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One deduction many bloggers miss is business insurance! I write off my liability insurance and equipment insurance which protects my camera, laptop, etc. Also, don't forget about professional development - courses, webinars, books related to blogging, photography, SEO, etc. are all deductible. For tracking mileage between locations for content creation, I use an app that automatically logs my trips. Way easier than manual tracking and it's been accepted during an audit (yes, I got audited in 2024... not fun but I survived!).
Thank you for mentioning insurance! I hadn't even thought about that. Any recommendations for good business insurance providers that understand content creation businesses? Also, which mileage tracking app do you use?
I use Hiscox for my business insurance - they have packages specifically for content creators that cover liability and equipment. They understood my business model right away which was refreshing after talking to agents who couldn't grasp what a "blogging business" actually is. For mileage tracking, I use MileIQ. It runs in the background on your phone and automatically detects when you're driving. You just swipe right for business trips and left for personal. At the end of the year, you get a detailed report that's IRS-ready. There are others like Everlance and Stride that do similar things, but MileIQ has been reliable for me for three years now.
Quick tip from a tax preparer who works with lots of bloggers: Keep a dedicated credit card JUST for business expenses. Makes tax time so much easier and helps if you ever get audited. You'd be surprised how many people mix personal and business expenses and then can't sort it out at tax time.
What about using PayPal for business expenses? I use it for most of my blogging tools and subscriptions. Does that provide enough tracking or should I still get a separate credit card?
PayPal can work for tracking, but a dedicated business credit card is still better for a few reasons. Credit cards give you better fraud protection and dispute resolution if something goes wrong with a vendor. Plus, many business credit cards offer cash back or rewards on business categories that can add up over time. That said, if you're already using PayPal Business consistently, it does provide decent transaction records. Just make sure you're using PayPal Business (not personal) and keep good notes about what each payment was for. The key is consistency - whatever system you choose, stick with it 100% for business expenses.
The IRS is SOOOOO behind on everything this year. I filed in January and just got my refund last week after going through verification. The phone agents are actually pretty helpful once you get through to them, but yeah, gotta wait for that letter unfortunately. Set a calendar reminder for 21 days and try to forget about it until then (I know easier said than done when waiting for your money).
I feel your frustration! I went through something similar recently where my return was stuck in verification limbo. While there's unfortunately no way to skip the letter process, I'd recommend calling the IRS automated line (1-800-829-1040) periodically to check if there are any updates on your account status. Sometimes the verification hold gets released before the full 21 days if they resolve it internally. Also, make sure your address is current with the IRS - if the letter gets returned to them, it adds even more delays. You can update your address online through your IRS account if needed. One thing that helped me was preparing all my documents ahead of time (Social Security card, driver's license, prior year return, etc.) so I could respond immediately once the letter arrived. The verification process itself is usually pretty straightforward once you have the letter in hand. Hang in there - I know waiting for your refund money is incredibly stressful, especially when you need it!
I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Filed on 1/22 and have been stuck on "still being processed" for over a month. After reading this thread, I checked my IRS online account and sure enough - there was an identity verification notification that I completely missed. The timing is so frustrating because I need my refund to pay for some unexpected medical bills. I tried calling the verification hotline yesterday but couldn't get through after 2 hours of waiting. Going to try again today with the tips from this thread. Has anyone had success using the callback feature on the IRS phone system, or do you really have to just sit on hold? And for those who successfully verified over the phone - did they ask for any documentation besides what's normally on your tax return? Thanks for sharing your experiences everyone. At least now I know this is a common issue and not just me having terrible luck with the IRS!
I'm new here but wanted to share what worked for me! I was in the exact same situation last year. The callback feature is hit or miss - sometimes it works, sometimes you just get disconnected. What finally worked was calling right when they opened (7 AM local time) on a Tuesday. Way shorter wait times in the morning. For documentation, they asked me standard stuff - SSN, DOB, filing status, AGI from last year's return, and a few questions about my current return (like total income and refund amount). They also asked about any loans or mortgages I might have, which was weird but I guess it's part of their verification process. Hope this helps and you get through soon! Medical bills are stressful enough without tax delays making it worse.
This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with the same issue - filed 1/29 and been stuck on "still being processed" for weeks. After reading everyone's experiences, I checked my IRS online account and found the identity verification notification hiding there. What's interesting is that I filed the exact same way I have for the past 5 years (same tax software, same bank account for direct deposit, same employer) but this year I got flagged. Makes me wonder if the IRS really did tighten their fraud detection algorithms significantly for this tax season. I'm going to try calling the verification hotline tomorrow morning right when they open, armed with all the tips from this thread. It's reassuring to know that most people who successfully verify over the phone get their refunds processed within 1-2 weeks afterward. One question for those who've been through this - did any of you have to provide additional documentation beyond what was already on your tax return? Like bank statements or employment verification? Trying to gather everything I might need before I call. Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences and timelines. This community is a lifesaver during tax season stress!
Welcome to the identity verification club that nobody wants to join! I'm dealing with the same frustrating situation - filed early February and just discovered the verification notification buried in my IRS account after reading this thread. From what I've gathered here, most people didn't need additional documentation beyond their tax return info and previous year's AGI. The questions seem pretty standard - personal details, income amounts, filing status, etc. A few people mentioned they asked about loans/mortgages, but nothing requiring extra paperwork. Good luck with your call tomorrow! I'm planning to try the early morning strategy too. Fingers crossed we both get through quickly and can put this headache behind us soon.
Do any Freshbooks users here use TurboTax? I'm in the same boat (no 1099) and wondering if there's a specific way to enter this in TurboTax that won't trigger red flags.
I'm dealing with a similar situation but with QuickBooks Online instead of Freshbooks. I process payments through Square and received over $15k in 2022, but no 1099-K from Square either. After reading this thread, I checked and confirmed I was under the 200 transaction threshold even though I exceeded $20k. What's really helpful here is seeing that multiple people have successfully filed without the official forms by using their own detailed records. I've been stressing about this for weeks thinking I was missing something crucial for my filing. One thing I'd add - if anyone is using multiple payment processors (I have both Square and Venmo Business), make sure to check each one separately for their thresholds and documentation. I almost missed tracking some Venmo payments because I assumed they'd be included with Square. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions - this thread has been incredibly helpful!
Rachel Tao
Maybe I'm missing something, but couldn't you just order food delivery or pickup as a gift for a friend or family member who lives in the area? You'd have a legitimate receipt for food purchased within the timeframe, and someone would actually get to enjoy the meal. Seems like an easy solution that doesn't involve any ethical or legal questions.
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Derek Olson
ā¢This is actually a really good suggestion. I did something similar when I couldn't use my wellness benefit before the deadline - bought a gift certificate for my sister. As long as the purchase is legitimately made and falls within the policy guidelines, most companies won't have an issue with who actually consumes the food.
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Jade Lopez
I understand the frustration of potentially losing a benefit due to timing, but please don't create fake receipts - that's fraud regardless of your intentions to spend the money later. The IRS and your company's auditors can detect fraudulent documentation more easily than you might think, and the consequences (termination, legal issues, tax penalties) far outweigh losing $350. Instead, consider these legitimate alternatives: 1) Ask HR/finance for a deadline extension due to remote work circumstances, 2) Purchase gift cards from restaurants you'll visit later (if your policy allows), 3) Order food delivery for family/friends in your area, or 4) Buy meal prep services or grocery delivery that you can use when you return. Many companies are flexible when employees proactively communicate rather than trying to work around the system. The key is transparency - explain your situation to your manager or finance team. They'd much rather help you find a compliant solution than deal with the headache of fraudulent expense reports later.
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