As someone who's been doing tax prep for several years now, I'd strongly recommend starting with an established firm for your first season. The learning curve is steep, and having experienced preparers around to answer questions is invaluable. You'll also get exposure to professional-grade software and a steady flow of clients without having to market yourself. That said, don't underestimate the demand for competent preparers. While DIY software has captured some market share, many people still prefer having a real person review their taxes, especially when they have life changes, small business income, or just want peace of mind. The key is positioning yourself as more knowledgeable than the typical seasonal preparer - your accounting education gives you a real advantage here. For building your own practice later, start documenting everything you learn about client acquisition, common issues, and efficient workflows. This knowledge will be gold when you eventually branch out on your own. Also consider specializing in a particular area (like small businesses or rental properties) rather than trying to be everything to everyone.

I've been preparing taxes as a side business for about 5 years now, starting when I was still in school. The income potential is definitely there - I made around $8k my first season working part-time, and now I'm pulling in $25-30k during tax season while working full-time in public accounting. One thing I'd add to the great advice already given is to really focus on your continuing education beyond just the minimum requirements. Take courses on new tax law changes, specialty areas, and even business skills like client communication and practice management. The IRS requires annual continuing education for preparers anyway, but going beyond the minimum really sets you apart. Also, consider timing your marketing efforts strategically. Most people think about taxes in January when W-2s come out, but smart preparers start building relationships in the fall. Attend local business networking events, connect with real estate agents and small business owners who can refer clients, and establish those relationships before tax season hits. This approach has been much more effective for me than trying to compete on price with the big chains. The accounting degree definitely gives you credibility that seasonal preparers don't have. Use that to your advantage when positioning yourself in the market.

I'm so sorry to hear about your health struggles this year, but I have great news for you! You absolutely should file your tax return even with zero income. The Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) is specifically designed for situations like yours - you can get up to $1,600 back as a refundable credit for your 16-year-old son. Since your son is 16, this is actually his LAST year to qualify (they must be under 17 at the end of the tax year), so you definitely don't want to miss this opportunity. The ACTC is the refundable portion of the Child Tax Credit, meaning you get the money even if you don't owe any taxes. Here's what I'd recommend: • File electronically if possible - paper returns are taking months to process right now • Use free tax software like FreeTaxUSA or TaxAct, or check out the VITA program for free in-person help • Make sure you have your son's Social Security Number ready • Set up direct deposit for faster refund processing I was in a similar situation a few years ago due to medical issues and was so grateful I filed - that refund really helped during a tough time. Don't let financial stress add to your health recovery. You've got this! 💙

I'm so glad you found this thread helpful, Amara! As someone who works in community outreach, I see situations like yours frequently, and you're absolutely right to pursue this. The Additional Child Tax Credit is one of the most important safety net programs we have for families facing unexpected hardships. Just to reinforce what others have said - even though you had zero income due to health issues, you can still receive up to $1,600 through the ACTC for your 16-year-old son. Since he's aging out after this year (must be under 17), this is definitely your last chance to claim him. A couple of additional resources I'd recommend: • 211.org can help you find local VITA sites and other tax assistance programs • Many public libraries offer free tax prep help during filing season • If you qualify for Medicaid or food assistance, you're automatically eligible for free filing through the IRS Free File program The fact that so many people have shared similar success stories in this thread really shows how the system is supposed to work - providing support when families need it most. Don't let anyone make you feel like you don't "deserve" this credit. You're a parent who had to prioritize health and family, and that $1,600 refund is specifically designed for situations exactly like yours. Wishing you continued healing and hoping this refund helps ease some of the financial stress! 💙

Has anyone tried just putting in random numbers for the TIN? I heard some creators do that just to get past the verification screen and then fix it later when they actually receive payments. Seems like it might be easier than all these complicated solutions.

I went through this exact same situation with my younger sister last year when she hit 10K on her art TikTok. The TIN requirement definitely caught us off guard too! We ended up going with the custodial account route that Lara mentioned, and it worked perfectly. We set it up through our local credit union - they were really helpful and familiar with this type of setup for young creators. The whole process took about 2 weeks from start to finish. The key benefit for us was that it kept my sister's earnings separate from my parents' income for tax purposes, which was important since she was making decent money from her art tutorials. We got an EIN for the custodial account, submitted that to TikTok, and she was approved within a few days. One tip - make sure to keep really good records of all expenses related to creating content (art supplies, phone upgrades, lighting equipment, etc.) because those can be deducted against the income. Our accountant said this is especially important when you're earning enough to owe taxes. The custodial account also made it easier when she turned 18 last month - we just transferred everything over to her regular checking account without any complicated tax implications.

Does anyone know if we need to include the dash when entering the Payer's TIN/Federal ID into tax software? Mine is formatted like XX-XXXXXXX on the form, but some websites only want numbers with no special characters.

This is such a helpful thread! I was in the exact same situation last month with my 1099-INT from the IRS. I spent way too much time searching online before I found this community. Just to add to what others have said - when you receive interest on your tax refund, it's because the IRS took longer than 45 days to process your return. The interest is considered taxable income, which is why they send the 1099-INT form. For anyone still confused, here's what I learned: The "Payer's Federal Identification Number" on your 1099-INT IS the TIN you need to enter. Don't overthink it - just copy that number exactly as it appears on the form (with or without dashes depending on what your tax software accepts). The amount might seem small, but the IRS already knows about it since they issued the form, so definitely include it on your return to avoid any potential issues down the road.

I'm new to Chapter 13 and this thread is incredibly helpful! I filed my petition about 4 months ago and my first tax season under bankruptcy is coming up. Reading everyone's experiences, it seems like the common thread is to be proactive and transparent with your trustee. A few questions for those who've been through this: • Is there a typical timeline for when you need to notify your trustee after filing taxes? • Do most of you use tax preparation software or go to a professional given the bankruptcy complications? • Has anyone had success arguing that certain credits should be treated as "tools of the trade" or necessary for maintaining employment? I'm particularly concerned because I have a large Earned Income Credit coming and my plan payments are already pretty tight. Any advice on how to frame the request to keep a portion would be amazing. Thanks for sharing your experiences - this community is a lifesaver!

This thread is incredibly informative! I'm about 8 months into my Chapter 13 and have been stressing about tax season since December. Reading everyone's experiences here gives me so much more confidence about what to expect. A couple of things I wanted to add based on my research and conversations with my attorney: 1. **Documentation is everything** - I started keeping a detailed log of all "necessary expenses" back in November, including receipts for car maintenance, medical copays, school supplies for kids, etc. My attorney said this kind of preparation makes trustee requests much more likely to be approved. 2. **Know your plan language** - I finally sat down and actually READ through my confirmed plan document (boring, but worth it). Mine specifically mentions that tax refunds over $2,000 require trustee approval, but it also has language about "reasonable and necessary expenses" that gives me some hope. 3. **File early if possible** - Several people have mentioned timing matters, and my attorney confirmed this. Filing in January or early February gives you more time to work with your trustee before any deadlines. For those asking about forms - my district uses a "Motion for Authority to Retain Tax Refund" but the title varies by jurisdiction. Your trustee's website might have the form available for download. Thanks again to everyone who shared their experiences. This community is such a valuable resource when you're navigating something this complex!