the 30 minutes it takes per child!

I'm in a similar situation and ended up documenting my parking expenses as part of my overall medical expenses (not as a work expense). Since my total medical expenses were already over the 7.5% AGI threshold, I was able to deduct these costs as part of my medical deduction. My tax preparer said it's legitimate since the parking is directly related to my documented medical condition. Just make sure you have good documentation - receipts, doctor's note about your condition, and proof that the expense is necessary due to your impairment. In an audit, you'd need to show it was medically necessary, not just convenient.

This is exactly the kind of situation where good documentation becomes crucial. I've been dealing with similar disability-related expenses, and what I've learned is that while the direct work expense deduction isn't available right now, there are still some paths forward. First, definitely keep detailed records of everything - receipts, medical documentation about your condition, correspondence with your employer about the accommodation request (or lack thereof). Even if you can't use these deductions now, having everything organized will be invaluable when the rules potentially change after 2025. Second, consider the medical expense angle that others mentioned. If your total medical expenses exceed 7.5% of your AGI, transportation costs that are medically necessary can sometimes qualify. The key is proving medical necessity rather than just work convenience. Finally, I'd strongly encourage you to push back on your employer's accommodation stance. A shuttle that runs every 30 minutes isn't a reasonable accommodation if it prevents you from doing your job effectively. You might be surprised how quickly they find closer parking spots when presented with the actual legal requirements rather than their interpretation of them. The tax situation is frustrating, but don't let that be the only avenue you explore. Your employer has obligations here too.

According to IRS Publication 5367, when a taxpayer experiences a change in dependent claiming status due to death, the IRS system is programmed to provide additional security measures. Per Internal Revenue Code §6109(i), the Identity Protection PIN program is one such measure. I successfully resolved this exact issue for a client last month. After contacting the IRS Identity Verification department, they confirmed this was an automatic security feature. They removed the PIN requirement immediately, and my client's resubmitted return was processed within 72 hours. Their refund was direct deposited exactly 21 days after the accepted resubmission date. The key is getting through to the correct department - specifically request to speak with Identity Verification when you call, not general tax assistance.

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now! My return was also rejected for a PIN I never set up, and like you, I'm a first-time TurboTax user this year. After reading through these responses, it sounds like the death of your children's father might indeed be triggering additional IRS security measures. I called the Identity Verification line at 800-830-5084 this morning (thanks to those who shared that number!) and while the wait was long, they were able to confirm that my rejection was also due to automatic fraud protection rather than actual identity theft. The agent explained that significant changes in family status - like what you're experiencing - often trigger these safeguards. One thing I learned: make sure you have your previous year's tax return handy when you call, as they'll ask specific questions about prior filing information to verify your identity. Once cleared, they said I should be able to resubmit within 24-48 hours. Hang in there - it sounds like this is more common than we realize, especially for people in our situations with recent family changes.

One thing nobody's mentioned yet - in some states, forming an LLC (even as a DRE) means you'll have to pay additional taxes or fees that you wouldn't as a sole proprietor. In California, for example, there's a minimum $800 annual tax just for having an LLC, even if you make no profit! Definitely check your state's requirements before deciding. In some cases, the extra costs might outweigh the liability benefits, especially if you have a very small low-risk business.

For your jewelry business in Michigan, you're in luck! Michigan has relatively low LLC fees - just a $50 filing fee to create the LLC and no annual franchise tax like California has. Michigan also doesn't have that $800 minimum tax burden. However, you will need to file an Annual Statement with the state (around $25) to keep your LLC in good standing. Overall, Michigan is pretty LLC-friendly compared to states like California or New York. Since you're already doing Schedule C filing, the DRE route could work well for you - you'd get the liability protection without changing your federal tax situation, and Michigan's fees are reasonable. Just make sure to weigh the state filing costs against the potential liability protection benefits for your specific business situation.

Another option - you could just increase your withholding at work for the remainder of the year instead of making an estimated payment. Just update your W-4 with your employer to withhold an extra amount from each paycheck. The IRS doesn't care HOW you pay as long as you get enough in by the end of the year. This approach spreads it out instead of making one big payment. Plus withholding is considered "even" throughout the year even if you increase it later, which can help avoid underpayment penalties.

Quick tip - when I was in a similar situation, I just took my capital gains amount, multiplied by 25% and paid that as estimated tax. Better to slightly overpay and get a refund than underpay and get penalties!!