I'm filling out my taxes right now and have the exact same question about job trial payments! If I use Schedule C, does anyone know what business code I should use? I did sample projects as a social media manager if that helps.

I'm dealing with this exact situation right now! I received about $850 total from various companies for completing coding challenges and design mockups during interviews last year. None of the companies sent me 1099s, but I kept detailed records of all the payments in a spreadsheet. Based on what I'm reading here, it sounds like Schedule C is definitely the way to go. For my situation, I think I'll use "Computer Systems Design Services" as my business code since most of the work was software development related. One thing I'm wondering about - can I deduct the time I spent on unpaid take-home assignments if they were part of the same interview processes? I probably spent 20+ hours on unpaid coding tests for every 1 hour of paid work. Obviously I can't deduct my time, but what about any resources or tools I purchased specifically for those interview processes? Also, does anyone know if there's a threshold where this stops being considered self-employment and becomes something else? Like if I only made $100 total instead of $850, would the same rules apply?

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now! I just discovered I missed reporting $28 in interest income from my high-yield savings account. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring - it sounds like this is way more common than I initially thought. Based on all the advice shared, I think I'm going to file the 1040-X as well. The fact that you can now e-file amended returns makes it so much easier than I expected. I'd rather spend 20 minutes taking care of it now than worry about potentially getting a notice from the IRS later, even though the tax impact is probably less than $8 in my case. It's really helpful to see that multiple people have gone through this exact process with small interest amounts and had smooth experiences. Thanks to everyone who shared their real-world experiences - this thread has turned what felt like a major tax crisis into a very manageable situation!

I've been following this thread closely because I'm in almost the exact same boat - I found a forgotten 1098-INT for $31 in interest income after already filing and receiving my refund. Reading everyone's experiences has been incredibly helpful! What really convinced me to file the 1040-X was learning that you can now e-file amended returns. I had no idea this was possible and was dreading the thought of dealing with paper forms and months of waiting. The fact that multiple people here have successfully e-filed amendments for similar small amounts and had smooth experiences makes me feel much more confident about the process. I'm planning to use FreeTaxUSA (what I used for my original return) to file the amendment this week. Even though the additional tax will probably only be around $6-7 for me, the peace of mind is definitely worth it. Plus, as several people mentioned, it's better to be proactive than potentially deal with IRS notices later, even for such small amounts. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - this thread has transformed what felt like a scary tax mistake into a very manageable situation!

Has anyone tried just using an SSN instead of an ITIN on the W9? I'm in a similar situation and my cousin told me I could just apply for an SSN instead since the process is supposedly easier.

I went through this exact same situation with Chase about 6 months ago! The key thing that helped me was being proactive with communication. As soon as I submitted my W-7 form for the ITIN application, I called Chase's customer service and explained the situation. They were actually pretty understanding once I explained that I was a new resident who needed an ITIN for banking purposes but wasn't earning US income yet. The representative put a note on my account and extended my deadline to 90 days instead of 30. One tip that really helped: when you submit your ITIN application, ask the IRS (or your Certifying Acceptance Agent if you use one) for a receipt or acknowledgment letter. Chase accepted this as proof that I was actively working on getting my ITIN, which stopped the threatening letters. Also, make sure to keep detailed records of all your communications with both Chase and the IRS throughout this process. It'll save you headaches later if there are any mix-ups!

22 Make sure you keep a copy of your W-2 even if you don't file! My daughter lost hers and then needed it later for financial aid applications. Also, don't forget to check if you need to file a state tax return - some states have much lower filing thresholds than the federal government.

Hey Grant! I was in almost the exact same situation when I got my first job at 16 - totally clueless about taxes and panicking about doing something wrong. Don't worry, you're definitely not messing anything up by asking questions! Since you only made $2,300, you're not required to file, but definitely check box 2 on your W-2 to see if any federal taxes were withheld. If there's money there, filing will get you a refund - it's basically free money that's already yours! Even if it's just $20-30, it's worth the experience of going through the process. The key thing to remember is that your parents claiming you as a dependent and you filing your own return are completely separate things. They can still claim you AND you can file to get your withholdings back. For someone with just one W-2 like you, the whole process should take less than an hour using any free tax software. Think of it as good practice for when you'll be required to file in future years. You've got this!

I work in HR and can confirm that The Cheesecake Factory uses Workday for their payroll system. As a former employee, you should still have access to your Workday account - the login credentials are typically your employee ID and either your SSN or a password you set up during onboarding. Try going to myworkday.com and looking for The Cheesecake Factory's specific login portal. If you can't remember your login info, there should be a "Forgot Password" or "Account Recovery" option. You'll need your employee ID (which should be on any old paystub) and your SSN to reset access. If that doesn't work, call their corporate HR line at 1-818-871-3000 and ask to speak with someone about accessing your W-2 as a former employee. They deal with this situation constantly and should be able to help you get logged in within a few minutes. Don't let them brush you off - you have a legal right to that document! Also, just so you know for future reference, most large employers are required to make W-2s available electronically to former employees through the same system they used while employed. They just don't always make this clear when people quit.

I just went through this exact situation with The Cheesecake Factory last month! Carmen is absolutely right about the Workday system. What worked for me was going directly to the Cheesecake Factory employee portal (not the generic myworkday.com). Try searching online for "Cheesecake Factory employee login" or "Cheesecake Factory Workday portal" - they have their own branded login page. Your employee ID is definitely on your last paystub, and the initial password might have been your birth date (MMDDYYYY format) or last 4 digits of SSN if you never changed it. One thing that helped me was calling during off-peak hours (like 10am-2pm on weekdays) when their HR isn't swamped. The person I talked to was actually really helpful once I got through to the right department. They walked me through the password reset process while I was on the phone. Don't stress too much about the deadline - if you can't get your W-2 by February 15th, the IRS will definitely help you get it from them. But honestly, the Workday portal route will probably be your fastest solution. Good luck!