This thread has been super helpful! I'm in a similar situation - expecting my first baby in August 2025 and just accepted a new job offer. Reading through everyone's experiences has given me so much confidence about updating my W4. One thing I'm curious about - has anyone here dealt with having twins or multiples? I know each child counts as a separate dependent, so I assume you'd claim both on your W4 even if they're not born yet. Just want to make sure I understand this correctly since we just found out we're having twins at our last ultrasound! Also really appreciate the tip about keeping track of paystubs after updating the W4. That's definitely something I'll do to make sure everything looks right. Thanks everyone for sharing your real experiences with this - way more helpful than trying to decode IRS publications!

Congratulations on your upcoming addition to the family! You're asking exactly the right questions. I work in tax preparation and see this situation frequently. You're absolutely correct that you can claim your baby as a dependent on your W4 for 2025 even though they won't be born until June. The key thing to remember is that the IRS uses a "snapshot" approach for dependents - if your child exists at any point during the tax year (even if born on December 31st), they qualify as your dependent for the entire year. This applies to all the tax benefits too, including the Child Tax Credit of up to $2,000. When you fill out your W4, you're essentially telling your employer how to calculate your withholding based on the tax situation you expect to have when you file your return next April. Since you'll definitely have a qualifying child by then, claiming them now is not only allowed but recommended to avoid having too much tax withheld from your paychecks. One tip: keep your hospital records and birth certificate handy for next tax season, as you'll need your child's Social Security Number when you file your 2025 return. But for now, you're good to go with updating that W4!

If its your first time with a K-1, make sure you look closely at box 20 code V. This shows if you have state filing requirements. Most oil MLPs operate in multiple states so you technically need to file in each one. When I first got an MLP K-1 I completely missed this and got letters from 3 different states the next year. Some partnerships have a composite return option where they file for you in some states (check box 20 code Z) but not all do this.

Just to add to what others have said - when you're entering your K-1 into TurboTax, definitely select Partnership/LLC since you have a Form 1065 K-1. But here's something I learned the hard way: make sure you enter ALL the information from the K-1, not just the income amounts. I made the mistake my first year of only entering the obvious income numbers and missed some important deductions like depletion allowances that are common with oil investments. These can actually reduce your taxable income significantly. Also, pay attention to any passive activity loss limitations - if your MLP has losses, you might not be able to deduct them all in the current year. One more tip: save all your K-1 paperwork because you'll need to track your basis adjustments over time. Each year's distributions and income/losses affect your cost basis, which matters when you eventually sell the investment.

Has anyone tried using the IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers for help with business returns? I know they primarily focus on individual taxes, but I'm wondering if they could help with a simple inactive 1120 filing.

I went through this exact same situation with my dormant LLC that got converted to a corporation right before COVID hit. One thing I learned that might help - if your corporation truly has had zero activity since formation, you may want to check if your state considers it "never commenced business" which could affect both your state and federal filing requirements. For the federal 1120, paper filing is definitely your cheapest option at zero cost beyond postage. Make sure to check Box G on page 1 if this is a final return, or leave it unchecked if you plan to potentially reactivate later. The IRS actually processes tons of these zero-activity corporate returns, so don't worry about it being unusual. Also worth noting - if you're planning to stay inactive for multiple years, the ongoing compliance costs (both federal and state) might exceed the cost of dissolution and reformation later. Delaware franchise taxes alone can add up quickly for dormant entities.

I'm going through a Head of Household audit right now too and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I wanted to add something that really helped my case - if you have any receipts or documentation for medical expenses you paid for your qualifying dependents, make sure to include those. I paid for doctor visits, prescription medications, and even over-the-counter medicines for my kids throughout 2022, and my tax preparer said these expenses count toward household support since they're directly related to caring for your dependents. Even small amounts like $20 co-pays add up over the year and help show you were the primary financial provider. Also, if you paid for any transportation costs related to the kids (gas money for school pickup, bus passes, etc.), those receipts can help too. The IRS seems to take a pretty broad view of what constitutes "maintaining a household" when it comes to supporting dependents. Your property tax payments sound like they'll be the strongest piece of evidence though - that's a substantial household expense that clearly shows financial responsibility for the home. Combined with everything else you've documented, you should be in great shape!

I just wanted to add another perspective as someone who works in tax preparation - your situation is actually quite common and the IRS has seen this before! Many families have utility bills in one person's name while another person actually pays them, especially in multi-generational households. One thing that might help strengthen your case is if you have any written communication (texts, emails, or even handwritten notes) between you and your mom about bill payments. For example, if she ever texted you reminders about when bills were due or thanked you for covering expenses, those can serve as supporting evidence that you were the one handling the financial responsibilities. Also, consider including any receipts for home maintenance or improvements you paid for during 2022 - things like yard work, repairs, pest control, or even basic maintenance supplies from Home Depot. These all count toward "keeping up the home" and help paint a complete picture of your financial responsibility for the household. The property tax receipts you have are excellent evidence, and combined with the school records proving the kids lived with you, you're building a strong case. Don't let the audit stress overwhelm you - you clearly qualified for Head of Household status and just need to document what actually happened. Stay organized and respond thoroughly to their requests!

I've been having the exact same issue! Called at 7:10 AM this morning and got the "call back during normal business hours" message, which makes no sense when they're supposed to be open. It's incredibly frustrating when you have a time-sensitive tax question. One thing I discovered recently is that the IRS has different phone numbers for different types of issues, and some seem to have better availability than others. If you're calling about a specific notice you received, try using the phone number printed directly on that notice rather than the general taxpayer assistance line. I had much better luck when I called the number on my CP2000 notice compared to the main 1-800-829-1040 line. Also, I've found that calling exactly at 7:00 AM (not even 7:01) gives you the best shot at getting through. Their system seems to hit capacity almost immediately after opening. Set an alarm and have your phone ready to dial right at 7:00 on the dot. If all else fails and you just need basic account information, the automated system at 1-800-829-1040 can actually provide quite a bit of info if you have your SSN and filing details handy. It's not ideal, but sometimes it can answer simple questions without needing to talk to a human. Hope this helps - the IRS phone situation is definitely broken, but persistence usually pays off eventually!

I've been dealing with this exact same frustration for weeks now! The IRS phone system is absolutely broken during tax season. What's worked for me is calling at exactly 7:00 AM EST - not 7:01, but right at 7:00. Their system hits capacity within minutes of opening. Also, try calling on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings if possible. Mondays and Fridays are the worst for wait times. If you're calling about a specific notice, use the phone number printed on that notice rather than the general line - those department-specific numbers often have better availability. For refund questions, the "Where's My Refund" tool on irs.gov updates daily and might save you from having to call at all. But I totally understand wanting to speak to someone when you have a complex situation like an amended return. The "call back during normal business hours" message is just their way of saying they're at maximum capacity - it doesn't mean they're actually closed. Keep trying every 15-20 minutes and you'll eventually get through. It's ridiculous that we need these workarounds just to reach our own tax agency, but persistence does pay off!