I'm still confused about one thing - if I do a Roth conversion in September 2025, should I pay the ENTIRE estimated tax on that amount with my third quarter estimated tax payment? Or should I split it between Q3 and Q4 payments?

Great question about the timing! I went through this exact scenario last year when I did a $30k Roth conversion in August. The key insight is that you're not penalized for "missing" estimated payments on income that hadn't occurred yet. So if you convert in September, you only need to account for that income in your Q3 and Q4 estimated payments. Here's what I did: I calculated my Q3 estimated payment to include the conversion income (since it happened in Q3), then made sure my Q4 payment covered the remaining amount based on my total projected tax liability for the year. One tip that really helped me - I used the "annualized income installment method" on Form 2210 when I filed. This tells the IRS exactly when your income came in during the year and prevents any underpayment penalties for the earlier quarters. The IRS actually expects uneven income throughout the year (that's why they have these provisions), so don't stress too much about the timing as long as you handle the remaining payments correctly!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now - filed my 83B election from overseas (Japan in my case) and it's been radio silence from the IRS for months. The international mail tracking blackhole is so frustrating! Based on what I'm seeing in this thread, it sounds like there are actually several viable approaches: the FOIA request that @PixelWarrior mentioned sounds really promising for getting definitive confirmation, and I hadn't thought about involving my company's legal team either. One thing I learned from my tax attorney is that the IRS processing centers have been severely understaffed since COVID, especially for "non-revenue" forms like 83B elections. Apparently the Austin center (which handles a lot of international mail) has backlogs stretching 6+ months in some cases. For anyone in this boat - document EVERYTHING. Keep your certified mail receipt, take photos of what you mailed, and if possible get your company to provide written confirmation of when you received your stock grant. All of this becomes crucial evidence if you ever need to make a reasonable cause argument for late filing relief. The stress is real though - I keep having nightmares about owing massive taxes on phantom income if my election wasn't properly filed!

I've been through this exact nightmare with my 83B election filed from Singapore! The international mail tracking black hole is absolutely maddening, and the IRS phone system seems designed to drive people insane. Here's what finally worked for me: I combined several of the approaches mentioned here. First, I filed the FOIA request that @PixelWarrior suggested - that's brilliant advice and gave me peace of mind knowing there would be a definitive answer eventually. While waiting for that, I also had my company's legal team write a letter confirming my grant date and that I notified them of my intent to file within the 30-day window. The key breakthrough came when I used Claimyr to actually get through to an IRS agent. I was skeptical at first too, but after weeks of getting disconnected, it was worth trying. The agent was able to look up my filing and confirmed it was received and in processing - just stuck in their massive backlog. For what it's worth, the processing delays don't affect the validity of your election as long as it was received within the 30-day deadline. Your certified mail receipt from Deutsche Post should be solid proof of timely filing. Don't panic - this situation is way more common than you'd think, especially with international filings. The IRS is just incredibly slow with 83B elections since they don't generate revenue.

20 Does anyone know if you can look up whether someone has a valid PTIN or EFIN? I'm now wondering about my own tax preparer and whether I should be checking their credentials before letting them file my taxes.

Based on what you've described, this situation raises several red flags. While it's technically possible to have a PTIN but be denied an EFIN, the reasons usually involve more than just criminal history. Common reasons for EFIN denial include: - Outstanding tax debts to the IRS - Previous violations of e-file regulations - Failing the suitability check (which includes credit history, tax compliance, and background verification) - Providing false information on the EFIN application - Association with previously sanctioned preparers What's particularly concerning is that using someone else's EFIN is a serious violation of IRS regulations. Each EFIN is tied to a specific business location and preparer. The niece is putting her own credentials at significant risk - if discovered, both she and the aunt could face penalties, EFIN revocation, and potential prohibition from the e-file program. If you're considering reporting this, you should know that the IRS takes credential sharing very seriously. This isn't just a technicality - it's a fundamental violation of tax preparer oversight designed to protect taxpayers.

Think of your tax return like a package moving through a shipping facility. Right now, your package (return) has been accepted and the contents (EIC) have been verified, but it hasn't been loaded onto the delivery truck (refund issued) yet. The 2/24/25 date is just the IRS's quirky way of dating things - it's actually referring to the current processing year. Most EIC returns are taking about 3-4 weeks total this season, so if you've only recently filed, just give it a bit more time before worrying.

I went through this exact same situation last month! The EIC date showing up first is actually a good sign - it means they've verified your eligibility for the credit. From my experience, once you see that date, the 846 refund code typically appears within 10-14 days. I know it's frustrating when you're managing business cash flow, but try not to check your transcript daily (I know, easier said than done!). The system usually updates overnight on Fridays, so checking once a week saves you from the constant stress. Your refund is coming, just hang in there!

I went through this exact same situation two years ago and can confirm that you're not out of luck! The IRS does allow late filing of Form 3115 for 475(f) elections under certain circumstances. The key is that you made a good faith effort by filing the election statement with your return. You'll want to file Form 3115 with your 2024 return and include a detailed reasonable cause statement explaining why you missed the original deadline. Reference Revenue Procedure 2022-14 for automatic consent procedures. Make sure to emphasize that you properly made the election statement and are correcting the oversight as soon as you discovered it. The good news is that if accepted, you won't need to amend prior returns - the Form 3115 handles the accounting method change adjustments through Section 481(a). I'd recommend getting professional help to ensure everything is done correctly, but you definitely still have options to salvage your MTM election.

I went through a very similar situation last year and want to reassure you that it's not hopeless! I made my 475(f) election with my 2022 return but completely missed the Form 3115 requirement. I didn't discover this until I was preparing my 2023 taxes. I ended up filing Form 3115 with my 2023 return under the automatic consent procedures in Rev. Proc. 2022-14. The key was including a comprehensive reasonable cause statement that explained I had made the election in good faith but was unaware of the additional Form 3115 requirement. I emphasized that I was correcting the oversight immediately upon discovery. The IRS accepted my late filing without any issues. The Section 481(a) adjustment wasn't as scary as I thought it would be - it actually worked in my favor since I had some unrealized losses that reduced my taxable income for that year. My advice: don't panic, but do act quickly. File the Form 3115 with your 2024 return, include a detailed reasonable cause statement, and reference the appropriate revenue procedure. If your trading situation is complex, consider getting professional help, but many people have successfully resolved this exact issue. The IRS is generally reasonable when you show good faith effort to comply.