One thing nobody's mentioned yet - check if Box 2b "Taxable amount not determined" is checked. If it is, that explains why Box 2a is blank. This is common with Roth distributions because the financial institution doesn't know your basis and contribution history. If you made the withdrawal in 2024, remember you can still make 2024 Roth IRA contributions until April 15, 2025, which could offset what you withdrew if you want to "replace" that money in your retirement savings.

I went through this same situation with Fidelity last year! The blank Box 2a is completely normal for Roth IRA contribution withdrawals. Since you only took out your original contributions (not earnings), you shouldn't owe any taxes or penalties on this distribution. However, you do still need to report it on your tax return even though it's not taxable. When you file, you'll need to complete Form 8606 Part III to document that this was a non-taxable distribution of contributions. Keep good records of your total Roth IRA contributions over the years - this becomes important for tracking your basis. The key thing to remember is that with Roth IRAs, your contributions always come out first (before any earnings), and since you already paid taxes on that money before contributing it, there's no additional tax when you withdraw it. You're in the clear!

Just wanted to add something important - if you determine the 1099-R is fraudulent, don't just address it with the IRS. You need to report the identity theft to: 1) Federal Trade Commission (IdentityTheft.gov) 2) Credit bureaus (place a fraud alert) 3) Your banks and financial institutions (alert them to watch for suspicious activity) 4) Your local police department (get a police report) The 1099-R itself might just be one visible sign of a larger identity theft problem. I ignored a fake 1099-R last year thinking it was just a tax issue, and three months later someone tried to take out a mortgage in my name! These criminals often test the waters with something like a fake tax form before attempting bigger fraud.

Even though police departments often don't actively investigate individual identity theft cases, getting a police report is still really important for several reasons: 1) Many financial institutions and credit agencies require a police report number when you're disputing fraudulent accounts or charges 2) The IRS may ask for a copy of the police report when you file Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit) 3) It creates an official record with a case number that you can reference in future disputes 4) Some insurance policies that cover identity theft require a police report to process claims 5) If the fraud escalates or if law enforcement discovers it's part of a larger scheme, having that initial report on file can be crucial I learned this the hard way - I initially skipped the police report thinking it was unnecessary paperwork, but then had to go back and file one later when my bank required it to reverse fraudulent charges. The detective told me that while they can't investigate every case individually, the reports help them identify patterns and larger criminal operations. It usually only takes 20-30 minutes to file the report online or over the phone in most jurisdictions, so it's worth doing even if it feels like a formality.

Another thing to remember - they might give you the bonus in 2023 but depending on when you get it, it could count for 2024 taxes instead. My company pays bonuses in January for the previous year's performance, so it counts toward the new tax year.

Great question! Just to add one more perspective - if you're concerned about the higher withholding rate on your bonus, you can always adjust your regular paycheck withholding for a few months to compensate. I did this last year when I got a large bonus and knew the 22% federal withholding would be way more than my actual tax liability. I temporarily increased my allowances on my W-4 for the last few paychecks of the year to reduce regular withholding, which helped balance things out. Just make sure to change it back at the beginning of the new year! It's a bit of extra work but can help with cash flow if you don't want to wait until tax season to get that money back.

Quick tip from someone who's been running a neighborhood handyman service since high school - keep a simple spreadsheet tracking all your jobs, what you earned, and any expenses. Makes tax time WAY easier and you'll have proof of everything if questions come up. Start doing this now even for your past jobs if you can remember them. Seriously you'll thank yourself next April.

Hey Ethan! I went through this exact same situation a few years ago when I was doing tutoring and pet sitting around my neighborhood. Just to add to what others have said - when you go to deposit the cash, you can literally just tell the bank teller "I earned this money doing odd jobs like yard work and house sitting in my neighborhood." They might ask for a bit more detail, but there's nothing suspicious about a teenager earning money this way. Banks see this all the time. One thing that helped me was creating a simple log of the work I did and when, even if it was just rough estimates. Like "October - helped Mrs. Johnson with yard cleanup, $150" or "November - dog sat for the Smiths, $200." It doesn't have to be perfect, but having some record makes you feel more confident about everything. Also, don't stress too much about the tax part. Yeah, you'll probably owe some money, but it's not going to be a huge amount. The self-employment tax is about 15% of your profits, so even if you had no deductible expenses, you'd be looking at maybe $800 or so. And if you can deduct any equipment or supplies you bought, it'll be less than that. You're being really responsible by thinking about this stuff now instead of just ignoring it!

Has anyone here actually made decent money as a campus ambassador? I filled out W9s for two different clothing brands last year and barely made $300 total. Wondering if it's even worth bothering with the tax paperwork.

Just went through this same process last month! As someone who was equally confused, here's what I learned: 1. Leave the "Business name" section blank - you're working as yourself, not a registered business 2. Check "Individual/sole proprietorship" for tax classification 3. Use your SSN (required) 4. Sign and date One thing I wish someone had told me earlier - start keeping track of any expenses related to your ambassador work right away! Things like phone bills (portion used for work), gas if you drive to events, supplies, etc. These can be deducted when you file taxes next year on Schedule C. Also, don't stress too much about quarterly payments unless you're making serious money (like over $1000 in taxes owed). Most ambassador programs don't pay enough to worry about that. The companies will send you a 1099-NEC if you make over $600 with them in a year, but you still need to report the income even if it's less than that. Good luck with the program - it's actually pretty fun once you get past the paperwork!