EVERYONE still has to file federal taxes no matter what state you're in!!! the only question is whether you need to file STATE taxes which for nevada you don't. But feds? Yeah the IRS still wants their cut lol

Just to clarify a few things that might help - you'll definitely need to file a federal return if your income meets the filing requirements (generally $13,850+ for single filers in 2024). Living in Nevada is great because you won't need to file a Nevada state return at all. However, if you had income from your previous state before moving to Nevada, you might need to file a part-year resident return there. Also, make sure your employer updated your address with payroll - sometimes they keep withholding for your old state even after you move, which can create complications. TurboTax should handle this correctly if you enter your move date and income information accurately. It will ask about your residency status and guide you through any multi-state filing requirements. The key is being precise about when you moved and where your income was earned throughout the year.

Before you file, double check if you qualify for Head of Household filing status since you have a dependent child! That gives you a way better standard deduction than filing Single. You'd be surprised how many people miss this.

As someone who's dealt with similar dependency questions, I'd definitely recommend keeping detailed records of all the support you provide - rent receipts, grocery receipts, utility bills, etc. The IRS can be pretty thorough if they decide to audit dependency claims for non-relatives. One thing to also consider is whether claiming your girlfriend might affect any benefits she could be eligible for in the future. Sometimes being claimed as a dependent can impact things like health insurance eligibility or other programs. Just something to think about alongside the tax benefits. Also, since you mentioned filing status - definitely look into Head of Household like others have suggested! With your daughter as a qualifying child, you should be eligible for that filing status which could save you way more than the additional dependent exemption.

Depends on if you got any credits or deductions tbh. Clean returns go faster

California is definitely running behind this year - I'm seeing a lot of people waiting 4-6 weeks even after processing. The good news is once it shows "processed" you're basically in the queue and it will come. I'd expect it within the next 2-3 weeks if you did direct deposit. Paper checks take longer obviously. Just keep an eye on your bank account!

Don't forget that when closing your business, you also need to handle any state-level requirements. If you collected sales tax for your Facebook lives or flea market sales, you'll need to file final sales tax returns. Some states also require you to formally dissolve even small businesses. Since you only had an EIN, it's probably minimal, but worth checking your state's requirements to fully close everything out.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet - if you're planning to donate any of the unsold crystals to charity instead of selling them, you can potentially deduct the fair market value as a charitable contribution on your personal return (Schedule A). However, you'd still need to remove the inventory from your business books at cost, so you can't double-dip on deductions. Also, make sure to keep detailed records of everything you do with the remaining inventory - whether you sell it, donate it, or convert it to personal use. The IRS may ask for documentation during an audit, and having a clear paper trail of how you disposed of each item will save you headaches later. Take photos of the inventory and keep receipts for any bulk sales or donation acknowledgments from charities. The key is being consistent in your reporting and having documentation to back up whatever method you choose for handling the unsold merchandise.

I just went through this same headache a few weeks ago! The trick is understanding that ID.me verification for the IRS is actually a two-step process. Even though you already have an ID.me account set up, you still need to complete the IRS-specific authorization. Here's what finally worked for me: 1. Go directly to IRS.gov (don't start from ID.me) 2. Click "Sign in to your Online Account" 3. When it redirects you to ID.me, log in with your existing credentials 4. Look for the authorization step - this is where you grant the IRS permission to access your verified ID.me information 5. Complete that authorization and you should be good to go The whole thing took me about 10 minutes once I figured out the right sequence. I know it's frustrating when you're waiting on your refund, especially working remotely like you mentioned. The IRS really needs to make this process clearer, but at least once you get through it, you'll have access to track your refund status online. Hope this helps you get it sorted quickly!

I totally get your frustration - I went through this exact same nightmare last year! The ID.me/IRS verification process is incredibly confusing and poorly explained. What's happening is that you have an ID.me account, but you haven't completed the IRS-specific verification link yet. Here's what finally worked for me: 1. Start at IRS.gov (this is crucial - don't go to ID.me first) 2. Click "Sign in to your Online Account" 3. It will redirect you to ID.me - log in with your existing credentials 4. Here's the key step most people miss: after logging in, there will be an authorization screen asking if you want to allow the IRS to access your verified ID.me information 5. Click "Allow" or "Authorize" - this creates the connection between your ID.me account and the IRS system The whole thing is like having a key but not knowing which door it opens. Once you complete that authorization step, you should be able to access your account and track your refund status. I know how stressful it is waiting for that money, especially when working remotely. The process took me about 15 minutes once I figured out the right sequence. Hope this helps you get through it quickly!