I just went through this exact same situation last month! I'm a freelance graphic designer and a client put my business name "Creative Studio Works" on my 1099-NEC instead of my legal name. I was panicking because I thought it would mess up my entire tax filing. Here's what I learned: The key is to act fast and document everything. I sent my client a polite but firm email explaining that the IRS requires the name on tax forms to match exactly with the recipient's legal name and Social Security number. I mentioned that incorrect forms can cause processing delays and potential penalties for both parties. My client was actually apologetic once they understood the issue - they had no idea it mattered! They issued a corrected 1099-NEC within a week marked as "CORRECTED" and sent me both a physical copy and PDF via email. While waiting for the correction, I had already prepared my Schedule C with my legal name and kept detailed records of all my communications requesting the fix. The peace of mind was worth it, and now I make sure to give clients my legal name upfront for all tax documents, even when they know me by my business name. Don't stress too much about this - it's way more common than you think, especially in the creative and freelance world. Just be proactive about getting it fixed and you'll be fine!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now! I'm a freelance photographer and one of my clients issued a 1099-NEC using my photography business name instead of my legal name. The stress has been keeping me up at night wondering if this will cause major issues with the IRS. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful and reassuring. It sounds like the consensus is to immediately contact the client to request a corrected form, while also preparing to file accurately under my legal name and SSN regardless of whether I get the correction in time. What I found most valuable from this thread is learning that the IRS matching system primarily uses Social Security numbers rather than names, and that this type of discrepancy is actually quite common with freelancers and creative professionals. I was imagining worst-case scenarios, but it seems like being proactive and documenting everything is the key. I'm going to send my client a professional email today explaining the compliance requirement and requesting a corrected 1099-NEC. If they don't respond quickly, I'll mention that incorrect reporting can result in penalties for the payer as well - that seems like effective motivation based on the experiences shared here. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories and advice. It's such a relief to know that this situation is manageable and that I'm not the first person to deal with this kind of name mismatch on tax forms!

Has anyone tried printing the PDF from FreeTaxUSA and mailing it? I'm in the same boat for 2022 taxes and wondering how long the refund actually took to arrive.

I was in this exact situation last year with my 2021 return! The e-file cutoff is definitely frustrating when you've already done all the work. I ended up paper filing and it took about 6 weeks to get my refund, which wasn't too bad considering. One thing I learned - make absolutely sure you include ALL required attachments when you mail it. The IRS will send it back if anything is missing, which just delays everything further. Double-check that you've included copies of all W-2s, 1099s, and any other income statements. Also make sure to sign and date everything in the right places. I used certified mail with return receipt requested so I could confirm they received it. Cost a few extra dollars but gave me peace of mind. The tracking showed it was delivered, and then I could roughly estimate when to expect processing based on the typical 6-8 week timeframe. Paper filing isn't ideal, but at least FreeTaxUSA did all the calculations for you, so the hard part is done!

I moved to Alabama from Michigan two years ago and this was such a culture shock! In Michigan, I'd get my state refund within 3-4 weeks consistently. Filed my Alabama return in February this year and I'm STILL waiting here in late June - that's almost 5 months! The most infuriating part is how they expect us to file and pay on time with penalties if we're late, but then they can sit on our money for half the year with zero consequences. The hypocrisy is unreal. And don't even get me started on that useless "processing" status that never updates. At this point I've just accepted that Alabama's tax department operates in a parallel universe where time moves at 25% speed. I'm definitely adjusting my withholding for next year - lesson learned about giving this state an interest-free loan! Thanks for posting this - it's oddly comforting to know we're all suffering through this together 😅

I'm going through the EXACT same thing! Filed my Alabama return in mid-March and here we are in late June still stuck on that useless "processing" status. Meanwhile my federal refund was deposited in 8 days! What's really frustrating is reading all these stories and realizing this isn't some anomaly - it's just how Alabama operates. I'm originally from Ohio where state refunds took maybe 4-6 weeks tops, so this 3+ month waiting game is absolutely mind-blowing to me. The worst part is that complete lack of communication. That "processing" message might as well say "we'll get to it whenever we feel like it." No timeline, no queue position, nothing. Meanwhile if WE filed late, they'd hit us with penalties immediately. I think I'm done playing this game - definitely adjusting my withholding next year so I don't give Alabama an interest-free loan that takes them half a year to pay back. Thanks for posting this thread, it's been oddly therapeutic reading everyone's similar experiences! At least we're all suffering through Alabama's stone-age tax system together 😅

