anyone else think its ridiculous that we have to deal with all this complicated tax stuff just cuz our companies pay us in stocks sometimes?? like why cant the IRS and brokerages just talk to each other so this all happens automatically? ive been putting off doing my taxes for weeks cuz of my RSUs 😩

I've been using FreeTaxUSA for my RSU taxes for the past two years and it works perfectly fine! The key is understanding that most of the complexity comes from making sure you don't get double-taxed, not from the software limitations. Here's my simple process: 1) Import your W-2 normally (RSU income is already included), 2) When you get to the investment section for your 1099-B, manually enter the correct cost basis (the fair market value when your RSUs vested - this info should be in your company's RSU documents), 3) Check the box that says the 1099-B cost basis is incorrect if your broker reported it as $0 or some other wrong amount. The free version handles this just fine. I've never needed to upgrade to deluxe for RSU reporting. Don't overthink it - if you can handle entering your W-2, you can handle the RSU adjustments!

This is such a common confusion for students! One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is that you should also consider whether you'll have any education expenses this year that could qualify for tax credits like the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC). If you file independently and have qualifying education expenses, you might be able to claim up to $2,500 in credits yourself. But if your parents claim you as a dependent, they get to claim those credits instead (assuming their income isn't too high). The AOTC phases out for higher-income taxpayers, so sometimes it's more valuable in the student's hands. Also, make sure you understand how your stipend is classified. Some internship stipends are considered wages (subject to payroll taxes), while others might be considered fellowships or scholarships (which have different tax treatment). Your employer should clarify this on your tax documents. The key is running the numbers both ways - total family tax liability with you as dependent vs. independent - and seeing which scenario saves the most money overall for your family.

One thing to keep in mind that I learned the hard way - make sure you coordinate with your parents BEFORE you file! I filed independently my junior year without discussing it with them first, and they had already prepared their taxes claiming me as a dependent. The IRS flagged both returns and it created this whole mess where we had to prove who was actually entitled to claim me. Took months to resolve and delayed both of our refunds significantly. Even if the math works out better for you to file independently, have that conversation early so everyone's on the same page. You might also want to consider having your parents run their taxes both ways (with and without claiming you) to see the actual dollar impact on their end. Sometimes the difference is smaller than you'd expect, especially if they're in higher income brackets where some deductions and credits start phasing out anyway. Also document everything about your support calculation - tuition payments, rent, food, insurance, etc. The IRS support test is very specific and you want to have clear records in case they ever question the dependency status.

Great question about cost segregation for smaller properties! I've actually done cost seg studies on properties ranging from $200k to $800k. The key is finding the right firm - some specialize in smaller properties and charge accordingly. For properties under $400k, I'd recommend getting quotes from multiple firms. Some charge a flat fee based on property size rather than a percentage of savings. I paid $2,800 for a $320k cabin and it identified about $68k in accelerated depreciation, saving me roughly $20k in taxes. The sweet spot seems to be properties with significant interior improvements, special electrical/plumbing systems, or unique features like commercial-grade appliances. Even smaller STRs often have these components that qualify for 5-7 year depreciation instead of 27.5 years. Don't let your tax preparer discourage you without getting an actual quote. Many firms will do a preliminary analysis for free to estimate potential savings before you commit to the full study.

This is an excellent discussion! I wanted to add a few important points from my experience with STR depreciation strategies: First, make sure you're tracking your properties correctly as business assets versus personal use. The IRS has specific rules about STR properties - if you use them personally for more than 14 days or 10% of rental days (whichever is greater), it affects your depreciation eligibility. Second, don't overlook Section 199A deductions in combination with bonus depreciation. Many STR operators qualify for the 20% pass-through deduction, and the increased depreciation from cost segregation can actually help you meet the income thresholds more easily. Finally, consider the timing carefully. With bonus depreciation phasing out, there's real value in getting those older properties amended sooner rather than later. I've seen people wait too long and miss the statute of limitations for certain years. One last tip - keep detailed records of when each property was "ready and available for rent" versus when you got your first booking. The IRS considers the "placed in service" date to be when it was ready for rental activity, not necessarily when you had your first guest. This can sometimes push you into a more favorable bonus depreciation year.

