I've been using the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator for a few years now and can confirm what others have said - definitely use your GROSS pay amounts. One thing I'd add is to be really careful about timing when you run the calculator. I always wait until I have at least 2-3 recent paystubs from the current year to get more accurate year-to-date numbers, especially if you got a raise or bonus early in the year. Also, don't forget to update your estimates if your situation changes during the year (new job, marriage, kids, etc.). I run it twice a year - once in spring and once in fall - just to make sure I'm still on track. Better to catch any issues early than get surprised at tax time!

Great thread everyone! I just wanted to add a tip that helped me a lot - when you're entering your gross pay in the Tax Withholding Estimator, make sure to double-check that you're looking at the right line on your paystub. My paystub has like 6 different numbers that could be "gross pay" but only one is the actual total gross before ANY deductions (including pre-tax stuff like health insurance and 401k contributions). I was accidentally using my "taxable gross" which excludes pre-tax deductions, and that threw off my whole calculation. The IRS tool wants your TRUE gross - the very top number before anything comes out. Once I figured that out, my withholding estimates became much more accurate and I stopped getting those scary "you may owe money" warnings from the calculator!

I've been through a similar situation and wanted to share what I learned about the capital gains exclusion timing. The IRS Section 121 exclusion is really forgiving about the exact timing of when you move out versus when you sell. What matters is that you meet the "2 out of 5 years" test - you need to have owned and lived in the home as your primary residence for at least 2 years during the 5-year period ending on the date of sale. Since you've lived there for 6 years, you have a huge buffer. The key thing I discovered is that you can move out, establish a new primary residence, and still sell the old house months later while keeping the exclusion. The IRS doesn't require you to be living in the house on the actual sale date. With your $140k gain and married filing jointly status, you're well under the $500k threshold, so you should owe zero capital gains tax regardless of your exact timing. Just make sure to keep good records of your move-out date and new residence establishment in case you ever get questioned. Good luck with both transactions!

Just wanted to chime in with a slightly different perspective on timing your sale. While everyone's correctly pointing out that you'll easily qualify for the capital gains exclusion, don't forget about the potential benefits of holding onto the property a bit longer if the market conditions are right. Since you have such a large buffer under the $500k exclusion (your $140k gain), you might want to consider whether home values in your area are still appreciating. If the market is strong and you can comfortably handle carrying two mortgages for a few months, waiting could potentially increase your proceeds without any additional tax burden. That said, there are definitely costs to consider - two mortgage payments, insurance, utilities, maintenance, etc. Plus the stress factor of managing two properties. But if your local market is hot and inventory is low, listing in late spring might get you a higher sale price that more than offsets the carrying costs. Just another angle to consider as you make your decision. Either way, sounds like you're in a great position tax-wise!

This is such a frustrating situation, but you're definitely not alone - I see property tax mix-ups like this more often than you'd think, especially when autopay is involved. The good news is that this is absolutely fixable, though it will require some persistence. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is to check if your mortgage company was involved in the original closing. If you had an escrow account for taxes, they should have notified the county about the ownership change. If they failed to do this properly, they might bear some responsibility for the ongoing payments and could help expedite the correction process. Also, when you contact the county offices, ask specifically about their "erroneous payment refund process" - most counties have a formal procedure for exactly this situation. Don't just explain the problem; ask for their standard form for property tax refunds due to ownership errors. This often moves things along faster than trying to explain the whole situation from scratch each time. The tax implications are definitely something to address proactively. Since you've been claiming deductions you weren't entitled to, filing amended returns voluntarily (before the IRS discovers the issue) usually results in much more favorable treatment. You'll likely face interest on any additional taxes owed, but penalties are often waived for voluntary corrections of honest mistakes. One last tip - if you run into bureaucratic roadblocks, ask to speak with a supervisor or property tax specialist rather than general customer service. They're usually much more familiar with resolving these types of ownership transfer issues.

This situation is more common than people realize, especially with autopay systems. I work in property tax administration and see cases like this regularly. Here's what you need to know about the process: First, stop the autopay immediately if you haven't already. Then contact your county's Property Tax Division (not just the general assessor's office) and ask for their "Erroneous Tax Payment Refund Application." Most counties have a specific form and process for exactly this situation. You'll need to provide: your closing statement/deed, proof of sale date, documentation of payments made, and current property records showing the error. The county should process refunds for payments made after the legal transfer date, typically going back 3-5 years depending on local statutes. For the tax return issue, you're right to be concerned. Since you claimed deductions for property taxes on a home you didn't own, you'll need to file amended returns (1040X) for those years. The good news is that voluntary corrections like this rarely result in penalties - usually just interest on any additional tax owed. One often-overlooked aspect: check if the current owner has also been claiming these property tax deductions. If both parties claimed the same taxes, the IRS's matching systems will eventually flag this discrepancy. Getting ahead of it by filing amendments now is much better than waiting for an audit. The whole process typically takes 3-6 months to fully resolve, but starting with the county's formal refund process is your best bet for getting the $10,500 back.

H&R Block Advisors was a total waste of money for my online business. The "advisor" clearly just had some basic training on business returns but didn't understand the specifics of e-commerce at all. I ended up using a combination of QuickBooks Online ($30/month) to track everything and then found a tax preparer who specializes in e-commerce through the Etsy forums. Best decision ever. For your specific concern about "what to collect and from who" - that's all about sales tax, and it varies entirely by: 1) What states you have nexus in 2) What products you sell (digital vs physical) 3) Your sales volume in each state No generic advice will cover your specific situation!

I'm actually in the middle of this exact decision right now! I've been running a small Etsy shop for about 6 months and just hit the point where I need real tax help. I got quotes from both H&R Block Advisors ($275 for business return + $85/hour consulting) and two local CPAs ($400-500 for similar services). The H&R Block person I spoke with seemed knowledgeable but kept asking me to explain basic e-commerce concepts, which was a red flag. One thing that's been super helpful is joining Facebook groups for sellers on your specific platform. I found way more practical advice there than from any tax professional so far. People share their actual experiences with different preparers and what worked for their situations. Have you considered starting with a consultation-only approach? I'm thinking of paying for a one-time setup consultation with a CPA who specializes in e-commerce, then potentially using software for the actual filing. Seems like it might give you the expertise you need without the ongoing high costs. The sales tax piece is definitely the most overwhelming part - each state has different thresholds and rules. I'm still trying to figure out if I need to register in states where I've only sold a few items.

I'm in the same boat with my mobile grooming business! Question for anyone - if I'm only making around $500/month from this side hustle, do I really need to bother with quarterly payments? Can't I just pay it all when I file my taxes next year?

Just wanted to share my experience as someone who's been doing pet sitting for about 3 years now. When I started, I made the mistake of not setting aside money for taxes and got hit with a big bill at tax time plus penalties. Here's what I wish I'd known from the beginning: Open a separate savings account just for taxes and automatically transfer 25-30% of every payment you receive. This way you're never scrambling to find tax money later. For quarterly payments, you can actually adjust them as you go. If you're making more than expected, increase your next payment. If business is slower, you can reduce it. The key is staying ahead of it rather than playing catch-up. Also, keep a simple log of every job - date, client name, amount paid, and miles driven. I use a basic notebook that stays in my car. At tax time, this makes everything so much easier when filling out Schedule C. One more tip: Consider getting general liability insurance if you haven't already. It's tax deductible and protects you if something happens while you're caring for someone's pet. Mine costs about $200/year and gives me peace of mind.