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20 Does anyone know if you can look up whether someone has a valid PTIN or EFIN? I'm now wondering about my own tax preparer and whether I should be checking their credentials before letting them file my taxes.
17 You can verify a tax preparer's PTIN through the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications on the IRS website. However, there isn't a public database to verify EFINs. At minimum, you should ensure your preparer signs your return and includes their PTIN (required by law). Also, legitimate preparers will have you sign Form 8879 (e-file authorization) before submitting your return electronically. If they don't do these things, that's a red flag.
20 Thanks for the info! I didn't know about the IRS directory. Just checked and my preparer is listed with valid credentials. Will definitely make sure they're having me sign the right forms this year.
Based on what you've described, this situation raises several red flags. While it's technically possible to have a PTIN but be denied an EFIN, the reasons usually involve more than just criminal history. Common reasons for EFIN denial include: - Outstanding tax debts to the IRS - Previous violations of e-file regulations - Failing the suitability check (which includes credit history, tax compliance, and background verification) - Providing false information on the EFIN application - Association with previously sanctioned preparers What's particularly concerning is that using someone else's EFIN is a serious violation of IRS regulations. Each EFIN is tied to a specific business location and preparer. The niece is putting her own credentials at significant risk - if discovered, both she and the aunt could face penalties, EFIN revocation, and potential prohibition from the e-file program. If you're considering reporting this, you should know that the IRS takes credential sharing very seriously. This isn't just a technicality - it's a fundamental violation of tax preparer oversight designed to protect taxpayers.
You can report this through the IRS Return Preparer Office by calling 1-877-330-2772 or by submitting Form 14157 (Return Preparer Complaint). You can also report online through the IRS website under "Report Return Preparer Fraud." When reporting, include as much detail as possible - the preparer's business name, address, the fact that they're using someone else's EFIN from a different location, and any other concerning practices you've observed. The IRS investigates these complaints seriously since credential sharing undermines the entire oversight system. You're absolutely right about the tax debt issue - it's one of the most common reasons for EFIN denial. The IRS figures if someone can't manage their own tax obligations, they shouldn't be trusted with electronic filing privileges for clients.
Yes, there's a specific process for reporting tax preparer violations. You can report suspected violations through several channels: 1. **IRS Lead Development Center** - Call 1-866-860-4259 specifically for reporting tax preparer misconduct 2. **Form 14157** (Return Preparer Complaint) - Available on IRS.gov for documenting specific violations 3. **Online reporting** through the IRS website's "Report Suspected Tax Law Violations" page For EFIN sharing violations specifically, you'll want to provide: - Both preparers' names and business addresses - Evidence of the credential sharing (if you have documentation) - Location details showing they're operating from different addresses The IRS Office of Professional Responsibility handles these cases and takes them seriously. They have the authority to impose penalties, revoke credentials, and ban preparers from the program. Your report could help protect other taxpayers who might unknowingly use preparers with improper arrangements. Just be prepared that investigations can take time, and the IRS may not update you on the outcome due to privacy laws.
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19 Surprised no one mentioned this, but double check that you put the correct filing status on your W-4. If you accidentally selected "Married filing jointly" instead of "Single or Head of Household," that could explain the zero withholding. The tax brackets for MFJ are much wider, so it would assume you need less withholding. This happened to me last year!
10 This is actually a really good point. I made this exact mistake last year and had almost no federal withholding. Worth checking both forms to make sure.
This is a classic multiple jobs withholding issue that catches a lot of people off guard! Each employer's payroll system calculates your withholding as if that's your only job, which means they're using the standard deduction and tax brackets for a much lower income level than what you're actually earning combined. With $102,000+ total income, you're definitely in a tax bracket where federal taxes should be withheld. The fact that you're seeing zero withholding from both jobs strongly suggests the W-4 forms weren't filled out correctly for multiple job situations. Here's what I'd recommend doing immediately: 1. Use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator online - it's free and accounts for multiple jobs 2. Update both W-4 forms, making sure to check the box in Step 2(c) for multiple jobs 3. Consider adding a substantial additional withholding amount in Step 4(c) to catch up on what you've missed this year Don't wait on this - the longer you go without proper withholding, the bigger your tax bill will be next April. You might also want to look into making estimated quarterly payments if you're already significantly behind for this year.
