Harold, you've gotten some excellent advice here! I wanted to add a few practical tips from someone who's been through this process with ROBLOX earnings. First, regarding your 1099-NEC - ROBLOX typically sends these out in late January for the previous tax year. Since you earned $26,300, you'll definitely receive one. However, don't wait for it to arrive before starting your tax prep - you can access your earnings history through the Developer Exchange portal on ROBLOX to get exact figures. For your partnership situation, even though it's informal, I'd recommend drafting a simple partnership agreement document (even just a one-page written agreement) that outlines your 65/35 split and how you'll handle business expenses. This doesn't need to be fancy legal language - just something in writing that shows the IRS your arrangement is legitimate and thought-out. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is Developer Exchange timing. Since there's often a delay between when players spend Robux and when you can actually cash out through DevEx, make sure you're reporting income based on when you received the cash payments, not when the Robux was earned in-game. Keep screenshots of your DevEx transactions as backup documentation. Also, consider opening a business credit card for any game development expenses. It makes tracking deductible purchases much easier and further legitimizes your business in the eyes of the IRS. Plus, you'll build business credit history which could be useful if you want to expand your game development business in the future. Good luck with your taxes, and congratulations on your game's success!

Harold, I've been developing on ROBLOX for about 3 years now and went through this exact same confusion when I first started earning substantial income. Here's what I wish someone had told me from the beginning: **Get organized NOW, not at tax time.** Create a simple spreadsheet tracking every DevEx payment with the date you received it and the amount. Since you're splitting with your partner, add columns for each person's share. This will save you hours of stress later. **You're definitely self-employed** and will need to file Schedule C. With $26k in earnings, you're well above the $400 threshold that requires paying self-employment tax (about 15.3% on top of regular income tax). **Start making quarterly estimated payments immediately** for 2025. A good rule of thumb is to set aside 30% of each payment you receive. Your first quarter payment is due April 15th - don't miss it or you'll face penalties. **Document your partnership split.** Even a simple email between you and your friend confirming the 65/35 split will help if the IRS ever asks questions. You don't need a formal LLC yet, but having written proof of your arrangement is crucial. **Track deductible expenses** - ROBLOX Developer Exchange fees, any marketplace assets you buy for development, software subscriptions, portion of internet/phone used for business. These add up and can significantly reduce your taxable income. One last tip: consider consulting with a CPA for at least your first year of significant earnings. The cost is usually worth it to make sure you're set up correctly from the start. Congratulations on your game's success - sounds like you're off to a great start!

This is really eye-opening! I've been using TurboTax for years and always chose the "pay from refund" option thinking it was just more convenient. Had no idea it was actually slowing down my refund by routing through their bank first. The extra few days might not seem like much, but when you're counting on that money for bills or expenses, every day matters. Definitely switching to paying upfront next year - thanks for the education!

This is exactly the kind of info that should be front and center when you're choosing payment options! I've been filing my own taxes for a few years now and always went with the "deduct fees from refund" route because it seemed easier at the time. Never realized I was basically volunteering for a longer wait. The way you explained the temporary bank account process really clarifies what's happening behind the scenes. Definitely going to pay fees upfront this year - even if it means budgeting an extra $50-100, getting my refund faster is worth it. Thanks for sharing this knowledge!

One more thing to consider that I haven't seen mentioned - make sure to check if you've moved states since filing that 2011 return. If you lived in a different state back then, you might also have a state tax refund waiting for you in addition to the federal $675 credit. State tax agencies don't always communicate well with the IRS about address changes, so if you moved from say California to Texas after 2011, California might still be holding onto a refund for you at your old address. Most states have unclaimed property websites where you can search by name to see if they're holding any old tax refunds. Also, since you mentioned you're just now dealing with very old tax issues, it might be worth checking if you have unfiled returns from other years too. Sometimes people who get behind on taxes have multiple years to catch up on, and there could be refunds waiting from other years as well.

I went through almost the exact same situation with a 2009 return that I didn't file until 2022! That negative balance is definitely good news - it means you have $675 coming to you. One thing I'd strongly recommend is requesting a "wage and income transcript" for 2011 before you call the IRS. You can get this from your online account or by calling. This shows all the W-2s, 1099s, and other income documents the IRS has on file for that year. Sometimes when returns are filed super late, there can be discrepancies between what you reported and what employers actually sent to the IRS, which could affect your refund amount. Also, be prepared that they might ask you to verify your identity in multiple ways since it's such an old return. Having your 2011 tax return, any W-2s from that year, and even old bank statements showing withholdings can help speed up the process. The whole thing took about 3 months from my first call to receiving the check, but I did get my full refund plus interest. Definitely worth pursuing - that's your money!

Ugh I feel your pain! Just went through this exact same thing last month. WMR is honestly trash - mine said "processing" for like 6 weeks straight while my transcript showed my refund had already been issued 🙄 The transcript route is definitely more work upfront but SO worth it. Once you figure out how to read those codes it's like having insider info. Also pro tip - if you're still confused after looking at your transcript, try calling the IRS automated line at 800-829-1954. You can check your refund status without waiting on hold for hours. Way faster than the regular customer service line!

I've been following this thread and wanted to share my experience from last year. Filed in early February and WMR showed "processing" for almost 8 weeks - I was going crazy! Finally learned about transcripts from this community and it was a total game changer. The transcript showed my refund was actually approved weeks before WMR updated. Now I skip WMR completely and go straight to checking my account transcript every Friday morning when they do updates. It takes a bit to learn the codes but once you do, you'll never go back to that useless WMR tool. Hang in there - 3 weeks isn't too bad, most returns take 21+ days especially during busy season!

Just wanted to add one more suggestion that worked for a friend of mine in a similar situation - check if the company had any business licenses or permits that might still be searchable online. Many cities and counties maintain databases of business licenses, contractor permits, or professional licenses that include the business's federal tax ID. For example, if it was a restaurant, they would have had health department permits. If it was a construction company, they'd have contractor licenses. Even something like a business license or sales tax permit from the city/county might include the EIN in the records. These local government databases are often overlooked but can be goldmines of information. The permits usually stay in the system even after a business closes, and they're typically searchable by business name. Worth checking your local city and county websites to see what business databases they maintain. Also, one thing I learned from my own experience - don't forget to check if they had any professional licenses or certifications specific to their industry. These are often maintained at the state level and require accurate tax information for renewal and reporting purposes.

Great question about timing! In my experience, it really depends on which method you try first. Some approaches are much faster than others: **Quick options (1-3 days):** - Checking your own old tax returns (if you can access them digitally) - Searching through old emails and documents you already have - Contacting former coworkers who might have kept paperwork - Online state business registry searches **Medium timeframe (1-2 weeks):** - Contacting banks, insurance companies, or benefits providers - Reaching out to the company's former CPA or bookkeeper - Using callback services to get through to the IRS - Third-party document analysis services **Slower options (3-6 weeks):** - Requesting detailed records from Social Security Administration - Standard IRS phone support (if you can even get through) - Waiting for responses from state agencies My advice? Start with the quick options first - check your old tax returns, search your emails, and try the state business database. If you worked there recently, one of these will probably work within a few days. Save the slower methods as backup options. But honestly, don't wait until tax season if you know you'll need this info! Start the process in late fall so you have plenty of time to try multiple approaches without the stress of tax deadlines. I learned this lesson the hard way!