This thread has been incredibly helpful for understanding DBA tax requirements! I'm just starting my own DBA for freelance social media management and was completely lost about the tax implications. One thing I wanted to add that I learned from my research - make sure to keep detailed records of any professional development expenses! Things like online courses, industry certifications, books, and conference attendance are all deductible business expenses that can help reduce your tax burden. I just spent $800 on a social media marketing certification and was relieved to learn this counts as a legitimate business expense. Also, regarding estimated quarterly payments - I found the IRS's online estimated tax payment system (EFTPS) to be really user-friendly once you get set up. You can schedule payments in advance and it sends email reminders, which has been a lifesaver for staying on top of the quarterly deadlines. For anyone just getting started, don't let the tax complexity discourage you from pursuing your DBA business! The learning curve feels steep at first, but once you understand the basics (you're still a sole proprietor, use Schedule C, save 25-30% for taxes, track everything), it becomes much more manageable. The freedom of running your own business under a professional name is totally worth the extra tax paperwork!

This thread has been such a comprehensive resource for DBA tax questions! I'm setting up my DBA for freelance consulting and was initially overwhelmed by all the tax implications, but reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly reassuring. One thing I'd like to add that I discovered during my research - if you're working from home with your DBA, don't overlook the simplified home office deduction option. Instead of calculating actual expenses for utilities, mortgage interest, etc., you can use the simplified method which allows you to deduct $5 per square foot of your home office space, up to 300 square feet (max $1,500 deduction). For someone just starting out, this can be much easier to calculate and document than tracking all the actual home expenses. Also wanted to echo what others said about keeping meticulous records from day one. I set up a simple filing system with folders for receipts, bank statements, contracts, and tax documents. It seems like overkill when you're just starting, but I can already tell it's going to save me hours of stress during tax season. The information about the QBI deduction that Andre mentioned is gold - I had no idea about that potential 20% deduction! For anyone making modest income with their DBA, that could be substantial tax savings that many people probably miss out on simply because they don't know it exists.

Just sharing what worked for me in a similar situation. My payroll company issued two W-2s (original and corrected) but reported both to the IRS. 1. I gathered my final paystub for the year showing my actual total earnings 2. Used TurboTax to file using the CORRECT W-2 information only 3. Included a brief statement explaining the duplicate W-2 situation 4. Attached copies of both W-2s with the incorrect one clearly marked "DUPLICATE - DO NOT USE" 5. Also included a copy of my final paystub as proof of actual earnings I did get a letter from the IRS about 3 months later questioning the "missing income," but I just had to call and explain. Since I had already documented everything in my original filing, they resolved it pretty quickly. The key is keeping good records and being able to prove your actual income!

I went through this exact situation two years ago and it was definitely stressful at first, but it got resolved without any major issues. Here's what I learned: The IRS actually deals with duplicate W-2 reporting more often than you'd think, so don't panic about triggering an audit. The key is being proactive and documenting everything. I'd recommend calling the IRS taxpayer assistance line (1-800-829-1040) first to explain the situation and ask them to put a note in your file. When you call, have both W-2s ready and be clear about which one shows your actual correct income. They can flag your account so when their automated systems see the discrepancy, there's already an explanation on file. For your tax filing, use only the CORRECT W-2 (the $68,000 one) and keep detailed records of all your attempts to contact your former employer about fixing their mistake. Screenshot emails, keep notes of phone calls with dates and times, etc. If your former employer continues to be unresponsive, you might need to file Form 4852 (Substitute for Form W-2) along with whatever documentation you have of your actual wages - final paystub, bank deposit records, etc. The good news is that since you're reporting the higher income amount anyway, you're not trying to avoid paying taxes you owe, which makes the IRS much more willing to work with you on resolving the clerical error.