Has anyone used the Free File Fillable Forms to report this kind of mixed income? I'm trying to avoid paying for tax software but have both W2 and 1099-MISC income.

I'm dealing with something similar and want to add a few points that might help. First, definitely get clarification from your employer about why they used 1099-MISC box 3 instead of 1099-NEC - this could save you from reporting incorrectly. Second, keep detailed records of all your contractor work activities and any expenses you incurred (software, equipment, travel, etc.). If it turns out you should have received a 1099-NEC, you'll be able to deduct legitimate business expenses on Schedule C, which could significantly reduce your taxable income. Also, consider making quarterly estimated tax payments next year if you continue the contractor work. Unlike your W2 job where taxes are withheld automatically, contractor income doesn't have withholding, so you might owe a penalty if you underpay during the year. The IRS generally expects you to pay as you earn, not just at year-end. One last tip - if you're truly classified as an independent contractor, make sure you're actually operating independently (setting your own hours, using your own tools, etc.). If the company is treating you like an employee but calling you a contractor, that's worker misclassification and has bigger implications beyond just tax forms.

I dealt with this exact issue earlier this year and it was so frustrating! The "IRS Hasn't Finalized One or More of Your Forms" message usually appears when you're claiming credits or deductions that require forms the IRS is still updating. Since you mentioned having a W-2, 1099-INT, and 1099-MISC, the delay is probably not from those basic forms. More likely it's something like: - Education credits if you paid tuition or fees - Energy efficiency credits if you made home improvements - Child tax credit changes if you have dependents The good news is these delays typically resolve within 1-2 weeks. TurboTax will automatically update when the forms are available. In the meantime, you can save your return as a draft and check back every few days. One thing that helped me was calling TurboTax support directly - they could tell me exactly which form was causing the delay and gave me a realistic timeline for when it would be resolved. Don't panic about missing out on your refund - the IRS processing times are the same once you actually file!

I've been dealing with tax preparation for over a decade and this is actually one of the most common issues people face, especially in January and early February. The "IRS Hasn't Finalized One or More of Your Forms" message is frustrating but completely normal. Based on your description - W-2, 1099-INT, and 1099-MISC - those basic forms are almost never the problem. The delay is most likely coming from one of these scenarios: 1) You're claiming education credits (even if you don't remember entering education expenses, sometimes software auto-detects them), 2) You have dependents and there were changes to child tax credit rules, or 3) You made energy-efficient home improvements. Here's what I'd recommend: First, try to identify the exact form by looking for a "details" or "more info" link in that error message - TurboTax usually provides specifics if you dig deeper. Second, don't abandon your progress! Save everything as a draft and check back every 2-3 days. Most form delays resolve within 10 business days. The silver lining? Once the form is finalized and you submit, your refund processing time is exactly the same as if you'd filed on day one. You're not losing your place in any queue. Hang in there!

Great question and totally understandable concern! You're absolutely fine - the IP PIN you received today is for tax year 2024 (which you'll file in 2025), not for the 2023 return you just submitted. The IRS systems are completely separate for this. Your return that was just e-filed won't be affected at all. I've seen this exact timing confusion happen to so many people, especially international filers who are extra cautious about getting everything right. Since you mentioned needing everything processed correctly before your May 1st departure, you might want to monitor your return status on the IRS website or set up informed delivery with USPS to track any correspondence, but the IP PIN timing definitely won't cause any rejection issues.

Adding to what others have said - you're definitely in the clear! The IP PIN timing won't affect your already-submitted return. Since you mentioned being on a visa with a May 1st departure date, I'd suggest keeping an eye on your refund status through "Where's My Refund" on the IRS website. International filers sometimes experience slightly longer processing times, but it's usually just a few extra days for additional verification. The IP PIN you received today will be a great protection for when you file your 2024 taxes next year. Safe travels!

I've been exactly where you are! Started my consulting business in January but didn't get my LLC paperwork sorted until May, so I had months of mixed transactions too. Here's what worked for me: First, breathe - you haven't messed anything up! The IRS absolutely allows business expense deductions even when paid from personal accounts. What matters is that they're legitimate business expenses, properly documented. I spent one weekend going through my personal bank statements and credit card records, creating a simple spreadsheet with columns for: Date | Vendor | Amount | Business Purpose | Receipt Status. Found about $3,200 in deductible expenses I almost forgot about! For your new business account, just start using it consistently going forward. No need to complicate things by transferring old money around. That $3,695 quote is insane for your business size. I'm doing similar revenue and pay my CPA $425 annually for tax prep. I handle my own bookkeeping with QuickBooks Simple Start ($15/month) and it takes maybe 2 hours monthly once you get the hang of it. The key is building good systems now so next year is easier. Set aside time each week to categorize transactions and you'll thank yourself later!

You're in great company - this mixed account situation happens to almost every new business owner! The stress you're feeling is totally normal, but you can relax because you haven't done anything wrong. Here's the simple truth: the IRS allows business expense deductions regardless of which account paid for them. What they care about is proper documentation showing these were legitimate business expenses. My recommendation is to tackle this systematically: 1) Set aside a few hours to go through your personal account statements from March-July 2) Create a simple spreadsheet tracking: Date | Vendor | Amount | Business Purpose | Receipt/Documentation 3) Don't worry about transferring old income to your new business account - that creates unnecessary complications 4) Start using your business account religiously from now on That $3,695 quote is absolutely outrageous for your revenue level. I'd suggest finding a local CPA who charges $300-500 for small business tax prep, and handle your own bookkeeping with QuickBooks Simple Start ($15/month). You'll save thousands and actually understand your finances better. The key is building good systems going forward. Once you establish consistent habits with your new business account, tax time becomes much less stressful. You've got this!

Just to add another resource - if you have access to your company's HR portal or benefits website, sometimes the retirement plan documents stored there will include the EIN. Many employers keep the Summary Plan Description (SPD) and other plan documents in their employee self-service portals, and these often contain the EIN in the administrative details section. It's worth checking if you still have access to your former employer's benefits site, as this information is usually available to both current and former employees for exactly these kinds of tax preparation needs.

Another quick tip - if you're still struggling to find the EIN, check your old pay stubs from when you were contributing to the retirement plan. Sometimes the EIN appears in the deduction details section where it shows your 401(k) or retirement contributions. I discovered this accidentally when I was organizing my tax documents and noticed the EIN listed next to my retirement deduction line. It's not always there, but worth checking if you have any old pay stubs saved. Also, if your company switched retirement providers at any point, make sure you're looking for the right EIN - it could be different from what you expect if Transamerica took over from another provider.