Has anyone actually called the business where you work to see if there's an issue with their tax payments? It seems weird the IRS would come after an employee for the employer's share unless you're somehow classified as self-employed or a contractor.

Romeo, based on what you've found in your 2020 tax return with the Schedule SE deferral, this makes perfect sense now. The confusing "employer's share" language in the 3064C letter is referring to the employer portion of self-employment tax, not your W-2 employer's obligations. When you're self-employed, you pay both the employee AND employer portions of Social Security and Medicare taxes (that's why self-employment tax is 15.3% instead of the 7.65% taken from your paycheck). The CARES Act allowed you to defer paying half of that self-employment tax - specifically the "employer" half. Since you used TaxSlayer and it automatically selected the deferral option, you legitimately owe this money. The $2,700 seems high though - double-check that amount against what you actually deferred. You should be able to find the exact deferred amount on your 2020 Schedule SE. Don't stress too much about this being a "mistake" on your part. The tax software recommended it because it was financially beneficial at the time. Now you just need to pay what you deferred. If you can't pay it all at once, definitely set up a payment plan with the IRS - they're usually very reasonable about installment agreements for deferred pandemic taxes.

Called the Iowa DOR yesterday and got through after 45 mins on hold 🙄 They said theyre overwhelmed with calls about delays. basically told me to just keep waiting lol

Filed mine on Feb 3rd and still waiting too! This is so frustrating - I'm counting on that refund to pay some bills. Has anyone tried calling multiple times to see if you get different answers? Maybe some reps have more info than others? Really hoping this gets sorted out soon for all of us 🤞

Just went through this in March. Here's what you need to know: • Use CERTIFIED mail with tracking - non-negotiable • Send COPIES only, never originals • Include your case/letter number on EVERY page • Keep copies of everything you send • Expect 6-8 weeks minimum processing time • Check WMR tool weekly, not daily (wastes time) • Don't bother calling regular IRS lines - agents can't access verification status

I went through the mail verification process last fall and it was honestly less stressful than I expected once I got organized. The key is being thorough upfront - I made sure to send exactly what they requested, used certified mail with tracking, and included my letter reference number on every document. It took about 6 weeks total from mailing to getting my refund deposited. The hardest part was just being patient and not constantly checking the "Where's My Refund" tool every day! One tip: take a photo of everything before you mail it so you have a record of exactly what you sent. Good luck with your verification!

Does your state have separate requirements for partnership LLCs? In my state, I had to file state-specific forms in addition to the federal 1065 and K-1s. Some states impose their own penalties for late filing too.

Don't panic - this is fixable! As others have mentioned, you'll need to file Form 1065 for each year you missed, which will generate the K-1s that TurboTax is asking for. The K-1s are absolutely required - they show each partner's share of income, deductions, and credits that flow through to your personal returns. Here's what I'd recommend doing immediately: 1. Gather all your business records (income, expenses, bank statements) for 2021-2023 2. File Form 1065 for each missed year starting with 2021 3. The 1065 will automatically generate Schedule K-1s for both you and your husband 4. Use those K-1s to complete your personal tax returns You can file late returns yourself using tax software or hire a CPA who specializes in partnerships. While there will be penalties (around $210 per partner per month late), getting compliant now is much better than continuing to avoid it. The IRS is generally reasonable about penalty relief for first-time offenders who show good faith effort to correct the situation. Also check if your state requires separate partnership filings - many do, and you'll want to get those caught up too.

Quick tip: start documenting EVERYTHING now. Save emails about your schedule, take screenshots of your timesheets, note when you're using company equipment, save any communications about how they want work done. If your boss ever refers to you as an "employee" in writing, save that too! I went through a misclassification case that took 11 months to resolve, and what made the difference was having a paper trail showing how much control the company had over my work. The company tried claiming I had "independence" but I had emails showing they dictated my hours, location, and exactly how they wanted projects completed.

Great question about email access - that's something I worried about too. I made sure to forward key emails to my personal account early on, but I was careful to only save things that directly related to my work classification (not confidential company info). Once I started the SS-8 process, I stopped accessing work email from home and only checked it during work hours to avoid any appearance of impropriety. My employer never restricted my access, but I wanted to be extra cautious. Pro tip: if you have a work phone where they text you about schedules or assignments, screenshot those too. Text messages showing them directing when and how you work are pure gold for proving employee status. Also save any handbook pages or policies they expect you to follow - true contractors don't typically have to follow employee handbooks. The documentation really is everything. I had over 40 pieces of evidence showing behavioral control, and it made my case rock solid.