That's a good point about checking with coworkers. I'm friendly with a couple other people who started around the same time as me. I'll ask them to check their W-2s too. Do you know how I would go about filing a complaint with the Department of Labor if it turns out this happened to others too?

Most state Department of Labor websites have an online complaint form specifically for wage and hour violations, which would include improper withholding issues. Look for sections labeled "wage complaints" or "workplace rights" on your state DOL website. Before filing, gather all your documentation: your original W-4 showing you selected single with zero dependents, several pay stubs showing no federal withholding, your W-2 confirming zero withholding for the year, and any written communication with your employer about the issue. If coworkers had the same experience, ask if they'd be willing to be mentioned in your complaint.

Wait, so employers can just "accidentally" not withhold taxes and face zero consequences? That seems like a system ripe for abuse. Couldn't companies just "forget" to withhold as a way to effectively pay employees more without actually increasing their stated wages?

Do all employers separate these out clearly on the W-2? Mine just has a total number in Box 1 but doesn't break down what's non-taxable anywhere I can see.

Not all employers itemize the non-taxable benefits on the W-2 itself. Many just show the final taxable amount in Box 1 without the detailed breakdown. If your W-2 doesn't show the itemized non-taxable items, you can usually find this information on your final paystub of the year or in your benefits portal. Some employers also provide a separate benefits statement that shows the total value of your compensation package including both taxable and non-taxable components. If you can't find this information, your HR or payroll department should be able to provide a breakdown of what's included in your total compensation versus what appears in Box 1 of your W-2.

That could be pre-tax deductions that aren't itemized separately. Things like FSA contributions, certain work expenses, or union dues sometimes cause small discrepancies. I had a similar issue and found out it was my parking pass being deducted pre-tax but not listed separately.

Thanks for the explanation! That makes sense - I do have a dependent care FSA that's probably causing the difference. Completely forgot about that deduction since it comes out automatically. At least I know nothing's wrong with my W-2 now.

Theres actually an exception for some separated couples! If you qualify as "considered unmarried" you might be able to file as Head of Household which is way better than MFS. You need to: 1) file separate return from your spouse, 2) pay more than half the cost of keeping up your home, 3) have a qualifying dependent living with you for more than half the year, and 4) your spouse didn't live with you during the last 6 months of the tax year.

That's a great point! Head of Household status can save a considerable amount on taxes compared to Married Filing Separately. To clarify the "considered unmarried" rules: you must have paid more than half the cost of keeping up your home for the year, had a qualifying person (usually your child) living with you for more than half the year, and filed a separate return from your spouse. Most importantly, your spouse cannot have lived in your home during the last 6 months of the tax year. If you meet these criteria, definitely look into filing as Head of Household instead of MFS.

You can actually request your own 1095-B or 1095-C directly from the insurance company or your husband's employer. Just call the insurance company's customer service line and explain the situation. They're required to provide you with documentation of your own coverage, even if you were on someone else's plan.

If I get a 1099-C for a debt that was actually paid, not canceled, what's the process for disputing it? Do I still report it?

Yes, you should still report it even if you plan to dispute it. The best approach is to include the 1099-C information on your return, then attach Form 8275 (Disclosure Statement) explaining why you believe the debt wasn't actually cancelled. The key is to immediately contact the issuer in writing requesting a corrected form. Keep detailed documentation of all communications. If they agree it was an error, they should issue a corrected 1099-C showing zero cancellation amount. Once you receive that, you can file an amended return if needed. This approach shows good faith compliance while you're resolving the dispute.

Wow, that's wild! Did they send corrected forms or just tell people to ignore them? Seems like the IRS would still have the incorrect info.

Does anyone know if the threshold is per platform? Like if I made $3,000 on Etsy and $3,000 on PayPal, is that still under the $5,000 threshold since they're separate platforms?

Yes, the threshold applies separately to each payment processor. So if you made $3,000 on Etsy and $3,000 on PayPal, neither would be required to issue a 1099-K because neither one individually crossed the $5,000 threshold. However, you still need to report the total $6,000 as income on your tax return. This is one of those situations where the reporting requirements for the companies don't align perfectly with your tax obligations. You're always responsible for reporting all your income regardless of whether you receive a tax form for it.

If you're worried about filing and then getting a form later, you could always file an extension. Gives you until October to file your actual return, though you still need to pay any taxes you estimate you owe by April 15.