Target employee here! I just got my W2 on My Tax Form this morning around 2 AM. I've been checking obsessively too lol. From what I've noticed working there for 3 years, Target usually uploads W2s in waves based on your employee number or store region. The first batch typically goes up around January 20th, with most everyone having theirs by January 28th. If you're still not seeing yours by January 29th, definitely call the Target HR hotline - sometimes there are issues with address changes or electronic consent that can delay individual W2s. Also make sure you're logged into the right My Tax Form account (the one linked to your Target employee profile). Hope this helps ease some of the anxiety!

As someone who works in payroll processing, I can confirm what others have mentioned about the January 31st deadline being federal. However, I wanted to add that if you're really anxious about getting started early, you can actually begin preparing your tax return using your final paystub of the year. The year-to-date totals on your last paystub are usually very close to what will appear on your W2. Just gather your final paystub from December and you can estimate your federal and state tax withholdings, gross wages, and other deductions. Most tax software allows you to input estimated numbers and then update them later when your official W2 arrives. This way you can get a head start on organizing your other tax documents (1099s, receipts, etc.) while waiting for Target to upload your W2 to My Tax Form. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you're signed up for electronic delivery in your Target employee portal - sometimes people miss this step and then wonder why their W2 isn't showing up online when it's actually being mailed to an old address.

Here's my experience: I replaced all my appliances last year with Energy Star models and learned the hard way that the salespeople often don't understand tax law. The Energy Star label doesn't automatically make something tax deductible! I ended up getting: - No federal tax credit for my refrigerator or dishwasher - A $300 rebate from my utility company for the washer - A $1,200 tax credit for my heat pump water heater on Form 5695 The most valuable thing was checking DSIRE (Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency) - Google it, it shows all incentives by zip code. My utility had rebates I didn't know about!

Great thread everyone! I'm actually a tax preparer and wanted to clarify a few things I'm seeing in this discussion. For your specific appliances (Samsung fridge, Bosch dishwasher, LG washer/dryer), unfortunately none of these will qualify for the federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit under current tax law, even with Energy Star ratings. The federal credits are primarily for HVAC systems, water heaters, insulation, windows, and doors - not standard kitchen/laundry appliances. However, don't give up hope! Here's what I recommend: 1. Check your utility company's website for rebate programs - many offer $50-200 rebates for Energy Star appliances 2. Look into your state's energy office programs - some states have their own tax credits or rebate programs 3. Keep all receipts and model numbers - tax laws change, and future legislation might expand what qualifies When you file next year, TurboTax will walk you through Form 5695 if you have any qualifying improvements. The software is pretty good at catching these credits, but it's always worth double-checking the current IRS guidelines since they update frequently. Sorry it's not better news on the federal front, but those state and utility rebates can still save you a few hundred dollars!

This is definitely worth investigating further! As someone new to understanding taxes, I'd recommend getting a copy of your paystub and comparing it line by line with your old job's paystubs. Look at both the percentage rates AND the dollar amounts being withheld. A few red flags to watch for: Make sure they're not withholding based on inflated tip amounts (some places assume you made 15-18% tips on all sales even if you didn't), check if there are surprise deductions you weren't told about during hiring, and verify they're using the correct tax rates for your filing status. Given that the owner was already dodgy about paying you on time, it's smart to be extra cautious. Don't feel bad about questioning this - it's your money and you have every right to understand exactly where it's going. If something seems off after you've done your homework, definitely escalate it to your state's labor department.

I've been through this exact situation! When I started at my current restaurant job, my first paycheck looked completely wrong compared to my previous non-tipped position. Here's what I learned: First, grab your paystub and look for these specific things: 1) Check if they're reporting "allocated tips" - this is when they assume you made a certain percentage of sales as tips even if you didn't actually receive that much in cash. 2) Look for any automatic deductions you weren't told about (uniform fees, meal charges, etc.). 3) Verify your filing status is correct - if they have you as single when you should be married filing jointly, you'll be way over-withheld. The fact that your owner was already sketchy about paying you makes this even more suspicious. I'd recommend taking your paystub to a tax professional or even your local library - many have free tax help programs where someone can review it with you. Also, don't let them brush you off if you ask questions about the withholding calculations. You're entitled to understand exactly how your taxes are being computed. If they can't give you a clear explanation, that's a red flag that something might be wrong.

For the Turo situation, I think you might be missing potential deductions. If you received $13,500 for damages and paid $13,500 for repairs, you should record both transactions. Report the $13,500 damage payment as income (Turo will likely issue a 1099-K), and then deduct the $13,500 repair cost as a business expense. Even though it's a wash income-wise, documenting both sides properly will keep your books clean and defendable if you're ever audited. Ask your repair shop for an itemized receipt for your records.

Great questions! As a fellow small business owner who's dealt with similar situations, here are some key points to consider: For Situation 1 (Vrbo property management): You're correct to be thinking about 1099s. Since you're receiving the full amount from Vrbo and then paying your client their portion, you should issue them a 1099-NEC if you paid them $600+ during the tax year. This creates the proper paper trail - you'll report the full Vrbo income, deduct what you paid to the property owner as a business expense, and your client reports their portion as income. For Situation 2 (door replacement): Since you paid the contractor directly for services and it was over $600, you should issue them a 1099-NEC. The reimbursement from your client doesn't change your obligation to report what you paid the contractor. Your client reimbursing you isn't taxable income to you since it's just reimbursement. For Situation 3 (Turo damage): This one's tricky and depends on how Turo classifies the payment. If they treat it as insurance proceeds for property damage, it might not be taxable income. But if they issue you a 1099-K, you'll need to report it and offset it with the repair expenses. Either way, no 1099 needed for the body shop since repair services to your business property generally don't require 1099 reporting. I'd recommend consulting a tax professional for the Turo situation specifically, as the tax treatment can vary based on the exact nature of their damage coverage program.

Just want to add some clarity here since I see some conflicting info in the thread. The IRS uses these transaction codes consistently: - Code 01 = Single - Code 02 = Married Filing Jointly - Code 03 = Married Filing Separately - Code 04 = Head of Household - Code 05 = Qualifying Widow(er) @Ava Martinez - If your 2022 and 2021 returns show code 05, you were filing as Qualifying Widow(er), not Head of Household. This status is available for up to 2 years after your spouse's death (if you have a qualifying dependent). If you got divorced rather than widowed, you may have filed incorrectly in those years. I'd recommend reviewing your actual tax returns to confirm what filing status you used, as this could impact your tax liability for those years. The change to code 01 (Single) for 2023 makes sense post-divorce, but definitely double-check those earlier returns to make sure you used the right status.

This thread has great info! Just wanted to add that if you're unsure about your previous filing status, you can request copies of your actual tax returns (not just transcripts) using Form 4506. The transcripts show the codes the IRS processed, but your original returns will show exactly what filing status you selected when you filed. This is especially important given the questions about whether you filed as Qualifying Widow(er) vs Head of Household in those earlier years. The return copies cost $43 each but might be worth it for peace of mind, especially if you're concerned about potential filing errors that could trigger penalties or interest.