I totally understand your frustration - SBTPG's interface is genuinely confusing! Just to add to what others have said, the trace number might also be labeled as "Reference Number" or "Transaction ID" depending on when you're looking at it. I've noticed that SBTPG sometimes changes their terminology between different pages of their site. If you're still having trouble finding it, try clearing your browser cache and logging back in - sometimes their system glitches and doesn't display all the transaction details properly. Also, if you filed early in the season, the trace number format might be slightly different than what people are describing from later filings. The key thing is that it should be a long numerical string associated with your specific refund transaction once it's been processed.

I can relate to this confusion! When I first used SBTPG, I spent forever looking for that trace number. Here's what worked for me: log into your SBTPG account, click on "Refund Status" or "View Details" next to your refund amount, then scroll down to find the transaction information. The trace number might be called "ACH Trace Number," "Reference ID," or "Transaction Trace" - SBTPG isn't consistent with their labeling unfortunately. It's usually a 15-20 digit number that starts with 9. Keep in mind it only shows up AFTER the IRS has actually sent your refund to SBTPG, not when it's just been accepted. If your WMR (Where's My Refund) still shows "processing" or "approved," you won't see the trace number yet. Hope this helps navigate their confusing system!

I've been following this thread closely as someone who went through a very similar situation about 18 months ago. The advice here is really solid - paying your taxes now while preparing your SS-8 case for later submission is absolutely the right strategic approach when you're concerned about employer retaliation. One thing I want to emphasize that hasn't been mentioned much: keep a detailed timeline of events, especially around when your employer switched you from contractor to employee status. In my case, the IRS was very interested in what triggered that change - it often indicates the employer knew they were doing something wrong. Also, don't underestimate the power of email evidence. I found that searching my email for terms like "schedule," "deadline," "meeting," and "required" revealed tons of communications that clearly showed I was being treated as an employee even when classified as a contractor. The waiting period after filing SS-8 is definitely tough, but I ultimately recovered over $8,000 in overpaid self-employment taxes. It took about 9 months total, but having all my documentation well-organized (thanks to advice similar to what's been shared here) really seemed to help speed things along. Stay strong - you're fighting for money that's rightfully yours, and there are good systems in place to help workers in exactly your situation. Just protect yourself first by securing new employment before you pull the trigger on the SS-8.

I'm dealing with a very similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I've been misclassified as an independent contractor for about 8 months at my current job, and like many others here, I'm facing a huge self-employment tax bill. The consensus advice about paying taxes now to avoid penalties while preparing documentation for a future SS-8 filing makes perfect sense. I'm definitely going to follow that approach - it's not worth risking my current income over, but I also can't just eat a $7,000+ tax bill that shouldn't be mine to pay. One question for those who've been through this process: when you were gathering documentation while still employed, did you have any close calls with your employer noticing? I'm trying to be strategic about when and how I access old emails and company records, but I'm paranoid about leaving digital footprints that could tip them off. Also, for anyone who coordinated with coworkers on this - how did you approach that conversation? I know at least two other people in my exact situation, but I'm nervous about bringing it up in case word gets back to management. The retaliation protection information shared here is really reassuring. It's frustrating that we have to worry about this stuff, but knowing there are legal safeguards helps me feel more confident about eventually pursuing what I'm owed. Thanks to everyone who's shared their experiences - it really helps to know we're not alone in dealing with these unethical employer practices!

This thread has been incredibly informative! As someone who occasionally buys lottery tickets when traveling for work, I never realized how complex the tax implications could be. One question I haven't seen addressed yet - what happens with online lottery purchases? Some states now allow you to buy tickets through official state lottery apps or websites. If I'm physically located in State A but use State B's official lottery app to purchase a ticket (assuming they allow out-of-state purchases), which state's tax rules would apply? Also, does anyone know if there are different rules for group lottery pools? My office has a weekly pool where we buy tickets in whatever state our company headquarters is located, but our employees live in multiple different states. If we won big, would each person be taxed based on their individual state of residence, or would it be based on where the tickets were purchased as a group? These cross-state situations seem way more complicated than I initially thought. Really appreciate all the expert insights being shared here!

