I've been following this thread closely as someone who works in consumer protection, and I want to emphasize a crucial point that could strengthen your cancellation case: the radio advertisement itself. Since you mentioned hearing their ad on your morning radio show, try to document exactly what promises they made in that advertisement. Many tax resolution companies make broad claims about "satisfaction guaranteed" or "we'll resolve your tax problems" in their ads that they can't actually deliver on for the price they quote. If possible, contact the radio station to see if they have recordings of recent TaxSolve Pro ads. Radio stations are often required to keep advertising archives for a certain period. If their ads promised specific outcomes or used language like "affordable solutions" while charging you $3,200, that's additional evidence of deceptive practices. Also, consider filing a complaint with the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) regardless of whether you successfully cancel. They track patterns of deceptive practices by tax resolution companies, and your complaint could help protect other consumers from similar situations. The combination of vague pricing despite direct questions + potentially misleading radio advertisements gives you very strong grounds for cancellation. Document everything from the radio ad, your phone conversations, and their contract terms. This paper trail will be invaluable if they push back on your cancellation request. You're absolutely doing the right thing by fighting this - these companies count on people being too intimidated or embarrassed to challenge their contracts.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress from TaxSolve Pro! What you've described is unfortunately a very common tactic used by predatory tax resolution companies - they deliberately avoid giving clear pricing information during consultations, then spring expensive contracts on people who are already worried about their tax situation. The good news is that you have strong legal grounds for cancellation. The fact that you repeatedly asked about costs and they gave you vague responses is a clear violation of consumer protection laws. Tax resolution companies are required by law to provide transparent pricing information before you sign any agreement. Here's what you need to do immediately: 1. Send a written cancellation notice RIGHT NOW via both certified mail and email - don't wait another hour 2. In your cancellation letter, specifically state that you're cancelling due to their failure to provide clear pricing disclosure despite your repeated direct questions 3. Mention that this violates consumer protection regulations and request a full refund 4. Contact your credit card company to block any future charges from TaxSolve Pro Don't be intimidated when they call back with pressure tactics - just keep repeating that you've exercised your legal right to cancel due to their deceptive practices. A single consultation call is worth maybe a couple hundred dollars at most, not $3,200. Remember, the IRS offers direct payment plans that don't require expensive middleman fees. You've got strong grounds here - stay firm and document everything!

Ryan, I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now! I formed my marketing consulting LLC in December 2022 and spent about $8,000 on a laptop, software licenses, and office furniture, but didn't land my first client until March 2023. What I learned from my CPA is that since your business didn't have any activity in 2022, you're absolutely right that 2023 is considered your first year of operations. The good news is you can still claim those 2022 expenses, but you need to be strategic about how you do it. For equipment like your trailer, you'll want to look into bonus depreciation rules - you might be able to deduct 80% of the cost in 2023 (it was 100% in previous years but is phasing down). The remaining 20% would be depreciated over the normal schedule. One thing that caught me off guard was that I also needed to file a late 2022 return showing the LLC formation even with zero income. It wasn't required, but my CPA said it creates a cleaner paper trail for the IRS and makes it easier to justify carrying those expenses forward. Just something to consider! Make sure you have all your receipts organized by date and keep notes about when you actually started using each piece of equipment for business purposes. The IRS loves documentation!

Ryan, I just went through almost the exact same situation with my LLC! I started mine in October 2022 and bought about $15,000 in equipment but didn't make a penny until early 2023. Here's what I learned after consulting with a tax pro: You can definitely claim those 2022 expenses on your 2023 return since that's when your business actually became active. The IRS considers "active operations" to begin when you start generating income or actively pursuing customers, not when you file paperwork. For your $12,500 in equipment, you'll have a few options: 1. Use Section 179 to deduct the full amount in 2023 (up to $1.16M limit) 2. Take advantage of 80% bonus depreciation for 2023 3. Depreciate normally over several years using MACRS I ended up going with bonus depreciation which let me deduct 80% immediately and spread the remaining 20% over the normal schedule. Saved me a ton in taxes for 2023. One tip: definitely keep detailed records showing when you purchased everything and when you actually started using it for business. I created a simple spreadsheet with purchase dates, business use start dates, and photos of receipts. The documentation really matters if you ever get audited. Also consider whether you want to file an amended 2022 return showing zero income just to establish the business existence - my accountant said it's not required but can help create a cleaner paper trail. No penalties since there's no tax owed.

