This thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I'm a tax preparer and see this confusion ALL the time - clients think filing state dissolution paperwork automatically closes everything, but the IRS has no idea unless you specifically tell them. Just to add one more important point that I didn't see mentioned: if your LLC ever made an S-Corp election (Form 2553), you'll need to file Form 1120S as your final return instead of Schedule C, even as a single-member LLC. This catches a lot of people off guard because they assume single-member always means Schedule C. Also, for anyone reading this who operates in multiple states, remember that you might need to file final returns in each state where you were registered to do business, not just your home state. Each state has its own requirements for business closure notifications. The IRS Business line mentioned throughout this thread (800-829-4933) is definitely your best bet for getting clear guidance on your specific situation. They can tell you exactly which forms you need based on your LLC's tax elections and filing history. Don't try to guess - it's worth the time on hold to get definitive answers directly from the source!

I've been helping small business owners with LLC closures for years, and your situation is extremely common - probably 80% of people think filing state dissolution papers closes everything with the IRS too. It doesn't! That IRS letter is definitely their way of saying "we still think you're active" even though Nevada shows you as dissolved. Here's your action plan: 1. **Call 800-829-4933 (IRS Business line) ASAP** - They'll confirm if you have an EIN and your current federal status. This is the most important step. 2. **File a final tax return** - Even with $0 income, you'll need to file whatever applies to your LLC structure (likely Schedule C if single-member) and check the "final return" box. This officially tells the IRS to stop expecting future filings. 3. **Send written closure notice** - Mail a letter to your normal IRS filing address stating you ceased operations in December 2023. Include business name, EIN, and dissolution date. The key thing to understand: State and federal are completely separate systems. Your Nevada filing only handled the state side - the IRS has no clue unless you specifically notify them. Get this handled now and you'll avoid years of penalty notices. I've seen people get IRS letters for 3+ years after state dissolution because they never closed federally!

I'm actually dealing with a similar situation right now! Just wanted to add that if you do decide to go ahead with the second job, make sure to keep really good records of all your expenses related to it - things like gas for commuting, work clothes if the retail job requires specific uniforms, etc. These can sometimes be deductible and help offset some of the additional tax burden. Also, since you mentioned credit card debt from your wedding, you might want to look into whether any of the interest is deductible (probably not for personal credit cards, but worth checking). The extra income from the second job could also help you qualify for better debt consolidation rates if that's something you're considering. One last thing - retail jobs during tax season (which you'd be starting soon) can sometimes lead to opportunities to learn about tax prep services, which could be another potential income stream down the road if you find you're good with numbers. Just a thought! Good luck with whatever you decide.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the timing aspect of starting your second job. Since we're already into 2025, you'll want to be extra careful about your withholding calculations because you'll have fewer pay periods to spread the additional tax burden across. I'd strongly recommend using the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator (irs.gov/W4App) rather than just the paper worksheet, since it can account for the partial year of second job income. When you input your information, make sure to include what you've already earned and had withheld so far this year from your main job. Also, consider this: at $58k + potential $12k from the retail job, you're looking at about $70k total income. That keeps you comfortably in the 22% bracket for 2025 (which doesn't kick in until around $47k for single filers). The real benefit is that extra $1000/month could knock out your credit card debt much faster, saving you tons in interest charges that far outweigh any additional tax burden. One practical tip: ask your retail employer about their payroll schedule. If they pay weekly while your main job pays bi-weekly, it might actually help smooth out your cash flow for debt payments!

