Filing 1099 and W2 together - which schedule forms do I need to mail?

12 Thanks for explaining that! So just to make sure I'm doing this right - I have Schedule C, Schedule SE, and Schedule 1. Those all go in the envelope with the 1040 and W-2, right? Also, do I need to staple them together in a specific order or just put them all in the envelope?

8 Yes, all three schedules (C, SE, and 1) should go in the envelope along with your Form 1040 and W-2. The IRS does have a preferred order for the forms. Your Form 1040 should be on top, followed by Schedule 1, then Schedule C, then Schedule SE, with your W-2 attached at the appropriate spot on the forms (usually there's a specific line indicating where to attach W-2s). You can use a single staple in the upper left-hand corner to keep them together. Don't use paperclips as they can come loose during processing.

19 Does it work if you're e-filing too? I'm doing both W-2 and 1099 work this year and wondering if it helps organize everything for electronic submission too or just for paper filing?

22 How secure is it though? I'm always nervous about uploading my tax docs to random websites. Did you have any concerns about that?

5 It absolutely works for e-filing too! I actually ended up switching to e-file after using it because the assistant showed me how much faster I'd get my refund. It organizes everything for electronic submission and even recommends which tax software would work best for your specific situation. Regarding security, I was definitely concerned at first. But they use bank-level encryption for all document uploads and don't store your actual tax forms after analysis. They just extract the relevant data points needed to provide guidance. I researched them pretty thoroughly before trying it, and they have solid privacy policies in place. Much safer than emailing tax docs or using less secure methods.

3 Wait, this actually works? How is this even possible? I thought you had to personally wait on hold with the IRS. Does the IRS actually allow this kind of service?

18 Sounds like a scam honestly. The IRS phone system is notoriously difficult for a reason. I doubt some random service can magically get you through when millions of people can't get through each tax season.

14 It definitely works! It's not actually skipping the line - it's more like having someone wait in line for you. The service connects to the IRS phone system and navigates the menu options, then waits in the queue. When an agent finally answers, the system calls you and connects you directly to that agent. The IRS has no issue with it because from their perspective, it's just another caller in their queue. I was skeptical at first too. But the way it works is pretty straightforward - they're essentially just holding your place in line. The average wait time with the IRS is over 2 hours these days, and I just couldn't sit with my phone on speaker for that long during work hours. With this service, I just got a call when an agent was available and could immediately ask my questions about filing requirements for my mixed income situation.

9 E-filing is definitely easier, but some people can't e-file if they have certain tax situations. Like if you need to file Form 8453 or if you're claiming a dependent someone else already claimed. A friend of mine had to paper file this year because of identity theft issues from last year. Sometimes paper filing is the only option.

7 That's true, there are definitely situations where paper filing is necessary. In those cases, following the proper form order becomes crucial. The most important thing is making sure all required schedules are included with the 1040 - missing schedules is one of the biggest reasons tax returns get delayed or flagged for review. If you're required to paper file, using tax preparation software to complete the forms and then printing them out is still a good approach. The software will ensure you complete all required schedules, and then you can mail the printed package following the IRS guidelines.

2 That's good to know! Is there a similar threshold for Schedule C? Or do you still need to report all 1099 income on Schedule C regardless of the amount?

You still need to report all 1099 income on Schedule C regardless of the amount, even if it's just $1. The $400 threshold only applies to self-employment tax (Schedule SE). So you'd file Schedule C to report the income, but if your net self-employment earnings are under $400, you can skip Schedule SE. The income still gets added to your total income on Form 1040 though, so it could still affect your regular income tax liability.