


Ask the community...
As someone new to this community, I'm really grateful to have found such a comprehensive discussion about international creator compliance! This thread has been incredibly educational. I wanted to share a perspective that might be helpful - your cousin's situation actually highlights a common challenge that many young international creators face, and the systematic approach everyone has outlined here could genuinely help others in similar situations. The key points that really stand out to me are: getting the ITIN application started with proper parental involvement, being completely transparent with TikTok about the VPN usage from the beginning (rather than waiting for them to discover it), and making sure to get professional tax advice that covers both US requirements and home country implications for minors. One thing I'd add is that while this process might seem daunting now, your cousin is actually in a great position by addressing this properly at age 16. Learning to navigate complex business and tax requirements early in her creator journey will give her such a solid foundation for long-term success. Many creators try to handle these compliance issues after they've already built significant income streams, which makes everything much more complicated. The waiting period during ITIN processing could also be a blessing in disguise - she can focus on content quality and audience building so she's in an even stronger position when monetization gets approved. Sometimes being forced to slow down and do things the right way leads to much better outcomes! Best of luck to your cousin and her family in navigating this process properly!
As another newcomer to this community, I want to echo how incredibly valuable this entire discussion has been! The comprehensive guidance everyone has shared really demonstrates the importance of taking the legitimate route for international creator compliance. What really impresses me is how this thread has evolved from a question about bypassing requirements into a detailed roadmap for proper compliance. The systematic approach outlined here - ITIN application with parental involvement, transparent communication with TikTok about past VPN usage, professional tax guidance covering both jurisdictions, and proper documentation - really should be the gold standard for any young international creator facing similar challenges. @Austin Leonard - I hope your cousin and her family realize what an incredible opportunity this is to build a solid foundation early in her creator journey. Learning to navigate these complex requirements at 16, with proper family support, will give her such an advantage over creators who try to handle compliance issues later when the stakes are much higher. The point about using the waiting period productively is so important too. She can focus on content quality and audience building while the paperwork processes, potentially positioning herself for even greater success once monetization is approved. Sometimes these forced pauses really do lead to better long-term outcomes! Thanks to everyone who contributed such thorough and responsible guidance - this community clearly cares about helping creators succeed the right way!
As someone who's worked in international tax compliance, I want to emphasize how refreshing it is to see this thread focus on legitimate solutions rather than shortcuts. Your cousin's situation is actually quite common, and the systematic approach everyone has outlined here is absolutely the right way forward. One additional consideration I'd mention is that once your cousin gets her ITIN and starts receiving payments, she should be prepared for quarterly estimated tax payments if her earnings exceed certain thresholds. The IRS expects regular payments throughout the year, not just annual filing, so setting aside a percentage of each TikTok payment into a separate tax account will prevent any surprises. Also, regarding the VPN disclosure to TikTok - I'd recommend having her parents frame it as "learning about compliance requirements" rather than admitting to intentional circumvention. The key is showing that you're now committed to doing everything properly moving forward. The waiting period really is an opportunity. She can use this time to study successful creators in her niche, improve her content strategy, and maybe even start building an email list or other owned media channels. These foundational business skills will serve her incredibly well once monetization is approved. Your cousin is fortunate to have family support in navigating this properly. The legitimate foundation you're building now will protect her throughout her entire creator career!
This is such valuable additional insight about quarterly estimated tax payments! As someone new to this community and these compliance requirements, I hadn't considered that the tax obligations would be ongoing throughout the year rather than just an annual filing requirement. The point about setting aside a percentage of each payment into a separate tax account is really practical advice - it would help prevent the shock of owing a large lump sum at tax time. Do you have a rough recommendation for what percentage creators typically set aside for US taxes, or does that vary too much based on individual circumstances and tax treaties? I also appreciate the nuanced approach you've suggested for framing the VPN disclosure with TikTok. The "learning about compliance" angle definitely positions it more as growth and education rather than intentional rule-breaking, which should get a much better response from their support team. The suggestion about using this waiting period to build foundational business skills like email lists and owned media channels is brilliant too. @Austin Leonard s'cousin could really emerge from this process not just with proper tax compliance, but with a much more sophisticated understanding of creator business fundamentals that will serve her well long-term. It s'clear that taking this legitimate route, while more complex upfront, really does set the foundation for sustainable success. Thanks for sharing such practical guidance!
