I want to echo what others have said about avoiding the rental route - it's absolutely not worth the risk. As someone who works in tax compliance, I've seen the IRS come down hard on these arrangements, and the penalties can be career-ending. However, I do want to offer some hope for your timeline. The IRS has actually streamlined their EFIN processing significantly for the 2025 season. If you submit a complete, error-free application now, you're looking at closer to 4-5 weeks rather than the traditional 6-8 weeks. The key is making sure everything is perfect the first time - any errors or missing documents will reset your timeline. For the PTIN, definitely apply today. It's straightforward and you'll have it immediately. In the meantime, consider reaching out to local tax preparation offices, enrolled agents, or CPAs who might need seasonal help. Many are actually looking for qualified preparers right now and would be open to a legitimate subcontractor arrangement. This gives you income, experience, and a legal way to prepare returns while your own credentials process. The temporary partnership route that others mentioned is really your best bet. It's completely legal, gives you practical experience, and positions you well for when your own EFIN comes through. Don't let impatience derail what could be a successful long-term career!

As someone who just went through the EFIN application process myself, I want to add that the IRS has also improved their communication this year. You'll actually get email updates at key stages of your application review, which helps eliminate the guesswork about timing. One thing I learned the hard way - when gathering your business documentation, make sure your business address on your state registration exactly matches what you put on the EFIN application. I had to resubmit because my state filing used "Street" while my EFIN application used "St" and that small difference caused a delay. Also, if you're planning to work from home initially, the IRS now accepts a simple business use statement for your home office rather than requiring complex documentation. This has streamlined things significantly for solo practitioners. The partnership route everyone's suggesting really is the way to go. I reached out to about 6 local preparers and 4 were interested in some kind of arrangement. Most were looking for 70/30 or 60/40 splits depending on who provides the software and handles the administrative work. It's actually a win-win since many established preparers want help during busy season but don't want permanent employees. Don't give up on starting this season - there's definitely still time to do this properly!

I've been in a similar situation with multiple jobs and variable hours, and honestly, the approach that worked best for me was keeping it simple. Don't overthink the multiple jobs checkbox - with your variable schedule (8-15 hours vs 12-40 hours), the standard calculations won't be accurate anyway. Here's what I'd recommend: Update your current job's W-4 to add about $75-80 per paycheck on line 4(c) (a bit more than your calculated $67 to account for hour variability). Leave the multiple jobs box unchecked on both forms. For your new job, just fill out the W-4 normally as if it's your only job. This "one job handles all adjustments" approach is much cleaner than trying to coordinate withholding between two employers with unpredictable schedules. Plus, if your hours change dramatically at either job, you only need to update one W-4 form rather than trying to rebalance both. The key is monitoring your withholding every few months by checking your paystubs against a tax calculator. If you're still on track to owe money, bump up that extra withholding amount. If you're over-withholding, reduce it. Way less stressful than trying to make the worksheets work with irregular income!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in almost the exact same boat - currently full-time but transitioning to two part-time jobs with variable hours. The consensus here seems clear: handle all the withholding adjustments through one job rather than trying to coordinate between both. From what everyone's shared, I'm planning to: 1. Add extra withholding ($75-80 per paycheck) to my higher-paying job's W-4 on line 4(c) 2. Leave the multiple jobs box unchecked on both forms 3. Fill out the new job's W-4 as if it's my only job (no special adjustments) 4. Monitor my withholding quarterly and adjust that one number if needed The "primary vs secondary job" approach makes so much more sense than the official worksheets when you have unpredictable schedules. It's reassuring to see multiple people confirm this method works well in practice. One follow-up question - for those who've done this, do you typically round up your extra withholding calculation to the nearest $5 or $10? The math gives me around $67-70 per paycheck, but I'm thinking of going with $80 to keep it simple and build in a buffer for those weeks when hours spike unexpectedly.

I work as a CPA specializing in nonprofit compliance, and what you're describing raises serious red flags. The variable "management fees" that coincidentally equal year-end excess funds is a textbook example of what the IRS calls private inurement - using a tax-exempt organization's resources to benefit private parties. Legitimate management agreements have several key characteristics that seem missing from your situation: fixed fee structures based on actual services, detailed contracts outlining specific responsibilities, and payments that don't fluctuate based on the nonprofit's financial performance. When payments are structured to essentially distribute all excess funds to related for-profit entities, it suggests the nonprofit is being used as a pass-through to avoid taxes on what should be taxable income. The fact that the same people control both the nonprofit and the for-profit entities makes this even more problematic. The IRS has specific intermediate sanctions (excise taxes) for exactly these types of arrangements, and in severe cases, they can revoke the organization's tax-exempt status entirely. If you decide to document this situation, focus on: the management agreements (if they exist), board resolutions approving these payments, the organization's conflict of interest policies, and how these transactions are reported on Form 990. You may also want to review whether the nonprofit is actually fulfilling its stated charitable purpose or primarily serving as a tax shelter. Consider speaking with a nonprofit attorney before taking any action, as whistleblower protections and proper reporting procedures can be complex.

