Thanks for this suggestion. It's been about 7 weeks since the birth and application, so I probably should check on the status. Do you know if there's a way to check online or do I have to call/visit the SS office?

Unfortunately there's no online tracking for first-time SSN applications for newborns. You'll need to contact your local Social Security office directly. I recommend calling first to make an appointment rather than just showing up. When you call, ask specifically for a confirmation letter showing you've applied for your child's SSN - this document itself can sometimes satisfy tax preparers while you wait. The confirmation letter usually includes your child's name and your address, which might even satisfy the residency requirement your tax preparer is asking for. Bring your child's birth certificate when you go in person.

Most tax places are accepting birth certificates + hospital documents this year. Just call different preparers if Jackson Hewitt is being difficult. I switched from them to a local place that was much more helpful with my situation.

I've been considering attending a fitness business summit in Vegas this summer. If I go primarily for the conference but stay an extra day for personal time, can I still deduct most of the travel costs? And what about bringing my girlfriend along?

You can definitely deduct most of your travel costs for the conference. The days you spend at the business event, along with travel days to and from the location, are fully deductible for your expenses (hotel, transportation to/from conference, etc.). For bringing your girlfriend along, you can only deduct what the cost would have been if you traveled alone. So if the hotel room costs the same whether one or two people stay there, you can deduct the full room cost. But you can't deduct her flight, her meals, or any expenses that are specifically for her. And for that extra personal day, you can't deduct lodging or meals for that day - only your business days are deductible.

Is this the same as the pass-through deduction? My tax guy mentioned it last year but I didn't really understand it. Does it apply to single-member LLCs too?

But how do you prove you're "open for business" if your website isn't even live yet? Seems like that would be a red flag.

You don't necessarily need a live website to be "open for business" in the IRS's eyes. What matters is that you've taken concrete steps toward operating as a business with the intent to make a profit. Things like having business cards made, attending networking events to find potential clients, developing product prototypes, contacting vendors, creating marketing materials, or setting up business infrastructure all count as evidence. It's about demonstrating that you're actively working toward operating a business, not just thinking about it. Document everything you're doing toward launching - this creates your paper trail of business intent.

Did ur tax guy mention anything about having to make a profit in 3 out of 5 years? I heard the IRS considers it a hobby if u keep losing money year after year.

Do you know if you can import last year's desktop return into this year's online version? I already bought the online version but I'm worried about the issues everyone's mentioning.

Yes, you can import last year's desktop return into this year's online version, but that's part of the problem. The import works for carrying over basic information, but in my experience, it doesn't always trigger all the right interview questions that you need for your specific situation. I'd recommend starting with the online version since you already purchased it, but be extra vigilant about manually checking for Schedule C and other business-related forms before filing. Review your final return carefully and compare the forms list with what you filed last year to make sure nothing is missing.

Unfortunately there's no direct way to transfer between online and desktop without paying for both. But what you CAN do is print your "tax data" from the online version (not just the PDF of the return, but the actual data file) and then manually input those numbers into the desktop version. It's tedious but cheaper than buying both.

That's a really important point about the deadline - thank you! I'll make sure to get this done well before tax time. Does the custodian typically send some kind of confirmation document that I'll need for my tax return?

Yes, your custodian should provide you with a statement showing the recharacterization. You'll need this for your records, though it's not something you attach to your return. The custodian will also send you a Form 5498 showing the recharacterized contribution to the Traditional IRA, and you'll likely see the reversed Roth contribution on your Form 5498 for the Roth IRA. For your tax return, you'll need to fill out Form 8606 to report the nondeductible Traditional IRA contribution and any conversion you do. Keep all the paperwork from your custodian with your tax records in case of questions later.

How much was the 6% penalty on your contribution? I'm wondering if it might be simpler to just pay it rather than doing all this recharacterization stuff. I'm only slightly over the income limit.