This is so confusing! So if my client pays me through PayPal, and it's over $600, would I get both a 1099-NEC from the client AND a 1099-K from PayPal for the same money? How do I avoid reporting the same income twice?

Good question! It depends on how sophisticated your client is with tax reporting. Technically, if they pay you through PayPal, the payment processor (PayPal) should issue the 1099-K, and the client should not issue a 1099-NEC for those same payments. However, many clients don't understand this distinction and might issue a 1099-NEC anyway. If you receive both for the same income, you should still only report the income once on your tax return. Keep detailed records showing they're duplicate reports of the same earnings. You can include a note with your tax return explaining the situation. The important thing is that your reported income matches your bank deposits to avoid audit flags.

What about mileage? I do food delivery and got a 1099-K from the app. Can I deduct all the miles I drive while working?

Thank you for mentioning this! I just checked my 1099-B and I think this might be part of my problem. The cost basis seems lower than what I remember the shares being worth when they vested. How exactly do I use this Form 8949 to make the adjustment?

You'll need to complete Form 8949 with your tax return. In column (a), enter the description of the property (your company stock). In columns (b) through (g), enter the information from your 1099-B. Then in column (g), enter the correct amount of gain or loss using your actual cost basis (the FMV on vesting date). In column (f), check box B to indicate you're reporting a basis different from what was reported to the IRS. You'll also need to attach an explanation statement to your return that explains why you're adjusting the basis - something like "Adjusting cost basis to fair market value at RSU vesting date, which was included as income on my W-2.

Great point! I mixed up my RSUs and ESPP shares last year and almost reported everything wrong. ESPP shares are WAY more complicated tax-wise because of the discount and lookback provisions. What helped me was downloading a detailed transaction history from my company's stock administrator (like E*TRADE, Fidelity, Morgan Stanley, etc.) and looking at the transaction types. RSUs will show as "RSU Release" or similar when they vest, while ESPP purchases will show as "ESPP Purchase.

How does the privacy actually help though? Don't you still have to disclose ownership to the IRS and on bank account applications?

You're right that privacy doesn't extend to the IRS or banks - those disclosures are mandatory for tax compliance and anti-money laundering regulations. The privacy benefit is more about public records. In Wyoming, your name doesn't appear in the publicly searchable business registry, while Delaware requires more disclosure in their public filings. This can be important if you're concerned about competitors easily connecting you to your business, or if you have privacy concerns about having your name publicly linked to your business activities. Some of my clients prefer not knowing my other business relationships, and Wyoming's privacy helps maintain those boundaries.

Yes, you absolutely must file Form 5472 if you're a foreign-owned single-member LLC, regardless of which state you're in or your tax election status. This requirement was added in 2017 and it's a big deal - the penalty for not filing is $25,000! Even if your LLC is a "disregarded entity" for tax purposes, it's treated as a corporation SOLELY for the purpose of Form 5472 filing requirements. This catches a lot of foreign owners by surprise.

I'm confused about the home office deduction. I've been working fully remote since 2021 but my employer doesn't require it. Can I still claim my spare bedroom that I use as an office?

Unfortunately, if you're a W-2 employee (even if fully remote), the home office deduction typically isn't available to you anymore. This was suspended by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act through 2025 for employees. The home office deduction is generally only available if you're self-employed or an independent contractor. If you have a side gig that you run from home in addition to your regular job, you might be able to claim the deduction for that portion of your work, but not for your primary employment.

That's probably for the landlord to complete, not you as the tenant. Some cities in California have rental registry programs where landlords have to register their rental properties and provide information about rent amounts, but those aren't tax forms for renters.

Good point about the state return! If I amend my federal return for this 1099 income, do I need to wait until the IRS processes that amendment before filing the state amendment? Or should I do both at the same time?

You should check your specific state's requirements as they vary. Most states want you to wait until the federal amendment is completed and accepted by the IRS before filing a state amendment. This is because they'll want you to include a copy of your federal acceptance letter or transcript showing the changes. Some states have a specific timeframe (like 60 or 90 days) after your federal amendment is finalized to submit your state amendment. Missing this deadline can result in penalties, so definitely check your state tax agency's website for their specific process.

It depends on who controlled the work. If the family directed exactly how and when care was provided, it might be household employment. If OP was more independent in providing care on their own terms, it's likely self-employment. The distinction matters because household employees don't pay self-employment tax, but employers should pay their share of FICA taxes.