Another option if you're still uncomfortable with RightSignature is to use the official IRS fillable PDF W-9 form. You can download it directly from IRS.gov, fill it out electronically, print, sign, and then scan just that one page to send back. That way you're using the official form but still keeping it digital.

Just wanted to add that as a business owner who collects W-9s from freelancers, please please PLEASE use electronic signatures if the option is available! Paper forms are the bane of my existence - they get lost, information is illegible, pages get separated, and it's a nightmare come tax season when I need to issue 1099s. RightSignature and similar platforms have been a godsend for my bookkeeping. Everything is organized, searchable, and properly stored for tax purposes.

I've been using AI tax tools for the past two years and I'm honestly impressed with how much they've improved. The key is choosing a reputable one and understanding its limitations. For your situation - W-2, some 1099 income, and mortgage interest - most good AI tax services should handle this just fine. The mortgage interest deduction is pretty straightforward, and the 1099 reporting isn't too complex at that income level. What I really like about AI tax tools is they often catch deductions I wouldn't have thought of. Last year mine suggested a home office deduction for my freelance work that saved me hundreds. They also explain everything in plain English instead of tax jargon. That said, I'd recommend doing a bit of research before choosing one. Read reviews, check their security practices, and make sure they offer some kind of support if you run into issues. Some people mentioned good experiences with specific services in this thread that might be worth looking into. The biggest advantage for me has been the cost savings - I was paying my accountant $400+ every year and now I spend maybe $50-75 on the AI service with better results.

I've been working in tax preparation for over 15 years, and I have to say the AI tools have gotten surprisingly sophisticated. For someone with your tax situation - W-2, moderate 1099 income, and first-time homeowner deductions - AI should handle it well. The mortgage interest deduction is one of the most straightforward deductions to process, and $14k in 1099 income puts you in a sweet spot where the calculations aren't overly complex but there are still potential business deductions to explore. One thing I'd suggest is making sure whatever AI service you choose can properly handle quarterly estimated tax calculations for next year. With that level of 1099 income, you'll likely need to make estimated payments in 2025 to avoid underpayment penalties. A good AI tool should automatically calculate these and remind you when they're due. Also, don't overlook potential deductions related to your side gig - things like business use of your phone, internet, equipment, supplies, or even a portion of your home if you use it exclusively for work. AI tools are getting much better at identifying these opportunities through targeted questions. The audit protection offered by most reputable AI services is comparable to what you'd get from TurboTax, so that shouldn't be a major concern. Just make sure to keep all your supporting documents regardless of which method you choose.

13 The W-9 is actually super simple! I used to overthink it too. Just remember this: 1. The W-9 just gives your info to the company paying you 2. If you make over $600, they'll send you a 1099-NEC form in January/February 3. You report that income on your tax return (Schedule C) 4. You pay both income tax AND self-employment tax on profits 5. BUT you can deduct business expenses to reduce that taxable amount Don't stress too much! Start keeping good records now, and you'll be fine when tax time comes around. Most tax software can walk you through the whole process pretty easily.

Hey Danielle! I totally get the tax anxiety - I felt the same way when I started my small business. Just wanted to add a few things that helped me feel more confident: One thing that really helped was opening a separate business checking account, even though it's not required for sole proprietorships. It makes tracking income and expenses SO much easier when everything is separate from your personal spending. Also, don't forget about the home office deduction if you have a dedicated space for your jewelry making! Even if it's just a corner of a room that you use exclusively for business, you can deduct a portion of your rent/mortgage, utilities, etc. And here's something I wish someone had told me earlier - you can actually deduct mileage when you drive to buy supplies or ship packages. Keep a simple log in your car and track those trips to craft stores, post office, etc. It adds up! The most important thing is just to start tracking everything now. Even if you're not sure if something is deductible, keep the receipt and ask about it later. It's much easier to have too much documentation than not enough when tax time comes around.

mine got offset last year and tbh the transcript was confusing af to read. wish i knew about those transcript reading tools back then would've saved me so much stress ngl

Just went through this myself - yes, offsets definitely show up on your transcript as code 898 like AstroAdventurer mentioned. The tricky part is they don't tell you WHAT the debt is for specifically. If you want to know ahead of time, you can check the Treasury Offset Program website or call them. Also heads up - if you're married filing jointly and only one spouse owes the debt, you might be able to get the other spouse's portion back by filing an injured spouse claim. Don't stress too much though, at least you'll know what happened when you see that code!

At $45k in Michigan, I'd estimate your semi-monthly paychecks to be around $1,350-1,450 after taxes and typical deductions. That's assuming you take the standard health insurance and contribute maybe 5% to your 401k. I make $47k in a similar tax situation and that's roughly what I take home. Make sure you adjust your W-4 properly - the default withholding can sometimes take too much out.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who recently went through this exact situation! I started a job at $44k in Michigan last year and was so confused about the take-home pay calculations. One thing that really helped me was setting up my direct deposit to automatically split between checking and savings. Even though your take-home will be around $2,900-3,100 monthly like Isabella mentioned, having that automatic split helped me stick to my budget without even thinking about it. Also, don't stress too much about getting the W-4 perfect right away. You can always adjust it if your first few paychecks show you're having too much or too little withheld. I had to tweak mine after a couple months when I realized I was on track for a huge refund (which meant I was basically giving the government a free loan). The 401k match is absolutely worth it though - definitely try to contribute at least the 3% to get that free money from your employer!