Has anyone mentioned that if your son made under a certain amount (I think it's around $12,950 for 2025), he might not be REQUIRED to file? But he should probably still file anyway because he'll likely get a refund of any withheld taxes!

Great question! As someone who works in tax preparation, I'd definitely recommend starting with the IRS Free File program - it's legitimately free for federal AND state filing if your son made under $73,000. Since he's interested in learning the process, I'd suggest having him try one of the guided software options first (like TurboTax Free Edition or H&R Block Free) which will walk him through each step and explain what everything means. This gives him the educational experience he wants while ensuring everything gets filed correctly. One tip: make sure he has his Social Security card, W-2 from the restaurant, and any 1099s if applicable before starting. The software will ask for these documents and it's much easier when you have everything ready. Also, even if he doesn't owe any taxes (likely with just summer job income), he should definitely file anyway to get back any federal or state taxes that were withheld from his paychecks. First-time filers often miss out on refunds they're entitled to! The fact that he wants to learn this himself is awesome - financial literacy is such an important life skill and understanding taxes early will serve him well.

Has anyone actually been audited over this? I've been deducting some of my protein and meal prep as business expenses for 2 years now since it's directly related to my fitness content. Wondering if I'm playing with fire here.

I'm a newer fitness influencer and this thread has been super helpful! I've been tracking my food expenses but wasn't sure what was actually deductible. Based on what everyone's saying, it sounds like I need to be way more strategic about documenting which foods are used specifically for content versus personal consumption. Quick question for those who've been doing this longer - do you actually buy separate ingredients/supplements just for videos to make the documentation cleaner? Seems like it might be worth it to avoid any gray areas, especially with what @Sophia Carson mentioned about increased IRS scrutiny on fitness influencers. I'd rather be overly cautious than deal with an audit down the road. Also really appreciate the tool recommendations - going to check out both taxr.ai and Claimyr since I've been struggling to get clear answers on this stuff.

There's another angle here nobody's mentioned - the employer could be illegally classifying an employee as an independent contractor to begin with. If your friend works regular hours, uses their equipment, follows their specific instructions on how to do the work, etc., he might legally be an employee regardless of what they're calling him. In that case, they owe a lot more than just a 1099 - they owe proper withholding, unemployment insurance, possibly benefits, etc.

This situation is unfortunately more common than it should be. The employer benefits in several ways by not issuing 1099s: they avoid reporting the payments to the IRS (which could trigger scrutiny of their own tax situation), they don't have to deal with the administrative burden of proper tax reporting, and they may be trying to keep these payments "off the books" entirely. What's particularly concerning is that $40k annually puts your friend well above the $600 threshold where a 1099-NEC is absolutely required. The employer is definitely breaking federal tax law. They could face penalties of up to $280 per unfiled form, plus potential criminal charges for willful failure to file. Your friend should seriously consider documenting everything - keep copies of all checks, bank deposits, any written agreements about work duties, and correspondence about the missing tax forms. Even without a 1099, he's legally required to report this income on Schedule C and pay self-employment taxes. But having detailed records will protect him if the IRS ever questions the unreported income on the employer's side. The family is essentially gambling that they won't get caught, but tax evasion has a way of catching up with people, especially when dealing with substantial amounts like $40k annually.

I went through almost the exact same situation two years ago. One crucial thing to keep in mind is that even though his name is on the mortgage, the IRS looks at who actually made the payments when determining who can claim the deductions. Since you have a court order giving you exclusive possession and you've been making all payments from your individual account since April, you have a strong case for claiming those deductions for the period after separation. For the joint payments made January-March, you'd typically divide based on your contribution percentage to that joint account (your 35%). Also, definitely explore the Head of Household filing status that others mentioned - it can save you significant money compared to married filing separately. The combination of HOH status plus claiming the mortgage interest and property tax deductions you actually paid could result in substantial tax savings. Keep detailed records of every payment you've made since the separation. Bank statements, online payment confirmations, everything. This documentation will be invaluable if there are any disputes or if the IRS has questions later.

I'm going through a very similar situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! One thing I wanted to add based on my recent experience with my tax attorney - make sure you also consider the timing of when your protection order was issued versus when expenses were paid. Since you got the emergency protection order right away and the sheriff formally removed him by April 8th, you have strong legal documentation showing when your exclusive possession began. This creates a clear timeline that supports your position for claiming deductions on expenses you paid after that date. My attorney also advised me to keep a simple log showing not just what I paid, but when the legal separation occurred, because the IRS recognizes court-ordered separation as establishing separate households even before divorce finalization. This can be crucial for both the deduction allocations and the Head of Household filing status others mentioned. The stress of dealing with taxes on top of everything else during divorce is overwhelming, but having that court order really strengthens your position. Document everything and don't let him intimidate you into giving up deductions you're legally entitled to claim!

First off, don't feel guilty about being a stay-at-home dad! You're providing invaluable care and saving your family thousands in childcare costs. Beyond what others have mentioned about the Child Tax Credit and dependent care options, here are a few additional things to consider: 1. **Educational Credits** - If you're taking any courses or certifications while home (even online ones that could help with future employment), you might qualify for education tax credits. 2. **Health Savings Account (HSA)** - If your wife's employer offers an HSA with her health plan, you can contribute pre-tax dollars and use them for family medical expenses, including over-the-counter items for the kids. 3. **State-specific credits** - Many states have their own child tax credits or dependent care credits that supplement federal ones. Check what your state offers. 4. **Documentation is key** - Keep receipts for ANY childcare expenses, even occasional ones like summer camps, drop-in daycare, or babysitting while your wife works late. These all potentially qualify for the Child and Dependent Care Credit. The tax code is complex, so don't hesitate to consult a tax professional who can review your specific situation. What you're doing has tremendous value - both financially and for your children's development!

As someone who's been through a similar situation, I want to echo what others have said about not feeling guilty - you're providing incredibly valuable work! One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the **Retirement Savings Contributions Credit** (Saver's Credit). If your household income falls within certain limits and your wife contributes to a 401(k) or IRA, you might qualify for this credit which can be worth up to $1,000 for married filing jointly. Also, since you mentioned feeling guilty about not contributing financially, consider that if you had to pay for full-time care for 4 kids under 6, you'd likely be looking at $3,000-$5,000+ per month depending on your area. That's easily $36,000-$60,000 per year in after-tax income you're saving your family! For tax planning, you might also want to look into: - **Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)** for medical expenses - great for families with young kids - **529 Education Savings Plans** - contributions may be deductible on your state return - Keep track of any volunteer work or charitable donations you make while caring for the kids The economic value you provide goes far beyond what shows up on tax forms. You're doing important work!