I just went through this exact situation with my YouTube channel! The good news is that you have flexibility here - you can use either your SSN as your TIN or get an EIN, both are completely valid options. Since you're making decent money ($4800 last year, expecting $12k+ this year), I'd actually recommend getting an EIN for a couple reasons: 1) It keeps your SSN more private when dealing with platforms and brands, and 2) It makes you look more professional when negotiating with sponsors. The EIN application is free and takes about 10 minutes on the IRS website. You'll select "Sole Proprietor" as your business type. Once you have it, you can use that number whenever platforms ask for tax info. Also, since you're crossing the $600+ threshold where Instagram will definitely send you a 1099, make sure you're tracking all your business expenses - phone, internet, camera equipment, editing software, props, even a portion of your home if you film there. These deductions can really add up and save you money at tax time! One last tip: with $12k+ income expected, you should probably start making quarterly estimated tax payments to avoid underpayment penalties. Set aside about 25-30% of your creator income for taxes.

I'm a tax professional who works with a lot of content creators, and I want to clarify a few things that might help ease your concerns. First, you're absolutely right to be thinking about this now - Instagram is required to collect this information for anyone they expect to pay $600 or more in a calendar year, which sounds like it applies to your situation. You have two completely legitimate options: 1. Use your SSN as your TIN - this is what most individual creators do when starting out 2. Get an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS - this is free and can be done online in about 10 minutes From a privacy standpoint, many creators prefer getting an EIN because it means you're not sharing your SSN with multiple platforms and brands. It also doesn't change how you file taxes - you'd still report everything on your personal return using Schedule C. One important note: with your projected $12k+ income this year, you'll likely need to make quarterly estimated tax payments to avoid underpayment penalties. Generally, if you expect to owe $1,000+ when you file, the IRS wants you to pay throughout the year rather than all at once. I usually recommend creators set aside 25-30% of their earnings for taxes. Also start tracking ALL business expenses now - equipment, software subscriptions, props, phone/internet bills, home office space if you have a dedicated area for content creation. These deductions can significantly reduce your tax liability.

Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! As someone who just went through this same struggle with my California W4, I wanted to add a few things that might help others: First, don't forget about the Additional Amount section on most state W4 forms. If you're really unsure about getting your exemptions exactly right, you can always claim a reasonable number of exemptions and then add a small additional amount to be withheld each pay period (like $20-50). This gives you a safety buffer without having to figure out the perfect exemption number. Second, if you have any side income (freelance work, gig economy, rental income, etc.), definitely factor that into your withholding strategy. I learned this the hard way last year when my Uber driving income left me with a surprise tax bill. Finally, keep a copy of whatever you submit! I can't tell you how many times I've needed to reference my W4 elections throughout the year, especially when doing quarterly tax planning or when something changes in my financial situation. The advice about starting conservative and monitoring your paystubs is spot-on. Better to get a refund than face penalties and interest!

As a tax preparer who's helped hundreds of clients with W4 issues, I want to emphasize something crucial that hasn't been mentioned yet: if you're married, make sure you and your spouse coordinate your withholding strategies! I see so many couples where one spouse claims the "optimal" number of exemptions based on their individual situation, and the other does the same, but together they end up significantly under-withheld because they're essentially double-counting exemptions and deductions. The safest approach for married couples is often for the higher earner to claim most of the exemptions while the lower earner claims fewer (or even zero) exemptions. Some couples even choose "Married but withhold at Single rate" to be extra safe, especially if both spouses work. Also, don't forget that major life changes during the year require W4 updates - not just marriage/divorce/new baby, but also things like buying a house (mortgage interest deduction), paying off student loans, or changes in dependent care expenses. I've seen people owe thousands because they didn't adjust their withholding after their circumstances changed. The IRS withholding calculator is actually pretty good for federal taxes, and most state calculators work well too if you input accurate information. Just remember to update both federal AND state forms when you make changes!

