I completely feel your frustration! This exact same thing happened to me last month - got disconnected twice right in the middle of providing my verification information after waiting over an hour each time. It's absolutely infuriating when you finally get through just to have the call drop. What eventually worked for me was calling at exactly 7:00 AM on a Tuesday. The connection seemed much more stable in the early morning, and I got through in about 40 minutes instead of the usual 2+ hour wait. When the agent picked up, I immediately asked "Can you hear me clearly and is this connection stable?" before starting any verification. I also had absolutely everything written down beforehand - SSN, last year's AGI, filing status, exact refund amount - so I could provide it all quickly without fumbling around looking for documents. The agent was able to complete my verification in just a few minutes, and she even made a note in my account about the previous disconnections. My refund was processed and deposited within about 10 days after the verification was completed. Don't give up - that $3,400 is rightfully yours! The early morning timing really does seem to make a huge difference with their system stability. Try again tomorrow morning right when they open and you should have much better luck.

This is absolutely infuriating and I completely understand your frustration! I went through the exact same nightmare two months ago - got disconnected FOUR times during verification attempts after waiting 2+ hours each time. I was ready to give up on my $2,800 refund. What finally worked for me was calling at exactly 7:00 AM on a Wednesday morning. I got through in about 25 minutes instead of the usual marathon wait. The key things I did differently: 1) Asked immediately if the connection was stable before starting verification, 2) Had everything written down and ready (SSN, 2023 AGI, filing status, exact refund amount), and 3) Asked the agent to note in my account that I'd been disconnected multiple times previously. The agent was actually very understanding and said these disconnections happen constantly due to their outdated phone system. She made the notation, completed my verification in under 3 minutes, and my refund was deposited exactly 8 days later. The early morning timing really seems to be crucial - their system is way more stable then and there are fewer people calling. Don't give up on that $3,400! It's your money and you absolutely will get it. Try the 7 AM approach next week and I bet you'll finally get through successfully.

One more thing to consider - check if your area has any rural development grants or infrastructure improvement programs available. Many counties and states offer cost-sharing programs for rural road improvements, especially if multiple property owners participate. I found out about a USDA Rural Development grant that covered 40% of our road improvement costs when we went through a similar situation. We had to form a small road association with our neighbors and apply as a group, but it saved us thousands. The application process took about 6 months, but it was worth the wait. Also, some utility companies will contribute to road improvements if they need better access for maintenance - worth asking your electric, gas, or phone companies if they'd be interested in cost-sharing since better road access benefits their service capabilities too.

Great question about rural road improvements! I've dealt with similar situations professionally, and there are definitely some key steps to follow. First priority is determining road ownership through your county recorder's office - this is absolutely critical before spending any money. Many rural roads exist in legal gray areas where ownership isn't clearly defined, which can create huge problems later. For tax implications, if you own the road section, the paving cost gets added to your property's tax basis (helpful when you sell), but won't give you an immediate deduction. However, there's one exception many people miss - if you use part of your property for business purposes (home office, rental, etc.), a portion of road improvements might qualify as a business expense. You'd need to work with a tax professional to calculate the business-use percentage. Also consider getting multiple quotes - $15,000 for 1/4 mile seems reasonable for basic asphalt, but prices vary wildly based on access, prep work needed, and local contractors. Some areas offer chip seal as a middle ground between gravel and full asphalt that costs about 40% less. Finally, document everything meticulously if you proceed - photos, contracts, receipts, property surveys. This documentation will be essential for tax basis calculations and potential future property disputes.

Someone told me you could get in big trouble for having the wrong filing status on your W-4. Is this true or just another tax myth??

This is actually a really common mistake, and you're definitely not alone in dealing with this! I went through something similar when I switched jobs a few years ago. The good news is that everyone here is right - you won't get in trouble with the IRS, and you'll likely get a nice refund since they've been overwithholding from your paychecks. One thing I'd suggest is to document all your attempts to get HR to fix this. Keep emails, notes from phone calls, etc. While it shouldn't be necessary, having a paper trail can be helpful if there are any delays or complications down the road. Also, once they do fix your W-4, you might want to use the IRS withholding calculator (on their official website) to double-check that your new withholding amount looks reasonable for the rest of the year. Since you've already had extra taxes taken out for several months, you might want to adjust your withholding to account for that so you don't end up with an enormous refund (some people prefer getting their money throughout the year rather than waiting for tax season). Hang in there - this will get sorted out and you'll get that money back!

Great question about the S Corp home office setup! I went through something similar last year. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the importance of establishing exclusive business use of the space. The IRS requires that the area be used "regularly and exclusively" for business purposes - so if your partner uses that same space for personal activities, it could complicate the deduction. Also, since you're the sole employee getting a W-2, make sure you're taking a reasonable salary before considering any distributions. The IRS looks closely at S Corp owner-employees who try to minimize payroll taxes by taking low salaries. This becomes especially important when you're also trying to maximize business deductions like office expenses. Document the business necessity for having an office in that specific location rather than your own home - maybe it's better internet, dedicated space, proximity to clients, etc. Having a clear business reason strengthens your position regardless of whether you go with rent payments or the accountable plan approach.

I've been through a similar situation with my S Corp and home office deduction. One thing that really helped was establishing a clear business purpose for why the office needed to be at my partner's location rather than my own home. In my case, it was due to better internet infrastructure and a more professional setup for client meetings. A few practical tips from my experience: - Document everything with photos and measurements showing exclusive business use - Keep detailed records of all expenses if going the accountable plan route - Have a formal written agreement regardless of which approach you choose - Make sure your salary as the sole employee meets "reasonable compensation" standards before optimizing other deductions The accountable plan approach worked well for us because my partner wasn't itemizing deductions anyway due to the higher standard deduction. This meant we weren't losing personal deductions they would have claimed, and the S Corp got the full business deduction for the reimbursed expenses. Whatever you decide, consistency in your approach and thorough documentation will be key if you ever face an audit. The IRS pays close attention to arrangements between related parties, so having everything properly documented and business-justified is essential.

This thread has been so helpful! I'm a tax preparer and see this question come up constantly during tax season. Just to reinforce what everyone's saying - spouse-to-spouse transfers for shared household expenses are absolutely NOT taxable income. The key principle is that you can't create taxable income by moving money between family members for legitimate expense sharing. The IRS looks at the substance of the transaction, not just the method of payment. Whether you write a check, use Zelle, Venmo, or hand over cash, splitting household bills with your spouse doesn't create a taxable event. For those worried about the payment app reporting changes - remember that even IF you somehow received a 1099-K in error (which is unlikely for personal transfers), you wouldn't owe taxes on money that isn't actually income. You'd just need to explain the nature of the payments if questioned. Keep your records simple but organized, and don't stress about this. The IRS has much bigger priorities than married couples efficiently managing their household finances!

Great question and totally understandable concern! I went through the same anxiety when my spouse and I started using Zelle for our household expenses. The bottom line is that these transfers between you and your husband for shared bills are NOT taxable income. You're simply splitting expenses using money that's already been taxed - the IRS doesn't tax the same money twice just because it moved from one account to another. The $2700 monthly transfers you're receiving are expense reimbursements, not income. Think of it like your husband writing you a check for his half of the bills - the payment method doesn't change the tax treatment. Regarding Zelle reporting, the new requirements specifically target business transactions over $5000 annually. Personal transfers between spouses for household expenses don't fall into this category at all. Even if there were some reporting mix-up, you wouldn't owe taxes on money that isn't actually income. You're handling your finances in a completely normal and legitimate way. Keep doing what you're doing and don't stress about it!