This has been an absolutely incredible thread to follow! As someone who's been preparing taxes for several years, I thought I knew all the tricks for credential management, but you all have opened my eyes to so many resources I never considered. I wanted to share one more angle that just occurred to me while reading through all these suggestions: if you've ever had to complete any IRS compliance reviews or participated in the Return Preparer Review Program, those documents would definitely have your PTIN. The IRS sometimes selects preparers for quality reviews, and all the correspondence and documentation from those processes would include your PTIN. Also, for anyone who's ever applied for or holds an IRS Annual Filing Season Program certificate, your PTIN would be tied to that credential as well. The AFSP program requires active PTIN status, so if you've participated in that program, the IRS definitely has your information linked together. What really impresses me about this discussion is how it shows the interconnected nature of all our professional credentials and systems. It's a great reminder that we should probably maintain a master document with all this information - not just the PTIN itself, but everywhere we've used it over the years. Thanks to everyone for turning what started as a frustrating credential recovery question into such a comprehensive resource guide. This thread should honestly be pinned as a reference for anyone dealing with similar issues!

Absolutely recommend creating a credential tracking system from day one! I learned this lesson the hard way after going through my own PTIN recovery nightmare a few years back. Here's what I wish I had done from the beginning: Create a secure password-protected document (I use a encrypted PDF) with sections for each credential - PTIN, state registrations, professional memberships, etc. For each one, I now record not just the number and expiration date, but also WHERE I've used it - which software platforms, insurance applications, professional organizations, etc. For security, I store this master document in an encrypted cloud service with two-factor authentication, plus keep a backup on an encrypted USB drive in my office safe. Never store it in regular email or unprotected cloud storage since it contains sensitive professional information. Also make it a habit to note in this document whenever you provide your PTIN somewhere new - whether it's signing up for new tax software, joining a professional group, or submitting it for CE credit. Takes 30 seconds but could save you hours later if you ever need to track it down. This thread has been such a great reminder of why systematic record-keeping matters. The collective wisdom here about all the places our credentials end up scattered is incredible - definitely worth implementing some of these tracking strategies proactively rather than reactively!

Make sure u update ur W-4 after the baby is born!! I made the mistake of not doing this and was getting way less in my paychecks than I should have. The IRS has an option specifically for reporting a new baby/dependent.

Yes, you can absolutely get back more than you paid in taxes! This is totally normal and legal through refundable tax credits. The big ones for your situation are the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit. With your income around $15,000 and a baby coming, you'll likely qualify for a substantial EITC - potentially around $3,995 for one child. Plus up to $1,600 from the refundable portion of the Child Tax Credit. Since your baby will be born by December 31st, you can claim them for the entire 2024 tax year. These credits were specifically designed to help working families with lower to moderate incomes, so getting back $9,000 when you only paid in $2,700 is exactly how the system is supposed to work. The IRS calculator is accurate - you're not seeing a glitch, you're seeing the safety net in action! Just make sure to keep all your documentation and file accurately. Congratulations on your upcoming arrival!

I'm new to this community but this entire discussion has been absolutely invaluable! As someone who was completely clueless about how tax advance products work, reading through everyone's real experiences has been such a learning experience. The original poster's situation really highlights how these seemingly simple loans can create such complicated problems later. What really stands out to me is how the marketing makes these advances sound so straightforward and convenient, but then there are all these hidden obligations and fees that aren't obvious upfront. Seeing the actual numbers people shared - $175 in fees for a $500 advance, various "technology fees," expensive prep costs - really puts it in perspective. You're essentially paying a premium to get your own money just a few weeks earlier, and then you're locked into using that company's services. I was actually considering getting a refund advance this year since money's a bit tight, but after reading all this, I'm definitely going to file early instead and just wait for the regular refund. The peace of mind and savings seem totally worth a few extra weeks of patience. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences so openly - you're helping newcomers like me avoid some really expensive mistakes!

I'm completely new to this community but this thread has been such an education! I was actually looking into getting one of those holiday loans next December, but after reading everyone's experiences here, I'm definitely reconsidering. What really surprised me is how these advance products aren't just simple loans - they come with all these service commitments and restrictions that the companies don't really emphasize when they're trying to sell them to you. The original poster's situation is a perfect example of how what seems like a straightforward financial product can create unexpected complications. The fee breakdowns people have shared are honestly eye-opening. When you break it down to the actual cost of getting your money a few weeks early, it really doesn't seem worth it. I think I'll take everyone's advice about filing early and just being patient for the regular refund instead. Thanks to everyone for sharing their real experiences - it's incredibly helpful for newcomers like me who are still learning how all these tax products actually work!

I went through this exact same situation two years ago with similar income levels. We ended up doing the religious ceremony without the legal marriage and have successfully filed as single for two tax seasons now. A few practical tips from our experience: 1. Keep excellent documentation of your decision - we have a written record of why we chose not to get a marriage license, which our tax attorney said was smart in case of questions later. 2. Be very careful about beneficiary designations on retirement accounts. We learned that some 401(k) plans require spousal consent for non-spouse beneficiaries, but since we're not legally married, this doesn't apply. However, we had to be explicit with HR that we're unmarried to avoid confusion. 3. Consider the timing if you ever do decide to legally marry later. Getting married on January 1st vs December 31st can make a huge difference in your tax liability for that year. 4. We found that having separate tax preparers actually helped - it avoids any appearance that we're coordinating our returns inappropriately, even though we're doing nothing wrong. The religious ceremony was beautiful and meaningful to us, and we've saved over $15,000 in taxes over two years. For our situation, it was absolutely the right choice.

This is such a fascinating discussion that really highlights the complexities of our tax system. I'm in a similar situation with my partner - we're both high earners and the marriage penalty would cost us significantly. One aspect I haven't seen mentioned yet is how this might affect state taxes too. Some states have different rules or penalties that could either amplify or offset the federal marriage penalty. For example, some states don't have income tax at all, while others have their own marriage penalties or bonuses. Also, has anyone considered the psychological/social aspects of this decision? I worry about constantly having to explain to family, friends, and colleagues why we had a ceremony but aren't "really" married. It seems like it could create awkward situations, especially in professional settings where marital status sometimes comes up (like for benefits enrollment or company events). I'm really torn because the financial logic is clear, but I wonder if the social complexity and potential long-term legal complications outweigh the tax savings. Reading everyone's experiences here is incredibly valuable though - it's not a decision you can make lightly with these income levels where every choice has significant financial implications.

Just a heads-up for anyone applying for a trust EIN - make sure you're clear about what type of trust you have before starting the application. I messed up and had to call to get it fixed. Estate trusts, living trusts, and testamentary trusts are all handled differently. Double check your paperwork first!!

Thanks everyone for all the helpful responses! I ended up going with the online application route after reading through all your advice. @Sophia Gabriel your direct link was exactly what I needed - I had been getting lost in the general IRS website maze. I made sure to gather all my trust documents beforehand and set aside a solid 30 minutes without interruptions. The 15-minute timeout is real, so definitely don't start unless you're ready to finish! For anyone else doing this, the key info you'll need ready is: trust name, date the trust was established, trustee's full name and SSN, and the trust's address. Got my EIN instantly once I submitted the application. The whole process took about 10 minutes once I actually found the right page. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences - it made this so much less stressful!