Having worked in nonprofit financial oversight for several years, I want to emphasize that what you're describing sounds like a serious compliance violation that needs immediate attention. The pattern of variable year-end transfers to related for-profit entities controlled by the same individuals is exactly what the IRS looks for when investigating private benefit schemes. Beyond the legal implications others have mentioned, there's also the reputational risk to consider. If this arrangement becomes public or triggers an IRS investigation, it could severely damage the organization's credibility and ability to fulfill its charitable mission. Donors, grantors, and the community generally have little tolerance for nonprofits that appear to be gaming the tax system. I'd strongly recommend that you start by reviewing the organization's most recent Form 990 (available on sites like GuideStar or the Foundation Directory). Look specifically at Part VII (compensation), Schedule L (transactions with interested persons), and Schedule R (related organizations). If these transfers aren't properly disclosed there, that's another major red flag. Given the complexity and potential consequences, this really warrants consultation with both a nonprofit attorney and a CPA who specializes in exempt organizations. Many state attorneys general also have nonprofit oversight divisions that investigate these types of issues. Document everything you can while being mindful of any confidentiality agreements you may have signed, and consider whether your state has whistleblower protections that might apply to your situation.

I went through this exact same situation last year when I became trustee for my grandmother's estate. The confusion is totally understandable - the IRS instructions for 1041-ES aren't the clearest! To confirm what others have said: you only mail the payment voucher (the detachable portion) with your check. Keep all the worksheets and calculations for your own records. The worksheets are just to help you figure out the right payment amount, but the IRS doesn't need to see your work. A few additional tips from my experience: - Make copies of everything before you mail it - Send it certified mail so you have proof it was delivered - Double-check the mailing address in the 1041-ES instructions - it varies by state and sometimes by the type of entity - If you're late on this first payment, don't panic. You can include the penalty when you file the final 1041 return The hardest part is that first payment when everything feels uncertain. After that, you'll have the routine down and it becomes much more manageable. Good luck with the estate administration!

Just wanted to add one more thing that might help - if you're ever unsure about whether your payment was processed correctly, you can call the IRS at 1-800-829-0115 and they can confirm receipt of your estimated payment. Have your EIN and the payment date ready when you call. I had a situation where I wasn't sure if my check had been cashed (it took almost 6 weeks to clear), and calling to confirm gave me peace of mind that the payment was properly credited to the trust's account. They can also tell you your current balance and any upcoming payment due dates. Also, keep in mind that if the estate closes before all four quarterly payments are made, you'll need to make a final estimated payment when you file the final 1041 return. The IRS doesn't automatically know when an estate is closed, so you're responsible for making sure all the tax obligations are met through the closing date. Hope this helps ease some of the anxiety around your first trustee experience!

I completely understand the confusion - I went through the same thing last year when my company switched to the new W4 system! The key thing to remember is that the new system is actually more precise, even though it feels more complicated. For your sister's situation with 3 kids under 5 making $52k, here's what I'd recommend starting with: 1. Put $6,000 on Line 3 (Child Tax Credit for 3 kids) 2. Leave Line 4(b) empty initially to be safe 3. Monitor her next few paychecks to see the change This conservative approach will still increase her take-home pay significantly without risking owing taxes. The $6,000 on Line 3 alone should reduce her withholding by about $230 per month. Once she sees how that affects her paychecks, she can always submit a new W4 later with additional adjustments on Line 4(b) if she wants to capture more of that projected $13k refund in her regular pay. It's better to adjust gradually than to risk a surprise tax bill! The beauty of the new system is you can update your W4 anytime during the year as your situation becomes clearer.

The new W4 system definitely takes some getting used to! I went through this same confusion when helping my daughter adjust hers last year. One thing that really helped us understand the system better was using the IRS's own withholding calculator at irs.gov/W4App. It's free and walks you through your specific situation step by step. For your sister's case, it will factor in her income, filing status, number of dependents, and estimated credits like EIC. The calculator will then tell you exactly what to put on each line of the W4 - no guesswork needed. It even shows you how your changes will affect each paycheck and your projected refund. Since your sister is getting such a large projected refund ($13k), the calculator might suggest putting amounts on both Line 3 (for child tax credits) AND Line 4(b) (for other adjustments). The key is that it does the math for you based on current tax law. I'd recommend running through the calculator together - it takes about 10-15 minutes and gives you confidence that you're making the right adjustments. You can always be conservative with the first adjustment and run the calculator again in a few months if needed.