No, it should apply to total gross salary. But bonuses is often unpredictable, and you certainly shouldn't be counting on money that may not arrive. It's kinda up to you to decide how "certain" a bonus is.

Is this USA? Because this makes no sense. Your insurance is going to go after the other insurer no matter what. I can't imagine you are even legally allowed to stop them from doing so.

Usually in those cases, the other insurance company already admits fault quickly without any substantial investigation, which allows your insurer to waive deductible. If you are hit from behind, and there are no serious injuries, it's pretty common for insurance companies to come to an understanding about fault in <24 h.

Withholding is an estimate. It's never perfectly right, and there's nothing wrong with owing a bit at the end of the year. You can adjust your W4 so that more is withheld for 2023 if you wish. There's no point in going through each paycheck. Aggregate withholding is all that matters.

Nor does the record of past sales exist in your eBay account?

Don't worry about it. Do a thorough job with 2022 taxes and declare everything. But I'm not even sure I'd bother updating prior years for that small amount. Up to you, and certainly there's no rush here.

Sure. SWVXX is a perfectly safe place for cash. You wouldn't really do any better than a HYSA, but probably no worse, either.

I'll second u/Loutro-Fift's idea that CDs or T-bills are perhaps marginally better (depending on what happens to rates).

You'll need to look into state laws, which differ.

BUT, typically you must legally insure any car that is registered, even if you're away and can't drive it. So it's probably not legal to cancel and re-buy when you return. Some states allow some version of "non-operation" status, but that typically requires non-operation for a year, not just a few months.

Realistically, there isn't much you can do here. Some insurers give discounts for low average miles driven. Maybe look into that?

Seems mostly like a new problem. I'd wait a few weeks and then check back. I know you're supposed to do this by the end of Jan, but I wouldn't worry if it takes longer. Just do the best you can.

You're applying for an EIN number?

https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online

EDIT: I guess you're trying to register for an account at BSO: https://www.ssa.gov/bso/bsowelcome.htm

It does seem that they just changed their policies to require the mailed info, so perhaps nobody yet has experience solving this.

Yeah, this process was frustrating the 1st time I went through it. But after you've done it once, it's pretty straightforward. Do you have a friend who could talk you through the process?

Sounds like you just can't afford a car right now, OP. Get a bicycle, get a job that doesn't require a car, and re-visit the situation in a couple months.

>I haven't seen this posted yet but as a hiring manager it's because of accounting/budgeting.

Fine, but those structures aren't immutable. They are created by companies in response to perceived needs.

Your argument more or less repeats mine: companies aren't willing to pay current employees a market rate. Presumably that's because they believe that in enough cases, the current employee isn't willing to leave and is willing to continue working for below-market rate.

>Why does this seem to be the case?

Mostly for this reason:

>I'd also feel insecure jumping around

Lots of people can't or don't want to move, so companies generally don't need to pay current employees as much to stay as it would take to get someone new to come aboard.

Agreed. The numbers Op gives seem perfectly reasonable right now. But that budget requires 2 incomes, unless OP has a substantial raise.

$5k is likely a massive underestimate of all benefits. I have no problem with being honest, adding those all in and saying "my total compensation package is worth $xx annually".

I don't deny that, but I don't think lying back is a fruitful approach.

Lying is a dangerous tactic.

>We were recently married in October.

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-news/at-04-75.pdf

>Your marital status on December 31 determines whether you are considered married for that year. Married persons may file their federal income tax return either jointly or separately in any given year.

You cannot file as single, so "dependent" doesn't apply here.

Probably you dodged a bullet and it's better to find a different company. when this question comes up, you do need to understand that refusing to answer may have some small chance of them rejecting you for that reason. You sort of need to weigh that possibility against how excited you are to work for the company.

Link to article if you want feedback. But safe to say you can ignore the article and follow standard PF advice.