This is exactly why I always recommend people get fee estimates IN WRITING before any tax prep work begins. Most legitimate preparers will provide a written estimate based on your forms and complexity level. The fact that they didn't disclose their $575 fee upfront is a red flag. To add to what others have said about getting your documents back - if you're still having trouble, you can also contact your state's Attorney General's office. Many states have specific consumer protection laws regarding tax preparation services, and they take document retention issues very seriously. I've seen AG offices get involved and resolve these situations within 24 hours. Also, for future reference, never let a tax preparer start work without a signed engagement letter that clearly outlines fees, services, and your rights regarding your documents. Any reputable preparer should be happy to provide this.

I work at a state consumer protection office and see cases like this frequently. What your tax preparer is doing is definitely not legal and violates consumer protection laws in most states. They cannot hold your original documents hostage to force payment for services you haven't agreed to purchase. Here's my recommended escalation path: 1. Return to the office and ask to speak with the manager/owner (not just the preparer) 2. Clearly state that you are declining their services and need your original documents returned immediately 3. If they refuse, inform them you'll be filing complaints within 24 hours with multiple agencies The magic phrase to use is: "I am formally requesting the return of my personal property. These documents belong to me, not your business." Most tax offices will cave immediately when they realize you know your rights and are willing to escalate. They make money on volume, not on fighting individual battles. The bad publicity and regulatory scrutiny from complaints costs them far more than your $425 fee. If you need help identifying the right consumer protection office in your state, feel free to ask - I can point you in the right direction.

Does anyone have experience using QuickBooks for tracking S-Corp distributions vs retained earnings? Their reporting seems confusing for this specific situation.

Just wanted to add another perspective on the retained earnings documentation piece. I've been running my S-Corp for 5 years and learned this the hard way - make sure you're documenting the business purpose for retaining earnings in your corporate minutes or resolutions. The IRS likes to see that retained earnings serve a legitimate business purpose (like saving for equipment purchases, building emergency reserves, or funding expansion plans). I keep quarterly board resolutions (even though I'm the only member) explaining why we're retaining earnings and what they'll be used for. My CPA said this kind of documentation can be really helpful if you're ever questioned about why profits weren't distributed. Also, don't forget that even though you'll pay income tax on the profits whether you take them or not, keeping money in the business does give you more flexibility for future tax planning strategies. You can time distributions in years when your personal tax situation might be more favorable.

Leslie, I went through something very similar when I inherited my father's C corp a few years ago. The QSub route you're considering is unfortunately a non-starter - as others have mentioned, it triggers immediate taxation on all the accumulated earnings through the deemed liquidation. What ended up working for my situation was a carefully timed straight C-to-S election on the original corporation, followed by strategic distributions over several years to minimize the tax hit. The key was understanding the ordering rules for S corp distributions and planning around the built-in gains tax period. One thing I learned the hard way is that you absolutely need to get professional advice on this - the tax implications are complex and the penalties for getting it wrong are severe. The accumulated earnings tax alone could be brutal if not handled properly. I'd strongly recommend getting a ruling request from the IRS for your specific situation before making any elections. Also, don't overlook simpler alternatives like taking reasonable compensation as an employee of the C corp or exploring whether any of the earnings qualify for the reduced tax rates on qualified dividends. Sometimes the straightforward approach ends up being more cost-effective than complex restructuring schemes.

@Leslie Parker, I've been following this discussion with great interest since I'm dealing with a somewhat similar situation with my late grandfather's C corp. One alternative that hasn't been mentioned yet is potentially liquidating the C corporation over multiple tax years using installment treatment under Section 453. If the C corp has assets that could be sold rather than distributed directly, you might be able to structure the liquidation to spread the tax impact over several years. This won't eliminate the double taxation issue, but it can help manage the tax burden by keeping you in lower marginal tax brackets each year. Another consideration is whether any of the accumulated earnings might qualify for the Section 1202 qualified small business stock exclusion if the C corp meets the requirements. Depending on when your uncle acquired the stock and the nature of the business, you might be able to exclude up to $10 million of gain from federal taxes. I'd also echo what others have said about getting professional help - this is definitely not a DIY situation. The interaction between the accumulated earnings tax, built-in gains tax, and personal income tax rates creates a complex web that requires careful analysis of your specific circumstances.

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Filed my taxes last week and then realized I hadn't maxed out my Roth IRA yet for 2025. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - it's reassuring to see so many tax professionals and people who've been through this confirming it's completely fine. What really clicked for me was the explanation about how Roth contributions are after-tax money, so they don't affect your tax return at all. I was getting confused thinking about it like a Traditional IRA deduction, but that's a totally different situation. I'm definitely going ahead with my contribution before April 15th now instead of waiting until next year. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and expertise - this community is amazing for getting real answers to tax questions that keep us up at night!

I'm so glad you asked this question because I had the EXACT same panic last year! Filed my taxes early in March, then realized in early April that I hadn't contributed to my Roth IRA yet. I was convinced I'd somehow broken tax law or something. After reading through IRS Publication 590-A about three times and calling my Vanguard rep, I learned what everyone else here has confirmed - you're completely in the clear! The beauty of Roth IRAs is that since they're funded with after-tax dollars, the timing relative to filing your return is irrelevant. What really put my mind at ease was understanding that the IRS doesn't even see your Roth contribution on your tax return - your brokerage reports it directly to them later in the year on Form 5498. So from the IRS perspective, whether you contributed before or after filing doesn't matter at all. You made a smart financial move getting that money into a Roth before the deadline. Don't let tax anxiety make you second-guess good retirement planning decisions!

As someone who's dealt with similar work expense questions, I'd definitely recommend the employer route first before worrying about tax deductions. Construction companies are usually pretty responsive to safety-related requests, especially when you can point to potential liability issues. You might also want to document your sunscreen purchases and keep receipts just in case the tax laws change after 2025 when some of those suspended deductions might come back. Even if you can't use them now, having good records could be helpful later. Another thought - if you end up having any skin issues from sun exposure at work, those medical expenses might be deductible if they're significant enough. Not that anyone wants to deal with that, but it's worth knowing your options.

I work for a tax preparation service and see questions like this all the time. The unfortunate reality is that as a W-2 employee, you're pretty much out of luck for deducting the sunscreen under current tax law. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act really limited options for unreimbursed employee expenses. However, I'd strongly encourage you to approach this from the workplace safety angle that others have mentioned. In California's extreme heat, employers have heightened responsibilities under Cal/OSHA regulations. You could frame this as a heat illness prevention measure - prolonged sun exposure contributes to heat-related illnesses, and sunscreen is a basic protective measure. I'd suggest putting together a brief proposal for your supervisor highlighting: 1) The cost-effectiveness of bulk sunscreen vs individual purchases, 2) Potential liability reduction for the company, and 3) How it fits into existing safety protocols. Most construction companies would rather spend a few hundred dollars on sunscreen than deal with workers' comp claims or OSHA citations. If they refuse, at least keep detailed records of your purchases. Tax laws could change, and having good documentation never hurts.