Anyone used UFile or similar cheaper software for a multi-member LLC? I'm in the same situation (like $1500 total activity for the year) and TurboTax Business seems like overkill at that price.

I was in almost the exact same situation last year - multi-member LLC with my business partner, minimal activity (around $600 revenue, $900 expenses), and got quoted ridiculous amounts by CPAs for what seemed like simple filing. Here's what I learned: Yes, you absolutely must file Form 1065 even with minimal activity or losses. The penalty for not filing is $210 per partner per month, so with two partners you're looking at $420/month in penalties - way more than just getting it done right. I ended up using FreeTaxUSA Business for about $90 total (federal + state) instead of the $300+ TurboTax Business wanted. The interface isn't fancy but for simple partnerships like ours, it walks you through everything step by step. You'll need to create K-1s for both partners showing your share of the loss, which you'll then report on your personal returns. Pro tip: Make sure you understand your ownership percentages and how you're splitting profits/losses before you start. That's really the only "complicated" part for simple LLCs like yours. The actual data entry is straightforward when you only have a handful of transactions. Don't let the forms intimidate you - with your level of activity, this is totally doable yourself and will save you over $800 compared to those CPA quotes!

Grace, this sounds like such a wonderful way to support your local animal shelter! I've been involved in organizing several charity events over the years, and the tax considerations can definitely seem overwhelming at first, but they're totally manageable with the right approach. From reading through all the great advice here, it sounds like you're getting a clear picture of the best path forward - partnering directly with the shelter so donations flow straight to them rather than through your personal accounts. This really is the cleanest approach and eliminates most of the tax complexity you'd face otherwise. One thing I'd add that I haven't seen mentioned much is to think about creating a simple event budget early on and sharing it with the shelter's development team. This helps them understand your fundraising goal, anticipated expenses, and how you plan to structure everything. Many shelters have event planning experience and might offer suggestions that could help you raise even more money or reduce costs. Also, don't underestimate the power of storytelling in your promotional materials. People connect with specific stories about animals the shelter has helped, and this emotional connection often translates to more generous participation. Ask the shelter if they have any recent rescue stories or photos you could include in your tournament promotion. The golf tournament format is perfect for this kind of fundraiser - it's a full day event that gives you multiple opportunities for fundraising through registration fees, sponsorships, auctions, and even things like closest-to-the-pin contests with small entry fees. You're being so thoughtful about doing this right, and that care is going to make all the difference in creating a successful event that truly benefits the animals. Best of luck with your planning!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! As someone who's been considering organizing a charity event but felt overwhelmed by all the tax implications, seeing Grace's journey from initial confusion to having a clear roadmap is so encouraging. The consistent advice about partnering directly with the charity rather than handling funds personally really makes sense - it eliminates so much potential complexity while ensuring donations go straight where they're intended. And I love how everyone has emphasized getting proper documentation upfront rather than trying to figure it out later. One thing I'm curious about - for those of you who have organized these events successfully, how far in advance did you start planning? Grace mentioned wanting to do this "this summer" and I'm wondering if that timeline is realistic for getting all the partnerships, agreements, and logistics sorted out properly. Also, has anyone dealt with weather contingency plans for outdoor charity events? I imagine having a backup plan is important both for the event's success and for managing sponsor/participant expectations. Thanks to everyone who's shared their experiences here. This community is such a great resource for navigating these kinds of questions!

I feel your frustration! This exact thing happened to me two years ago and it was such a headache. Since you have email documentation proving you selected single/0, you're in a much better position than I was. Here's what worked for me: I escalated beyond payroll to the HR director with my email proof and demanded they provide a written explanation of how the error occurred. Once I involved someone higher up, they took it seriously and not only corrected my withholding going forward but also calculated exactly how much I was underwitheld. For the immediate fix, ask your employer to process a "supplemental withholding" on your next paycheck to help catch up some of the difference. Many payroll systems can do this as a one-time adjustment. Also, don't panic too much about owing taxes - as long as you end up paying at least 90% of what you owe by the tax deadline, any underpayment penalties are usually pretty small. The IRS is generally reasonable about honest mistakes, especially when you can document that it wasn't your fault. Keep pushing your employer on this - they made the error and they should help make it right!

