Don't forget to track your Cash App fees as deductions too! I do pet portrait commissions through Cash App, and when I switched from accepting "friends and family" to proper business payments, I started paying those 2.75% transaction fees. Those are fully deductible business expenses. Also, if you're using your phone to process payments or communicate with clients, you can deduct a portion of your phone bill. Same goes for mileage if you drive to meet clients, and any supplies specific to your business.

Yes, you can absolutely amend your prior year return to claim those Cash App fees! You'll need to file Form 1040-X (Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return) to add those business expenses to your Schedule C. Just make sure you have documentation of the fees - Cash App transaction history showing the fees charged should be sufficient. You generally have 3 years from the original filing deadline to amend a return, so if you filed your 2023 return on time, you have until April 15, 2027 to amend it. The $300 in fees could result in a decent refund depending on your tax bracket. If you're in the 22% bracket, for example, that's about $66 back plus whatever self-employment tax savings you'd get (roughly another $46). Definitely worth the effort to file the amendment!

A word of caution from personal experience - when you file that amended return, make sure you pay any additional tax ASAP. Interest keeps accumulating from the original due date of the return, not from when you discover the problem. I reported my preparer last year and ended up owing about $3,800 in additional taxes, plus almost $450 in interest because I waited a few months to actually pay after filing the 1040-X.

I'm going through something very similar right now and wanted to share what I've learned from my tax attorney. The most important thing is to act quickly but methodically. First, gather ALL documentation related to your tax preparation - emails, worksheets, receipts, anything the preparer gave you or asked for. This will be crucial evidence. When you file Form 14157 and 14157-A, be as specific as possible about what the preparer did wrong. Don't just say "they added deductions I didn't authorize" - list each specific deduction, the amount, and explain what documentation (if any) you actually provided. The more detailed you are, the stronger your case. One thing that really helped me was keeping a timeline of all my interactions with the preparer. Write down dates, what was discussed, what documents you provided, etc. This shows the IRS that you were engaged in the process appropriately and didn't just blindly sign whatever was put in front of you. Also, consider getting a consultation with a tax professional before filing your amended return. Yes, it costs money upfront, but having someone review your situation can help ensure you don't miss anything or make additional errors. The last thing you want is to file an amended return that still has problems.

This is a really tough situation, but you're absolutely right to be concerned. Your boss is essentially asking you to be complicit in tax evasion, and his behavior - especially discouraging you from seeking professional tax advice - is a huge red flag. Here's what you need to know: You are legally required to report ALL income to the IRS, regardless of how it's paid to you. The fact that your employer pays you partially in cash doesn't make that portion non-taxable. Keep detailed records of every payment you receive (dates, amounts, cash vs. check) - this will be crucial for your tax filing. I'd strongly recommend getting a second job lined up before taking any action. While there are legal protections for whistleblowers, small businesses can sometimes find ways to retaliate, and you don't want to be left without income while dealing with this mess. When you file your taxes, report your complete income even if your W-2 doesn't reflect the cash payments. You can use Form 4852 if needed to report the correct amounts. The IRS cares most about individuals paying their proper taxes - if you're honest and thorough in your reporting, you'll be protecting yourself even if your employer isn't handling things properly. Stay strong and trust your instincts - this situation definitely feels sketchy because it IS sketchy.

I'm a tax preparer and I see situations like this more often than you'd think. Your instincts are absolutely correct - what your boss is doing is tax evasion, and his attempts to prevent you from seeking professional advice are major warning signs. Here's the bottom line: ALL income must be reported to the IRS, period. Cash payments don't have some magical exemption just because they're harder to track. Your boss claiming the cash "isn't reported to the IRS" while also saying it's "handled through business deductions" makes no sense - he's clearly making things up as he goes. The good news is you can absolutely protect yourself. Keep meticulous records of every single payment (I recommend a simple spreadsheet with date, amount, and payment type). When tax time comes, report your TOTAL income regardless of what appears on your W-2. If your W-2 is incorrect, use Form 4852 to report the actual amounts. Yes, you'll owe more taxes since no withholding was taken from the cash portion, but that's infinitely better than facing penalties for underreporting income. The IRS has payment plan options if you can't pay the full amount immediately. I'd also strongly suggest starting your job search now. Employers who operate this way rarely change, and you deserve to work somewhere that handles payroll legally and transparently. You're young and clearly have good judgment - don't let this situation derail your financial future.

The 21-day timeframe in Publication 5344 is a general guideline, but in practice, the 810 freeze code often requires manual intervention even after verification is complete. I've seen cases where the verification department and the refund release department operate on different timelines. Given your divorce settlement deadline, I'd recommend taking these steps immediately: 1) Call 877-777-4778 early morning (7 AM local time) to reach the Identity Protection Specialized Unit directly - they handle 810 cases specifically. 2) Have your verification confirmation details ready, including the exact date and method of completion. 3) Explicitly mention the financial hardship due to your divorce proceedings - this can qualify you for expedited processing. 4) If the first representative can't help, ask to speak with a manager who has authority to manually release freeze codes. The key is being persistent and specific about your situation. Don't accept "wait for the system to update" as an answer when you have documented completion of verification over two weeks ago.

I've been following this thread closely because I'm dealing with a similar 810 freeze situation. What strikes me about everyone's experiences is how inconsistent the resolution timeframes are - some people get it resolved in days while others wait weeks or months. Based on what I'm seeing here, it seems like there are actually multiple factors that can cause the 810 freeze to persist even after verification: 1) System lag between departments (as mentioned by several people), 2) Additional verification requirements beyond just ID verification, 3) Manual holds that require supervisor intervention, and 4) High processing volumes during tax season. For those still waiting like Yuki, it might be worth trying multiple approaches simultaneously rather than just waiting. The Identity Protection Specialized Unit number (877-777-4778) that NebulaNinja shared seems promising, and the idea of documenting financial hardship could help prioritize your case. I'm also wondering if there's a pattern to which verification methods (online vs phone) or which time of year leads to faster resolution? It would be helpful to track this data as a community so future people dealing with 810 freezes have better guidance on what to expect and which strategies actually work.

Don't forget about tax treaties! Many countries have tax treaties with the US that can reduce or eliminate withholding for J1 research scholars. For example, if you're from the UK, Germany, China, or India (among many others), you might qualify for reduced withholding. You'll need to fill out Form 8233 in addition to your W4 to claim treaty benefits. Your university should have this form available through the international office or payroll department.

As someone who went through this exact situation last year, I want to emphasize something that might not be obvious: even though you'll likely become a resident alien later in 2024, you should absolutely check the nonresident alien box on your W4 right now. Here's why this matters: your current withholding needs to match your current status. If you don't check the box, your employer will withhold taxes as if you're a US resident from day one, which could result in significant overwithholding that you'll have to wait until tax season to recover. When your status does change (likely after your second calendar year as a J1, not just based on days present), you can submit a new W4 to adjust your withholding going forward. Most universities are very familiar with this process since they deal with international scholars regularly. One more tip: keep detailed records of all your entry/exit dates and visa statuses. You'll need this information for your tax return, and it helps if any questions come up about when exactly your residency status changed.