Does anyone know if the "lookback rule" applies here? I think there's some rule where you can make IRA contributions for the previous year up until the tax filing deadline, but I'm not sure if it affects how you report it on an amended return.

I went through this exact same situation two years ago and totally understand the panic! The good news is that filing an amended return for a missed IRA contribution is really straightforward and won't cause any issues with the IRS. Since you made the contribution before the April deadline for 2023, you're absolutely entitled to claim it. The IRS actually prefers when people voluntarily correct their returns - it shows good faith compliance. A few things that might help ease your anxiety: - This is considered a "taxpayer favorable" amendment since you're likely reducing your taxable income - The IRS processes thousands of these amendments every year for the same reason - You have up to 3 years to file an amended return, so there's no rush or penalty For TurboTax, just log into your account and look for "Amend a Return" - the software will walk you through it step by step. The whole process took me maybe 30 minutes once I had my IRA contribution documentation ready. You'll likely get an additional refund if the contribution was deductible, which is a nice bonus for doing the right thing!

Another approach: if you've already paid enough in Q1 to cover 25% of last year's tax liability, you might already be meeting the safe harbor for Q2 even without an additional payment. The safe harbor rule states you won't face a penalty if you pay at least 100% of last year's tax (or 110% if your AGI was over $150k) in equal quarterly installments.

Fyi for anyone confused about when freelancers actually "receive" income - it's when the money is available to you, not when you invoice or do the work. I learned this the hard way! If client pays you July 2, that's Q3 income even if the work was done in April/May.

The community wisdom on verification timelines is that 14-28 days is the typical range for direct deposit after successful verification! I'm SO EXCITED to report that the IRS seems to be processing faster this year compared to the disaster that was 2023. Most people in this sub are reporting closer to the 14-21 day range recently. Make sure you're checking both WMR and your transcripts - sometimes one updates before the other!

I completed my ID verification call on March 28th and I'm also waiting for direct deposit. The agent was really thorough - asked about previous addresses, prior year AGI, and some personal details from credit reports. She mentioned the same 4-week timeframe you got. From what I've gathered reading through forums, the key things that seem to affect timeline are: 1) which processing center handles your return, 2) whether you claimed certain credits like EITC or CTC, and 3) if there are any other flags on your account. I've been checking my transcript weekly and haven't seen any movement yet, but based on what others are sharing here, it sounds like most updates happen suddenly rather than gradually. Really hoping we both see movement soon - medical expenses definitely can't wait for bureaucratic delays!

Would salon capes and towels fall under De Minimis or regular supplies? Each towel is like $8 but I buy them in bulk orders of $200-300. And what about things like a new salon software subscription? FYI I also use freetaxusa and its been so confusing trying to categorize everything correctly!

Great thread! As someone who's been doing taxes for small businesses for over 10 years, I wanted to add a few clarifications that might help Carmen and others in similar situations. First, you're absolutely right that consumable salon supplies (shampoo, hair color, etc.) are regular business expenses and don't need the De Minimis election. However, I've seen many salon owners miss deductions by not properly categorizing mixed-use items. Here's a practical tip for FreeTaxUSA users: Instead of trying to fit everything into "Other Expenses," use the main expense categories first. Put your consumable supplies under "Supplies," equipment repairs under "Repairs and Maintenance," and software subscriptions under "Office Expenses." Only use "Other Expenses" for truly unique items that don't fit elsewhere. Also, for record-keeping, I always recommend my salon clients take photos of their major supply deliveries and keep a simple monthly log of what they purchased. It doesn't need to be fancy - just enough detail that you can defend your deductions if questioned. The IRS loves to see organized, consistent record-keeping, especially for cash-heavy businesses like salons.

I think I'm the only one who puts these under "Utilities" on my Schedule C! My reasoning is that internet-based services are similar to other utilities like phone and internet service. My CPA hasn't flagged it as an issue for 3 years now. The category matters less than making sure you're only deducting the business portion and have documentation to back it up. Either "Office Expenses" or "Utilities" is fine - the IRS cares more about whether they're legitimate business expenses.

Great question! I've been dealing with this same issue as a freelance consultant. Based on my experience and research, these digital subscriptions typically fall under "Office Expenses" on Schedule C, Line 18. Here's how I categorize similar subscriptions: - Gmail premium storage: Office Expenses (it's a business communication tool) - Dropbox: Office Expenses (file storage/sharing for business) - LinkedIn Premium: Office Expenses (networking and client acquisition tool) The key is documenting your business use percentage. I keep a simple log for a few months each year to establish patterns. For example, if you use Gmail 70% for business emails, you can only deduct 70% of the cost. Some tax preparers might put these under "Utilities" or "Other Expenses" instead, but the IRS generally accepts any reasonable categorization as long as they're legitimate business expenses and you're only deducting the business portion. Keep all your subscription receipts and document how you calculated the business use percentage - this will be important if you're ever audited.