I've torn apart every folder on both our laptops looking for it! I'm usually super organized but between the move and my wife's laptop dying (we recovered the files but they're a mess), I can't find the tax folder anywhere. Checked my email too for any confirmation from H&R Block but nothing with the actual return attached. Should have printed it...lesson learned for sure.

That's rough, moving definitely creates chaos with important documents. For future reference, I started using a digital storage system where I immediately upload tax documents to a secure cloud folder as soon as I receive them. For your current problem, if you used H&R Block online last year, try calling their customer service. Sometimes they can help you access previous returns even if you don't have your login info. Worth a shot before going the IRS route which will take longer.

The verification is the problem for many people. It often requires a credit card, loan account, or mobile phone that matches exactly what's in their system. I couldn't get in because my phone is on my partner's family plan, not in my name. Super frustrating!

Thanks for this suggestion. I double-checked and I'm pretty sure I entered everything identically, but I might have missed something. Is there a specific expense category that tends to cause this kind of calculation difference? I'm going to go through line by line again to make sure.

The most common categories that can cause differences are home office deductions and vehicle expenses. Some programs calculate these differently based on how you enter the information. Also check if you're using actual expenses versus standard mileage rate for vehicle costs in both programs the same way. Another thing to look at is retirement plan contributions. If you have a SEP IRA or Solo 401(k), the way these are entered can affect your SE tax calculations differently across programs.

Is there actually an official IRS position on which order to do these calculations? I always thought the tax code was super specific about calculation order.

Thank you for mentioning this! I wasn't aware that the collection statute gets suspended during OIC consideration. Do you know if the CNC status means they can still put liens on her property? She doesn't own a house, but does have a car that's paid off. And approximately how long does the OIC process usually take from start to finish?

Yes, the IRS can (and often does) file tax liens even when you're in CNC status. The lien protects their interest in your assets even though they're not actively collecting. For a car, they typically won't seize it if it's of modest value and needed for work/medical appointments, but the lien would come into play if she tried to sell it. The OIC process typically takes 6-9 months from submission to decision, sometimes longer if there are complications or if the IRS requests additional information. During this entire time, the collection statute is paused. If the offer is rejected and you appeal, that extends the timeline and suspension even further. This is why it's important to weigh whether an OIC makes sense versus waiting out the collection statute in CNC status, especially if your sister-in-law has limited income or assets that would make collection unlikely anyway.

Did you do the OIC yourself or hire someone? And did you end up having to give up the Netflix? I'm just curious how detailed they get...seems super invasive. Good to know about the payment thing tho.

I do occasional work from home (maybe 1-2 days a month when projects need extra attention). Would that be enough to qualify my home as a "principal place of business"? And if it did qualify, would the deduction be worth the risk of triggering an audit?

Working from home only 1-2 days a month likely wouldn't be enough to qualify your home as a "principal place of business." For this approach to work, your home office would need to be: 1) Used exclusively and regularly for business (a dedicated space), and 2) The primary place where you conduct your business activities, or where you conduct administrative/management activities if you have no other fixed location for those tasks. Regarding audit risk, it's not worth claiming something questionable. The IRS has been increasing scrutiny on home office and travel deductions, especially when the amounts are substantial. Instead, focus on maximizing other legitimate deductions like retirement contributions, health savings accounts, or educational expenses if applicable to your situation.

This is the actual answer. Tax deductions for commuting rarely work out, but employer programs can save you thousands. My company gives us pre-tax transit cards that save me about 30% on subway costs. Ask your HR department!

So true! My 1099-K was about $4,200 higher than my actual product sales because it included both sales tax AND shipping charges. I almost missed this until my tax preparer caught it.

Does anyone know if fees the platform charges get included in the 1099-K? Like if Etsy charges me a 5% transaction fee, is that getting subtracted before the 1099-K amount or do I need to deduct those fees separately too?