I switched from a national chain ($800) to a local CPA ($500) for my S-Corp and got much better service. The national chains use a business model based on volume and standardized processes, while local CPAs can be more flexible with pricing for simple returns. Look for a small local firm that specializes in small businesses. Be upfront about your situation - tell them you have everything organized and just need the final tax prep. Many will offer tiered pricing based on complexity.

As a small business owner who's been through this exact situation, I can relate to your frustration with the pricing. What really opened my eyes was when I asked my tax preparer for a detailed breakdown of their process. Turns out they spend about 20 minutes on data entry but another 90 minutes on review, verification, and compliance checks I never considered. The real value isn't just in the data entry - it's in catching potential issues before they become IRS problems. Last year my preparer caught that I was misclassifying some expenses that could have triggered an audit. They also identified a depreciation error from two years back that saved me from having to amend multiple returns. That said, $750-$1200 does seem steep for a straightforward S-Corp. I'd recommend getting quotes from 2-3 local CPAs who specialize in small businesses. Many will give you a phone consultation to understand your situation and provide a more accurate quote. You might find someone who charges $400-600 for the same quality of work, especially if you emphasize how organized your records are. The key is finding someone who values efficiency and is willing to price accordingly when a client makes their job easier.

Another thing to consider with your seven-figure income is that you might want to work with a tax professional who specializes in high-income situations. The underpayment penalty calculations can get complex, especially when you're dealing with alternative minimum tax (AMT), which often kicks in at higher income levels. The AMT can significantly change your required quarterly payment amounts, and the standard safe harbor calculations might not account for this properly. A good tax pro can help you model different scenarios and potentially use strategies like the annualized income method even if it seems complicated - it might save you thousands in penalties. Also, since you mentioned substantial income, make sure you're considering estimated payments for any state taxes too. Some states have their own underpayment penalty rules that don't necessarily align with federal requirements.

For finding a tax professional who handles high-income situations, I'd recommend looking for CPAs or tax attorneys who specifically advertise experience with high-net-worth clients. Many larger accounting firms have dedicated wealth management tax divisions. You can also check with your state's CPA society for referrals to practitioners who specialize in complex tax situations. When interviewing potential tax pros, ask specifically about their experience with: - AMT calculations and planning - Annualized income installment methods - Multi-state tax issues (if applicable) - Section 199A deductions for business income - Estimated payment optimization strategies For state taxes, definitely check your state's department of revenue website - most have their own estimated payment requirements and safe harbor rules that can be quite different from federal. Some states require payments based on current year estimates while others allow you to use prior year safe harbors with different thresholds. Given your income level, the cost of a good tax professional will likely be far less than what you'd pay in penalties and missed optimization opportunities. It's worth the investment to get this handled properly.

22 Has anyone tried just getting a wage and income transcript directly from the IRS? Sometimes they have your income info from other sources even if the W-2 wasn't properly filed.

This is unfortunately becoming more common with larger employers. I had a similar situation with a retail chain a few years back. Here's what worked for me: 1. **Document everything** - Keep records of all your paystubs, any communication attempts with Walgreens, and when you contacted the IRS. This creates a paper trail. 2. **Try multiple channels with Walgreens** - Don't just call HR. Try emailing their corporate payroll department, and if that doesn't work, reach out through their corporate website contact form. Sometimes different departments are more responsive. 3. **Set a deadline** - Give Walgreens a reasonable timeframe (like 10 business days) to provide your W-2, then move to the next step if they don't respond. 4. **File Form SS-8** with the Social Security Administration if you believe you were misclassified as an independent contractor instead of an employee. This sometimes happens with employers trying to avoid their tax obligations. The key is being persistent but methodical. Large corporations like Walgreens have procedures for this, but sometimes you need to escalate to get someone who actually knows what they're doing. Don't let them brush you off with "we'll look into it" - ask for specific timelines and follow-up dates. Your refund will definitely be delayed, but the IRS understands this isn't your fault. Stay on top of it and you'll get it resolved!

I'm dealing with this same issue right now! Just got my refund deposited to Chime yesterday and was shocked when I could only pull out $500 at the ATM. I had no idea about these limits beforehand. A few things I've learned from calling around today: - Some credit unions will do "cash advances" from your debit card for higher amounts than ATM limits (usually $1000-2000) - You can also try going to a Chime partner bank location - they sometimes have different limits for in-person transactions - If you have Zelle or Venmo linked to another account, you can transfer through those apps too The ACH transfer suggestion is probably your best bet for the full amount, but definitely start it ASAP since it takes a few business days. I'm learning all this the hard way because I also have a tuition payment due soon. Good luck!

Just wanted to add another option that saved me when I was in this exact situation a few months ago - you can also use your Chime debit card to make a large purchase (like paying your tuition directly with the card if your school accepts it) since the daily spending limit is much higher than the ATM withdrawal limit. I was able to pay my $3,200 tuition bill directly with my Chime card even though I could only withdraw $500 in cash. This might be the fastest solution if your school's payment portal accepts debit cards. Just double-check that your school doesn't charge extra fees for card payments - some do, but it might still be worth it to avoid the hassle of multiple transfers and potential delays!

Has anyone used TurboTax for handling the 1099-K for online selling? I'm wondering if it walks you through this properly or if I should use something else.

One thing I'd add to all this great advice - don't stress too much about the gap between your 1099-K and net income. It's actually really common for resellers to have large differences because platforms report gross payment processing volume, not actual profit. I've been selling vintage items on multiple platforms for 3 years now and my 1099-K amounts are always 3-4x higher than my actual business income after expenses. The key is just keeping good records like you're already doing. Make sure you're tracking platform fees separately from shipping costs though - they go on different lines of Schedule C. Platform fees like Poshmark's 20% commission go under "Commissions and fees" while shipping you pay out of pocket goes under "Other expenses" with a description. Your detailed spreadsheets sound perfect for this - you're already ahead of most sellers who get these forms!