I'm really sorry you're going through this frustrating situation. After reading through everyone's experiences here, I'm dealing with something similar with my uncle's estate - it's been 6 months now and I feel like I've been banging my head against a wall. What strikes me most about this thread is how many people found success once they got connected to the right departments and had specific information about what was actually wrong. The pattern seems to be: regular IRS customer service gives you generic "wait longer" responses, but the specialized Deceased Taxpayer Unit can actually tell you what's causing the delay. I'm definitely going to try calling the executor hotline (866-699-4083) tomorrow and specifically ask for the Deceased Taxpayer Unit. I had no idea this existed - I've been calling the regular number and getting nowhere for months. The congressional representative approach also sounds promising based on all the success stories here. It's frustrating that we have to become experts in IRS bureaucracy just to get basic service, but at least now there's a clear roadmap thanks to everyone sharing their experiences. One thing I'm wondering - for those who got resolution through their congressional rep, how long did it typically take from your initial contact to getting actual movement on your case? I want to set realistic expectations as I go into this process. Thank you to everyone who shared detailed experiences. This thread should honestly be stickied as a resource guide for anyone dealing with deceased taxpayer returns!

I'm so sorry you're going through this incredibly frustrating situation. Having dealt with my father's estate last year, I completely understand the helplessness you're feeling after months of generic responses from the IRS. Reading through all the excellent advice here, I want to emphasize a few key points that made the biggest difference in my case: First, definitely use the executor hotline (866-699-4083) and specifically ask for the "Deceased Taxpayer Unit." Regular IRS reps often can't access the same account details or don't know about the specialized departments that handle these cases. Second, the congressional representative route was a game-changer for me. I called my local district office (not DC), asked for constituent services, and had a response from an IRS manager within 5 days. They have direct channels that bypass the normal customer service maze. Third, request your brother's Account Transcript to check for specific transaction codes (like 570 or 971) that might indicate what's causing the hold. In my father's case, we discovered they needed additional documentation that we never received notice about. At 200+ days, you're definitely in the timeframe where these specialized approaches should yield real answers rather than more "wait 30 days" responses. The combination of the right department contacts and having your documentation ready (death certificate, Letters of Administration, certified mail receipt, Form 911 submission) should finally get you the specific information you need. Don't give up - you're closer to resolution than it feels right now!

As someone new to this community and dealing with IRS verification for the first time, I can't thank everyone enough for sharing such detailed experiences! Reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational and reassuring. I'm currently waiting for my verification letter to arrive (I can see the notice in my IRS online account), and now I know exactly what to look for - the ABC12345678901 format, checking margins and corners, using bright lighting or phone flashlight, and even taking photos to zoom in for faint printing. The tip about calling at 7 AM for shorter wait times is pure gold! I also really appreciate everyone emphasizing the importance of verifying the letter's authenticity by cross-referencing phone numbers with IRS.gov - with so many scams out there, that's crucial advice. One question for the group: for those who completed verification successfully, did you receive any confirmation (email, letter, or online account update) that the verification was complete, or did you just have to wait and check your transcript for the hold codes to disappear? Thanks again to this amazing community for making such a stressful process feel much more manageable!

As a newcomer to this community and someone who's never dealt with IRS identity verification before, I can't express how helpful this entire thread has been! Reading everyone's detailed experiences has transformed what felt like an overwhelming and scary process into something much more manageable. I'm particularly grateful for the specific tips about locating the 14-digit control number - the ABC12345678901 format description, checking margins and corners with bright lighting, using phone cameras to zoom in for faint printing, and even looking for vertical text along the edges. The advice about calling at 7 AM for shorter wait times is incredibly practical too. What really stands out to me is how this community emphasizes both practical solutions AND security awareness. The reminders to verify letter authenticity by cross-referencing phone numbers with IRS.gov are so important with all the scams targeting taxpayers these days. For anyone else new to this process like me: this thread shows that while identity verification can be stressful, it's definitely manageable when you know what to look for and have the right information prepared. The fact that so many people have successfully navigated this gives me confidence that we can too. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experiences - this kind of community support makes all the difference when dealing with tax issues!