Yes, line 18 on Form 1040X is definitely your expected refund amount! It calculates the difference between what you originally received/owed and what you should receive/owe after your amendments. Since you're adding your husband's W2 (which likely had federal taxes withheld) and claiming missed credits, it makes total sense that your refund would be higher than expected. The 1040X essentially recalculates your entire tax situation with the correct information. Before you submit, I'd recommend doing a final review to make sure: - The "original amount" column matches exactly what was on your filed 1040 - All supporting documents (like that missing W2) are attached - You've signed and dated the form Since you used TurboTax, you should be able to e-file the amendment which is much faster and more reliable than mailing. Processing times for amended returns are currently running 16-20 weeks, so patience will be key. But once it's processed, line 18 is indeed what you can expect to receive!

Yes, line 18 on your 1040X is absolutely your expected refund amount! Since you're adding your husband's W2 (which likely had federal taxes withheld) and claiming credits you initially missed, it totally makes sense that your refund would be higher than you originally expected. The 1040X basically recalculates your entire tax situation with all the correct information included. Line 18 shows the net difference between what you should have received versus what you actually received on your original return. Just a few things to double-check before submitting: - Make sure the "original amount" column exactly matches what was on your filed 1040 - Attach that missing W2 and any other supporting documents - Don't forget to sign and date the form (super common oversight!) Since you used TurboTax, you should be able to e-file it electronically, which is much faster and more secure than mailing. You'll get immediate confirmation when it's submitted successfully. Then it's just a waiting game - amended returns are taking about 16-20 weeks to process right now, but line 18 is indeed what you can expect to receive once it goes through!

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This is terrifying but you're not alone! I went through something similar last year. A few things that really helped me beyond what others have mentioned: 1. Document EVERYTHING with dates and times - every call, every form you submit, every correspondence. Create a dedicated folder/binder. 2. When you do get through to the IRS (and you will eventually), ask for a case number and the agent's ID number. Write down their direct extension if they have one. 3. Consider reaching out to your local Taxpayer Advocate Service office if you hit roadblocks. They're independent from the IRS and can really help cut through red tape. 4. Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery so you can track what mail is coming to your address - sometimes identity thieves try to intercept IRS correspondence. The paper filing requirement is standard for ID theft cases, and yes it's a pain, but it's temporary. Once you get your IP PIN for next year, you can go back to e-filing. Stay strong - this will get resolved! 💪

The "family glitch" might also apply to your situation. If your employer offers affordable coverage for just YOU but not for your family, you alone would be ineligible for premium tax credits, but your family members might still qualify for them on the marketplace. This rule was updated recently, so if you have family members on your marketplace plan, make sure to look into this specifically!

Yes, this is a really important point that many people miss! The "family glitch" fix that went into effect recently addresses exactly this situation. If your employer's family coverage costs more than 9.12% of your household income (even if your individual coverage is affordable), then your family members can qualify for premium tax credits on the marketplace. So in your example with $300/month for you and $1200/month for family coverage - if that family premium exceeds the affordability threshold based on your income, your wife and kids could potentially get subsidized marketplace coverage while you take the employer plan. You'd need to calculate whether $1200/month is more than 9.12% of your annual household income. This is definitely worth investigating if you have family members, as it could save thousands per year in premiums while keeping everyone properly covered without tax penalties.

As an S-Corp owner for 6 years I'll give u the real talk no bs. S-Corp is worth it IF: - ur making at least 80-100k profit - can handle extra paperwork/costs - willing to run payroll (even if just for urself) - dont need all the money each month (gotta leave some in biz) LLC is better if: - simpler operations/lower income - need all the money each month - hate paperwork - just starting out the mistake I see peeps make is jumping to s-corp too early when profits dont justify the hassle. start LLC then convert later!!

Great question, Luca! I went through this exact decision process about 2 years ago as a freelance graphic designer working similar contract arrangements. One thing I'd add to the excellent advice already given - definitely talk to your staffing agency (TechTalent) about how they handle contractor vs. business entity payments. Some agencies prefer working with individual contractors for simplicity, while others are totally fine invoicing your LLC or S-Corp. A few agencies I've worked with actually preferred the business entity route because it made their 1099 reporting cleaner. Also, regarding timing - if you do decide to form an entity before Dec 31st, make sure you understand the prorated tax implications. You'll need to start treating income differently from the formation date forward, which can complicate your 2024 filing if you're switching mid-year. One practical tip: Start tracking ALL your potential business expenses NOW (home office, equipment, software, internet, phone, professional development, etc.) regardless of which entity you choose. I was surprised how much I was spending on legitimate business costs that I wasn't even thinking about deducting. Having 2-3 months of detailed expense tracking will help you make a more informed decision about whether the tax benefits justify the entity costs. The $80-100k profit threshold mentioned by Jamal is pretty spot-on in my experience. Below that, the administrative burden often isn't worth the SE tax savings.

Just a heads up, if they're controlling when and how you work (scheduled shifts, supervision, etc.), you're almost certainly misclassified. Companies do this ALL THE TIME to save money. I was in the same situation with a call center job last year. After filing the SS-8 form, the IRS determined I was an employee, not a contractor. The company got hit with back taxes and penalties, and I got a nice refund check for the extra self-employment taxes I paid! Don't let them get away with it!!

This is exactly why I always tell people to be very careful about contractor classifications! The key thing to remember is that being classified as 1099-NEC means you're paying both the employer AND employee portions of Social Security and Medicare taxes (15.3% total), whereas W2 employees only pay 7.65% with their employer covering the other half. Based on your description - having supervisors, following their schedule, taking calls during set shifts - you sound like you might be misclassified. True independent contractors typically have more control over how, when, and where they do their work. The good news is that if you are misclassified and can prove it through Form SS-8, you could get back thousands in overpaid self-employment taxes. The IRS looks at factors like behavioral control, financial control, and the type of relationship you have with the company. Your situation has several red flags for employee classification rather than contractor.