Carmen, I completely understand your confusion - I went through the exact same thing when I started doing delivery work! The good news is that once you get a system in place, it's really not as complicated as it initially seems. Here's what I wish someone had told me on day one: Start tracking everything NOW, not later. I use a simple approach - mileage app (I personally love Stride because it's free and designed for gig workers), plus I take photos of any receipts with my phone immediately when I buy delivery supplies. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet - consider getting a dedicated credit card just for delivery expenses. It makes tracking so much easier when tax time comes, and you're not trying to separate personal vs. business purchases from your regular card statements. Also, don't forget that as an independent contractor, you might be able to deduct part of your home internet bill if you use it for work purposes (checking delivery apps, researching busy areas, etc.). It's usually a small amount but every little bit helps! The $300-400 you're making weekly definitely puts you in a good position to benefit from proper record keeping. Those deductions can really add up and make a significant difference in your tax bill. You're smart to get ahead of this now rather than trying to figure it out in April!

Carmen, you're asking all the right questions! As someone who's been doing gig work for a few years, I can tell you that getting organized early will save you so much stress later. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the importance of understanding your quarterly estimated tax payments. Since you're making $300-400 weekly consistently, you're likely going to owe more than $1,000 in taxes for the year, which means the IRS expects quarterly payments. You can either increase withholding at another job (if you have one) or make payments directly to the IRS four times a year. Also, consider joining some Facebook groups for delivery drivers in your area - they often share local tax preparers who specialize in gig work and understand all the nuances. Sometimes it's worth paying a professional for your first year just to see how everything should be organized, then you can decide if you want to do it yourself going forward. Don't forget that your delivery bags aren't just deductible when you buy them - if they wear out and you need to replace them, those are business expenses too. Same with phone accessories, car chargers, anything that helps you do the job more efficiently. The fact that you're thinking about this now instead of in March shows you're going to do just fine! Keep asking questions and don't be afraid to invest a little money in proper tracking tools or professional help if it saves you time and stress.

Something similar happened to me. Get your credit reports from all three bureaus and freeze your credit ASAP if you haven't already. I waited too long and the person who stole my identity opened SIX credit cards!! Also, call Social Security Administration directly because if they have your SSN they might try to mess with your social security benefits too. The SSA has a fraud department that can put extra protection on your account.

I'm really sorry to hear about what you've been through - losing your personal information during such a vulnerable time must have been incredibly stressful, and it takes courage to address this now. The good news is that the IRS has specific procedures for tax-related identity theft, and you don't need a police report to get help. Here's what I'd recommend as your first steps: 1. **Get your tax transcripts immediately** - You can request them online at IRS.gov (Account Transcript and Return Transcript for the past 3-4 years). This will show if anyone filed returns using your SSN. 2. **File Form 14039** if you find fraudulent activity - This Identity Theft Affidavit alerts the IRS to put protections on your account. You can download it from IRS.gov. 3. **Contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit** at 800-908-4490. They're trained specifically for cases like yours. 4. **File your legitimate return ASAP** if you haven't already - Even if someone filed fraudulently, you still need to file your real return. The IRS will sort out which is legitimate. The IRS understands that identity theft victims have different circumstances, and they won't penalize you for not having a police report. Focus on documenting everything moving forward and don't let this derail the progress you've made. You've got this!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm really impressed by the depth of knowledge and supportive atmosphere here! This thread has been incredibly educational for me as someone who's still learning about the complexities of tax law. What strikes me most is how everyone's real-world experiences paint a much clearer picture than the official IRS guidance. The consistent message about keeping documentation ready without submitting it upfront, combined with the realistic timelines people have shared, gives me so much more confidence about navigating these types of situations. I don't currently have a disability dependency situation myself, but reading through all these experiences has made me realize how many tax opportunities might exist that I'm simply not aware of. The emphasis on organized record-keeping seems like valuable advice regardless of the specific tax scenario. The community knowledge about things like Social Security benefits not counting toward gross income limits, the difference between qualifying child vs. qualifying relative status, and the practical realities of IRS verification processes - this is exactly the kind of insight that makes complex tax situations manageable. Thank you all for sharing your experiences so openly and creating such a welcoming environment for people dealing with challenging tax questions!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm blown away by the quality and depth of advice shared in this thread! Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly enlightening for someone who's still navigating the complexities of tax situations. What really stands out to me is the consistent message about preparation and patience. The "trust but verify" approach that several members have described makes so much sense - file accurately, keep comprehensive documentation organized, and be ready to respond promptly if verification is requested. The real-world timelines everyone has shared (3+ months for potential verification requests, 6-9 weeks for processing) are invaluable for setting proper expectations. I'm particularly grateful for the clarification about Social Security benefits not counting toward the gross income limit - that's such a crucial detail that could completely change someone's eligibility decision. And hearing from multiple people that subsequent years become smoother once you're verified in the system provides great reassurance about the long-term process. While I don't currently have this specific situation, this discussion has opened my eyes to potential tax opportunities I might be overlooking in my own circumstances. The emphasis on digital documentation organization seems like solid advice for anyone dealing with complex tax scenarios, not just disability dependents. Thank you all for creating such a supportive and educational environment where people can learn from real experiences rather than trying to decipher confusing official publications alone!