@Jan Danielewicz they person being paid fills out the W9 - https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf then the person doing the paying fills out the NEC. If paid in 2026 the NEC filing would not be due until 1/31/2027. Which gives businesses 1 months to file them after the year officially ends on 12/31. The NEC minimum filing threshold has been raised from $600 in 2025 to $2,000 in 2026. If they only pay you $600 in 2026 then they do not have an NEC filing requirement for you. However - you would still be required to report the income on your tax return.

Depends on what you are looking for. If you are looking for planning I tend to favor the RIA because of the fiduciary standard. If its simply investment returns UBS may have more high-end resources available. Both would provide the option to manage tax advantage accounts. However one may recommend them one may not, which is the main reason I steer people towards fiduciary standard vs suitability standard

@Jay Hanan There are good/bad players on both sides so I would interview with both. I don't have any quantitative data but believe majority of people would be better served by an RIA because they tend to take a more holistic approach. Good financial planning takes time and commitment on both ends. The discovery process should be in-depth and multiple meetings. Most don't take the time to do the planning which leaves them vulnerable. A percent or two of returns doesn't tend to matter if baseline planning isn't done as life unfolds.

You may deduct gambling losses only if you itemize your deductions on Schedule A (which is roughly 90% of taxpayers). You must keep a record of your winnings and losses. The amount of losses you deduct can't be more than the amount of gambling income you reported on your return.

got you :)

hey @Lucas Edmonds will DM you my contact info