Somewhat unrelated but if you do decide to claim those miles, make sure you're using the correct mileage rate! For 2024 tax year it's 67 cents per mile which is higher than previous years. Also, use a dedicated mileage tracking app that logs your location. The IRS has been getting stricter about documentation for mileage claims, especially for gig workers. I learned this the hard way when I got audited for my Uber driving miles last year.

I've been in a similar situation with my rideshare driving and learned a lot about this from experience. The key thing the IRS looks at is whether your trip would have happened anyway without the business purpose. Since you're visiting friends monthly regardless, those 150 miles each way are personal travel. However, you're absolutely right to track all the miles you drive while actually working in that city - those are 100% deductible business miles. Don't shortchange yourself there! One thing to consider: if you can show that you're strategically choosing to visit during peak earning times (like weekends or events) and you're making substantial income there, you might have a stronger case. But honestly, given that visiting friends is your primary reason, I'd stick with your conservative approach. The IRS has been cracking down on gig worker deductions lately, so it's better to be safe than sorry. Focus on maximizing your legitimate deductions (the actual delivery miles, phone bills, car maintenance) rather than pushing the envelope on questionable ones.

PSA: DO NOT dm random ppl offering help with your taxes!!! Even if they say they dont need personal info, its sketchy af

Wow, $1,441 in interest is actually pretty decent compensation for the wait! I'm dealing with a similar amended return situation - been stuck since March with various holds. Your timeline gives me hope that things will eventually move. Quick question: did you notice any pattern with the cycle codes? Mine shows 20243605 on my last update and I'm trying to figure out if that means anything for timing.

Looking at the 2023 tax year provisions, you should be aware that the Child Tax Credit is worth up to $2,000 per qualifying child under 17, with up to $1,600 being refundable (as the Additional Child Tax Credit). Even with zero income, you can receive this refundable portion. The filing deadline this year is April 15, 2024, so you still have time to file and claim these credits yourself. Your fiancé cannot claim the children unless you're legally married, as the IRS defines a step-parent relationship only through legal marriage. The biological parent with custody (you) has priority claim rights regardless of who provides financial support.

I've been following this thread and want to add something important that hasn't been fully addressed yet. Even though your fiancé can't directly claim your children as dependents, there's still a way for your household to maximize tax benefits while staying completely within IRS rules. Since you're the custodial parent, you should definitely file your own return and claim the kids - even with minimal income from gig work. Here's why this is actually beneficial: 1. You'll likely qualify for the full refundable Child Tax Credit ($1,600 per child under 17) 2. With gig work income, you might also qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit 3. These are refundable credits, meaning you get money back even if you owe no taxes The key insight here is that it doesn't matter which person in your household files the return - the refund benefits your family either way. Your fiancé supporting you financially doesn't change who can legally claim the children, but it also doesn't reduce the tax benefits flowing to your household. One practical tip: make sure you file early in the season. If there's any confusion about who should claim the children, the IRS generally honors the first return filed with those dependents. This protects you from potential issues if the biological father changes his mind or files incorrectly.

Has anyone here actually been audited as a self-employed person? What was that experience like and how did you prepare?

Great thread! I'm in a similar situation - been freelancing for about 8 months now and definitely feeling overwhelmed by all the business structure options. Reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like the consensus is that LLC formation is pretty straightforward, but the real decision point is whether to elect S-Corp status based on your income level. @Luca Russo - at $72k income, you're definitely in the sweet spot where S-Corp election could provide meaningful savings. From what I've read elsewhere, the general rule of thumb is that S-Corp makes sense when you're making $60k+ in profit, since the administrative costs and complexity start to pay for themselves at that level. One thing I'm curious about - has anyone dealt with quarterly estimated tax payments as an S-Corp? I'm already struggling to stay on top of those as a sole prop, and I'm wondering if the payroll requirements make that more or less complicated. Also really appreciate the tool recommendations in this thread. Always helpful to have resources that can run the numbers objectively rather than just getting generic advice.

Has anyone used tax software to file casualty losses? I'm trying to use TurboTax for mine but it's not very clear on how to enter all this information.

I went through this exact situation after tornado damage to my property last year. One thing that really helped me was creating a detailed inventory with photos for each damaged item or area. For your basement flooding, document everything that was damaged - flooring, drywall, electrical work, etc. - and get separate repair estimates for each category. Since you mentioned you have receipts for $15,700 in repairs, make sure you're separating these by casualty event if the IRS requires it (your two separate storms). Each storm event gets reduced by $100, so you might want to check if combining them or keeping them separate gives you a better deduction. Also, don't forget that you can deduct costs for things like temporary housing, storage, or cleanup that were necessary because of the disaster. I missed claiming some of these expenses initially and had to amend my return. Keep every receipt related to the disaster - even seemingly small expenses can add up! The key thing I learned is that "fair market value" doesn't have to be a formal appraisal for most residential property. Your repair costs, contractor estimates, and before/after photos are usually sufficient documentation for the IRS.