ALSO make sure to check if the fake return reported any gig work (like Uber, DoorDash, etc). My niece had someone file a return showing small amounts of gig income using her SSN. Later we found out someone had created accounts with multiple gig services using her identity! We only discovered it because she tried to actually sign up for DoorDash herself and was told she already had an account. The scammer was running deliveries under her name and SSN, which generated the 1099 forms that showed up on the tax return.

This is absolutely frustrating and I feel for your situation. One angle that hasn't been mentioned yet is that the scammer might be using your daughter's SSN to establish a "clean" tax history before attempting larger fraud schemes. By filing a legitimate-looking return with minimal income, they create a paper trail that makes future fraudulent filings seem more credible to automated IRS systems. Another possibility is that this is connected to synthetic identity fraud - they might be combining your daughter's real SSN with fake personal information to create entirely new identities for credit applications or other financial fraud. The tax return helps validate the SSN as "active" in government systems. I'd strongly recommend requesting a Social Security earnings statement for your daughter online at ssa.gov to see if any employers have reported wages under her SSN that you don't recognize. This could reveal if someone is working under her identity beyond just the tax filing. Also, since they used your actual address, consider that someone with access to your mail or neighborhood might be involved. It's worth checking if any tax documents were mailed to your address that you didn't expect - sometimes scammers file returns hoping to intercept refund checks or IRS correspondence. The IP PIN that others mentioned is crucial - get that set up immediately for next year's filing season.

Don't forget to get something in writing from the festival organizers! My accountant says the number one mistake people make with bartering arrangements is not having documentation of the agreement. A simple email that outlines what you'll be doing and what you're receiving in exchange can save you major headaches if you get audited. Also, save a copy of what the festival pass normally costs (screenshot of their website pricing) to document the fair market value of what you received. The IRS doesn't just take your word for these things!

This is a really helpful thread! I'm dealing with a similar situation where I'm providing DJ services at a wedding expo in exchange for booth space (valued at $300). Reading through all the advice here, it sounds like I need to report that $300 as income and can deduct my legitimate business expenses. One thing I'm still confused about - if my travel expenses end up being more than the value of what I received in the barter, can I still deduct the full amount of legitimate business expenses? Or am I limited to only deducting up to the $300 in bartering income I'm reporting? Also, has anyone had experience with the IRS questioning the "primary purpose" of a trip? I'm worried about how to prove that business was the main reason for travel when part of the arrangement involves networking at what could be seen as a social event.

Has anyone used any specific accounting software to track their real estate marketing expenses? I'm spending about $2,000/month on various marketing channels and struggling to keep everything organized for tax time.

Another thing to keep in mind is that if you're using your personal vehicle to drive to client meetings, property showings, or marketing events, you can deduct those miles too! The IRS allows you to deduct 65.5 cents per mile for business use in 2023 (it changes annually). I track all my drives to staging locations, client meetings, and even trips to the print shop for marketing materials. It adds up quickly - I deducted over $3,800 in mileage last year just from real estate related driving. Just make sure to keep a detailed log with dates, destinations, and business purpose. There are apps like MileIQ that can help automate this tracking. The key is being able to prove these were legitimate business expenses if the IRS ever asks questions. Good record keeping is everything!

Has anyone used an S-Corp instead of a disregarded LLC to optimize for QBI? I've heard it can be beneficial in some cases.

Great discussion here! As someone who's been dealing with QBI calculations for a few years now, I wanted to add a few practical tips that might help: 1. **Keep detailed records** - The IRS may ask for documentation to support your QBI deduction, especially if you're claiming rental property income qualifies as a business activity. 2. **Consider the timing** - If you're close to the income thresholds, you might be able to defer income or accelerate expenses to stay below the phase-out limits. 3. **Don't forget about state taxes** - As mentioned earlier, most states don't conform to the federal QBI deduction, so make sure you're calculating your state estimated payments on the full income amount. 4. **Form 8995 vs 8995-A** - If your taxable income is below the threshold, you can use the simple Form 8995. Above the threshold, you'll need the more complex Form 8995-A. For your Q4 estimated payment, I'd recommend being conservative and calculating based on your full income, then adjust when you file your return. It's better to get a refund than owe penalties for underpayment. The tools mentioned above (taxr.ai, Claimyr) sound helpful, but also consider consulting with a tax professional who specializes in small business taxes if your situation is complex. The QBI rules are intricate and the cost of getting it wrong can be significant.

I work with financial institutions that partner with tax preparers, and I can share a success story from another client. According to the IRS Direct Deposit Guidelines (available at https://www.irs.gov/refunds/direct-deposit-limits), your refund was directed to the temporary account created when you applied for the advance. Last tax season, I helped a client in your exact situation by having them contact Credit Karma at (800) 672-6397, selecting option 3, then 2, then 1 to reach the tax refund department directly. They were able to request an expedited card and received it within 48 hours. Alternatively, you can ask them to close the temporary account, which forces them to issue a paper check to your address on file within 14 days per their service agreement.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this during an already stressful time with your divorce. This is unfortunately a common issue with tax prep services that offer refund advances. Since you applied for the advance through Credit Karma, they automatically created a temporary account for your refund even though you were denied the loan. The routing information on your tax return was changed to direct your refund to their card system instead of your personal bank account. Here's what I recommend: Call Credit Karma's tax refund department at (800) 672-6397 and explain your situation. Ask them to either expedite your card (may have a fee) or transfer the funds to your original bank account. Keep records of all communications since you'll need documentation that this is YOUR refund. You might also want to file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau if they're not responsive - they take these refund access issues seriously. Your money is legally yours, and they're required to provide reasonable access to it.