The IRS actually addresses this exact issue in Publication 463 (Travel, Gift, and Car Expenses). The key factors are: 1) Primary purpose test - If the primary purpose of the trip is business, you can deduct business-related expenses. For a travel YouTuber, creating content IS your business. 2) Allocation requirement - You must allocate expenses between business and personal. What the first CPA said about deducting 100% of everything is definitely too aggressive. What the second CPA said about deducting nothing is flat wrong. Most importantly - DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. Keep a daily log of what you filmed and how it relates to your business model. Save all receipts. Take notes about the business purpose. The more documentation you have, the safer you'll be if audited.

Great question! As someone who's dealt with similar business expense issues, I can see why you got such conflicting advice. The reality is that both CPAs were partially wrong - it's definitely not 100% of everything, but it's also not nothing. For your travel YouTube business, you'll want to focus on the "primary purpose" test. Since creating content IS your business model, many of your travel expenses will qualify - but you need to be strategic about allocation and documentation. A few key points specific to your situation: 1) Keep a content creation log - document what you filmed each day, which videos it's for, and how it ties to your revenue streams (ads, courses, affiliate links, etc.) 2) For extended international travel (14-15 months is significant), be aware that the IRS has special rules for foreign travel that might affect your deductions differently than domestic trips 3) Consider the "but for" test - would you have incurred this expense if not for your business? For a hotel you're specifically reviewing, probably not. For extra vacation days tacked on, probably yes. 4) Set up consistent allocation methods BEFORE you travel. For example, if you typically film 4 days and take 3 personal days per week, you might allocate 4/7 of lodging costs to business. The key is being reasonable and consistent with your methodology. Document everything and be prepared to defend your allocations with clear business logic.

I kinda want to point out what nobody else has mentioned - the 55/45 split seems super high for the company portion! Most places I've worked take 10-15% max for "house fees" on tips. Might be worth checking if this arrangement is even legal in your state. Some states have strict rules about how much of tips can go to non-tipped staff/management.

This is a really concerning situation from a tax perspective. The fact that you're handling business tips through personal payment accounts creates a lot of potential IRS issues. First, you're absolutely right to be worried about the 1099-K reporting. Payment apps will likely report all those transactions as your personal income, even though you're just acting as a pass-through. This could trigger an audit or at minimum require you to file complex paperwork to show the money wasn't actually yours. Second, your employer is essentially making you their unpaid financial agent without proper documentation or protection. They should either: 1. Set up business accounts for digital tips 2. Provide you with written authorization stating you're collecting tips on their behalf 3. Take responsibility for any tax complications that arise The 55% company cut also seems unusually high - most legitimate tip pools take much less. I'd strongly recommend documenting everything you can (screenshots, spreadsheets, dates/amounts) and consider consulting with a tax professional who can help you understand your liability. Don't let your employer put their tax compliance responsibilities on you. This arrangement benefits them while putting you at financial risk.

Do you know if your tax preparer used a Refund Transfer product or similar service? That makes a big difference. If they did, your refund first went to a temporary bank account they set up, then they transferred your refund minus their fees to you. That temporary account is likely closed now, so any CTC payments sent there will definitely bounce back.

UPDATE: The IRS just announced yesterday that the Child Tax Credit Update Portal will be available starting June 21st, 2024, according to their latest press release. They're specifically urging people who had refunds processed through tax preparer bank accounts to update their information ASAP. The first monthly payments are scheduled for July 15th, and they recommend making any banking changes at least two weeks before that date to ensure proper processing. Here's the link to the official IRS page with instructions: https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments

Does FreeTaxUSA allow you to file with an ITIN instead of a Social Security Number? My spouse is waiting on their SSN but we need to file soon.

I made the switch to FreeTaxUSA last year after using TurboTax for almost a decade, and I completely agree with your assessment! The lack of constant upselling was such a breath of fresh air. What really sold me was when I realized I was paying $120+ with TurboTax for features I didn't even need, while FreeTaxUSA handled my situation (W-2, some dividend income, and standard deductions) perfectly for just the small state filing fee. One thing I appreciated was their interview process - it asks the right questions without being condescending or overly simplified. They also have a really useful side-by-side comparison feature where you can see how your current year compares to previous years, which helped me catch a couple of things I might have missed otherwise. The only minor downside I found was that their mobile interface isn't quite as polished as some competitors, but honestly, for the savings and straightforward experience, it's a non-issue. Already planning to use them again this year!

Make sure you're filing as "deceased" correctly. The tax return should have "DECEASED" written across the top with the date of death. The signature line should be signed by the executor as "Personal Representative for [brother's name]." Also, you might need to file Form 56 to notify the IRS of fiduciary relationship. And don't forget that your brother's standard deduction amount doesn't change just because he didn't live the full year - he's entitled to the full amount.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Sarah. Dealing with uncooperative employers during an already difficult time is incredibly frustrating. Here's something that might help - you can also try contacting your state's Department of Labor or Wage and Hour Division. They often have authority over employers who fail to provide required tax documents and can sometimes get faster results than going through the IRS alone. Additionally, if your brother had direct deposit, his bank statements showing the exact deposit amounts and dates can be very helpful for the IRS. They can often match this up with what the employer actually reported (or should have reported) to verify the accuracy of your estimates. One more thing - make sure you're keeping detailed records of every attempt you've made to get the W-2. Document dates, who you spoke with, what they said, etc. This documentation will be valuable if the IRS has any questions later and shows you made good-faith efforts to get the correct information. You're doing a great job helping your family through this difficult process. Don't let this employer's lack of cooperation add unnecessary stress - you have options and the IRS understands these situations happen.