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Have you checked your tax transcript on the IRS website? Go to irs.gov and search for "get transcript online." You'll need to create an account if you don't have one. The transcript will show codes that tell you exactly where your return is in processing. Look for code 846 which means "refund issued" - that's what you want to see!
Has your state refund come through yet? Sometimes state refunds process faster than federal. Also, did you file electronically or by mail? Paper returns are taking 6-8 weeks minimum this year from what I've heard.
I filed electronically for both federal and state. My state refund (about $430) actually came through about a week ago, which makes the federal delay even more annoying! I don't understand why the state can process it so quickly but the federal is taking forever.
Just want to add something important about record keeping. Even if you don't need to file anything for your child because they're under the $1300 threshold, you should still keep track of the cost basis for all investments in the custodial account. I learned this the hard way when my son turned 18 and we transferred his custodial account to his own name. We had years of small dividend reinvestments that we never reported (correctly, since they were under the threshold), but we still needed the cost basis history for when he eventually sells those investments. Keeping good records from the beginning saves a ton of headache later!
That's a great point I hadn't considered! So even though I don't need to file taxes for these small amounts now, I should be keeping detailed records of all transactions for future basis calculations? Does your brokerage help with this or do you need to track it separately?
Most brokerages now track cost basis for acquisitions after 2011, so you'll have records available in their systems. However, I still recommend keeping your own spreadsheet or file with annual statements. This is especially important for dividend reinvestments which create tiny new tax lots every time they occur. While the brokerage tracks these, having your own backup documentation is valuable. Also, if you ever switch brokerages or when the account eventually transfers to your child, having your own complete history makes everything much smoother. Think of it as an insurance policy against future tax headaches!
Be careful about state taxes too! The federal kiddie tax threshold is $1300, but some states have different rules. I'm in New Jersey and learned that they have a much lower threshold for filing a tax return for dependents with unearned income. My son only had about $900 in dividends and capital gain distributions last year, so I didn't file a federal return as it was under the $1300 threshold. Later found out NJ required filing for anything over $500! Had to scramble to file a state-only return for him.
Wow, I hadn't even thought about state taxes being different! I'm in Illinois - does anyone know what the threshold is here for custodial accounts and kiddie tax?
I don't know Illinois specifically, but many states either follow the federal guidelines or have their own thresholds. Your best bet is to check the Illinois Department of Revenue website or call them directly. Another option is to look at your tax software if you use any - most good tax software will alert you to state-specific filing requirements for dependents when you input their information. That's actually how I discovered the NJ requirement after initially missing it. Don't assume state and federal rules align, as that was the mistake I made!
Another thing to look for on your pay stub is the difference between gross pay and net pay. The gross amount is what's earned before any taxes or deductions, and the net is what actually gets deposited in your bank account. Both will have YTD totals too. It's helpful to compare these numbers when planning for taxes, especially if you're trying to estimate what your refund might be. If your withholdings seem too high or too low compared to previous years, you might want to submit a new W-4 to adjust them.
Thanks for mentioning this! I notice there's also a section for "Fed MWT" with its own YTD column. I'm guessing that's federal withholding, right? Is that something we should be paying close attention to?
Yes, "Fed MWT" stands for Federal Mandatory Withholding Tax (sometimes just called federal income tax withholding). This is definitely something you should monitor carefully! This represents the federal income tax being withheld from each paycheck and sent to the IRS on your behalf. The YTD total for this column shows how much has been withheld for federal taxes so far this year. When you file your tax return, this amount will be compared against your actual tax liability to determine if you get a refund or owe additional taxes. If the YTD withholding seems too high or too low based on your expected tax situation, you can adjust it by submitting a new W-4 form to your husband's employer.
Don't forget to check if the pay stub has separate YTD figures for Social Security and Medicare taxes too! These are usually labeled as FICA, SS, or OASDI for Social Security and MED for Medicare. They're calculated at fixed percentages (6.2% for Social Security up to a wage cap, and 1.45% for Medicare on all earnings).
And Social Security has that annual wage base limit too ($160,200 for 2023, will be different for 2025), so once you hit that in the YTD earnings, you should stop seeing Social Security tax taken out of the remaining paychecks for the year. Medicare doesn't have a cap though.
For filing an extension online, I'd recommend using the IRS Free File Fillable Forms. It's completely free and direct from the IRS. Just search "IRS Free File Fillable Forms" and you'll find it. Form 4868 is what you need for the extension. With your situation (new home, multiple income sources), I'd definitely suggest finding a CPA this year. The first year of homeownership creates a lot of new tax opportunities and potential pitfalls. A good CPA will likely save you more than they cost, especially with itemized deductions.
Do you have any tips for finding a good CPA? I've never used one before and have no idea how to tell if someone is good or not.
Ask friends or family for recommendations first - personal referrals are usually the best way to find a reliable CPA. If that doesn't work, look for someone who specializes in individual taxes with real estate experience. Always check their credentials (make sure they're actually a CPA and not just a tax preparer) and ask about their experience with situations like yours. A good CPA will take time to explain things and not just rush you through the process. Many offer free initial consultations, which is a great way to see if they're a good fit before committing.
I filed an extension last year using TurboTax and it was pretty easy. They guided me through estimating what I owed too. Just make sure you do it before the regular tax deadline!
TurboTax charges for extensions though, right? I thought there were free options available.
You're right, TurboTax does charge if you want to e-file the extension through them. I forgot about that! The IRS Free File Fillable Forms mentioned by others is definitely the free way to go if you don't want to pay anything. I just found TurboTax easier since I was already using it for my returns.
Ava Thompson
Don't forget about keeping track of your gambling losses for the year! They can offset your winnings but only if you itemize deductions. Make sure you have documentation for any losses!
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CyberSiren
ā¢This is good advice but I think it matters way less when you win millions lol. Like how much would someone need to lose to make a dent in a $2.7M win? Probably more than most people's annual salary š
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Miguel Alvarez
Just went through this with a smaller jackpot. Whatever you do, SET ASIDE THE TAX MONEY RIGHT AWAY! I didn't and ended up in a world of pain when tax time came around. The 24% withholding is just the start - you'll likely owe more.
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