Does it help to send it via Priority Mail or does regular certified mail work fine? Also wondering if I should call the IRS first to verify the correct mailing address for 941-X forms?

Regular certified mail with return receipt is perfectly fine. The key is having that tracking number and delivery confirmation, not the speed of delivery. I wouldn't bother calling the IRS just to verify the address - those addresses are listed in the 941-X instructions and rarely change. Plus, getting through to someone just to ask about an address will be a huge waste of time. Just double-check the address in the most current version of the instructions (available on irs.gov) and you'll be good to go.

No, you don't need to issue corrected W-2s for ERTC claims. The ERTC doesn't change the wages you paid your employees or what was reported on their W-2s. The credit is based on qualified wages, but claiming it doesn't retroactively reduce the actual wages paid to employees. It's a credit for the employer only. The employees' taxable income and withholding amounts remain the same, so the original W-2s remain correct.

22 That's a great point I hadn't considered. So even if I get a smaller refund filing jointly, I might still be paying less taxes overall?

11 Exactly! The refund is just the difference between what you already paid throughout the year and your final tax bill. A smaller refund with a lower total tax bill is better than a bigger refund where you paid more tax overall. For example, if you paid $15,000 in taxes throughout the year and your actual tax bill is $13,000, you'd get a $2,000 refund. But if you paid $10,000 throughout the year and your tax bill is $9,000, you'd only get a $1,000 refund - but you'd have paid $4,000 less in taxes overall ($9,000 vs $13,000)!

14 Do the advance Child Tax Credit payments still exist? I thought those were just a COVID thing and they stopped doing them in 2022?

Thank you for bringing this up. I'm worried about rocking the boat too much since I need this job right now. Is there a way to file these forms without my employer knowing it was me specifically? Or would they immediately know who reported them?

Unfortunately, the SS-8 process isn't anonymous. When you file Form SS-8, the IRS will contact your employer for their side of the story, so they'll know you initiated the process. Some people wait until they've found a new job before filing. If you're concerned about immediate retaliation but still want to address the issue, you could try having an honest conversation with your employer first. Sometimes misclassification happens due to ignorance rather than malice. You could share information about proper classification guidelines and express your concerns about the self-employment tax burden. Document this conversation in case you need it later as evidence of when you raised the issue.

I've been using H&R Block for years and they have something similar. The questions are pretty straightforward and it becomes really obvious when someone should be an employee vs contractor. With fixed hours, company equipment, and direct supervision, it's clear-cut employee territory.

Can I really qualify for EITC in years when I can't claim my daughter as a dependent? I thought those were directly connected. My income is around $52,000 if that matters.

With an income of $52,000, you wouldn't qualify for EITC without a qualifying child. For 2025, the income limit for EITC without children is much lower (around $17,000 for single filers). Contributing to retirement accounts is still your best bet. If you can max out a traditional 401k ($23,000 in 2025) or contribute to a traditional IRA ($7,000 in 2025), those contributions directly reduce your taxable income. Even putting in a few thousand dollars would substantially decrease your tax bill. Also, if your employer offers any pre-tax benefits like health insurance, FSA, or HSA contributions, those can further reduce your taxable income.

This is actually really smart advice. I do the same thing - have a different W-4 for years when I claim my kid vs when I don't. Saves me from owing a big amount in my "off" years.

Doesn't the IRS consider this tax evasion? I heard they've been auditing cannabis companies and looking specifically for these kinds of arrangements.

It's not tax evasion if structured properly with legitimate business purposes for each entity, appropriate transfer pricing, and proper documentation. The key is that each business must be a genuine operation with real commercial purpose beyond just tax savings. What the IRS looks for is sham arrangements where the separation is only on paper. You need separate books, bank accounts, operations, employees, etc. It's complex and definitely requires specialized cannabis tax and legal advisors to set up correctly. There have indeed been audits targeting improper versions of this strategy.

It's not just rumors at this point - the DEA formally proposed rescheduling to Schedule III in May. That's significant progress. But you're right to be cautious about timeline expectations. The regulatory process isn't quick. Smart to focus on what you can control with COGS optimization in the meantime.