I use PayPal for my Spanish contractors and it's worked great. They handle the currency conversion and the contractors seem to prefer it. Anyone else use a specific payment method they recommend for international contractors?

The payment method you choose (PayPal, Wise, bank transfer, etc.) doesn't change the W-8BEN requirements or any other tax documentation needs. You still need the properly completed W-8BEN form regardless of how you send the money. However, keep good records of all payments regardless of the method. For your business records, you'll want to track the USD amount of each payment (even if sent in euros), the date, and what services were provided. Most payment platforms provide detailed transaction records that make this easier. One thing to note - some contractors prefer to be paid in their local currency to avoid exchange rate fluctuations on their end, while others are fine with USD. It's worth discussing with your Spanish contractor what works best for them.

I just went through this process with a delayed refund. Here's what I learned: • Interest starts accruing after 45 days from filing deadline or when you filed (whichever is later) • For Q1 2024, interest rate is 7% (changes quarterly) • Interest is calculated daily, compounded quarterly • Interest IS taxable income in the year you receive it • The IRS will send Form 1099-INT if interest is $10+ • If you owe the IRS, underpayment interest rate is also 7% currently • Failure-to-pay penalty is 0.5% per month (separate from interest

Great breakdown everyone! I'm dealing with a similar situation where I filed early but there was an error on my return that delayed processing. One thing I learned from calling the IRS is that if THEY make an error during processing (not your fault), the 45-day clock starts from when they should have issued your refund, not when they actually fix their mistake. So if anyone is in a similar boat, it might be worth calling to clarify the timeline. The interest calculation can get pretty complex when there are processing delays on their end vs. issues with your original filing.

I did exactly what you're considering - started a business and included my brother for tax advantages. We went with the multi-member LLC but soon regretted it because: 1) Had to file partnership returns which were way more complicated than I expected 2) Splitting profits fairly became an issue when he wasn't doing equal work 3) Couldn't make business decisions quickly because we needed mutual agreement We ended up dissolving that and forming separate single-member LLCs instead. Now I hire his LLC for specific services when needed. Much cleaner arrangement. Whatever you decide, seriously consider the practical business relationship aspects, not just the tax benefits!

Great question about business structures! As someone who's helped family members navigate this exact situation, I'd suggest starting simple and evolving as your business grows. For your immediate needs, a multi-member LLC is probably your best bet. It allows both you and your dad to share in business deductions proportional to ownership percentage, and the tax filing (Form 1065 + K-1s) isn't too overwhelming for a small business. Just make sure you have a solid operating agreement that clearly defines roles, responsibilities, and profit/loss sharing. The key thing the IRS looks for in family businesses is that the arrangement serves a legitimate business purpose beyond just tax savings. If your dad brings capital, expertise, connections, or other valuable contributions, then his ownership stake is justified even if he works fewer hours than you. I'd avoid the two-LLC structure initially - it creates unnecessary complexity and paperwork. You can always restructure later as the business grows. And don't worry about S-Corp election until you're consistently profitable - the additional administrative burden usually isn't worth it for smaller operations. One practical tip: document everything from day one. Keep records of each member's contributions, time spent, and business decisions. This protects you if the IRS ever questions the legitimacy of your family business arrangement.

One option nobody's mentioned is becoming an Associate Preparer with a larger established tax office. Places like H&R Block, Liberty Tax, or even local accounting firms sometimes hire seasonal preparers. They handle the software, EFIN, and often training too. You get experience without the upfront costs, and can branch out on your own next season with that experience under your belt. I did this for two seasons before starting my own practice, and the training and mentor-ship was invaluable. Plus they dealt with all the software headaches and customer acquisition.

Don't forget about the Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP) if you don't have a professional credential like an EA or CPA. It's voluntary but gives you limited representation rights before the IRS and gets you listed in the IRS directory of preparers, which can help establish credibility with clients. You need to take continuing education courses and agree to abide by specific ethical requirements.

Dumb question maybe but what happens at the end of the year with wash sales? If I have disallowed losses from December, do they just disappear?

Great explanation from everyone here! As someone who got burned by wash sales in my first year of active trading, I want to emphasize how important it is to track these across ALL your accounts. I had Fidelity, E*TRADE, and a small Robinhood account, and each platform only reported wash sales within their own system. What really helped me was setting up a simple spreadsheet to track any stock I sold at a loss, with a 30-day "no buy" reminder. Sounds tedious but it saved me from creating unnecessary wash sales, especially during volatile periods when I wanted to jump back into positions quickly. Also worth noting - if you have a spouse who trades, their transactions count toward YOUR wash sale calculations too! Found that out the hard way when my wife bought Tesla shares two weeks after I sold mine at a loss. The IRS considers all accounts under the same tax filing, so coordinate with your partner if applicable. For anyone doing tax-loss harvesting near year-end, be extra careful about the calendar. That 30-day window can easily cross into the new tax year and mess up your planning.