punkaccountant

punkaccountant , 7 days ago

Agree. In the US the tipping culture has gotten out of hand. Tipping is meant to cover situations where it’s legal to pay your staff under minimum wage and thus tipping evens that out (I still hate it but that’s the current law). I only tip in those industries, or industries where the person providing the service is self-employed/subcontracting in most situations (salons, spas, etc), or where the service is above and beyond or very specialized. Otherwise, it only encourages a culture where it’s expected that the consumer subsidize wages.

I do understand that tipping gives more $ in the pocket of lower wage workers, but I feel too strongly that it will lead to an eventual shift of tipping for ANY service I the long run and I cannot encourage that. I own a small business and I pay my employees very well. It is the responsibility of the employer to do this not the consumer/customer/client.

punkaccountant , 1 month ago

Yes, direct file is guided with a checklist. However there are only certain situations where a taxpayer would qualify for direct file - there’s income limitations and only certain income types qualify (u would not be able to use it if u are self-employed or own rental properties for example). The IRS is planning to expand this but for now it’s limited tho the vast majority of taxpayers would qualify.

Anyone can use the free fillable forms but u either have to know what you’re doing or be comfortable reading irs form instructions if you have a more complex tax situation.