I called the Kentucky Department of Revenue directly on February 5th about this issue. They confirmed that several tax software providers, including TurboTax, are still going through the certification process for e-filing. The representative estimated that most software would be certified by February 17th at the latest. If you're concerned about budgeting and need your refund quickly, you might want to consider filing your federal return now to get that portion of your refund sooner. Just make sure you set aside any state tax you might owe when that filing becomes available. The penalties for late state filing don't start until after April 15th, so there's no financial disadvantage to waiting a few weeks for the Kentucky forms to become available.

I'm experiencing the exact same issue here in Kentucky! Filed with TurboTax for the past 4 years and never had this problem before. Just completed my entire return yesterday and got that same frustrating message about Kentucky forms not being available for e-filing yet. After reading through all these responses, it sounds like this is definitely a widespread issue caused by Kentucky's tax rate change from 5% to 4.5%. I'm feeling a bit better knowing it's not just me or something wrong with my specific return. I think I'm going to go ahead and file my federal return now since I'm expecting a decent refund there, and then wait for the email notification about Kentucky. Based on what Diego shared about the February 17th estimate from the Kentucky DOR, hopefully we'll all be able to file our state returns soon. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community really helps during tax season stress!

Just a tip that helped me with my small Etsy business income - keep a separate spreadsheet tracking ALL your income and expenses throughout the year. Update it monthly at minimum. PayPal's reporting is okay but not great for tax purposes. I export my PayPal activity every month to CSV, clean it up in Excel, and add it to my tracking spreadsheet. This makes tax time so much easier because I'm not scrambling to figure out what all these random deposits were from 10 months ago.

This is such a common situation and you're definitely not alone in feeling confused! The good news is that even though you didn't receive a 1099-K, you absolutely can and should report this income. A few key points to add to what others have said: 1. **You're absolutely right to report it** - The IRS expects you to report ALL income, regardless of whether you receive tax forms. The $5K threshold just determines whether PayPal has to send you a 1099-K, not whether you owe taxes. 2. **Schedule C is the way to go** - Your affiliate income is considered self-employment income, so you'll file Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business). In TurboTax, look for the self-employment or business income section. 3. **Don't forget about deductions** - Since this is business income, you can deduct legitimate business expenses like: - Website hosting and domain fees - Equipment used for your blog (cameras, kitchen gadgets for reviews) - Portion of internet/phone bills used for business - Software subscriptions (photo editing, etc.) - Business meals (if you're reviewing restaurants) 4. **Keep good records going forward** - Start tracking everything now for 2025. A simple spreadsheet with monthly income and expenses will make next year's filing much easier. The self-employment tax threshold is indeed $400 in net earnings, so you'll likely owe that in addition to regular income tax. But don't let that scare you - it's all manageable once you get organized!

Hey Giovanni! Welcome to the world of doing your own taxes - it can definitely feel overwhelming at first, but you've got this! Just to add to what others have shared, since you're a college student, there are a couple of extra things to keep in mind when you get both your W-2s: 1. **Check if you qualify for education credits** - With your income level ($12,400 total), you might be eligible for the American Opportunity Tax Credit if you or your parents are paying tuition. This could mean a nice refund even if little tax was withheld. 2. **Consider who claims you as a dependent** - If your parents are claiming you as a dependent on their return, it affects how you file. You'll still need to file your own return since you earned over $12,950, but you won't be able to claim your own personal exemption. 3. **Keep copies of everything** - Save both W-2s and any other tax documents. You'll need them if you ever get questions from the IRS. The good news is that with two straightforward W-2s and no other complicated income sources, your return should be pretty simple. Most free tax software can handle multiple W-2s easily, and many are free for students. Don't stress too much - you're being responsible by asking questions and getting organized!

Hey Giovanni! Just wanted to chime in with a quick tip since you're new to this - when you do get both your W-2s, double-check all the information on them before filing! Make sure your name, Social Security number, and address are correct on both forms. Also verify that the wage amounts match what you think you earned (you can check against your final paystubs). I've seen cases where employers make mistakes on W-2s, especially smaller businesses like cafes that might not have dedicated payroll staff. If you catch an error, contact the employer right away to get a corrected W-2 (called a W-2c) before you file your return. Since you earned income from two different sources totaling $12,400, you'll definitely need to file a return. The silver lining is that with relatively modest earnings and likely some tax withholding, there's a good chance you'll get a refund! Most college students in your situation do. Good luck with your first tax filing experience!

Don't forget about all the business deductions you can take as a 1099 contractor! Home office, equipment, software subscriptions, internet, cell phone, professional development, health insurance premiums, retirement contributions, etc. These can significantly reduce your taxable income, which might help you get below the threshold for the QBI deduction.

As someone who's been through this transition from W-2 to 1099, I'd strongly recommend getting professional help for your first year. The QBI rules are incredibly complex and the stakes are high at your income level. A few key points to consider: 1. Even if you don't qualify for QBI due to SSTB status and income limits, there are other significant tax planning opportunities 2. Quarterly estimated tax payments are crucial - don't wait until year-end or you'll face penalties 3. Consider maxing out a SEP-IRA or Solo 401(k) to reduce your taxable income (you can contribute up to $69k for 2024) 4. Track everything meticulously - mileage, equipment, subscriptions, training costs The software engineering SSTB determination really depends on your specific work. If you're doing custom development where clients are paying for your expertise, you're likely an SSTB. But if you're creating products or platforms that generate ongoing revenue, portions might qualify. Don't try to navigate this alone - find a CPA who specializes in self-employed tech workers. The money you spend on professional advice will pay for itself many times over.

Random question - if I'm buying equipment for a new business but haven't officially formed the LLC yet, can I still take the Section 179 deduction?

Great question about multiple businesses and Section 179! You're absolutely on the right track thinking about maximizing your deductions. One important consideration I don't see mentioned yet is the taxable income limitation. Section 179 deductions can't exceed your total taxable income from all active businesses combined. Since you're making $675k from your contracting business, you should have plenty of taxable income to support the deductions for both the truck and startup equipment. However, make sure your new startup is genuinely operational before year-end. The IRS looks for legitimate business activity - not just equipment purchases. Having a business plan, marketing materials, or even preliminary client discussions can help demonstrate business intent. Also, consider the timing strategically. If you're close to the Section 179 phase-out threshold (starts at $4.05M in equipment purchases), you might want to spread purchases across tax years. But with your income level, this probably isn't a concern. The key is proper documentation for both businesses and ensuring the equipment is actually placed in service before December 31st.