Regarding the percentage to set aside for taxes, it typically ranges from 25-30% for US creators, but for international creators it can be more complex due to withholding requirements and potential treaty benefits. Without a tax treaty, platforms often withhold 30% automatically, but with a treaty it might be reduced to 15% or even lower. The key is understanding both the US withholding requirements AND your home country's tax obligations on foreign income. I'd strongly recommend having her parents discuss the specific percentage with the tax professional they consult, as it really depends on her home country's tax treaty with the US and how that income will be treated domestically. Some countries give credits for US taxes paid, while others might have different rules for minors' foreign earnings. The quarterly payment point is especially important because the penalties for underpayment can add up quickly. Setting up that separate tax account from the very first payment creates good habits and prevents the common mistake of spending money that's technically owed to tax authorities. @Austin Leonard - this systematic approach your family is taking really will pay dividends long-term. Your cousin will have such a solid foundation in creator business practices that many creators never develop!
Am I the only one who thinks the 1099-K threshold being lowered is the absolute worst? Now I have to deal with all these discrepancies when before I just reported my income and paid my taxes without all this confusion. I have 3 different payment processors and each one seems to calculate the 1099-K differently. One includes refunds, one doesn't. One includes the fees, one doesn't. It's a nightmare to reconcile!
I completely understand your frustration with the 1099-K discrepancies - this is unfortunately very common with digital businesses using multiple payment processors. Here's what you need to know: You should report your GROSS sales revenue on Schedule C, not the 1099-K amount or the net amount. So in your case, that would be the $59,106.25 from your Square revenue report. Then deduct the $2,127.93 in processing fees as a business expense under "Commissions and fees" on Schedule C. The discrepancy between your gross revenue ($59,106.25) and the 1099-K amount ($58,215.75) could be due to several factors: timing differences (transactions processed in different calendar periods), refunds that were included differently, or chargebacks. I'd recommend calling Square directly to get clarification on this specific difference. For Teachable reporting net amounts - this varies by platform. Some report gross payment amounts, others report what they actually paid out to you. The key is consistency in how YOU report it: always use gross sales as income, then deduct all fees and platform costs as business expenses. Keep detailed records showing your calculation methodology. If there's ever a question from the IRS, you'll be able to demonstrate exactly how you arrived at your reported income figures and why they might differ slightly from your 1099-K amounts.
This is really helpful, thank you! I'm new to dealing with 1099-K forms and was getting overwhelmed by all the different numbers. Just to make sure I understand correctly - even though my 1099-K shows $58,215.75, I should report the $59,106.25 gross revenue on my Schedule C and then deduct the processing fees separately? And for the Teachable situation where they're reporting net amounts - should I try to figure out what the gross amount was before their fees and report that instead? Or is it okay to report the net amount they show on the 1099-K as long as I'm not also deducting those fees as expenses?
One thing I'd add to all the great advice here - if you're dealing with an inherited property loss, consider whether you might have any other capital gains this year that could offset the loss. I inherited my grandmother's house and sold it at a $40k loss, but I also had some stock gains from earlier in the year. The capital loss from the house sale completely offset those gains, saving me a significant amount in taxes. Also, if your loss is larger than what you can use this year (after offsetting gains and taking the $3k against ordinary income), remember that unused capital losses carry forward indefinitely. So even if you can't use the full $55k this year, you can keep applying $3k per year against ordinary income until it's used up, or use it to offset future capital gains. Make sure to keep detailed records of how much loss you've used each year so you can track your remaining carryforward balance. The IRS doesn't send you reminders about this!
This is really helpful advice about offsetting gains! I'm just starting to deal with my grandfather's estate and didn't realize the capital loss carryforward could be used indefinitely. Quick question - when you say "keep detailed records of how much loss you've used each year," is there a specific form or worksheet the IRS expects us to maintain for tracking this, or just our own personal records showing the calculations?
Great question! There isn't a specific IRS form for tracking carryforward losses, but you should definitely maintain your own detailed records. I keep a simple spreadsheet that shows: - Year of original loss and amount - Each year's usage (how much applied against gains, how much taken as $3k deduction) - Running balance of unused loss Your tax software usually tracks this automatically year to year, but I learned the hard way to keep my own backup records when I switched software and lost some carryforward history. Also, if you ever get audited, having your own clear documentation makes the process much smoother. The IRS Capital Loss Carryover Worksheet (which comes with Schedule D instructions) is helpful for the calculations, but again, keeping your own summary is the smart move for long-term tracking.
