lol the irs is such a clown show these days. theyre so backed up they probably wont even look at ur return til 2027 🤡

Just went through something similar last year. The IRS did request documentation for my child care credit during correspondence audit. Even without original receipts, I was able to piece together proof using bank statements, credit card records, and a signed statement from my daycare provider confirming the amounts and dates. Also had to provide Form W-10 info for the provider. It was stressful but manageable if you can show a clear payment trail. The key is being proactive about gathering alternative documentation now.

I'm in a very similar situation - made about $18k from my freelance marketing business this year and also totally neglected the quarterly payments (oops!). After reading through all these responses, I'm definitely going with TurboTax Self-Employed. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned - if you have any business-related subscriptions or software you pay for monthly (like Adobe Creative Suite, project management tools, etc.), make sure you have those receipts ready. Those add up quickly and are fully deductible. I went through my credit card statements and found almost $800 in software subscriptions I had forgotten about. Also, don't beat yourself up about the quarterly payments thing - apparently it's super common for first-year freelancers. The penalty really isn't that scary at our income levels. Just get it done and set up those quarterly payments for next year!

As someone who went through this exact same situation two years ago (made $19k my first year freelancing), I can definitely relate to the panic! Here's what I wish I had known: TurboTax Self-Employed is absolutely sufficient for your situation. Don't let anyone scare you into thinking you need a CPA at this income level - you'd probably spend $500-800 on a CPA when the software costs around $120 and will handle everything you need. The key things to focus on: - Track ALL your business expenses (computer equipment, software, internet, phone bill percentage, office supplies, etc.) - If you have a dedicated workspace at home, definitely claim the home office deduction - Keep receipts for everything business-related from now on For the penalty on not making quarterly payments, mine was around $150 on similar income - annoying but not devastating. The software calculates it automatically. One tip that saved me money: before you start your taxes, spend a weekend going through all your bank and credit card statements from the year to identify every possible business expense. I found an extra $1,200 in deductions I had completely forgotten about. You've got this! It's way less scary once you actually start the process.

Has anyone tried just not reporting tiny W2s? I had a $50 one last year and just skipped it. Nothing happened.

I understand the frustration with small W2s from multiple states - been there myself! Here's what I learned from dealing with a similar situation: You absolutely must report ALL W2 income, no matter how small. The IRS receives copies of every W2 issued and their automated systems will flag any discrepancies. I've seen people get nasty letters years later for unreported income under $100. However, for state filing requirements, you might catch a break. Many states have minimum income thresholds below which you don't need to file a return. For example, some states only require filing if you earned over $300-500 from that state. Check each state's specific requirements - you might only need to file one or neither of those state returns. For the federal return, consider using the IRS Free File program if your total income qualifies. Several partners through that program allow multiple state filings at no cost, which could save you the expensive add-on fees from commercial software. The work timing doesn't matter - it's when you received the payment (2024) that determines which tax year to report it on, not when you performed the work.

I had this exact same issue a few years ago! The problem is definitely with how the W-4 handles two-earner households. Each employer calculates withholding as if that's your only income, which means you're both getting the benefit of the full married filing jointly standard deduction and lower tax brackets. Here's what I learned: when you check "spouse works" on the W-4, it doesn't automatically adjust anything - you still need to complete either the Multiple Jobs Worksheet or use the IRS Withholding Estimator to calculate additional withholding for Step 4(c). A quick fix for 2025 is to have one of you (probably your husband since his withholding is lower) check the "Married but withhold at higher Single rate" option. This will increase his withholding rate to about 12-15%, which should be much closer to what you actually owe. For your 2024 tax bill, make sure to file by April 15th even if you can't pay immediately. The IRS offers payment plans online if you owe less than $50,000, and the penalties are much lower than if you don't file on time. You might also qualify for a waiver of underpayment penalties if this is your first time having this issue. The good news is once you fix the W-4 forms, you shouldn't have this problem again!

I see you're getting lots of great advice here, but I wanted to share what worked for us in a nearly identical situation. We're also a married couple in Texas with one child, and we had the exact same underwithholding problem after updating our W-4s. The root issue is that the current W-4 form is designed to work perfectly for single-income households, but it requires extra steps for dual-income families that most people (and even some HR departments) miss. Here's what I'd recommend based on our experience: 1. **For immediate 2025 fix**: Have your husband check the "Married but withhold at higher Single rate" box on a new W-4. This is the simplest solution and will bump his withholding rate from ~6% to around 12-15%, which should be much closer to what you actually need. 2. **For precision**: Use the IRS Withholding Estimator with both your salaries. It will give you an exact dollar amount for Step 4(c) additional withholding. 3. **For your 2024 tax bill**: Definitely file by April 15th even if you can't pay the full amount. The failure-to-file penalty is 5% per month vs only 0.5% for failure-to-pay. You can set up a payment plan online at IRS.gov. The silver lining? Once you get the W-4 forms corrected, this problem disappears. We went from owing $4,800 in 2023 to getting a small refund in 2024 after fixing our withholding.

This is such a stressful situation, but you're definitely not alone in dealing with this! I went through something similar two years ago when I moved during tax season and missed my verification letter. One thing I learned is that the IRS verification process can take several months even after you respond, so definitely start working on resolving your 2023 issue now rather than waiting until after you file 2024. When I finally got through to the IRS (took forever on the phone), they explained that having an unresolved verification doesn't technically prevent you from filing the next year's return, but it can create complications. In my case, both my 2022 and 2023 refunds were held up until I completed the verification process. The agent told me this is pretty common - they basically put a "freeze" on your account until identity verification is complete, which can affect multiple tax years. My advice: definitely file your 2024 return on time to avoid penalties, but prioritize getting that 2023 verification sorted ASAP. If you can't get through by phone, try visiting a local IRS office or see if you can create an online account to check your status. The sooner you resolve it, the sooner both refunds should process.

I'm dealing with a similar verification issue right now, and what I've learned from my tax preparer is that you should absolutely file your 2024 return on time regardless of the 2023 verification status. Missing the filing deadline can result in penalties even if you're due a refund, so don't let the previous year's issue delay your current filing. That said, I'd strongly recommend resolving the 2023 verification before you file 2024 if possible. When I spoke with an IRS representative last month, they mentioned that unresolved verification issues can sometimes trigger additional scrutiny on subsequent returns. Plus, if you're expecting refunds for both years, getting the verification cleared will help both refunds process faster. One tip that worked for me: if you moved and that's why you missed the original verification letter, make sure to update your address with the IRS through Form 8822 before requesting a new verification letter. This prevents the same issue from happening again. You can also try the online Identity Verification service on the IRS website - sometimes you can complete the process digitally without needing to visit an office or wait for mail. Good luck getting this sorted out! The verification process is frustrating but definitely manageable once you get the right person on the phone.