Thank you so much for sharing your experience. Do I need to do anything special with the letter? Like attach it in a certain way or reference anything specific? I've never had to write to the IRS before and I want to make sure I do it right.

Just write a simple one-page letter titled "Statement of Reasonable Cause" explaining that you inadvertently missed filing the return due to life circumstances (be specific but brief about the job change and move). Include your names, Social Security numbers, tax year, and sign it. Attach it to the front of your return if filing by mail. If filing electronically, mail the letter separately to the same IRS processing center where you would have mailed your return, and reference your names, SSNs, and tax year 2022 in the letter.

I second FreeTaxUSA for prior year returns. TurboTax wanted $140 for my 2021 return when I filed it late, but FreeTaxUSA was like $15. Same forms, way less money.

I'm self-employed, running my own consulting business. The conference is directly related to my field and I'm presenting at one of the sessions. Does that strengthen my case for the airfare deduction even with the extended vacation time?

That definitely strengthens your case! The fact that you're presenting at the conference creates an even clearer business purpose for the trip. The IRS would have a hard time arguing that your primary purpose wasn't business when you're actually a presenter. Since you're self-employed, you'll report these deductions on your Schedule C, which is much more straightforward than the old unreimbursed employee expense deductions. Just make sure to maintain documentation of your presentation, the conference agenda showing your name, and all receipts for the business portion. The extended vacation doesn't affect your airfare deduction as long as the primary purpose was clearly business, which in your case is very well established by being a presenter.

I thought the rules were different for meals included as part of a conference registration fee? Aren't those fully deductible rather than subject to the 50% limit?

That's a great idea I hadn't thought of! Have you actually gotten detailed help from them before on how to report specific transactions? I'll definitely give them a call tomorrow if that's the case.

I've gotten basic guidance from them before, but it can be hit or miss depending on who you talk to. Their customer service can usually help clarify what specific codes or entries on your form mean. What they typically won't do is give specific tax advice about how to report things on your return - they'll explain their form but stop short of telling you exactly what to enter on your tax forms. Still worth calling though, as they can often clear up confusion about what certain transactions or adjustments on their statements represent.

I've had mixed results with Reddit. Sometimes you get amazing detailed answers from actual tax pros, and other times you get conflicting advice that leaves you more confused. The challenge is knowing which advice to trust when you get multiple different answers.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That makes me feel better about the situation. Do you remember how long it took for them to send you the letter after you filed your original return?

I think it took about 14 months after I filed my original return. The IRS has been super backlogged the last few years, so it takes them longer to match up 1099s with tax returns. If you're worried, filing an amended return is definitely the safest option. But in my case, the adjustment they made was accurate and the process was pretty painless overall.

That's risky advice. Even if there's a chance the employer didn't file the 1099, it's not worth gambling on. Better to be honest and file the amendment.

I just tried to create an account on the IRS site but it's asking for a credit card number or loan account number for verification, which I don't have since I'm pretty young. Is there another way to access this information?

Yes, there are alternative verification methods if you don't have credit cards or loans. You can use information from a previous year's tax return instead. Look for the option that says something like "verify with a tax return" during the identity verification process. If that doesn't work, you can request an in-person appointment at a local IRS office where they can help you set up access. Or as mentioned above, calling the IRS directly (or using a service to help you get through) is another option to get your W-2 information.

I did that last year with my former employer and they got super defensive and rude about it! But they did send my W-2 within 2 days after I mentioned the January 31st requirement lol. Sometimes you gotta be a bit assertive.