I screwed up - help me w taxes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just contact the irs. If you go to them, explain the situation and ask to set up a payment plan, they’ll help you. They only through people in jail who refuse to pay after they prosecute them.

I'm a tax attorney and this is no true. You can go to jail for multiple reasons, and refusing to pay is not the only one. There is indeed a criminal section relating to payroll taxes, which is what OP owes. However, I doubt OP is going to jail but her security clearance is a real concern. You're going to have a really hard time contacting the IRS for anything right now, but I would hire someone to help you.

OP here - should it be any tax attorney or one that specializes in this? Or should I just call IRS and see my options, is that risky? I worry an attorney looks like I’m admitting guilt or makes it seems even more serious. Thank you everyone you don’t understand how this has weighted on me so heavily and it’s time to confront it. Do you think I won’t be able to get the security clearance?

You can't call the IRS right now, unfortunately. They have no open phone lines that I'm aware of. A tax attorney who understands payroll taxes can help you figure out how to file and pay and get compliant. I can't say about security clearances - my husband has a top secret one and I know we have always had to be very careful about paying our nanny. But I know I had a co-worker when I was at the government (we had a lower security clearance) and she was fine as long as she had a payment plan for her back taxes. Those were income taxes, but I don't think there would be a huge difference. I have also had clients who had security clearances, and generally as long as they had a plan in place to pay everything they were ok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just contact the irs. If you go to them, explain the situation and ask to set up a payment plan, they’ll help you. They only through people in jail who refuse to pay after they prosecute them.

I'm a tax attorney and this is no true. You can go to jail for multiple reasons, and refusing to pay is not the only one. There is indeed a criminal section relating to payroll taxes, which is what OP owes. However, I doubt OP is going to jail but her security clearance is a real concern. You're going to have a really hard time contacting the IRS for anything right now, but I would hire someone to help you.

OP here - should it be any tax attorney or one that specializes in this? Or should I just call IRS and see my options, is that risky? I worry an attorney looks like I’m admitting guilt or makes it seems even more serious. Thank you everyone you don’t understand how this has weighted on me so heavily and it’s time to confront it. Do you think I won’t be able to get the security clearance?

You can't call the IRS right now, unfortunately. They have no open phone lines that I'm aware of. A tax attorney who understands payroll taxes can help you figure out how to file and pay and get compliant. I can't say about security clearances - my husband has a top secret one and I know we have always had to be very careful about paying our nanny. But I know I had a co-worker when I was at the government (we had a lower security clearance) and she was fine as long as she had a payment plan for her back taxes. Those were income taxes, but I don't think there would be a huge difference. I have also had clients who had security clearances, and generally as long as they had a plan in place to pay everything they were ok.

OP again - thank you again for these kind words and the advice, even anecdotally it helps. I am younger and dealing with my first child and working and trying to move out of state from a crappy studio apartment, I screwed up, but I've learned my lesson. And to those above, i will be honest that we're not yet in the clearance stage I know it's coming, which hopefully doesn't make it look as bad as me trying to fix it RIGHT before. I hope the same, I hope a payment plan and my upcoming meeting with the CPA will help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just contact the irs. If you go to them, explain the situation and ask to set up a payment plan, they’ll help you. They only through people in jail who refuse to pay after they prosecute them.

I'm a tax attorney and this is no true. You can go to jail for multiple reasons, and refusing to pay is not the only one. There is indeed a criminal section relating to payroll taxes, which is what OP owes. However, I doubt OP is going to jail but her security clearance is a real concern. You're going to have a really hard time contacting the IRS for anything right now, but I would hire someone to help you.

OP here - should it be any tax attorney or one that specializes in this? Or should I just call IRS and see my options, is that risky? I worry an attorney looks like I’m admitting guilt or makes it seems even more serious. Thank you everyone you don’t understand how this has weighted on me so heavily and it’s time to confront it. Do you think I won’t be able to get the security clearance?

You can't call the IRS right now, unfortunately. They have no open phone lines that I'm aware of. A tax attorney who understands payroll taxes can help you figure out how to file and pay and get compliant. I can't say about security clearances - my husband has a top secret one and I know we have always had to be very careful about paying our nanny. But I know I had a co-worker when I was at the government (we had a lower security clearance) and she was fine as long as she had a payment plan for her back taxes. Those were income taxes, but I don't think there would be a huge difference. I have also had clients who had security clearances, and generally as long as they had a plan in place to pay everything they were ok.

