One thing nobody has mentioned - make sure you're not deducting anything the organization reimbursed you for! Our soccer club has a process where coaches can submit receipts for equipment purchases and get reimbursed up to $150 per season. You can only deduct unreimbursed expenses, so track what you paid for personally vs what the organization covered. Also, take photos of the equipment being used at practices as additional documentation that it was for team use. The IRS loves documentation if you ever get audited!

Great question! I've been coaching youth hockey for several years and have navigated these same deduction issues. A few additional points that might help: The equipment you bought (cones, practice jerseys, pucks) is definitely deductible as charitable contributions since it's for a 501c3. Just make sure you have receipts and get written acknowledgment from the league if your total contributions exceed $250. For mileage, you can deduct trips that are specifically for coaching duties beyond normal parent activities - like equipment runs, coach meetings, or early arrival for setup. Keep a separate log for these coaching-specific miles at 14 cents per mile for 2025. The $300 volunteer credit does reduce your deductible amount - it's considered a "quid pro quo" benefit. So if you spent $400 on equipment but saved $300 in fees, you can only deduct $100. Regarding personal equipment like skates and helmets - unless they're required specifically for coaching and you wouldn't need them as a regular parent spectator, they're generally not deductible. The "primary purpose" test is key here. One tip: consider formally donating the team equipment to the organization rather than just lending it. This makes the deduction cleaner and removes any question about personal vs. charitable use. Get a donation receipt that lists the items and their fair market value.

One thing to keep in mind - if you're making decent money from the YouTuber and not having taxes withheld, you might get hit with an "underpayment penalty" if you wait until tax time to pay it all. Happened to me last year and it was an extra $175 I wasn't expecting.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact situation a couple years ago! You're right to be thinking about this early - it shows you're being responsible about your taxes. A few practical tips that helped me when I had multiple income sources: 1. Open a separate savings account just for tax money from your YouTube editing work. Every time you get paid, immediately transfer 25-30% into that account and pretend it doesn't exist until tax time. 2. Keep a simple spreadsheet tracking all your YouTube payments - date, amount, client name. This makes tax filing so much easier later. 3. Since you mentioned moving expenses, don't forget that some of those might be deductible if the move was work-related (though the rules changed in recent years, so double-check). 4. Consider asking your coffee shop employer to withhold a bit extra from your paychecks to help cover the taxes on your freelance income. You can do this by filling out a new W-4 and requesting additional withholding. The good news is that since you're in a no-income-tax state, you only need to worry about federal taxes. And yes, all your income does stack together, but having taxes already withheld from your coffee shop job will help reduce what you owe at the end of the year. You're definitely on the right track by thinking about this now rather than getting surprised in April!

Check your tax transcript. Online. Might show what the original issue was. Could give you clues. Worth a look. Faster than waiting.

Ana, I understand your concern about receiving Notice 1462! As others have mentioned, this notice is essentially the IRS saying "we received your response and are working on it." Since you mentioned being recently retired, I'm curious - do you recall what the original notice was about? Given that you're dealing with new retirement income sources like pension and Social Security, the original issue might have been related to income reporting discrepancies. The good news is that Notice 1462 means they're actively reviewing your case, not that there's a new problem. Since you're so well-organized with your tax documents (love the color-coded folders!), you're already ahead of the game. I'd recommend checking your online IRS account or requesting a tax transcript as Kendrick suggested - this might give you more insight into what triggered the original notice. The waiting period can be nerve-wracking, but try not to stress. The IRS is just extremely backlogged right now. Keep doing what you're doing with your tax preparer, and you should be fine!

I completely understand your frustration with this situation! The 4-hour drive requirement is really unreasonable, especially after you've already been waiting 14 weeks past their promised timeline. Here's what I'd recommend based on what others have shared: 1. **Document the hardship**: When you call the IRS, be very specific about why the 8-hour round trip creates a genuine hardship (not just inconvenience). Mention job constraints, transportation costs, or any other factors that make this particularly difficult. 2. **Try multiple approaches**: Don't just call the identity verification hotline - try the main customer service line and ask for a manager. Also consider submitting a written hardship request via certified mail to create a paper trail. 3. **Contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service**: They specifically help with cases where IRS processes are causing hardship. The extended delay plus the travel requirement could qualify you for their assistance. 4. **Get everything in writing**: If you do have to make the trip, call ahead to confirm your appointment and get a detailed list of required documents. Ask them to email or mail you the list to avoid any miscommunication. The fact that you're already 5 weeks past their promised timeline gives you additional leverage when requesting hardship accommodations. Don't give up on finding alternatives before making that long drive!

I've been through a similar identity verification ordeal and totally feel your pain on that 4-hour drive requirement! One thing that worked for me was calling the IRS and asking to escalate my case to what they call a "hardship review." When I explained that the travel distance would cause genuine financial hardship (I had to take unpaid time off work plus gas/hotel costs), they were able to arrange for me to verify at a different location that was closer. The key was being very specific about the hardship - not just saying "it's inconvenient" but explaining the actual financial impact. Also, since you're already 5 weeks past their 9-week promise, that delay itself strengthens your case for special accommodation. If the regular customer service reps can't help, ask specifically to speak with someone about "hardship accommodations" or request to have your case reviewed by a manager. Sometimes the front-line agents don't know about all the available options. Don't give up - there are often more flexible solutions available than what they initially tell you!

Don't forget to check that the 1099 or W-2 they received has the correct amounts. Our Au Pair's agency initially issued a 1099 with an incorrect amount that included room and board value. Many agencies make this mistake. The correct taxable amount should only include their stipend (usually around $195-250 per week), not the estimated value of housing, meals, etc. Also, make sure you have their foreign address for the tax forms. You'll need the complete international format address for the 1040NR.

Thank you all so much for these incredibly helpful responses! I had no idea there were so many nuances to Au Pair tax filing. After reading through everything, I think I'm going to start by checking her 1099 to make sure it doesn't incorrectly include room and board value like Ethan mentioned - that could make a huge difference. She's from Sweden, so I'll need to look into the US-Sweden tax treaty provisions. It sounds like using one of the specialized tools like Sprintax or taxr.ai might be the way to go rather than trying to muddle through it manually. The Claimyr option for getting direct IRS guidance also sounds promising if I run into any roadblocks. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to share their experiences. This community is amazing! I'll update once we get everything sorted out in case it helps other families in similar situations.