Has anyone here successfully used a vehicle under 6,000 lbs for a business deduction recently? What documentation did you need during tax time? My tax guy is telling me one thing but what I'm reading online is different.

Great question! I've been dealing with this exact situation for my marketing consultancy. You're absolutely right that vehicles under 6,000 lbs can still qualify for business deductions - just not the full Section 179 treatment that the heavy trucks get. For your photography business with 80% business use, here's what I've learned: **Standard Mileage vs. Actual Expenses:** - Standard mileage is simpler (currently $0.67/mile for 2024, likely similar for 2025) - Actual expenses can be better if you have a pricier vehicle or high maintenance costs - You can't switch between methods once you choose for a specific vehicle **Key things for vehicles under 6,000 lbs:** - Annual depreciation limits apply (around $19,200 first year max, then lower amounts in subsequent years) - You'll depreciate over 5 years using MACRS - Keep detailed mileage logs from day one - this is crucial for audits **My recommendation:** Run the numbers both ways before deciding. For a reliable crossover/sedan with 80% business use, actual expenses often work better than mileage if you're buying new or newer used. Also, consider timing your purchase - if you buy late in the year, you might want to wait until January to maximize your first-year deduction under the half-year convention rules. Document everything religiously - the IRS scrutinizes vehicle deductions heavily!

Welcome to the wonderful world of IRS codes! 😅 Code 766 is actually good news - it means you have a credit on your account. That $1000 is money the IRS owes YOU, not the other way around. It's typically from refundable credits like the Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Credit, or American Opportunity Tax Credit. As for your amended return timeline, I filed mine electronically in February and just got it processed last week - took about 18 weeks total. The "Where's My Amended Return" tool was my best friend during this process, though it only updates once a week (usually Fridays). Pro tip: Make sure your current address is on file with the IRS! I've heard horror stories of people getting their refunds sent to old addresses. Also, don't worry if the tracking tool doesn't show movement for weeks - that's totally normal with amended returns. Hang in there!

Hey there! I totally understand the confusion - navigating the IRS system can feel like learning a foreign language! 😊 To clarify what others have mentioned: Code 766 (not "form 766") is actually great news for you! It means you have a $1000 credit on your account - essentially money the IRS is giving you. This could be from various refundable credits like the Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Credit, or American Opportunity Tax Credit depending on your situation. For your amended return timeline, I filed mine electronically in January and it took about 17 weeks to process. The official timeline is 16 weeks, but in reality most people are seeing 18-24 weeks. The "Where's My Amended Return" tool on IRS.gov is your best friend here - it updates weekly (usually Fridays) and will show you exactly where your return is in the process. One thing I learned the hard way: make absolutely sure your current address is on file with the IRS! Even with direct deposit set up, some amended return refunds still get sent as paper checks, and you don't want it going to an old address. Coming from another country, I know this system can seem overwhelming, but you're on the right track asking questions here. The community is really helpful with these kinds of issues!

$172 is definitely above the threshold you need to report. I work at a bank (not tax advice) and we send 1099-INTs to both customers AND the IRS for anything over $10. The IRS computer systems automatically match these documents against tax returns, so they'll know this income wasn't reported. Here's what typically happens: The IRS will eventually (6-9 months later) send you a CP2000 notice saying they found unreported income. They'll calculate the additional tax, add interest from the original due date, and possibly a small penalty. Then you'll have to respond and pay the amount. It's much simpler to just amend now before that happens. Plus it looks better if you correct the mistake voluntarily rather than waiting for them to find it.

You absolutely should amend your return for the $172 interest income. I went through something similar last year and learned the hard way that the IRS automated matching system is very thorough. Here's the reality: Your bank already sent a 1099-INT to the IRS showing that $172 in interest income. When the IRS runs their matching program (usually 6-12 months after filing season), they'll compare what you reported against all the 1099s they received. The discrepancy will trigger an automated notice. At your income level ($76k), you're probably in the 22% federal bracket, so we're talking about maybe $38 in additional federal tax, plus California state tax (probably around 6-8% depending on your exact bracket). So total additional tax would likely be under $60. The key benefit of amending voluntarily is that you avoid the failure-to-report penalty and minimize interest charges. If you wait for the IRS to find it, you'll pay interest calculated from the original due date plus potential penalties. Form 1040-X isn't too complicated for a straightforward addition like this. Just report the additional interest income and pay the difference. Much better to handle it proactively than deal with IRS notices later.

This might sound silly but how do you actually file late taxes? Do you just submit the regular forms or is there a special process? I also missed filing my Uber Eats income from 2023.

Don't stress too much about this! You're actually in a better position than many people because you kept track of your mileage - that's going to save you a lot of money. With $4,800 in income and 3,600 miles of deductions at 65.5 cents per mile, you're looking at about $2,358 in deductions, which brings your taxable income down to around $2,442. The self-employment tax on that would be about $374 (15.3%), plus minimal income tax since you're in a low bracket. Even with penalties, you're probably looking at less than $600 total. File as soon as possible to stop the penalties from growing - you can use the regular 2023 tax forms (1040, Schedule C, Schedule SE) and most tax software will still let you e-file for 2023. Since this is your first time missing a filing deadline, definitely look into first-time penalty abatement when you talk to the IRS. Many people qualify for this and it can reduce or eliminate failure-to-file penalties. You've got this!

Just a word of caution from someone who learned the hard way last year... 😅 I was counting on my NetSpend advance to pay rent, and it got delayed because I had a name mismatch between my tax return and my NetSpend account (married name vs. maiden name). By the time I figured it out, I was already late on rent! Double-check that your name, address, and SSN match EXACTLY between your tax return and NetSpend profile. One hyphen or middle initial difference can hold things up for days or weeks!

Hey Mateo! As someone who's been through the NetSpend tax advance process a few times, I can tell you that 1 week is still within the normal range, especially for first-time US filers. The system can be extra cautious with new filers. A couple things to check: 1) Log into your NetSpend account online and look for any pending deposits or notifications, 2) Make sure your direct deposit info on your tax return matches your NetSpend account exactly, and 3) If you haven't already, call NetSpend customer service - yes the hold times suck, but they can at least tell you if there are any issues on their end. The advance should show up soon, but definitely don't panic if it takes the full 5-7 business days. Good luck!