Don't forget that this needs to be the FINAL 1041 with the "Final Return" box checked. Many executors miss this and end up getting notices from the IRS asking for returns for subsequent years. Also make sure Form 56 (Notice Concerning Fiduciary Relationship) is filed showing the termination of the fiduciary relationship.

Just to add another perspective - make sure you have clear documentation showing your mom was acting in her capacity as Personal Representative when she paid these fees. A simple letter or memo to the file stating something like "Paid attorney fees of $7,600 on behalf of [Estate Name] from personal funds due to bank restrictions" can be helpful documentation. Also, when you enter these on the 1041, you might want to attach a brief statement explaining the circumstances (that the estate's bank wouldn't allow the payment but the PR paid personally). This isn't required, but it can prevent questions later if the IRS reviews the return. The good news is that since your mom was the sole beneficiary, this is really just a timing difference - the money was always going to come out of "her" funds eventually anyway, whether directly from the estate account or indirectly through her inheritance.

Will you be getting any 1099 forms from the places you worked? If they filed properly, the IRS already knows about that income. You can request a "Wage and Income Transcript" from the IRS that shows all income reported under your SSN for past years. That might give you a starting point at least.

I was in almost the exact same situation as you - self-employed photographer who hadn't filed for years due to poor record keeping and cash payments. Here's what I learned from going through this process: First, don't panic about the penalties. The IRS has a "First Time Penalty Abatement" program that can waive many penalties if you haven't had filing issues before. You have to file first, then request it. For reconstructing your income without records, start with whatever bank statements you have. Even if you only deposited money for bills, those deposits plus your known living expenses can help you estimate your actual income. The IRS isn't expecting perfect records from cash-based businesses - they just want reasonable good-faith estimates. For business expenses, make a list of everything you remember buying for your photography work. Camera gear, editing software, travel costs, even a portion of your internet and phone bills. Without receipts, you can still claim reasonable amounts based on what you remember spending. Just be conservative and honest. The state issue is important - if you worked in CA, you'll likely need to file non-resident returns there for the income earned in that state, even if you live in WA. I'd strongly recommend getting help from a tax professional who specializes in self-employment issues and back taxes. The cost is usually worth it to avoid mistakes that could trigger an audit.

I'm almost certain CashApp only sends 1099-Bs if you have over $600 in transactions now. The threshold changed recently. I sold about $500 of Bitcoin last year and never got anything from them, but I still reported it on my taxes using my own records from the app.

Just to clarify a small detail in your timeline - you mentioned buying Bitcoin in 2021 and selling last month. Since we're in early 2025, that would actually be about 3-4 years of holding, making this definitely a long-term capital loss (which is good for tax purposes as Andre mentioned). For your specific situation with the ~$30 loss, you absolutely don't need to wait for the 1099-B to file your taxes. CashApp likely won't send one anyway since your sale amount was under $1,000. You can find your transaction history in the CashApp app under "Activity" - screenshot or download those records showing your purchase date, purchase amount, sale date, and sale amount. That's all you need for Form 8949 and Schedule D. Since this is a loss, it will actually help reduce your tax liability, so there's no reason to delay filing. The $30 loss might seem small, but every deduction counts toward your refund!

Has anyone used TurboTax or H&R Block for 1040NR? I tried using TurboTax but it kept asking me for Schedule OI info even though I'm not claiming treaty benefits. Is that normal?

I went through this exact same confusion last year! After doing a lot of research and speaking with a tax professional, here's what I learned: Schedule OI is technically required for ALL 1040NR filers, regardless of whether you're claiming treaty benefits or not. The confusion comes from the fact that many people think it's only needed for treaty claims, but if you read the actual instructions carefully, it asks for basic information like your visa type, country of residence, and days in the US - which applies to everyone filing 1040NR. That said, I've seen people successfully file without it when not claiming treaties, but why risk it? It's pretty straightforward to fill out Parts I and II with your basic info. Better to be complete and avoid any potential follow-up questions from the IRS. Good luck with your filing!

2 Just to add another perspective - my accountant warned me that the IRS often scrutinizes pet-related business deductions closely, so you want to be extra careful. She suggested maintaining completely separate credit cards/accounts for business expenses vs personal pet expenses, and keeping a detailed log connecting each business expense to specific content or income opportunities. She also recommended registering a proper business name, getting a business license if required in your state, and creating a thorough business plan that demonstrates a clear path to profitability. These steps help establish that you're running a legitimate business with the primary motive of making profit, not just trying to write off personal expenses.

This is such a timely question! I've been considering the same thing for my cat's TikTok account. From what I've researched, the biggest challenge is proving legitimate business intent versus just trying to write off personal pet expenses. One thing I learned is that you need to treat this like any other business from day one. That means: - Separate business bank account for all pet influencer income/expenses - Detailed records showing how each expense directly relates to content creation - Clear documentation of time spent on business activities - Professional contracts with brands/sponsors The "hobby loss rule" is crucial - if you don't show profit in 3 out of 5 years, the IRS will likely classify it as a hobby and severely limit your deductions. So you really need to approach this with a serious business mindset and growth plan. I'd recommend starting small, focusing on building genuine income streams first, then gradually adding legitimate business deductions as your revenue grows. Better to be conservative early on than face an audit later!