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Make sure you get EVERYTHING in writing from the startup! I got burned badly last year when I did development work for equity and the company changed terms on me after 8 months of work. Had already deducted $3k in equipment on my taxes and then had nothing to show for it.
Same thing happened to my brother. Founder dispute and his equity became worthless. But couldn't he still claim the expenses? The business activity was legit even if the company failed, right?
Benjamin, you're asking all the right questions! A few key points to add to the excellent advice already given: 1. **Documentation is crucial** - Keep detailed records of your equity agreement, work hours, business purpose, and all expenses. The IRS will want to see this is a legitimate business activity, not a hobby. 2. **Consider forming an LLC** - Since you're doing significant startup work, you might want to structure this properly. An LLC can provide liability protection and may make your business deductions cleaner. 3. **Track everything separately** - Keep your startup work completely separate from your W2 job. Separate bank accounts, time tracking, expense records, etc. This will help if you ever get audited. 4. **Quarterly estimated taxes** - Even though you're not getting cash now, if the startup starts generating income or your equity becomes valuable, you'll need to make quarterly payments. Plan ahead. The MacBook deduction is legitimate business expense that goes on Schedule C. Just make sure you can prove it's used primarily for the business (keep usage logs if needed). Good luck with the startup!
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The IRS is so behind rn its not even funny. My brother filed in February last year and didnt see his $ until September smh
this is why im using taxr.ai this year. no more guessing games
I'm in a similar situation - filed with TurboTax about a week ago and got the acceptance notification. From what I've read, the test batch thing is mostly for early filers in December/January before the season officially opens. Since we're filing now during regular season, we're definitely in the normal processing queue. The 21-day timeline is pretty standard for simple returns, but it can vary. I've been checking WMR obsessively too 😅 Hang in there!
Leo McDonald
I think there's an important distinction that nobody's mentioned yet. If this money is ACTUALLY a gift, then yes, you don't owe taxes. But if your "friend" is actually paying you for goods or services, or it's income from a side business, or payment for something illegal... then it's NOT a gift and you absolutely DO owe taxes! The IRS isn't stupid. They look for patterns. $5000 every month looks very suspicious - like a salary. If you get audited, they'll want proof this is really a gift. I'd keep documentation of your medical expenses and any communication showing these are gifts to help with those expenses. Better safe than sorry.
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Jessica Nolan
•How would the IRS even know about Zelle payments though? Does Zelle report to the IRS? I thought these payment apps were private.
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Leo McDonald
•The IRS might not automatically see every Zelle transaction, but that doesn't mean you're invisible. Banks are required to report patterns of transactions, especially ones that look like potential income. Plus, if you get audited for any reason, they can request your bank records. Starting in 2025, payment apps have increased reporting requirements for certain types of transactions. While genuine gifts aren't reportable income, large regular payments might trigger questions. It's always about the nature of the payment, not the method. If these are truly gifts for medical expenses, keep documentation showing that's the case. The IRS has sophisticated methods to identify unreported income, even from digital payments.
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Angelina Farar
This is why I use cash lol. No electronic trail. But if you're stuck with Zelle, there's actually an exception that applies here that nobody has mentioned. If your friend is paying DIRECTLY for medical expenses, there's a complete exemption from gift tax reporting. So if these payments are going straight to medical bills, your friend wouldn't even need to file a gift tax return regardless of amount.
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Sebastián Stevens
•Is that true even if the money goes to the person first and then they pay the medical bills? Or does it have to go directly to the hospital/doctor?
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Sofia Hernandez
•Good question! The medical expense exemption only applies when payments go directly to the medical provider (hospital, doctor, etc.). If the money goes to you first and then you pay the bills, it's treated as a regular gift subject to the annual exclusion limits. So your friend would still need to file Form 709 if they're giving you more than $19,000 per year, even if you're using it all for medical expenses. The direct payment route is definitely the way to go if you want to avoid the gift tax reporting requirements entirely.
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