Just wanted to share something important that bit me last year. If you use the trailer for personal use AT ALL, you need to track the percentage of business vs personal use. Section 179 deduction gets reduced proportionally. So if you use that dump trailer 80% for business and 20% for personal projects, you can only deduct 80% of the cost under Section 179. Keep a log of usage if there's any chance of personal use - dates, job sites, clients, miles, etc. Solid documentation is crucial if you ever get audited!

Great question about the Section 179 deduction! I actually went through this exact situation with my landscaping business last year when I bought a used skid steer. The good news is that used equipment absolutely qualifies for Section 179 as long as it meets the requirements - which it sounds like your dump trailer will. A few key points to keep in mind: Make sure you have solid documentation of the purchase price and business use percentage. Since you mentioned it'll be used 100% for business, that's perfect. Also, consider the timing - the equipment needs to be "placed in service" (actually used in your business) by December 31st to qualify for this year's deduction. One thing that helped me was keeping a simple business use log from day one, even though I was using the equipment 100% for business. It's just good practice in case the IRS ever has questions. The documentation really pays off during tax season when you're filling out Form 4562. For a $5500 purchase, Section 179 can save you a significant amount compared to depreciating it over several years. Just make sure your LLC has enough taxable income this year to take full advantage of the deduction, since Section 179 can't create a business loss.

Based on your income and situation, here's what might be happening: • EITC increases substantially with 2 qualifying children vs 1 • At $30k income with 2 kids, EITC could be around $5,900-6,100 • With 1 kid at same income, EITC is only about $3,900-4,000 • Child Tax Credit adds another $2,000 for the additional child • If you're self-employed, you might qualify for additional credits Before filing, I recommend: • Review the entire return line by line • Use TurboTax's explanation feature on any large credits • Compare with last year's return to spot differences • Print a copy of all supporting documentation

That jump from $5-6k to $10k does seem significant, but it's actually not unusual when adding a second qualifying child. The EITC is designed with "cliff effects" where small changes in dependents can create large refund increases. At your $30k business income level, you're in the sweet spot where adding that second child maximizes your EITC benefit. I'd suggest using the IRS EITC Assistant tool on IRS.gov to double-check your eligibility before finalizing your return. Also make sure both kids meet all the qualifying child tests (age, relationship, residency, etc.). If everything checks out, your refund could legitimately be that high - just keep excellent records in case of future IRS questions.

Anyone else worried about amendments increasing audit risk? I've always heard changing your return is like waving a red flag to the IRS.

Based on the amounts you mentioned ($4,800 in charitable donations + $2,300 in work expenses), you're definitely looking at a worthwhile refund if you were already itemizing in 2022. That's over $7,000 in additional deductions you left on the table. I'd recommend gathering all your documentation first - donation receipts, bank statements showing the charitable contributions, and any records of your work-from-home expenses. For home office deductions, you'll need to be able to demonstrate the space was used regularly and exclusively for work. The 1040-X isn't too intimidating once you get started. Since you used TurboTax originally, you might want to use their amendment feature to keep everything consistent. Just be prepared for the wait time - amended returns are definitely taking longer to process than regular returns right now, but the interest they pay on delayed refunds helps offset some of that inconvenience. Given the potential refund amount, I'd say it's absolutely worth your time to file the amendment!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm genuinely concerned after reading through all these responses. The legal and financial risks everyone has outlined are extensive and serious - from potential money transmitter violations to gaming law issues to platform terms violations. What strikes me most is how what seemed like a simple streaming concept has so many different regulatory pitfalls. The fact that multiple experienced members are independently raising red flags about federal law violations, state gambling regulations, and personal liability issues should be a major wake-up call. @KingKongZilla - I really hope you take the advice here seriously about consulting with gaming law and tax attorneys before continuing. The consensus seems clear that this activity could expose you to risks far beyond what any entertainment value or tips could justify. Even if you've been doing this for a while without issues, that doesn't mean you're in the clear - regulatory enforcement can happen at any time, and the consequences could be life-changing. It might be worth exploring completely different streaming content that doesn't involve handling other people's money for gambling. There are so many successful streamers who build audiences without taking on these kinds of legal and financial risks.

As a newcomer to this community, I'm struck by the comprehensive legal concerns that have been raised throughout this discussion. The unanimous warnings from experienced members about money transmitter laws, gaming regulations, and platform policy violations paint a picture of significant regulatory risk. What's particularly alarming is the potential for retroactive enforcement - even if @KingKongZilla stops this activity now, past transactions could still trigger investigations or penalties. The IRS, state gaming commissions, and federal agencies like FinCEN don't just look at current activity when they investigate potential violations. I'd strongly recommend not just consulting with attorneys, but also proactively reviewing all past transactions to understand your potential exposure. Consider whether you need to file any retroactive reports or disclosures to get ahead of potential issues. The cost of proper legal consultation now is likely far less than the penalties and legal fees you could face if regulatory agencies discover this activity on their own. The streaming entertainment value simply isn't worth the risk of federal prosecution, substantial financial penalties, or having multiple payment processors permanently ban your accounts. There are countless successful content creators who build audiences without handling other people's money for gambling - it might be time to pivot to a completely different streaming approach.

Pro tip: sign up for informed delivery with USPS. Sometimes you'll see the check image before it even arrives if they're mailing it instead of direct deposit

I got mine last year on a Saturday with USAA! But like others said, it really depends on your bank's processing schedule. The state probably sent it out, but your bank might hold it until tomorrow. Two months is rough though - hopefully it shows up soon! 🤞