Have you considered just paying a CPA to handle this for you? With the complexity you're describing (especially with the accounting method change), it might be worth the money. My tax situation got similarly complicated last year and I bit the bullet and hired someone. Cost me about $800 but saved me thousands in deductions I would have missed and countless hours of stress.

One thing nobody's mentioned yet - if you file for an extension and pay what you think you'll owe, you'll avoid the late filing penalty (which is much higher than the late payment penalty). The late filing penalty is 5% of unpaid taxes for each month your return is late, while the late payment penalty is just 0.5% per month.

This exact situation is why I only use licensed daycare centers now even though they're more expensive. They're legitimate businesses with tax IDs, proper contracts, and regular receipts. Worth every penny for the peace of mind during tax season and for knowing they meet safety standards. For your current situation, I'd try one more written request (certified mail) for her information, explicitly stating what you paid her for the year. If she still refuses, proceed with filing with the documentation you have and start looking for new care.

I went through something very similar with my nanny last year. She was paid $400/week for 10 months and when tax time came, she completely ghosted me about providing her SSN. I was panicking about losing out on a significant tax credit. Here's what I learned from my tax attorney: You absolutely can still claim the Child and Dependent Care Credit even without the provider's SSN. The key is documenting that you made a reasonable effort to obtain it. Send her a formal written request via certified mail asking for her tax information using IRS Form W-10. Keep the receipt and any responses (or lack thereof). On Form 2441, there's a checkbox specifically for situations where you requested but couldn't obtain the provider's taxpayer identification number. Check that box and attach a brief explanation of your attempts to get the information. Your Venmo records are excellent documentation. For the cash payments, create a simple log showing dates and amounts that align with your agreed-upon weekly rate. The IRS understands that some childcare payments are made in cash. One thing to consider: if she's being paid $385/week by you and likely similar amounts by other families, she could owe substantial back taxes. The IRS has ways of cross-referencing childcare providers when multiple families claim the same person. You're not responsible for her tax compliance - focus on claiming what you're legally entitled to. I'd also start quietly looking for backup childcare options now, just in case this relationship becomes untenable after tax season.

This is a really troubling situation, and I'm glad you caught it early. The fact that the VIN on the IRS letter doesn't match your vehicle is a major red flag that suggests either a serious clerical error or potentially fraudulent activity by the dealership. Here's what I'd recommend doing immediately: 1. **Document everything** - Take photos of your vehicle's VIN (usually visible through the windshield on the driver's side), gather all your purchase paperwork, and keep that IRS letter safe. 2. **Contact the IRS directly** - Don't wait on this. Call the Clean Vehicle Credit hotline at 1-866-455-7438. Explain the VIN mismatch and that you never knowingly transferred your credit. 3. **File complaints** - Report this to your state's Attorney General, the Better Business Bureau, and your state's motor vehicle dealer licensing board. If there's fraud involved, they need to know. 4. **Check your credit report** - Make sure no other vehicles or loans have been opened in your name. The good news is that the VIN mismatch actually works in your favor - it's clear evidence that something went wrong in the process. This isn't just a case of buried paperwork; there's a legitimate administrative error or worse happening here. Keep pushing for answers and don't let the dealership's non-responsiveness discourage you. You have rights as a consumer, and this situation definitely warrants investigation.

This situation definitely needs immediate attention, especially with that VIN mismatch. I work in automotive compliance and have seen similar cases where dealers submitted incorrect paperwork to the IRS, sometimes accidentally but occasionally as part of larger schemes. The fact that you have a completely different VIN on the IRS letter is actually helpful evidence - it clearly shows something went wrong in the process. When you contact the IRS Clean Vehicle Credit department, emphasize this point first. They can look up that VIN and see who actually owns that vehicle and whether a legitimate transfer was made. A few additional steps to consider: Request a copy of your complete sales file from the dealership in writing (certified mail). Even if they're not responding to calls, they're legally required to provide this in most states. Also, check if your vehicle purchase was financed - if so, the lender may have copies of all the paperwork that was supposed to be signed. One thing that concerns me is the 80-mile distance you mentioned. Dealers operating far from customers sometimes use this distance as a shield against complaints, making it harder for people to follow up in person. This could be part of a pattern if they're doing this to multiple customers. Document every attempt you make to contact them and keep pushing through official channels. The VIN discrepancy alone should be enough to get this resolved in your favor.

Anyone know if this affects social security and medicare withholding too? Or is that the same regardless of which state you're in?

This is a frustrating situation but definitely fixable! I went through something similar when my company incorrectly classified me as a California resident while I was actually living in Nevada. A few key things to prioritize: 1. **Document everything** - Save all your pay stubs showing the NY withholding, any emails with payroll, and proof of your Tennessee residency (lease, utility bills, etc.) 2. **Push for W-2c forms** - Don't let payroll just fix it going forward. You need corrected W-2c forms for 2022 and 2023 to properly file amended returns and get your money back. 3. **File non-resident returns** - You'll need to file NY non-resident returns showing $0 NY income to get refunds of the withheld taxes. Since Tennessee has no state income tax on wages, you should get back everything that was withheld. 4. **Check your federal filing status** - The fact that they also changed you from Married to Single could have affected your federal taxes too. Make sure that gets corrected on your W-2c forms. The good news is Tennessee's lack of state income tax makes this cleaner than it could be. You're not dealing with reciprocity agreements or partial credits between states. Just document everything and be persistent with payroll - they created this mess and need to fix it properly.

I'd strongly recommend reporting the $500 even though it's a small amount. Here's why: the IRS has been increasing their data matching capabilities, and many online platforms are required to report payments to them even if they don't send you a 1099. If you use PayPal, Venmo, CashApp, or similar services, they're now reporting transactions over $600 total per year to the IRS. Even if your feet pic income stays under that threshold, it's better to be transparent. The good news is that for $500 in self-employment income, you likely won't owe any self-employment tax (since that kicks in at $400 net income, and you can deduct legitimate business expenses). You'd just report it as other income on your tax return. My advice: keep detailed records of all transactions, set aside about 20-25% of what you earn for taxes just in case, and consider any expenses you can legitimately deduct (portion of phone/internet bills, any equipment, etc.). Better to over-report than under-report when it comes to the IRS.

I've been following this thread and wanted to add something that might help. As someone who works in tax preparation, I see situations like this all the time. The $500 threshold is actually pretty common for people testing out online side gigs. Here's what I tell my clients: even though $500 seems small, reporting it correctly from the start establishes good habits and protects you down the line. The IRS has gotten much better at cross-referencing data from payment processors, social media platforms, and other digital sources. For your specific situation, since you're planning to stop after making $500, you're probably looking at reporting this as "Other Income" on Schedule 1 of your Form 1040, assuming your net earnings stay under $400 after any legitimate business deductions. Keep receipts for anything related to this activity - even small expenses like a portion of your internet bill or phone costs can help reduce your taxable income. The key is documentation. Screenshot every transaction, keep records of any expenses, and track dates. Even if you never get audited, having clean records makes filing so much easier. And honestly, for $500 in additional income, you're probably looking at maybe $50-75 in extra federal taxes depending on your bracket, so it's not going to break the bank. Good luck with the car repair fund!