I noticed nobody mentioned that you could potentially file Form 8275 (Disclosure Statement) with your return if you're going to report amounts different from your 1099. This form lets you disclose items or positions that aren't otherwise adequately disclosed on a tax return. It won't necessarily prevent an audit, but it shows you're being transparent about the discrepancy rather than trying to hide something. Include your calculation method and why you believe the broker's 1099 is incorrect.

I went through something very similar last year with a $2,800 discrepancy on my 1099-B. Here's what I learned from my CPA: First, don't panic and file with numbers you know are wrong - that can create bigger problems down the road. The key is to systematically figure out where the difference is coming from. Start by requesting your "realized gains and losses" report from your investment platform for the entire tax year. This is different from just your transaction history and will show exactly how they calculated each gain/loss. Compare this line by line with your records. Common causes of discrepancies I've seen: - Cost basis adjustments from corporate actions (stock splits, spinoffs, etc.) - Reinvested dividends that create new cost basis - Wash sale adjustments that defer losses - Different lot identification methods than what you used If you find a legitimate error after this review, document everything and request a corrected 1099 in writing. Most platforms will issue one if you can clearly show the mistake. If they won't correct it but you're certain there's an error, you'll need to report the 1099 amounts on your return but make an adjustment on Form 8949. Include a clear explanation and keep all your supporting documentation. The worst thing you can do is ignore the 1099 completely - the IRS computer will definitely flag that mismatch.

Has anyone tried claiming part of their home office as a deduction for teacher prep work? I spend at least 15-20 hours a week grading and planning at my home desk since there's no time during school hours.

Great question! I'm also a teacher and went through this same frustration. Beyond what others have mentioned about the charitable donation rules, here are a few additional strategies I've discovered: 1. **Itemize vs. Standard Deduction**: Even though you can't claim the extra expenses as charitable donations in most cases, make sure you're comparing itemized vs. standard deduction. Sometimes teachers overlook other itemizable expenses that could push them over the standard deduction threshold. 2. **Professional Development**: Keep receipts for any education-related courses, workshops, or conferences you attend. These often qualify as professional expenses and aren't subject to the $325 limit. 3. **State Tax Benefits**: Some states offer additional educator expense deductions or credits beyond the federal limit. Check your state's specific rules - you might be surprised. 4. **Documentation**: Even if you can't deduct everything this year, keep meticulous records. Tax laws change, and having good documentation puts you in a better position if rules become more favorable to educators in the future. The system definitely doesn't adequately recognize how much teachers actually spend on their classrooms. Hopefully more states will follow suit with additional educator-friendly tax provisions!

Would salon capes and towels fall under De Minimis or regular supplies? Each towel is like $8 but I buy them in bulk orders of $200-300. And what about things like a new salon software subscription? FYI I also use freetaxusa and its been so confusing trying to categorize everything correctly!

Great thread! As someone who's been doing taxes for small businesses for over 10 years, I wanted to add a few clarifications that might help Carmen and others in similar situations. First, you're absolutely right that consumable salon supplies (shampoo, hair color, etc.) are regular business expenses and don't need the De Minimis election. However, I've seen many salon owners miss deductions by not properly categorizing mixed-use items. Here's a practical tip for FreeTaxUSA users: Instead of trying to fit everything into "Other Expenses," use the main expense categories first. Put your consumable supplies under "Supplies," equipment repairs under "Repairs and Maintenance," and software subscriptions under "Office Expenses." Only use "Other Expenses" for truly unique items that don't fit elsewhere. Also, for record-keeping, I always recommend my salon clients take photos of their major supply deliveries and keep a simple monthly log of what they purchased. It doesn't need to be fancy - just enough detail that you can defend your deductions if questioned. The IRS loves to see organized, consistent record-keeping, especially for cash-heavy businesses like salons.

The IRS systems are so broken rn. My return from 2022 just got processed last week 💀

I had a similar situation last year with multiple 570 codes and no communication from the IRS. The key thing is that the August 2024 date doesn't necessarily mean they'll hold everything until then - it's more like a system placeholder. When I had this happen, my advocate told me that future-dated 570 codes often get resolved much earlier, especially if you stay on top of it. I'd definitely reach out to your tax advocate again since they have better access to what's actually happening behind the scenes. The fact that you got a small refund in April suggests they're processing parts of your return, which is actually a good sign that things are moving forward even if slowly.

For anyone wondering about timing - I filed an amended return for a similar issue (wrong 1099) in February last year. It took about 14 weeks to process. The IRS says to allow up to 16 weeks, but it could take longer during busy periods. Just make sure you pay any additional tax owed when you submit the amendment to avoid extra interest and penalties. The IRS will charge interest from the original due date until you pay.

This is exactly why I keep all my tax documents in separate folders by year now! Made a similar mistake a few years back with my 1099s and it was such a pain to fix. One thing I learned from that experience - when you file the 1040-X amendment, make sure to write a clear explanation in Part III about what happened. Something like "Used incorrect W-2 form from tax year 2022 instead of 2023" helps the IRS processor understand the situation quickly. Also, since you mentioned you haven't received your refund yet, the IRS will automatically adjust your refund amount once they process the amendment. If you end up owing more (which sounds likely given the raise), they'll reduce your refund accordingly. If you end up owing significantly more than your refund amount, you'll get a bill for the difference. The update in your post is really helpful for others - thanks for sharing how it worked out! That $4 refund check is probably just the remaining balance after they applied your original refund to the additional tax owed.