This is really helpful, thanks! Both my jobs are pretty high-paying, so I definitely exceeded the SS limit. One question though - if the IRS fixed the calculation for me, do I need to do anything else, or just accept their correction?

No action is needed on your part. The IRS has already made the correction and adjusted your refund accordingly. When you receive their notice (typically a CP12 notice), it will explain the exact change they made. Keep this notice for your records, but otherwise, you don't need to respond unless you disagree with their calculation. If their adjustment results in a smaller refund than you expected, that's because they determined you claimed too much excess Social Security tax originally.

I switched to TaxSlayer last year and it actually calculated mine correctly. The key is that it specifically asks if any of your employers already refunded excess Social Security taxes to you, which the others don't always do. Might be worth trying next year if this is a recurring issue for you.

Wait, I had no idea about this quarterly payment thing! So for THIS tax year I'm filing now, I just need to pay by the April deadline, but for next year I should be making payments every quarter? Is there a minimum amount you have to owe before this is required?

Yes, for the current tax return you're filing now, you just need to pay your full tax bill by the April deadline. But going forward, you should plan to make quarterly estimated tax payments. The general rule is that you need to make quarterly payments if you expect to owe $1,000 or more in taxes when you file your return. Alternatively, if your withholding and payments cover at least 90% of your current year tax or 100% of your previous year's tax (110% if your income is above $150,000), you won't face penalties. Most self-employed people with significant income end up needing to make these payments to avoid underpayment penalties.

Yes, the IRS offers installment agreements if you can't pay your full tax bill by the deadline. You can apply online through the IRS website if you owe less than $50,000 (combined tax, penalties, and interest). The key is that you MUST file your return by the deadline even if you can't pay. Then apply for the payment plan right away. You'll still pay some penalties and interest, but they're much lower than if you don't file or don't set up a formal payment arrangement. The process is fairly straightforward - the online application takes about 15-20 minutes to complete.

Thanks so much for this info! Do you know if I need to bring additional documentation besides the W2 to prove my address? I'm a little nervous about the DMV rejecting it since it's my first time getting a license.

You should bring at least one additional form of address verification just to be safe. DMV requirements vary by state, but typically a utility bill, bank statement, or lease agreement in your name works well as a secondary proof. For your first license, they'll likely also require your birth certificate or passport for identity verification, along with your Social Security card or a document with your SSN on it (which your W2 satisfies). Check your specific state DMV website for their exact requirements, as they do vary somewhat. Don't be nervous - this is a routine process and they deal with printed W2s all the time!

I printed my Gusto W2 at UPS last year and had zero problems. Just make sure you choose the higher quality printing option if they offer different levels. Mine came out looking super crisp and professional - the DMV didn't even blink when I handed it to them. Cost me like 65 cents for the color copy.

Is there any advantage to filing the Form 4852 instead of just using the late W2? Like would it help document that the employer was late?

There's no real advantage to using Form 4852 when you already have your actual W2. Form 4852 is specifically for situations where you need to file but haven't received your W2 at all. It's basically a substitute document that allows you to file without waiting indefinitely. Using your actual W2, even if it arrived late, will ensure your tax information exactly matches what the employer reported to the IRS, which reduces the chance of discrepancies that might trigger questions later. The IRS already has the information from your employer, so using the actual W2 is always preferable when available. As for documenting that the employer was late, keeping the postmarked envelope is your best evidence of that, regardless of which form you file with.

Did you ever have any issues with that employer after reporting them? I'm worried about potential blowback if I report my former workplace.

Thanks for pointing that out. I wasn't aware of the $250 requirement. None of my individual donations were over $250 (I did about $145 twice a month), so maybe they're not technically required to provide a statement in my case? But I might take your advice about just asking them to email it to have both records. That seems like the path of least resistance.

You're right that the $250 requirement is per individual donation, not the annual total. If all your individual donations were under $250, they're not legally required to provide a statement, though many churches do it as a courtesy for all donors. Email is definitely the easiest option if they continue to contact you. Just a quick "please email it to this address" response should suffice without getting into any explanations about why you're not attending anymore. The Tithe.ly records are still perfectly valid for your taxes either way.

That could potentially be an issue. The IRS wants to know the specific organization that received your donation. If the parent denomination and your local church are separate legal entities with different EINs, you should use the correct one on your tax return. Contact Tithe.ly support about this - they may be able to correct your statement. If not, you might need to get the statement from your church after all, or at least confirm which entity actually received your donations and which EIN to use.