Great question! I dealt with a very similar situation when I inherited my aunt's property last year. The key thing to understand is that your stepped-up basis is indeed the $850k appraised value at the date of death, so you absolutely can claim that $55k as a capital loss. One important detail to double-check: make sure you're including ALL allowable selling expenses when calculating your loss. Beyond the obvious ones like realtor commissions and closing costs, you might also be able to deduct things like title insurance, escrow fees, any inspection costs you paid for, and even some of the minor repairs if they were specifically done to facilitate the sale. I'd recommend getting a copy of IRS Publication 544 (Sales and Other Dispositions of Assets) - it has a section specifically about inherited property that's really helpful. The loss gets reported on Form 8949 first, then carries over to Schedule D. Also worth noting: if this is your first time dealing with inherited property taxes, consider having a tax professional review everything before you file. The rules can be tricky, and you want to make sure you're maximizing your allowable deductions while staying compliant.
This is really comprehensive advice, thank you! I'm also dealing with my first inherited property situation and the tax implications are overwhelming. Quick question about those selling expenses you mentioned - I had to pay for a roof inspection that revealed some issues, then paid for roof repairs before listing. Would both the inspection cost AND the repair costs be deductible as selling expenses, or just one or the other? The inspection was specifically required by potential buyers, and the repairs were necessary to complete the sale.
Just wanted to add another perspective here - I work as a tax preparer and see this situation a lot with clients. One thing that often gets overlooked is that some states have "safe harbor" rules for part-year residents that can actually work in your favor. Since you sold the stocks while still an Oregon resident, Oregon will definitely tax those gains. But here's something to consider: make sure you're taking advantage of any credits for taxes paid to other states. When you file your Colorado return, you should be able to claim a credit for taxes paid to Oregon on the same income, which prevents true double taxation. Also, document everything about your move timeline. Colorado may want to see proof of when you actually established residency there - utility bills, lease agreements, employment start date, etc. This helps establish the clear cutoff date for which state taxes which income. The $65k gain is substantial enough that it's probably worth consulting with a tax professional who specializes in multi-state returns, especially since Oregon and Colorado have different rules about how they treat capital gains.
This is really helpful advice! I'm curious about those "safe harbor" rules you mentioned - do you know if Oregon has any specific provisions that might help in this situation? Also, when you say "taxes paid to other states," does that credit apply even if Colorado ends up not taxing those gains at all since they were earned while living in Oregon? I'm trying to understand if there could be any scenario where you actually benefit from the timing of the move and sale.
Great question about Oregon's safe harbor rules! Oregon generally follows the principle that you're taxed based on your residency status when income is earned or realized. Since the capital gains were realized while you were still an Oregon resident, Oregon gets to tax them at their rates. Regarding the credit for taxes paid to other states - you're right to question this. If Colorado doesn't tax those gains at all (because they were earned while you were an Oregon resident), then there wouldn't be any Colorado taxes to claim as a credit. The credit only works when both states are trying to tax the same income. However, there could be a timing benefit depending on Oregon vs Colorado's capital gains treatment. Oregon taxes capital gains as ordinary income, while Colorado has its own rates. If you had sold the stocks after establishing Colorado residency, you might have faced different tax treatment. But since you sold while in Oregon, you're locked into Oregon's tax treatment for those specific gains. The key takeaway is proper documentation of your residency change date will be crucial for any future transactions.
This is a really complex situation, and you're smart to be thinking about it now before tax season hits. From what I understand, since you were still an Oregon resident when you sold those stocks, Oregon will likely claim the right to tax the entire $65k in capital gains at their rates. One thing that might help ease your stress - when you file as a part-year resident in both states, each state typically only taxes the income earned while you were actually living there. So Colorado shouldn't double-tax those gains since they were realized before you moved there. The timing is unfortunate from a tax perspective since Oregon treats capital gains as regular income (so potentially higher rates), but what's done is done. For future reference, this is exactly why some people delay major asset sales until after they've established residency in lower-tax states. My advice would be to start gathering all your documentation now: the exact dates of your move, employment start date in Colorado, when you closed on housing, utility transfers, etc. You'll need this to clearly establish your residency timeline for both states. Given the size of those gains, it might be worth consulting with a tax pro who handles multi-state returns - the cost will probably be worth it to make sure you're not leaving money on the table or missing any deductions.