This has been such an eye-opening discussion! I had no idea the tax implications could be this complex. I'm a CPA but don't usually handle lottery cases, so this thread has been really educational. One aspect I wanted to add that I haven't seen mentioned yet is the impact on estimated quarterly tax payments. If you win a significant amount mid-year, you'll likely need to make estimated payments to avoid underpayment penalties, especially if you're dealing with multiple states. For example, if you win $100K in July and you're dealing with both your home state and the state where you bought the ticket, you can't just wait until next April to pay all those taxes. The IRS and most states require quarterly estimated payments when you have income that wasn't subject to withholding. Also, don't forget about local taxes! Some cities and counties also tax lottery winnings. New York City, for instance, has its own income tax on top of New York State tax. So you could potentially be dealing with federal, state, AND local tax obligations on the same winnings. The key takeaway from all these great comments is: keep detailed records, understand the rules in both states involved, and don't hesitate to get professional help for larger amounts. The complexity definitely justifies the cost of expert advice!

One more thing worth noting: there's legislation proposed in Congress (Digital Asset Tax Fairness Act) that would specifically address crypto taxation including potentially exempting Bitcoin ETFs from wash sale rules to match the treatment of direct Bitcoin holdings. No guarantee it passes, but this area is definitely evolving. For the TBIL question, I can confirm from my own state tax filing that the interest portion from treasury ETFs remains state-tax exempt. My accountant verified this and showed me where it's documented in my ETF's annual tax document packet. You have to look at the breakdown they provide of qualified vs non-qualified income sources.

This is a really comprehensive discussion! I wanted to add one practical consideration that might help others: if you're actively trading both direct Bitcoin and Bitcoin ETFs, consider keeping them in separate accounts or at least tracking them very carefully. I learned this the hard way when I had overlapping positions and got confused about which transactions were subject to wash sale rules and which weren't. Since direct Bitcoin trades can be tax-loss harvested immediately while ETF trades cannot, having a clear separation helps you optimize your tax strategy. Also, for anyone considering the Bitcoin ETF route, remember that while you lose some of the tax flexibility compared to direct ownership, you gain other benefits like being able to hold them in retirement accounts, no custody concerns, and easier estate planning. It really comes down to your specific situation and investment goals. One last tip: if you're using tax software to prepare your returns, make sure it's updated for the current year. Some of the older versions don't properly handle the nuances between crypto property treatment and ETF security treatment, which could lead to incorrect wash sale calculations.

I made the switch from TurboTax to FreeTaxUSA last year and it was absolutely the right decision. Your situation sounds very similar to mine - W-2 plus some freelance income and a mortgage. FreeTaxUSA handled everything perfectly. The Schedule C for freelance work was straightforward, and all the mortgage interest deductions were included without any issues. The interface isn't as flashy as TurboTax, but honestly, I found that refreshing - no constant upselling or trying to trick you into expensive add-ons. The $15 state filing fee is so much better than what I was paying with TurboTax. And their customer support, while email-only, has been reliable when I've needed help. One tip: if you do switch, you can import your prior year return from TurboTax which makes the transition really smooth. FreeTaxUSA will automatically carry forward relevant information and ask you about any changes. For someone with your tax situation, I'd say FreeTaxUSA is definitely worth trying. The money you'll save compared to TurboTax is significant, and the functionality is basically the same for straightforward returns like yours.

I switched from TurboTax to FreeTaxUSA two years ago and couldn't be happier with the decision. Your tax situation sounds almost identical to mine - W-2 income, some freelance work (I made around $6,500 last year), and mortgage interest deduction. FreeTaxUSA handled everything seamlessly. The Schedule C section for freelance income is well-designed and walks you through all the business expense categories. I was able to deduct my home office expenses, business equipment, and other freelance-related costs without any issues. The mortgage interest deduction was automatically calculated once I entered my 1098 form. What really sold me was the transparency in pricing - federal filing is completely free regardless of complexity, and the $15 state fee is upfront with no hidden costs. Compare that to TurboTax where I was paying over $100 by the time I added all their "recommended" upgrades. The interface is admittedly more basic than TurboTax, but it's actually more straightforward because of that. No flashy graphics trying to distract you or constant popups pushing premium features. It just focuses on getting your taxes done correctly. One thing I appreciated was their review process at the end - it gives you a clear summary of all your deductions and income sources so you can double-check everything before filing. Customer support via email has been responsive the few times I've needed it. For your situation, I'd definitely recommend giving FreeTaxUSA a try. The savings alone make it worth it, and the functionality is solid for straightforward returns with freelance income.