I got hit with a huge supplemental bill last year. Anyone know if there's a way to challenge it if you think the new assessment is too high? My bill seems insane compared to similar houses in my neighborhood.

Great question! I went through this same confusion when I bought my home two years ago. To add to what others have said, one important thing to keep in mind is timing - if you're close to the standard deduction threshold, that supplemental property tax bill might be what tips you into itemizing territory, making it worthwhile. Also, don't forget to save all your property tax payment records (including the supplemental bill) for your files. I learned the hard way that you'll want these not just for this year's taxes, but potentially for future reference if you ever get audited or need to prove payments for other purposes. One more tip: if your mortgage company handles your property taxes through escrow, make sure they're aware of the supplemental bill. Sometimes they don't automatically adjust your escrow account for these, and you could end up with a shortage later.

4 For the business name, could I make up something like "John Smith Tutoring Services" or does it need to be officially registered somewhere? I've been tutoring math on the side but never thought about the business name aspect.

Just a heads up for anyone reading through this thread - make sure you keep detailed records of all your tutoring income throughout the year, even if it's just tracking payments in a simple spreadsheet. I learned this the hard way when I couldn't remember exactly how much I made from different students last year. Also, if you're using your car to drive to tutoring sessions, you can deduct either the actual expenses (gas, maintenance) or use the standard mileage rate (65.5 cents per mile for 2023). The mileage deduction can add up quickly if you're driving to students' homes regularly. Just make sure to log your business miles - the IRS likes documentation for vehicle deductions. One more thing - if you're planning to continue tutoring next year and think you might make more than $1,000 in profit, start looking into quarterly estimated tax payments. It's easier to pay as you go than get hit with a big bill and potential penalties at tax time!

As someone who went through this exact situation with an EU scholarship in the Netherlands, I can confirm you absolutely need to report this. The €15,000 living stipend is taxable income since it's not for qualified educational expenses. However, there's good news! Since you're physically present in Spain for the full academic year, you should qualify for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion under the Physical Presence Test. While there's some debate about whether scholarships count as "earned income," many tax professionals successfully apply FEIE to educational stipends, especially when they're tied to research or academic work. For your missed prior year, definitely file an amended return (1040X) soon. The IRS is much more forgiving when you voluntarily correct mistakes rather than waiting for them to find it. You'll likely just owe the tax plus minimal interest - no penalties for good faith errors. Also check the US-Spain tax treaty Article 22 - it has specific student provisions that might provide additional relief. Keep all your Spanish tax documents too, as the Foreign Tax Credit could be another option if FEIE doesn't work out. Don't stress too much - this is a common situation and very fixable!

I went through something very similar with a scholarship in Italy last year. The key thing that helped me was understanding that even though the scholarship money goes to your foreign bank account, as a US citizen you're still required to report it on your US tax return. What really saved me was keeping detailed records of any taxes I paid to Spain on that stipend. If Spain is taxing you on those living expenses (which they likely are), you can use the Foreign Tax Credit to offset your US tax liability on the same income. This prevents you from being double-taxed on the same money. For the previous year you missed, I'd strongly recommend filing that amended return sooner rather than later. I made the same mistake and waited too long - the IRS eventually caught it through automatic matching systems (they have agreements with many countries now for information sharing). When you file the amended return voluntarily, you typically just pay the tax owed plus minimal interest, but if they find it first, penalties can get expensive. One more tip - make sure you keep copies of your enrollment verification and any documentation showing the scholarship is specifically for living expenses vs tuition. This distinction matters a lot for tax purposes and you'll want that paperwork if the IRS ever has questions.

Just want to add something about the California thing you mentioned - some states have different e-filing schedules than the federal system. California does sometimes accept certain e-filings when the federal system is down for maintenance, but that's for state returns only, not federal. So while you might be able to e-file a CA state return during this period, it doesn't change anything about federal filing capabilities.

As someone who's been through this exact situation, I can confirm what everyone else is saying - that EA is definitely using pressure tactics. The IRS e-filing shutdown is routine maintenance that happens every year and has zero impact on regular 2024 tax filings. I made the mistake of rushing into hiring a tax preparer last year because of similar "urgent deadline" claims, and it cost me both money and quality service. Take your time to find someone reputable who doesn't resort to scare tactics. The fact that they're pushing you to sign "ASAP" over something that doesn't even affect your filing timeline is a huge red flag. A good tax professional would explain the actual deadlines clearly and let you make an informed decision without artificial pressure.

Does anyone know if California requires a separate state extension for S Corps? I filed the federal 7004 but now I'm worried I missed something for state.

I went through this exact situation two years ago with my S Corp - the stress is real! A few additional tips that helped me beyond what others have mentioned: 1. Don't forget about quarterly estimated tax payments. Even with extensions, if you and your partner expect to owe taxes personally from the S Corp income, you'll still need to make your Q1 2025 estimated payment by April 15th to avoid underpayment penalties. 2. Consider setting up a simple bookkeeping system now while you're dealing with this. I used QuickBooks Online for S Corps, and it made the following year's tax prep so much easier. The pass-through nature of S Corps means you need good records for your personal returns too. 3. If your business had losses this year (which it sounds like it might have), those losses can offset other income on your personal returns, which could actually help reduce your tax liability. Make sure your tax preparer or software accounts for this properly. The first year is always the hardest - you're not alone in feeling overwhelmed. Once you get through this extension process, consider setting up quarterly check-ins with a CPA who specializes in small business. It's worth the investment for peace of mind.