A bit confused after reading all of these comments. So if I sold some furniture on Facebook Marketplace for like $800 total last year (stuff I just wanted out of my house, sold for less than I paid), I don't need to report anything because 1) it's under the $20k threshold for getting a 1099-K and 2) I didn't make a profit anyway?

Just to clarify something that might help others reading this - the key distinction everyone's touching on is between *reporting requirements* and *tax obligations*. The 1099-K threshold only determines whether platforms like StubHub have to send you (and the IRS) a form. It doesn't change your underlying obligation to report taxable income. For your specific situation with the concert tickets, if you sold them for less than you paid (which sounds like the case), you actually had a loss, not income. Personal losses like this aren't deductible, but they're also not taxable income you need to report. The bottom line: No 1099-K required under current thresholds, and no taxable income since you sold at a loss. You should be good to file your return. Just keep your records showing what you originally paid vs. what you sold them for in case you ever need to demonstrate there was no profit.

One important thing no one mentioned - once you get your ITIN, you should also fill out a W-8BEN form to give to TikTok. This establishes your status as a foreign person and may reduce the withholding tax rate depending on tax treaties between the US and Australia. Without a W-8BEN, TikTok will likely withhold 30% of your earnings for US taxes. With the form (and depending on the Australia-US tax treaty), you might qualify for a lower rate like 10-15%.

As someone who went through this exact process for my YouTube channel earnings, I can confirm that getting an ITIN as a non-US creator is definitely doable but requires patience and attention to detail. A few additional tips based on my experience: 1. **Start early** - The 7-11 week processing time is real, and it can be longer during peak tax season (January-April). Since you're already accepted into TikTok's program, apply ASAP. 2. **Document everything** - Keep copies of everything you submit. I had to follow up on my application status and having reference numbers and copies made that much easier. 3. **Double-check your W-7** - Small mistakes can cause rejections and months of delays. Pay special attention to the reason codes and make sure your supporting documents exactly match what's required for your situation. 4. **Consider the tax implications** - Once you have your ITIN and start earning, you'll likely need to file annual US tax returns (Form 1040NR) to claim any treaty benefits or refunds from overwithholding. The good news is that once you have your ITIN, it's valid indefinitely as long as you use it on a tax return at least once every three years. So this is a one-time hassle that will serve you for your entire creator career!

As someone who works in tax policy analysis, I can tell you that eliminating income tax for those earning under $150k would require replacing roughly $800 billion to $1 trillion in annual revenue. The proposals I've seen typically involve either dramatically higher rates on upper earners (think 60%+ marginal rates) or implementing a federal VAT around 15-20%. The political reality is that both approaches face enormous obstacles. High earners and businesses would strongly oppose massive rate increases, while consumers would resist a large VAT that makes everything more expensive. European countries with high VAT rates built those systems gradually over decades. Your best bet for actual tax relief is probably targeted expansions of existing credits like the Child Tax Credit or Earned Income Tax Credit, which provide relief without completely restructuring the entire system. These have a much higher probability of actually happening since they're incremental changes rather than revolutionary ones.

This is such an important discussion for middle-class families! I've been following tax policy debates closely and the reality is that while these dramatic proposals get a lot of attention during election cycles, the incremental changes are what actually move the needle for most of us. What I find frustrating is how these big "eliminate taxes for everyone under $150k" headlines distract from more realistic reforms that could genuinely help. Things like increasing the standard deduction, expanding tax credits for childcare expenses, or simplifying the tax code so we don't all need expensive software or accountants just to file correctly. The math that others have shared here really puts it in perspective - we're talking about replacing nearly half of all federal revenue. Even if that were politically possible, the replacement mechanisms (whether higher rates on the wealthy, VAT, or whatever) would likely end up costing middle-class families in other ways. I'd rather see politicians focus on achievable reforms that actually have a shot at becoming law rather than these pie-in-the-sky promises that just generate headlines but never deliver real relief for working families.

Don't forget to look into the depreciation of your camper if you're using it for business! My accountant helped me claim depreciation on my motorhome since I use it 60% for my mobile photography business. Significant tax benefit that many miss!

Great discussion here! As someone who's been through this exact situation with my travel trailer, I wanted to add a few practical tips for documentation that really helped when I filed last year. Keep a detailed log of where you park your camper and for how long - this helps establish it as your primary residence rather than just temporary lodging. I created a simple spreadsheet with dates, locations, and monthly costs for each spot. Also, make sure your camper loan paperwork clearly shows the trailer as collateral/security for the loan. Some RV loans are structured as personal loans rather than secured loans, which could affect the interest deductibility. If yours isn't secured by the camper itself, you might want to refinance. One thing that caught me off guard - some RV parks issue 1099s if you pay over $600 in a year, treating it like rent payments. This can actually help document your housing situation for the IRS, so don't throw those away! The key is treating this seriously as your primary residence in all your documentation, not just for tax purposes. Update your address with banks, employers, voter registration, etc. to the RV park addresses where you're staying. This paper trail really strengthens your case if questioned.

Turbotax isn't the issue here - its all about how backed up the IRS is. They're moving slower than molasses this year fr fr

Been there! Filed through TurboTax on Jan 28th and mine stayed pending for about a week before updating. The IRS is definitely processing slower this season - I've seen people waiting 10-14 days just for the status to change from pending to approved. Try not to stress too much, as long as TurboTax confirmed your return was accepted electronically you should be good. The waiting game is brutal though!