I'm in a very similar boat - got about $156k in W-2Gs this year but ended up losing everything and then some. This thread has been incredibly reassuring because I was absolutely terrified about owing taxes on money I don't have. A few things I learned from my research that might help others: - The IRS Publication 525 specifically addresses gambling winnings and losses, worth reading if you want the official guidance - Keep any emails or statements from casino player rewards programs - they often show your annual activity summary which can help fill gaps in your records - If you used credit cards for cash advances at casinos, those statements can help establish when and where you gambled even if you don't remember exact amounts I'm still working on organizing my documentation but feeling much more confident about this after seeing how many people have successfully navigated similar situations. The session method seems like the way to go for someone like me who didn't keep perfect records throughout the year. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's made this whole process feel much less overwhelming!

This is exactly why I recommend keeping a gambling diary from day one, but I understand that's not helpful for your current situation. Here's what I learned when I went through something similar a few years ago: The most important thing to understand is that you're not alone in this situation, and the IRS has procedures in place specifically for cases like yours. When you have substantial W-2G winnings but overall gambling losses, you absolutely can and should claim those losses to avoid paying tax on money you didn't actually keep. A few practical tips that helped me: - Start with your bank statements and work backwards - look for ATM withdrawals, cash advances, and direct debits at or near casino locations - Contact your credit card companies for detailed statements if you don't have them - they'll usually provide up to 7 years of records - Many casinos have customer service departments that can provide historical account summaries even for casual players The documentation doesn't have to be perfect, but it does need to be reasonable and consistent. I created a simple spreadsheet with dates, locations, estimated session wins/losses, and notes about what documentation I had for each entry. One thing that surprised me was how understanding the IRS agent was when I eventually spoke to them about my situation. They see this scenario fairly often and as long as you're making a good faith effort to accurately report your activity, they're generally reasonable to work with. Don't let the stress consume you - this is a solvable problem with the right approach and documentation!

Random thought, but have you checked the other pages of the 1099? Sometimes the payer info appears on a different page or in a strange spot depending on which tax software they used to generate it. I once found the missing EIN on the "taxpayer copy" page when it was missing from the main form. Worth double-checking before going through all these other steps!

This is a really concerning situation that unfortunately happens more often than it should. The hidden/blacked out TIN is definitely not normal and raises some red flags about the company's tax compliance practices. Here's what I'd recommend doing immediately: 1. **Document everything** - Take clear photos of the 1099-MISC showing the hidden TIN, save all your communication attempts (voicemails, emails, etc.) 2. **Send a formal written request** - Send them a certified letter requesting the correct TIN within 10 business days. This creates an official paper trail. 3. **Check all your records** - Look through any contracts, invoices, or payment documents from this company. The EIN might be listed somewhere else. 4. **File Form 4852** if needed - If you can't get the TIN by the filing deadline, use this substitute form and attach documentation of your good faith efforts to obtain the information. The fact that they're not responding to your calls is another red flag. Legitimate businesses should be responsive about tax document issues. Make sure you report all $11,250 as income regardless - the IRS cares more about you reporting the income correctly than having every detail perfect when the payer isn't cooperating. Don't let this delay your filing too much. You can always amend later if you eventually get the correct information.

Just want to add one more perspective here - since you're only working for 2 weeks, you might also want to consider the timing of when you'll receive your paychecks. If you're getting paid weekly, you might only get 2-3 paychecks total depending on when you start and when the pay periods fall. With such a short work period, claiming exempt makes even more sense because you won't have to wait until next tax season to get back what would probably be a very small amount of withholding anyway. Plus, if you need the money for school expenses or other immediate needs, having your full gross pay (minus FICA) in your paychecks will be more helpful than getting a tiny refund months later. Also, don't forget to keep track of your earnings for when you do file - even though you likely won't owe any tax, you'll still need to report the income accurately. Your employer should provide you with a W-2 by the end of January 2026.

Great advice from everyone here! Just to add one practical tip - when you fill out your W-4 and write "Exempt" on line 7, make sure you also complete the rest of the form properly (your name, SSN, address, etc.) and sign it. Some new employees think writing "Exempt" means they can skip the other sections, but your employer needs all that info for their records. Also, since you mentioned this is your first job in a while, remember that your employer might ask for other documents too like an I-9 for employment eligibility verification. The W-4 is just for tax withholding purposes. With only $1,900 in income and being claimed as a dependent, claiming exempt is definitely the right move here - you'll get your full pay (minus FICA) and avoid having to file just to get back a small withholding amount. The standard deduction will more than cover your income anyway.

Has anyone actually successfully filed a superseding return electronically? I'm seeing mixed info here. The IRS publication says superseding returns can be filed electronically but it sounds like the Free File system might reject it as a duplicate filing anyway?

I actually went through this exact situation last year with Free File fillable forms. Here's what I learned from experience: The Free File fillable forms system will almost certainly reject your superseding return electronically because their duplicate detection system can't distinguish between a duplicate filing error and an intentional superseding return. The system just sees that you've already filed and blocks it. What worked for me was using the Free File fillable forms to prepare my superseding return completely, then printing it out and mailing it. The key steps are: 1. Complete your entire corrected return in Free File fillable forms 2. Print the complete return (all forms and schedules) 3. Write "SUPERSEDING RETURN" in red ink at the very top of Form 1040 4. Mail it to the processing center for your state before the deadline (including extensions) Make sure you include ALL the same forms and schedules as your original return, even if they didn't change. The superseding return completely replaces your original filing, so it needs to be complete. One important note - if you're expecting a larger refund, the IRS will typically send you the difference. If you owe more, you'll need to pay the additional amount. The superseding return essentially cancels out your original return as if it never existed. The postmark date is what counts for meeting the deadline, not when the IRS processes it, so don't wait too long to mail it if you're getting close to April 15th!

17 Has anyone dealt with state taxes for NRAs? I understand the federal rules a bit better now, but I worked in California and they're notorious for aggressive tax collection. Do the same NRA exemptions apply at the state level?

This thread has been incredibly helpful! As someone who just moved from the US back to my home country and is facing similar capital gains questions, I wanted to add a few points that might be useful: 1. **Documentation is key** - Keep detailed records of when you received company shares, your employment dates, and when you left the US. The IRS may need this to determine if gains are ECI. 2. **Vesting vs. Sale timing matters** - Even if shares vested while you were in the US, selling them after becoming an NRA can change the tax treatment. The "source" of the income becomes important. 3. **Watch out for Form 8833** - If you're claiming treaty benefits to reduce or eliminate US tax on capital gains, you might need to file this form along with your 1040-NR. 4. **FIRPTA considerations** - While most stock sales aren't affected, if you have any US real estate investments, there are different rules under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act. The tax treaty angle mentioned earlier is really important. Many countries have specific provisions for capital gains that can override the general ECI rules. Definitely worth looking into your specific country's treaty with the US. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this kind of real-world insight is so much more valuable than trying to parse through IRS publications alone!