I'm really sorry for your loss, Lucy. Navigating tax forms during such a difficult time is overwhelming, but you're asking exactly the right questions. As a beneficiary, the W-4P form is entirely about YOUR current tax situation, not your father's. Since you mentioned having a full-time job, you should definitely check the box in Step 2 - this tells the pension administrator to use higher withholding rates that account for your multiple income sources. For Step 4(c), you have a few options: leave it blank, put 0, or add a specific dollar amount for extra withholding. Given that you'll have both job income and pension income, I'd recommend adding something like $50-100 per payment as a buffer. It's much better to get a small refund than to owe a large amount at tax time. Also consider that the additional pension income might push you into a higher tax bracket, so you may want to review your regular W-4 at work as well. You could increase withholding there too or change your filing status to "Single" rates if you're married to have more taken out. The pension administrator should also have specialists who can help with beneficiary questions - don't hesitate to call them directly for guidance specific to your situation.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Lucy. I went through this exact same situation when my mother passed away last year and I became the beneficiary of her teacher's pension. The confusion you're feeling is completely normal - there's surprisingly little clear guidance out there for beneficiaries. You're absolutely on the right track with your questions. Since you're now the beneficiary, everything on the W-4P relates to YOUR tax situation, not your father's. For Step 2, since you mentioned having a full-time job, you should definitely check that box. This tells them to withhold at higher rates to account for your multiple income sources. For Step 4(c), I'd recommend putting something in there rather than leaving it blank or putting zero. In my case, I put $60 per payment as extra withholding, and it saved me from owing taxes. The pension income combined with my regular job pushed me into a higher bracket, so that extra buffer was crucial. One practical tip that helped me: call your pension administrator and specifically ask to speak with someone who handles beneficiary cases. They usually have specialists who deal with these situations and can walk you through the form line by line. It's worth the wait time to get it right the first time. You've got this - just take it one step at a time!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! As someone who just started a new job and is staring at a blank W4 form, I was completely lost on the dependent section. What really clicked for me from reading all these responses is that the W4 is basically your prediction of what your taxes will look like, not a guarantee. I have one 8-year-old daughter who lives with me full-time, so I should be eligible for the full $2,000 child tax credit. Based on what everyone's saying, I should claim her on Step 3 of my W4 so less tax is withheld from my paychecks throughout the year. I'm definitely going to be conservative though - better to get a small refund than owe money! And it's reassuring to know I can adjust my W4 later in the year if I realize my withholding is off track. One question: should I also be thinking about the $1,400 additional child tax credit portion, or does the W4 only account for the base $2,000? I want to make sure I'm not under-withholding if there are multiple credits I should be factoring in. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this is way more helpful than trying to decipher the IRS instructions!

Just wanted to share my experience as someone who went through this exact confusion last year! I was so overwhelmed by the W4 that I just filled it out wrong and ended up with a $4,200 refund - which sounds great but really meant I was missing out on about $350 extra per month in my paychecks. What helped me finally understand it: think of the dependent section as telling your employer "I expect to owe $2,000 less in taxes because of my kid, so please withhold $2,000 less from my paychecks over the course of the year." Your employer then spreads that $2,000 reduction across all your paychecks. The key thing that tripped me up initially is that claiming your dependent on the W4 doesn't automatically get you the credit - you still have to actually claim your child when you file your tax return and meet all the eligibility requirements. The W4 is just adjusting your withholding based on the assumption that you will qualify. For your goal of seeing more money in your weekly checks, definitely claim your dependent in Step 3 if you're confident you'll qualify for the child tax credit when you file. Just make sure your child actually lives with you more than half the year and meets the other requirements. Better to be certain than to end up owing money later!

Great question! I'm a retired corrections officer who went through this exact situation two years ago. The good news is that you can absolutely continue taking the PSO health insurance deduction after enrolling in Medicare at 65. The key is understanding that Medicare doesn't eliminate your need for supplemental coverage - it actually creates new premium opportunities that qualify for the deduction. I now use my $3,000 annual limit for my Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy, Part D prescription coverage, and dental insurance, all paid directly from my pension. One thing I learned the hard way: make sure to coordinate with your pension administrator BEFORE you turn 65. They need time to set up the direct payment arrangements with your new Medicare supplement providers. I almost missed a month of coverage because I didn't give them enough advance notice. Also, keep excellent records of all your premium payments and correspondence with your pension office. The IRS may ask for documentation showing the direct payment structure, especially if you're audited. I've never had issues, but it's better to be prepared. The deduction has saved me thousands in taxes over the years, and Medicare enrollment didn't change that at all. Just make sure those premiums keep flowing directly from pension to providers!

As someone who's been navigating retirement benefits for the past few years, I can confirm what others have said about the PSO deduction continuing after Medicare enrollment. The SECURE 2.0 Act provisions are pretty clear on this - Medicare eligibility doesn't disqualify you from the deduction. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned much: consider looking into Health Savings Account (HSA) coordination if you have one. While you can't contribute to an HSA after enrolling in Medicare, you can still use existing HSA funds for qualified medical expenses. The PSO deduction covers your premiums, and HSA funds can cover deductibles, copays, and other out-of-pocket costs. Also, start shopping for Medicare supplement plans now, even though you're still a few years out. Prices and coverage options vary significantly between providers, and having a good understanding of what's available will help you make better decisions when the time comes. Some plans work better with pension direct-payment systems than others. The peace of mind from having this deduction continue through retirement is huge. It's one less financial worry during what can already be a stressful transition period.