Quick question - am I the only one who thinks its weird that the IRS doesn't just automatically do your taxes for you if they already know how much you made? Like they send those letters saying "hey you made this much" so obviously they know! Why do we even have to file???

Hey Ryder! I totally get the panic - I was in a similar situation a few years ago and it felt overwhelming. But honestly, you're taking the right step by addressing this now rather than continuing to put it off. A few things that might help ease your mind: First, if you've been working regular jobs, your employers were likely withholding taxes from your paychecks, which means you probably won't owe as much as you think (and might even be due refunds for some years). Second, the IRS has programs specifically for people in your situation - the First Time Penalty Abatement can waive many late fees if you qualify. For your immediate apartment application problem, you might be able to get wage transcripts from the IRS that show your income history even without filed returns. This could at least help with the rental application while you work on getting caught up. I'd recommend starting by gathering whatever documents you can find (W-2s, 1099s, bank statements) and then deciding whether to tackle this yourself or get help. The peace of mind of having it resolved is honestly worth whatever effort or cost it takes. You've got this!

Does anyone know if Square fees are considered part of my business expenses? I use Square for in-person craft fairs sometimes and they take a percentage of each sale.

Great question about handling mixed purchases! You're absolutely right to include the proportional shipping and tax costs along with the base price of your business items. Here's a simple way to think about it: if your business supplies made up 60% of the total merchandise cost in an order, then 60% of the shipping and tax should also be counted as business expenses. So if you bought $30 in chains and charms plus $20 in personal items (total $50), and shipping was $5 with $3 tax, then your business expense would be: $30 + (60% × $5) + (60% × $3) = $30 + $3 + $1.80 = $34.80. I'd recommend setting up a simple system now while your business is small - maybe a dedicated spreadsheet or even just a notebook where you track each purchase with columns for date, vendor, total cost, business portion, and calculated business expense. Also consider getting a separate credit card just for business purchases to make year-end calculations easier. One more tip: don't forget you can also deduct things like the percentage of your internet bill used for business, mileage to buy supplies or ship orders, and if you have a dedicated workspace at home, potentially some home office expenses. The IRS has great resources on their website about Schedule C deductions that are worth checking out!

Just a warning - I tried something similar and it came back to bite me. My ex signed Form 8332 and I claimed our son, but when she applied for some income-based assistance later that year, they noticed the discrepancy with the support order. She got denied benefits initially, and then the child support office reviewed my payments and found I was paying based on the agreement that I wouldn't claim kids. They retroactively increased my support for that year and I had to pay the difference plus 6% interest. Not worth it in my experience.

This is exactly why I always recommend getting professional help with situations like this. The intersection of family law and tax law can be incredibly complex, and making the wrong move can have serious financial consequences that last for years. From what I'm seeing in the responses here, it sounds like your child support agreement likely creates a binding legal obligation that supersedes what Form 8332 might allow from a purely tax perspective. The IRS form handles the tax side, but it doesn't override court orders or legal agreements you've made. Before you do anything, I'd strongly suggest: 1. Get a copy of your complete child support order and read every word carefully 2. Consider consulting with a family law attorney who can review the specific language 3. If you and your ex both want to change the arrangement, explore doing it properly through the court system The tax benefit might seem appealing now, but based on what others have shared, the potential consequences (retroactive support adjustments, interest, legal complications) could far outweigh any short-term savings. Better to spend a little money upfront on proper legal advice than deal with expensive problems later.

Anyone know what a typical percentage of your gross income should go to these deductions? I make about $65k annually and it seems like a huge chunk disappears before I even see it.

I used to be just as confused about paycheck deductions! One thing that really helped me was requesting a detailed breakdown from HR - most companies are required to explain what each deduction code means if you ask. Also, don't forget that some deductions might be pre-tax (like health insurance premiums or 401k contributions) which actually reduces your taxable income, while others are post-tax deductions. This can make a big difference in how much you're actually paying. If your deductions suddenly increased by $95, it could be because you enrolled in benefits during open enrollment, got a raise that pushed you into a higher tax bracket, or changed your W-4 withholdings. I'd definitely check with HR to see if anything changed in your payroll setup recently.

Based on your description of "discrepancy in filing status parameters," it sounds like you might have received a CP01H notice or similar correspondence. The fastest route is usually the Identity Verification Service at 800-830-5084, but I'd recommend first checking if you can complete the verification online through ID.me if that option was mentioned in your notice. If you must go in-person, call 844-545-5640 to schedule at your local TAC office. Make sure to ask specifically what type of verification they need when you call - this will determine exactly which documents to bring. The representatives can also clarify if your situation requires in-person verification or if there are online alternatives available. Have you received any specific letters or notices from the IRS about this discrepancy? That would help determine the exact process you need to follow.

I went through this exact process about 6 months ago. First thing - check what specific letter code you received (like CP01H, 5071C, etc.) as this determines your path forward. For scheduling in-person verification: • Call 844-545-5640 for TAC appointments • Have your notice/letter ready when you call • They'll tell you exactly which documents to bring Before going in-person though, definitely check if online verification through ID.me is available for your situation - it's much faster if you qualify. The phone representatives at 844-545-5640 can actually tell you right away if online verification is an option for your specific case. Pro tip: If you do need to go in-person, schedule ASAP as TAC appointments can book out 2-3 weeks in advance, especially during tax season. And yes, bring extra documentation beyond what they ask for - better to have too much than make a second trip. What type of notice did you receive? That detail would help everyone give you more targeted advice.