This is really solid advice! I'm in a similar boat but moving the other direction - from Texas to California next year. Reading through all these responses has me thinking I should definitely wait to sell my crypto holdings until after I'm settled in California and have established residency there... wait, that doesn't sound right for taxes does it? Moving TO a higher tax state means I'd want to sell BEFORE moving, right? Also, @b79d4bbec2e7 when you mention consulting with a tax pro for multi-state returns, do you have any recommendations for finding someone who specializes in these situations? Regular CPAs in my area seem to mostly handle straightforward single-state returns.
Nathaniel Stewart
I work in tax resolution and see these situations frequently. The combination of factors you've described - active payment plan for 8 months, transcript showing scheduled deposit with no offset codes, and a state letter saying they "may" submit rather than confirming they already did - strongly suggests your refund is safe. Here's what's likely happening: Your state sent the offset warning as part of their standard collection process, but since you're compliant with your payment plan, they haven't actually certified the debt to the Treasury Offset Program yet. Once a refund reaches the "scheduled for direct deposit" stage on your transcript without offset indicators, it's very difficult for an offset to be applied retroactively. The Treasury Offset Program has specific deadlines for when debts must be certified to affect current year refunds. If your state missed those deadlines because you entered into a payment plan, your refund should process normally. Keep monitoring your transcript through Monday, but based on my experience, you should receive your full $2,894 on Tuesday as scheduled. If by some chance an offset does occur, definitely contact your state immediately - they often reverse offsets for taxpayers in good standing on payment plans.
0 coins
Andre Dubois
ā¢This is exactly the kind of professional insight I was hoping to see! As someone who's been stressing about this all week, hearing from someone who actually works in tax resolution is incredibly reassuring. The point about the Treasury Offset Program having specific deadlines makes perfect sense - I never realized there were cutoff dates for when debts could be certified against current year refunds. That would explain why my transcript is showing a clean deposit schedule even though I got the warning letter. I've been checking my transcript obsessively and it's remained consistent with the same deposit date and amount, no new codes or changes. Reading everyone's experiences here, especially from professionals like yourself, has really helped calm my nerves about this whole situation. Thanks for taking the time to share your expertise - it's really valuable for those of us navigating these confusing offset situations!
0 coins
Dmitry Popov
I've been following this thread and wanted to add something that might help ease your mind even more. I had a very similar situation last year where I received an offset letter from my state for unpaid taxes, but I had been on a payment plan for about 6 months at that point. What I discovered after calling both the state and the IRS is that many states have internal policies that prevent them from submitting debts to the Treasury Offset Program if the taxpayer is actively making payments under an agreement. The warning letters are often sent automatically by their computer systems before a human reviews whether the debt should actually be certified for offset. In your case, since you've been making regular payments for 8 months with no missed payments, there's a very good chance your state never actually submitted your debt to TOP. The fact that your transcript shows a clean deposit schedule this close to your refund date is the best indicator you could ask for. I ended up getting my full refund as scheduled, and when I called my state tax office a few weeks later just to confirm, they told me my debt was marked as "payment plan - do not offset" in their system. Hopefully you'll have the same outcome on Tuesday! The stress is definitely not fun, but all signs point to good news for you.
0 coins
Isla Fischer
ā¢This is such a relief to read! Your experience sounds almost identical to mine - the automatic warning letters before human review makes so much sense. I never thought about how these systems might work behind the scenes. It's really encouraging to hear that states often have "do not offset" flags for people who are compliant with payment plans. That would explain why my transcript has stayed consistent with no offset codes appearing, even though I got that scary letter from my state. The fact that you went through the exact same thing and got your full refund gives me so much hope! I've been checking my transcript multiple times a day and it's been rock solid with the same deposit date and full amount. Reading everyone's real experiences here has been way more helpful than trying to decode the confusing official information online. Thank you for sharing your story - it's exactly what I needed to hear right now! š
0 coins