Posts by Maria Kern2

Henry Chavez5 said:Before you attempt to submit that Electronic Filing Request, take a look at your settings within the IRS application. Under the Digital Certificates tab, configure your certificates (click the "Select Certificate/Installed Certificate" icon; your specific certificate should show up there). If it doesn't appear, go to the official certification authority's website at and install the Verification Root (self-signed)—just follow their instructions.
After that, head to your computer's Start menu, go to All Programs, find ActivIdentity, then ActivClient, and open the User Console (it will likely ask for your PIN). Select "My Certificates," where you'll see a pair of certificates. Right-click them and select "Make Available," then hit OK.
Once you've done that, restart the IRS application, go back to Settings/Digital Certificates, and click "Select Certificate/Installed Certificate" again. Your certificates should finally be visible.
Also, double-check that the USB (or smart card) is properly seated in your computer (or card reader) when you're trying to sign the request. You'll know it's seated correctly if the light stays solid without blinking.

Just wanted to confirm that you helped me out and everything is working now. The issue was definitely that part about installing the verification root. I missed that step. If anyone else runs into this, just follow these steps. One quick heads-up: inside Microsoft Active Directory > All Programs > Microsoft Active Directory > Client > User Console, you'll see two folders ("My Certificates" and "CA Certificates"). You need to open both folders and right-click all three certificates to select "Make available." Thanks to captiva for taking the time to walk me through everything.

I really need some help here. I’ve got this USB security token from my bank for online banking, and apparently, I'm supposed to be able to use it to file forms through the IRS portal. But there's a catch: every time I install the software, plug in the stick, and try to submit my electronic filing request to the IRS, it hits me with an error: "Keyset does not exist!" I called the bank, and they’re insisting everything is fine because the digital certificate is clearly installed on the drive. Then I called the IRS, and they just told me to call my bank and fix it on their end. It’s a total loop. Is anyone else using a bank-issued security token for tax filings? If you've dealt with this mess, how did you actually get it working? Thanks for any advice.

Thomas Ortiz3 said:I don't quite follow why a company would feel the need to appoint four separate directors. Is that really necessary? If a director isn't actually performing any duties, why bother with the title at all? Wouldn't just listing them as a founder or shareholder suffice...

Let's say four friends want to start a business. They all want the power to sign deals, pull loans from Chase, authorize payments, stomp seals on paperwork, etc.—and they all want to share the blame when things inevitably go sideways. Personally, I wouldn't want to be the director if I had three other people slacking off around the office just because they own 25% of the place, just like me, while I’m the only one left holding the bag. That's my take.

analogwalker32 said:If you set up an LLC and aren't working anywhere else, the founder basically has to be on the payroll just to satisfy the IRS, paying minimum taxes starting from $997.

What I’m really wondering is if there are two or more founders (partners, co-owners), do they all have to be officially employed and paying those minimum $997 to the government?
I'm asking because for a startup with 3 or 4 founders, dropping $9,000 - $4.00 right out of the gate feels like a massive hit before the business even gets off the ground.

If this is unavoidable, what are the workarounds? And how can other members join the ownership later on (besides that one required person)? Is there actual legal paperwork for this, or is it mostly just handshake deals?

Thanks...

I get that a CEO has to pay payroll taxes and all that, but I’m curious about the logistics if there are four directors on the board. Do they all actually have to be on the official payroll? Is there a way to structure it so one person holds all the decision-making power without being an "employee" in the eyes of the IRS—maybe something like a proxy or a consultant role? It feels like a massive waste of money to be paying full benefits and taxes for four different executives before the business even finds its footing. If anyone knows how this works, let me know.