I'm dealing with a similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I owned my home for 15 years, lived in it for the first 10 years, then rented it out for 3 years when I moved for work, and finally moved back in for the last 2 years before selling. Based on all the information shared here, especially the specific tax code reference in Section 121(b)(5)(C)(ii)(I), it sounds like my 3-year rental period wouldn't count as non-qualified use since I lived there first. This is such a relief because I was worried I'd have to pay capital gains on a portion of my $180,000 gain. The explanations about how this exception exists specifically for people who relocate for work or other reasons really makes sense. It's good to know the IRS recognizes that homeowners sometimes need flexibility without losing their tax benefits. Has anyone here actually filed their taxes using this interpretation and had it accepted without issues? I want to make sure I'm not missing anything before I finalize my return.

I have an issue with mixed answers too. My husband and I purchased a home in May 2009 that we lived in until July 2014. We then moved to another state and rented out the home until Feb 2022. We moved back into the home in May 2022 and finally sold the home in April 2025. I am confused as to is we have a non-qualified use since this took place after 2008 and we won't qualify for the full exclusion or if this qualifies as an exception since we lived in the property before and after the rental period. If it falls under the exception, then I believe I would only need to recapture the depreciation during the time of the rental period. Does anyone have clarification?

Maybe I'm paranoid but I've had my identity stolen before and it was a NIGHTMARE to fix. I wouldn't give copies of my SS card to ANYONE, not even my mom lol. There's zero reason they need a copy vs just the number.

Trust your instincts - this is definitely not standard practice and you're right to be concerned. I've been preparing taxes for over 15 years and have never required clients to provide physical copies of their Social Security cards. The SSN itself is all that's needed for tax preparation and filing. Your accountant's explanation about "security purposes" is actually backwards - keeping copies of SS cards creates MORE security risk, not less. If their office is breached or files are stolen, your most sensitive identity documents could be compromised. I'd recommend having a direct conversation with your accountant about this. Ask specifically why they need copies rather than just the numbers, and what their document security protocols are. A legitimate professional should be able to explain their reasoning and should be willing to work with you on alternatives, like verifying the cards in person without keeping copies. If they're unwilling to budge on this unusual request without a valid explanation, that might be a red flag about their practices in general.

Just to add another perspective - if your W2 is printed on a single sheet with all the copies, you could actually just send the entire sheet without cutting it. I did this last year because I was worried about cutting it wrong, and my return was processed without any issues. The IRS just wants to verify the information, and having all copies actually gives them more to work with.

I work in HR and just want to clarify something - the copies of W2s are designed for different purposes: - Copy A: For employer to send to Social Security Admin - Copy B: For employee to file with FEDERAL return - Copy C: For employee's records - Copy 2: For employee to file with STATE return So you definitely need Copy B for your federal return. I always tell employees to cut the form carefully or fold it so the Copy B is showing on top when attached to their return.

I'm dealing with this exact same situation right now - single 810 code with nothing else on my transcript. It's reassuring to see I'm not alone in this! Based on what everyone is sharing, it sounds like this is the new normal for 2024 identity verification holds. I tried the online verification at idverify.irs.gov but it wouldn't accept my information, so I'll need to call. Has anyone had success with the online verification recently, or is everyone having to go through the phone verification process? Also wondering if there are any specific documents beyond last year's AGI and current W-2s that might speed up the phone verification process?

I'm going through this exact same situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I've had just the single 810 code on my transcript for about 3 weeks now, and like everyone else, I was expecting to see other codes appear based on previous years' experiences. I tried the online verification at idverify.irs.gov twice but kept getting error messages saying they couldn't verify my information. I'm planning to call the 800-830-5084 number tomorrow morning. One thing I'm curious about - for those who successfully completed phone verification, did you need to have your actual tax return documents in front of you during the call, or was having last year's AGI and basic info sufficient? Also, I noticed some people mentioned that transcripts update on Fridays - is that a reliable pattern for seeing changes after verification is complete? I'm trying to figure out the best days to check for updates so I don't drive myself crazy refreshing daily! Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here. It's such a relief to know this is normal for 2024 and not some unique problem with my return.

Based on everything discussed here, it sounds like you're in a pretty good position tax-wise. Since you're already a joint owner on the account, the IRS generally views this as you accessing funds you legally already own, not receiving a gift. That said, I'd strongly recommend following the documentation advice others have mentioned. Create a simple written agreement with your parents before the transfer stating it's reimbursement for the $135k in expenses you covered. Keep all your receipts and records of those medical bills, home repairs, and assisted living costs. One additional tip - if the transfer is large enough that your bank flags it (which can happen with amounts over $10k), just be prepared to explain it's reimbursement between family members. Banks have to report large transfers but that doesn't mean there are tax implications. The key is having a clear paper trail showing this is repayment, not a gift. With proper documentation, you should be fine moving forward with the transfer.

If I bought actual gold coins for my security and later gave them to my sons, would that be a taxable transfer?