Anyone know if this also applies to the additional Medicare tax? I'm above the threshold for that too and wondering if that gets handled the same way when switching employers.

This is exactly what happened to me two years ago when I switched from a startup to a big tech company mid-year. The frustrating part is watching your new colleagues celebrate their "SS tax holiday" while you're still getting hit with the full deduction! One thing I learned the hard way - make sure you keep detailed records of your pay stubs from both employers throughout the year. When tax season came around, I had to dig through months of pay stubs to calculate the exact overpayment amount. Having everything organized made the refund process much smoother. Also, if you're using tax software, most of the major ones (TurboTax, H&R Block, etc.) will automatically calculate your excess Social Security tax refund when you enter your W-2 information. They'll flag it and walk you through claiming it on Schedule 3. Just double-check their math - I caught a small error one year that would have cost me about $200. The silver lining is that you essentially get an interest-free loan to the government that you'll get back at tax time. Not ideal, but at least it's not lost money!

Sole proprietorship is the simplest business structure but just remember you'll need to pay self-employment tax (about 15.3%) on your photography income. Even if it's under $1k, you still need to report it.

Don't forget you can also write off other stuff besides just equipment! I do wedding photography and deduct my website costs, part of my cell phone bill, mileage to/from shoots, lightroom subscription, business cards, etc.

Remember that gambling income is taxable even if you didn't get a W2G form. The IRS requires you to report ALL gambling winnings, even small amounts. Player cards at casinos can also track your activity.

The IRS gets copies of all W-2G forms that casinos issue for winnings over $1,200 (slots/bingo) or $5,000 (poker tournaments). Your transcript will definitely show these reported amounts even before you file your return. If you had $50k in wins, that's likely already in their system. Best to get your transcript now and see exactly what they have on file - you can request it free directly from IRS.gov. Don't risk penalties by underreporting what they already know about.

Doesn't anyone use digital storage anymore?? I scan everything into Google Drive and shred the originals. Been doing this for 10+ years now. I have a folder for each tax year and subfolders for W2s, property tax, etc. No more paper clutter and I can find stuff instantly when needed.

As someone who went through this exact decluttering process last year, I'd recommend creating a simple spreadsheet to track what you're keeping vs. shredding by year. The 3-year rule is generally safe for most people, but I kept 7 years worth just for peace of mind after reading about those audit extension scenarios. One tip that saved me hours: invest in a decent cross-cut shredder if you're going to tackle years of returns. My little strip-cut shredder died halfway through 2015's paperwork! Also, don't forget to shred any old bank statements or credit card statements from those same years - they often have account numbers that could be useful to identity thieves. For what it's worth, I found the decluttering process oddly satisfying once I got into a rhythm. Just make sure you double-check for any documents related to ongoing issues (like home improvements or investments) before you shred!

Have you checked your child's credit report? If someone has your child's SSN, they might be using it for more than just taxes. How did you discover that someone else claimed your child? Did you get a rejection when trying to e-file, or did you receive a notice from the IRS?

This is such a frustrating situation! I went through something similar when my neighbor's ex-wife claimed my daughter by mistake (they have the same first name). Here's what I learned from that experience: 1. Don't panic about the refund delay - yes, it will take longer, but you WILL get your money eventually 2. Gather every piece of documentation you have showing your child lives with you - school enrollment, medical records, daycare receipts, etc. 3. When you paper file, include a cover letter explaining the situation clearly 4. Keep copies of everything you send The most important thing is to act quickly. The IRS will eventually sort this out, but the sooner you get your paperwork in, the sooner they can start the review process. In my case, it took about 4 months total, but I got my full refund plus interest for the delay. Stay strong - you're the rightful parent and the system will work in your favor!