OP again - thank you again for these kind words and the advice, even anecdotally it helps. I am younger and dealing with my first child and working and trying to move out of state from a crappy studio apartment, I screwed up, but I've learned my lesson. And to those above, i will be honest that we're not yet in the clearance stage I know it's coming, which hopefully doesn't make it look as bad as me trying to fix it RIGHT before. I hope the same, I hope a payment plan and my upcoming meeting with the CPA will help.

That will look a ton better (especially if you volunteer the information!) than if they found it and the timeline for fixing it started immediately preceding the check.

The point to a security clearance is so that they not only know about you, they know how likely you are to break the law and how easily someone could find dirt to manipulate you. You made a mistake. Own it, fix it, and don’t do it again.

[Anonymous]

Remember Zoe Baird and Kimba Wood? I think you're toast. Everyone knows you pay taxes on domestic employees.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Remember Zoe Baird and Kimba Wood? I think you're toast. Everyone knows you pay taxes on domestic employees.

OP here - I had to google those people. And I 100% know the nanny is here legally that was important to me. We filed paperwork today for back taxes it’s not a lot but it is. My biggest regret in my personal and professional life so far ha this sucks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Remember Zoe Baird and Kimba Wood? I think you're toast. Everyone knows you pay taxes on domestic employees.

OP is not toast. Whst an obnoxious answer.

[Anonymous]

I think you coul try to call Homework Solutions. They specialize in taxes and payroll for domestic workers. They may be able to advise you. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Remember Zoe Baird and Kimba Wood? I think you're toast. Everyone knows you pay taxes on domestic employees.

OP here - I had to google those people. And I 100% know the nanny is here legally that was important to me. We filed paperwork today for back taxes it’s not a lot but it is. My biggest regret in my personal and professional life so far ha this sucks.

They weren't legal but not paying thectaxesxwas whybtheybhad to withdraw. I would not hire you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Remember Zoe Baird and Kimba Wood? I think you're toast. Everyone knows you pay taxes on domestic employees.

OP here - I had to google those people. And I 100% know the nanny is here legally that was important to me. We filed paperwork today for back taxes it’s not a lot but it is. My biggest regret in my personal and professional life so far ha this sucks.

They weren't legal but not paying thectaxesxwas whybtheybhad to withdraw. I would not hire you.

OP here well I know this is a hypothetical from an anonymous person but sucks to hear and stings. Maybe fixing it is more for me at this point to at least right the wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Remember Zoe Baird and Kimba Wood? I think you're toast. Everyone knows you pay taxes on domestic employees.

OP here - I had to google those people. And I 100% know the nanny is here legally that was important to me. We filed paperwork today for back taxes it’s not a lot but it is. My biggest regret in my personal and professional life so far ha this sucks.

They weren't legal but not paying thectaxesxwas whybtheybhad to withdraw. I would not hire you.

OP here well I know this is a hypothetical from an anonymous person but sucks to hear and stings. Maybe fixing it is more for me at this point to at least right the wrong.

OP ignore the haters. You made a mistake and you're fixing it. As a PP mentioned you bring it up and let them know you're fixing it. The clearance is looking hidden things which you won't have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Remember Zoe Baird and Kimba Wood? I think you're toast. Everyone knows you pay taxes on domestic employees.

OP here - I had to google those people. And I 100% know the nanny is here legally that was important to me. We filed paperwork today for back taxes it’s not a lot but it is. My biggest regret in my personal and professional life so far ha this sucks.

They weren't legal but not paying thectaxesxwas whybtheybhad to withdraw. I would not hire you.

OP here well I know this is a hypothetical from an anonymous person but sucks to hear and stings. Maybe fixing it is more for me at this point to at least right the wrong.

OP ignore the haters. You made a mistake and you're fixing it. As a PP mentioned you bring it up and let them know you're fixing it. The clearance is looking hidden things which you won't have.

Ha! This was hidden until she knew it would be found. If she was truly interested in being honest then she would have taken care of it long before now! You may be a fool but most of us aren't!

[Anonymous]

OP, you are on the right track with getting a CPA/tax accountant to help you pay whatever back taxes are owed. I was in a similar situation when I went through a clearance renewal a few years ago. The tax/paperwork situation for my nanny at the time had just gotten beyond me, and I wasn't in compliance. I hired a tax accountant to help me figure out what I needed to pay, and they found the right forms and filed all the previous years' employment taxes. My clearance was renewed, and I am still at my job, which I love.

As other posters have noted, do not try to hide or lie about this situation if it comes up. Just be honest about past mistakes and what you are doing to fix it now.