As someone who just completed my VITA certification last month, I can confirm that the 2-3 hour estimate is pretty accurate. I finished the Basic exam in about 2.5 hours, but I'm glad I set aside the full morning for it. One tip that really helped me: when you get to a scenario you're unsure about, don't spend too much time second-guessing yourself on the first pass. Mark it for review and come back to it after you've completed the questions you're confident about. This helped me manage my time better and approach the trickier scenarios with a clearer head. Also, make sure you have a quiet space with good internet connection - there's nothing worse than getting kicked out mid-exam due to technical issues. The system does save your progress, but it's still stressful when it happens. The fact that you're planning ahead and asking these questions shows you're going to do great. The VITA program really is designed for people without prior tax experience, so trust the training process!

I went through VITA certification two years ago as a psychology major with absolutely no tax background, so I completely understand your nerves! What really helped me was approaching it like any other standardized test - the course materials are your textbook, and the exam tests your ability to apply what you've learned. One thing that caught me off guard was how much the exam focuses on edge cases and tricky scenarios. For example, you might get a question about a divorced couple where the custody agreement differs from who actually provided support, or a student who's 24 but lived with parents for only part of the year. These scenarios test your ability to work through the dependency tests step by step. My biggest piece of advice: during your training course, really pay attention when your instructor walks through the "what if" scenarios. Those are gold for the exam. Also, get comfortable with the IRS publications layout early - knowing where to quickly find information about things like the Earned Income Credit tables or education credit requirements will save you time during the actual test. The certification process might seem intimidating now, but honestly, once you start working with real taxpayers, you'll realize how well the training prepared you. The practical experience you'll gain is invaluable - I still use skills I learned in VITA in my current job. You've got this!

I just went through this exact scenario with my consulting LLC! The good news is that proper expense reimbursements are totally legitimate and the LLC can still deduct them. Here's what worked for me: 1. Create detailed expense reports for each reimbursement showing the business purpose, date, amount, and vendor 2. Keep all original receipts 3. Have the LLC formally approve and pay the reimbursements (don't just transfer money informally) 4. Record everything properly in your books - the LLC records the expense and the reimbursement as separate transactions The key distinction is that these are reimbursements for legitimate business expenses, not distributions or loans. As long as the expenses would have been deductible if paid directly by the LLC, they remain deductible when reimbursed. One thing to watch out for - make sure you're not double-deducting. The LLC takes the deduction, not you personally. And get those reimbursements processed before year-end if you want the deductions this tax year! Your accountant should be able to confirm all this when they're back, but you're definitely on the right track with your thinking.

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now! My LLC partner and I paid around $3,200 in startup costs personally while waiting for our business bank account to get set up. From what I've researched and learned from our CPA, the LLC can absolutely deduct these expenses as long as they're legitimate business costs and properly documented. The fact that you paid personally first doesn't disqualify them - it's actually pretty common for new LLCs. Here's what our accountant told us to do: - Create expense reports with receipts showing business purpose for each expense - Have both LLC members formally approve the reimbursements (we just did this via email and kept records) - Process the reimbursements through proper business accounting (not just casual transfers) - Make sure to get reimbursed before year-end if you want the deductions this year The reimbursements aren't taxable income to you since you're just getting back money you spent for the business. And the LLC gets to deduct the full business expenses. Your loan idea could work too, but honestly the reimbursement route is simpler and achieves the same tax result. Just make sure everything is well-documented in case of an audit!

Has anyone also looked into the potential state tax implications? Federal and state rules for dependents sometimes differ.

I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation with my father who receives SSI. After reading through all these responses and doing my own research, I can confirm that claiming your mother as a dependent will NOT affect her SSI benefits at all. The IRS and SSA operate independently for these purposes. Just make sure you keep good records of all the support you provide - receipts for food, utilities, medical expenses, etc. You'll need to show that you provide more than half of her total support for the year. With SSI being only $914/month ($10,968 annually), if you're covering housing, food, and medical expenses, you're almost certainly providing more than half. One thing I learned that might help - you can also deduct unreimbursed medical expenses you pay for her if you itemize, even if they don't exceed the AGI threshold for your own medical expenses. Every bit helps when you're caring for an elderly parent!