This is such a stressful situation, and I completely understand your frustration! I went through something very similar last year where my employer incorrectly processed my W-4 as married filing jointly instead of single, and it was a nightmare to sort out. The fact that you have email documentation is huge - that's your smoking gun. Don't let payroll brush you off again. Here's what I'd recommend based on my experience: 1) Print out that email documentation and schedule a formal meeting with HR (not just payroll). Bring copies of your recent paystubs showing the incorrect withholding amounts. 2) Ask them to provide you with a written timeline for when they'll correct your withholding status and how they plan to address the underwithholding that's already occurred. 3) Request they calculate the exact dollar amount you've been underwithheld so far this year - you'll need this number regardless of how you choose to make up the difference. For the immediate stress relief, remember that owing taxes isn't the end of the world. The IRS has payment plan options, and if you can show the error was your employer's fault (which you can with that email), they're often willing to work with you on any potential penalties. Also, definitely run your numbers through the IRS withholding calculator once you get this sorted out - it'll give you peace of mind about your tax situation going forward. You've got this! The documentation puts you in a strong position to get this resolved.

As someone who just went through this exact situation last year, I can share what worked for me! My husband and I were both on J visas (him J1, me J2) from South Korea, and I was completely lost about the tax requirements. A few key things I learned that might help: 1. **Double-check your tax treaty benefits** - The US-India tax treaty is quite comprehensive, but make sure you understand which articles apply to dependents. Some benefits are only for the primary visa holder, but others (like certain exemptions) can extend to spouses. 2. **Keep detailed records** - Since you're a nonresident alien, the IRS is much stricter about documentation. Save everything: your visa documents, I-94 records, employment authorization, and any correspondence about your tax status. 3. **Consider the timing** - If you're planning to stay in the US for several years, it might be worth planning for when you'll transition to resident alien status. Sometimes it makes sense to elect to be treated as a resident alien earlier if it's more beneficial. 4. **State taxes matter too** - Don't forget that each state has different rules for nonresident aliens. Some states have their own tax treaties or different treatment of visa holders. The university international office suggestion is spot-on - they often have staff who specialize in exactly these situations and can point you to resources specifically for J visa holders. Good luck!

I went through a similar situation as a J2 visa holder from Canada, and I want to add a few practical tips that helped me navigate this confusing process: **For your FICA tax question**: Double-check with your employer's HR department about your visa status in their system. Sometimes they incorrectly classify J2 holders, which can affect your withholdings. I had to provide my EAD and I-94 documents to HR to ensure they had the correct classification. **Regarding tax software**: Most commercial tax software (TurboTax, H&R Block, etc.) doesn't handle nonresident alien returns properly. You'll need either specialized software like the ones mentioned above, or to file by paper using the actual IRS forms (1040NR, 8843, etc.). **A often-missed detail**: Make sure you understand the "tie-breaker rules" in the US-India tax treaty. If you're considered a resident of both countries for tax purposes (which can happen), the treaty has specific rules to determine which country gets primary taxing rights. **Documentation tip**: Keep copies of all your visa documents, entry/exit stamps, and any correspondence with immigration. The IRS may ask for these to verify your nonresident status, especially if you're claiming treaty benefits. The university international office suggestion is excellent - many have annual tax workshops specifically for J visa holders in February/March. Even if your husband's university doesn't offer this, you might be able to attend sessions at nearby universities.

I'm dealing with the exact same frustration! Just tried to log in to check my payment history and got hit with that unhelpful "services unavailable" message. What makes it worse is that I'm trying to gather documentation for a loan application and the bank specifically needs my IRS account transcript. The timing is always terrible with these outages. I've noticed they seem to happen right when you need something urgently. I'm going to try those automated phone numbers that @Logan Stewart shared - hopefully the transcript request line is still operational even if the website is down. For anyone else in a similar bind, I also discovered that some local VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) sites can sometimes help access basic tax information or at least point you toward alternative resources when the IRS website is acting up. Might be worth calling around if you're really stuck and need something time-sensitive. Thanks everyone for sharing your workarounds and experiences - it's reassuring to know this is a widespread issue and not just me having bad luck with technology!

I'm having the exact same problem right now! Been trying to access the IRS website for the past two hours to download some tax forms and keep getting that frustrating "services unavailable" message. The timing is really stressful since I have some amended returns I need to file soon. What's particularly annoying is how vague their error message is - it doesn't tell you if it's planned maintenance, a system crash, or if certain parts of the site might still be working. I tried accessing different sections like the payment portal and forms downloads, but everything seems to be down. I really appreciate everyone sharing the phone numbers and alternative resources. I had no idea about the automated transcript request line or that libraries might have tax resources available. It's good to know there are backup options when their website fails us during such a critical time of year. Has anyone tried accessing the site from different browsers or devices to see if it makes a difference? Sometimes these issues can be browser-specific, though it sounds like this is a widespread outage affecting everyone.