What's the Best Way to File Taxes Using Form 8919 After Submitting SS-8?

Form 8919 is definitely the right approach when you believe you've been misclassified and have already submitted Form SS-8. Most tax software can handle Form 8919, but you need to make sure you're entering everything correctly. When using tax software, you need to specifically tell it that you're filing Form 8919 and select the correct reason code (probably code G since you've filed the SS-8 but haven't received a determination). The software should then calculate only the employee portion of FICA taxes (the 7.65% total) rather than the full 15.3% self-employment tax. If the software is still calculating self-employment tax, you might be missing a step in the software's workflow. Look for specific sections about worker classification or Form 8919. If you can't find it, you might need to try different tax software or file by mail. As for the mailing option, you'd complete Form 8919, attach it to your Form 1040, and mail everything together. Make sure to include a copy of your 1099-NEC as well.

I went through exactly the same situation last year! After spending hours trying to figure it out, I finally found taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) which saved me so much frustration with my misclassification issue. They have a feature that specifically helps with contractor vs. employee classification and Form 8919 filing. Their system actually reviews your 1099 and work situation details, then guides you through the exact steps needed for Form 8919. I was also struggling with tax software that kept calculating the full self-employment tax even though I'd submitted my SS-8. The best part was that they showed me exactly how to file electronically using the right codes and entries so I didn't have to mail anything in. Definitely worth checking out if you're stuck in this situation.

Just wanted to follow up on my skeptical comment about taxr.ai from earlier. I decided to try it out since I was really struggling with this exact issue, and wow - it actually worked perfectly! The system analyzed my documents and walked me through the exact process for filing with Form 8919 using TaxAct (which I was already using but couldn't figure out the right settings). It identified that I needed to use reason code G on Form 8919 and showed me screenshots of exactly where to enter the information in TaxAct. My return calculated correctly with just the employee portion of FICA taxes (saved me over $3,000 compared to self-employment tax). The best part is I was able to e-file successfully instead of dealing with mailing everything. Honestly wish I'd found this sooner - spent about 3 weeks trying to figure this out on my own before getting the right guidance.

If you're still struggling to get through to the IRS about your SS-8 determination, I highly recommend using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was in your exact situation last year and was getting nowhere trying to call the IRS about my worker classification case. I was so frustrated after spending hours on hold only to get disconnected. Then I found this service through a YouTube video (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) that showed how it works. Basically, they get you connected to an actual IRS agent within minutes instead of waiting for hours. I used it to reach someone at the IRS who was able to check on the status of my SS-8 determination and give me specific guidance about filing with Form 8919 in the meantime. The agent actually told me exactly which software could handle Form 8919 correctly and what fields I needed to pay attention to. Saved me a ton of time and stress!

I need to eat my words from my skeptical comment earlier. After another failed attempt spending 2+ hours on hold with the IRS just to get disconnected, I reluctantly tried Claimyr. I was absolutely convinced it wouldn't work, but I was desperate for info about my SS-8 and Form 8919 situation. To my genuine shock, I got a call back in about 20 minutes connecting me to an actual IRS employee. The agent was able to look up my SS-8 case and confirm they had received it, and gave me specific instructions about filing with Form 8919 in the meantime. The agent explained that I should use reason code G on the form and confirmed that I only needed to pay the employee portion of FICA taxes while waiting for the determination. She even explained that most tax software can handle this but that I needed to look for specific worker classification sections that aren't always obvious in the interfaces. Definitely the most useful IRS conversation I've ever had, and saved me days of frustration.

Just wanted to add my experience with the mailing option since nobody mentioned timing. I had to file Form 8919 last year and chose to mail my return because I couldn't get TurboTax to handle it correctly. My return took FOREVER to process - almost 4 months before I got my refund. If you can find software that handles Form 8919 correctly and allows e-filing, I would strongly recommend that route. Also, make sure you keep copies of absolutely everything - your 1099-NEC, your completed Form 8919, proof of mailing if you go that route, and especially proof that you filed your SS-8. You might need these if there are any questions later.

Quick tip if you're preparing Form 8919 - make sure you enter code G in box c since you've filed the SS-8 but haven't received a determination. Also, you'll need to fill out the employer information in boxes d through f (name, EIN, and address). The other thing people often miss is that the amount from the 1099-NEC goes in column d (Total wages) of Form 8919, and then that same amount needs to be reported on Schedule 1 as "other income" with a note that it's also being reported on Form 8919. This prevents duplicate taxation while ensuring it's properly reported. If the software doesn't seem to be handling this correctly, try entering your 1099-NEC information, but then go back and look for a section about "Forms" or "Miscellaneous Forms" and specifically add Form 8919.

Just wanted to share my experience since I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago. The key thing that helped me was understanding that Form 8919 needs to be treated as a separate form in your tax software, not just an adjustment to your 1099-NEC. In FreeTaxUSA specifically, after you enter your 1099-NEC information, go to the "Federal Taxes" section and look for "Less Common Income" or "Other Tax Situations." There should be an option for "Unreported Social Security and Medicare Tax" or something similar - that's where you'll find Form 8919. When you complete Form 8919, make sure you: 1. Use reason code G (you filed SS-8 but no determination yet) 2. Enter your employer's full information 3. Put the full amount from your 1099-NEC in the wages section The software should then automatically reduce your self-employment tax and only charge you the employee portion of FICA taxes. If it's still showing the full self-employment tax, double-check that the 1099-NEC amount isn't being counted twice in different sections. One last tip - print out your completed return before filing to verify the numbers look right. You should see Form 8919 attached and your total tax should be significantly lower than if you filed as self-employed.