I went through this exact situation with Amazon Flex last year! Here's what fixed it for me: 1. Clear your browser cache completely 2. Try using a different browser altogether (Firefox worked when Chrome failed) 3. Disable any ad blockers or privacy extensions 4. Make sure you're using the exact same email address as your Flex account 5. If all else fails, contact Amazon Flex support through the app Such a relief when I finally got in! If you're really stuck, you can also request your wage and income transcript directly from the IRS which will show what Amazon reported for you.

Hey Zoe! I totally feel your stress about this - tax deadline anxiety is real! I've been doing gig work for a few years and ran into similar issues. A few things that might help: First, definitely try Ryan's suggestion about the Stripe portal - that's actually how I accessed mine last year when the main Amazon portal was being glitchy. Also, Benjamin's tip about using the mobile app instead of the website is spot on - I've noticed the app tends to be more reliable. If you still can't access it, don't panic! You can absolutely file your taxes without the official 1099 form. Just gather all your payment records from the Amazon Flex app (go to Earnings > Payment History) and add up your total for 2023. The IRS cares more about you reporting the income accurately than having the physical form. One more thing since you mentioned caring for your mom - make sure to look into the Credit for Caring if she qualifies as your dependent. And if you're using your car for deliveries, don't forget to track those business miles for deductions! You've got this! 💪

Has anyone considered how the inherited IRA distributions might affect other tax situations like IRMAA surcharges for Medicare? My parents are dealing with this now and it's messing with their planning.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is the timing strategy for your distributions. Since you're subject to the 10-year rule, you don't necessarily have to take equal distributions each year - you could potentially take larger amounts in years when your income is lower. For example, if you expect a lower income year due to job changes, sabbatical, or early retirement, that might be an optimal time to take larger distributions from the inherited IRA. This could help you avoid being pushed into higher tax brackets. Also, regarding your 529 plan question - while the inherited IRA distributions will be taxable to you, once that money goes into a 529 plan, it grows tax-free and withdrawals for qualified education expenses are also tax-free. So even though you can't avoid the initial tax hit, you're setting up tax-free growth for your kids' education expenses, which is still a solid strategy. You might want to run some projections showing different distribution scenarios across the 10-year period to see which approach minimizes your overall tax burden. The tools others mentioned here could help with that analysis.

Crazy how similar our situations are! I graduated May 2023, got a job in June making about $58k, and moved out in July. I couldn't be claimed because: 1) I made too much $ to be a qualifying relative 2) I provided more than half my own support for the year (calculated all expenses) Benefits I got from filing independently: - Claimed standard deduction ($13,850 for 2023) - Got partial American Opportunity Credit for the portion of tuition I paid - Earned Income Credit Do the calculation on total support for the year. Add ALL expenses (tuition, rent, food, medical, utilities, etc.) then figure out who paid more than half.

Important point nobody mentioned - even if you determine your mom can't claim you as a dependent, you need to coordinate with her before filing. If she incorrectly claims you and you also claim yourself, both returns will get flagged and processed manually, delaying any refund by months. Make sure to talk to her BEFORE either of you file. You don't want to be in a situation where the IRS has to sort it out.

21 Curious what tax software you're planning to use? I tried TurboTax last year for my flight instructor income and it was terrible with my aviation expenses. Kept flagging everything as potential audit triggers.

This is a really helpful thread! I'm in a similar situation with a regional airline's pilot development program. One thing I'd add is to make sure you understand the hobby loss rules if your training expenses significantly exceed your 1099 income for multiple years. The IRS has a presumption that an activity is a hobby (not a business) if it shows losses for 3 out of 5 consecutive years. Since pilot training is front-loaded with high costs but leads to substantial future income, you'll want to document your business plan and profit motive clearly. Keep records showing the airline's commitment to hire you upon completion, industry salary data for commercial pilots, and your progression milestones. This helps demonstrate that the current losses are temporary and part of a legitimate business venture with strong profit potential. Also consider timing some of your larger expenses strategically if possible - spreading major costs across tax years can help avoid triggering the hobby loss scrutiny while still maximizing your legitimate deductions.

This happened to my cousin! The landlord was definitely dodging taxes. If you're paying in cash with no receipts and they won't document anything, it's pretty obvious what's happening. My cousin ended up finding a new place because it just wasn't worth the drama. But quick tax question - if someone reports their landlord for tax evasion, does the tenant end up owing any back taxes? Or is it just the landlord who gets in trouble?

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this stressful situation, especially when your healthcare needs are involved. From what you've described, your landlord's extreme reaction to a reasonable request for documentation is definitely a red flag. Here's what I'd suggest focusing on first: Many medical assistance programs will accept alternative forms of proof of residence when a formal lease isn't available. Contact the program directly and explain your situation - they often have procedures for cases like yours. You can use bank statements showing consistent rent payments, mail received at your address, utility bills (even if not in your name), or a notarized statement documenting your tenancy. For your immediate housing situation, you do have established tenant rights after 6 months of regular payments, even without a written lease. This creates what's legally called a "month-to-month tenancy" in most states. Regarding the tax evasion concern - while the IRS does have reporting mechanisms, consider whether this is the right time to pursue that route while you still need stable housing. Your priority should be securing the documentation you need for your medical care. Once you have alternative housing secured, you can decide whether to report the tax issue. Have you tried reaching out to local tenant advocacy groups? They often have resources and templates that can help in situations exactly like yours.