I learned my lesson and now use an online payroll service for my babysitter. It's not too expensive, and they take care of everything -- withholding, quarterly filings, state and federal, Schedule H, etc. My babysitter appreciates it as well! Good luck and try not to get stressed out. Hopefully it will work out!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you are on the right track with getting a CPA/tax accountant to help you pay whatever back taxes are owed. I was in a similar situation when I went through a clearance renewal a few years ago. The tax/paperwork situation for my nanny at the time had just gotten beyond me, and I wasn't in compliance. I hired a tax accountant to help me figure out what I needed to pay, and they found the right forms and filed all the previous years' employment taxes. My clearance was renewed, and I am still at my job, which I love.

As other posters have noted, do not try to hide or lie about this situation if it comes up. Just be honest about past mistakes and what you are doing to fix it now.

I learned my lesson and now use an online payroll service for my babysitter. It's not too expensive, and they take care of everything -- withholding, quarterly filings, state and federal, Schedule H, etc. My babysitter appreciates it as well! Good luck and try not to get stressed out. Hopefully it will work out!

OP here - can i ask if this was a federal or private sector clearance?

(i hate defending myself but it just keeps me up at night, to the earlier poster...i'm nowhere near a clearance (or even job application) so i am trying to just fix what i did wrong, what got me thinking was the tax extension and that this was extra time I should tackle it). we filed the amendments and are just waiting to hear back. right now the penalties don't seem bad, but it's the stigma associated with it for potential jobs. gosh, my life back then was so, so different and it just reminds me how much having a kid and moving and handling this has impacted my old self (I used to be so good about being good ha, that's why this is so frustrating and demoralizing)).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you are on the right track with getting a CPA/tax accountant to help you pay whatever back taxes are owed. I was in a similar situation when I went through a clearance renewal a few years ago. The tax/paperwork situation for my nanny at the time had just gotten beyond me, and I wasn't in compliance. I hired a tax accountant to help me figure out what I needed to pay, and they found the right forms and filed all the previous years' employment taxes. My clearance was renewed, and I am still at my job, which I love.

As other posters have noted, do not try to hide or lie about this situation if it comes up. Just be honest about past mistakes and what you are doing to fix it now.

I learned my lesson and now use an online payroll service for my babysitter. It's not too expensive, and they take care of everything -- withholding, quarterly filings, state and federal, Schedule H, etc. My babysitter appreciates it as well! Good luck and try not to get stressed out. Hopefully it will work out!

OP here - can i ask if this was a federal or private sector clearance?

(i hate defending myself but it just keeps me up at night, to the earlier poster...i'm nowhere near a clearance (or even job application) so i am trying to just fix what i did wrong, what got me thinking was the tax extension and that this was extra time I should tackle it). we filed the amendments and are just waiting to hear back. right now the penalties don't seem bad, but it's the stigma associated with it for potential jobs. gosh, my life back then was so, so different and it just reminds me how much having a kid and moving and handling this has impacted my old self (I used to be so good about being good ha, that's why this is so frustrating and demoralizing)).

So difficult and yet 99% of us manage to do what is legal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you are on the right track with getting a CPA/tax accountant to help you pay whatever back taxes are owed. I was in a similar situation when I went through a clearance renewal a few years ago. The tax/paperwork situation for my nanny at the time had just gotten beyond me, and I wasn't in compliance. I hired a tax accountant to help me figure out what I needed to pay, and they found the right forms and filed all the previous years' employment taxes. My clearance was renewed, and I am still at my job, which I love.

As other posters have noted, do not try to hide or lie about this situation if it comes up. Just be honest about past mistakes and what you are doing to fix it now.

I learned my lesson and now use an online payroll service for my babysitter. It's not too expensive, and they take care of everything -- withholding, quarterly filings, state and federal, Schedule H, etc. My babysitter appreciates it as well! Good luck and try not to get stressed out. Hopefully it will work out!

OP here - can i ask if this was a federal or private sector clearance?

(i hate defending myself but it just keeps me up at night, to the earlier poster...i'm nowhere near a clearance (or even job application) so i am trying to just fix what i did wrong, what got me thinking was the tax extension and that this was extra time I should tackle it). we filed the amendments and are just waiting to hear back. right now the penalties don't seem bad, but it's the stigma associated with it for potential jobs. gosh, my life back then was so, so different and it just reminds me how much having a kid and moving and handling this has impacted my old self (I used to be so good about being good ha, that's why this is so frustrating and demoralizing)).

So difficult and yet 99% of us manage to do what is legal.

99% of parents do NOT pay legally. In the DC area, I’d guess it’s closer to 50%. In other areas of the country, you have to search to find any families willing to do taxes.