Has anyone tried calling the IRS directly to get wage info? Is that even possible or do they just tell you to wait for the W2?

Another option that worked for me is checking if your employer uses a third-party payroll service like Paychex, Gusto, or Paycom. Even if they don't use W2express, these services often have their own employee portals where you can access your tax documents. You can also try contacting your employer's HR or payroll department directly - they're required to provide you with a copy of your W2 if you request it. Most companies can email you a PDF copy pretty quickly, especially if you explain you're having trouble with their online system. If all else fails and you're really in a time crunch, you can file your taxes using your final paystub from each job. The IRS allows this if you can't get your W2 by the filing deadline, though you'll want to make sure your numbers are as accurate as possible to avoid any issues later.

OP, I strongly recommend registering as an LLC even though you can file Schedule C. The liability protection is worth it for woodworking where clients could potentially get injured from your work. I learned this lesson after a client tried to sue me when their kid got a splinter from a table I made!

Jessica, congrats on your growing woodworking business! Since you're making substantial income now, I'd also recommend looking into business insurance if you haven't already. General liability coverage is relatively inexpensive but crucial when you're doing installations in clients' homes - especially kitchen work where there's potential for property damage or injury. One more tax tip that helped me when I transitioned my side business: start putting aside 25-30% of each payment you receive into a separate savings account for taxes. Between federal income tax, state tax (if applicable), and that 15.3% self-employment tax Isaiah mentioned, it adds up quickly. I learned this the hard way my first year when I had to scramble to pay a big tax bill! Also keep detailed records of your business activities - not just receipts but also client contracts, project timelines, and communications. The IRS loves documentation that shows you're operating as a legitimate business rather than just a hobby that occasionally makes money.

Just want to add a data point - I had a similar issue and it turned out I wasn't eligible for APTC for one month due to having access to employer coverage that month (even though I didn't take it). The marketplace still paid APTC to my insurer but left Column B blank. When I called, they told me to use the SLCSP calculator tool to determine the correct amount for Column B, rather than leaving it as zero. Apparently a zero really isn't valid there on the 8962 form.

I had this exact same issue last year! Your tax software is correct to flag the $0 in Column B - it's actually not a valid entry on Form 8962 when you've received advance premium tax credits. Here's what's likely happening: The marketplace made an error on your 1095-A. Column B (SLCSP) is essential for calculating your premium tax credit eligibility, and it should never be blank or zero when you received APTC payments (Column C has a value). My recommendation is to use the SLCSP lookup tool on Healthcare.gov to find the correct amount for your zip code, family size, and coverage period for April. You'll need this information: your county, number of people covered, and their ages during that month. The tool will give you the official SLCSP amount that should have been in Column B. Once you have the correct SLCSP amount, enter it on your Form 8962 instead of the $0.01 workaround. This will give you an accurate premium tax credit calculation. You don't necessarily need to wait for a corrected 1095-A if you can verify the correct SLCSP amount yourself using the official tool. Just make sure to keep documentation of where you got the SLCSP figure in case the IRS has questions later.

Great question! You're dealing with a classic multi-state tax situation that's more common than you think, especially for contractors and temporary workers. Since your permanent ties (driver's license, voter registration, mail forwarding) are all in Arizona, you're still considered an Arizona resident for tax purposes. The fact that you're staying in temporary accommodations in Colorado for work doesn't change your legal domicile. Here's what you'll need to do: **Arizona**: File as a resident and report ALL your income, including what you earned in Colorado. Arizona taxes residents on their worldwide income. **Colorado**: File as a nonresident and report ONLY the income you earned while physically working in Colorado. The good news is Arizona will give you a credit for taxes paid to Colorado, so you won't be double-taxed on the same income. You'll essentially pay the higher of the two states' tax rates on that Colorado income. A few important tips: - Double-check that your employer is withholding enough Colorado tax (they have a flat 4.55% rate) - Keep records of your work dates in Colorado - Consider adjusting your W-4 or making estimated payments if withholding seems insufficient Most tax software handles multi-state returns well, but given the temporary nature of your situation and the fact that you've been traveling, you might want to consult with a tax professional to make sure everything is handled correctly. Better to get it right the first time than deal with notices later!

I was in almost this exact situation two years ago! Working temporarily in one state while maintaining residency in another can definitely be confusing, but it's actually pretty straightforward once you understand the basics. Since all your official documents (license, voter registration, etc.) are still in Arizona and you're just temporarily in Colorado for work, you're still an Arizona resident for tax purposes. You'll need to file in both states: **Arizona**: File as a resident reporting ALL income (including Colorado earnings). Arizona will tax you as a resident on your worldwide income. **Colorado**: File as a nonresident reporting ONLY the income earned while working in Colorado. The key is that Arizona will give you a credit for taxes paid to Colorado (using Form 309), so you won't be double-taxed. You'll essentially end up paying whichever state has the higher tax rate on that Colorado income. Make sure to keep detailed records of your work dates in Colorado and check that your employer is withholding enough Colorado state tax. Colorado has a flat 4.55% rate, so you can estimate if the withholding is adequate. If not, consider adjusting your W-4 or making estimated payments to avoid underpayment penalties. Most tax software handles multi-state situations well, but given your unique circumstances with the traveling and temporary housing, it might be worth consulting a tax pro just to be safe!

Has anyone here actually calculated whether a C-Corp blocker is worth it from a tax perspective? I'm trying to compare potential tax savings from avoiding UBTI vs. the corporate tax the C-Corp will pay plus potential double taxation on dividends.

This is a fascinating discussion that really highlights the complexity of SDIRA structures. As someone who's been researching this area extensively, I want to add a few practical considerations that haven't been mentioned yet. One thing I've learned is that the custodian you choose for your SDIRA can make a huge difference in how smoothly these complex structures work. Not all custodians are comfortable with C-Corp blocker arrangements, and some have additional requirements or restrictions that can complicate the setup. Also, don't forget about ongoing compliance costs. Between corporate tax filings, potential state franchise taxes, maintaining proper corporate formalities (board meetings, resolutions, etc.), and the additional accounting complexity, these structures can get expensive to maintain. I've seen people spend $3-5K annually just on compliance costs alone. That said, for larger investments where UBTI would be substantial, the tax savings can definitely justify the complexity and costs. The key is running the numbers carefully and making sure you have the right professional team in place - not just for the initial setup, but for ongoing management and compliance. One last thought: consider starting with a smaller test investment in this structure before committing significant retirement funds. It's a good way to understand how all the moving parts work together in practice.