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I'm seeing the exact same codes right now! Got 570 dated 3/24 and 971 dated 3/31, and my WMR just switched from PATH to processing yesterday. This thread is so helpful because I was starting to panic thinking something was wrong with my return. Reading everyone's experiences makes me feel much better - it sounds like this is just part of their normal review process this year. @Katherine Harris thanks for the detailed explanation about what these codes typically mean. I'm hoping to see movement in the next week or two based on what others are sharing here. The waiting game is brutal but at least now I know I'm not alone in this situation!
@Amelia Dietrich I m'right there with you! Just saw your post and had to respond because I literally have the exact same situation - 570 on 3/23 and 971 on 3/30, WMR changed to processing two days ago. I ve'been lurking on this sub for weeks trying to understand what was happening, and this thread has been a lifesaver. It s'such a relief to know this pattern is normal and not some red flag. The timing seems really consistent across everyone s'experiences here. I m'cautiously optimistic we ll'both see our refunds soon based on what @Amina Bah and others shared about their timelines. Thanks to everyone who s been'sharing their stories - it really helps calm the nerves when you re waiting'on money you desperately need!
I'm dealing with the exact same codes! I have 570 dated 3/25 and 971 dated 4/2, and my WMR also just changed from PATH to processing yesterday. This is my first time filing taxes on my own after being married for 8 years, so I was completely terrified when I saw these mysterious codes on my transcript. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful - it sounds like this is just their standard review process and not something to panic about. The consistency in everyone's timelines is really reassuring. I'm still nervous about the whole process, but at least now I understand what's happening instead of just staring at cryptic codes and wondering if I did something wrong. Fingers crossed we all get our refunds soon! This waiting is exhausting when you're already dealing with major life changes.
Has anyone dealt with state taxes on sports betting? I'm in New Jersey and my state treats gambling losses differently than the federal government. Just wondering how others handle this.
Each state has different rules. Here in PA, we can only deduct losses against winnings for state tax purposes if we can itemize on our federal return. It's super confusing. I started using a tax professional who specializes in gambling income after I got a surprise $1,700 state tax bill last year!
Just wanted to add something that helped me last year - make sure you're keeping detailed records throughout the year, not just at tax time! I learned this the hard way when I got audited. The IRS wanted to see: - Date and time of each bet - Type of bet (spread, moneyline, over/under, etc.) - Amount wagered - Amount won or lost - Which platform/sportsbook Most betting apps will let you export this data, but it's much easier to stay organized as you go rather than trying to reconstruct everything in March. I started using a simple spreadsheet to track my sessions weekly, and it made tax prep so much smoother this year. Also, don't forget that if you had any promotional bets or bonus winnings, those count as taxable income too! The sportsbooks usually include these in your annual statements, but it's good to be aware of it.
This is really helpful advice! I wish I had known about keeping detailed records from the start. I'm already dreading trying to piece together all my betting history from this year. Do you know if there's a standard format the IRS prefers for these records, or is a simple spreadsheet sufficient? Also, when you mentioned promotional bets counting as taxable income - does that include things like free bet credits that sportsbooks give you for signing up?
As a newcomer to this community, I have to say this thread has been absolutely invaluable! I've been procrastinating on filing my 2020 taxes for years now, and reading through everyone's experiences has finally given me the clarity and motivation I needed. The way this community has broken down the difference between unfiled returns (3 years from original due date) versus amended returns (3yr/2yr rule) is so much clearer than anything I found on the IRS website. It's honestly embarrassing how long I've been putting this off because I was confused about the deadlines. Unfortunately, I think I may have missed the May 17, 2024 deadline for my 2020 taxes by just a few days. I was traveling for work and didn't realize how close the deadline was until it was too late. Does anyone know if there are any exceptions or if I'm completely out of luck for claiming that refund? @Glen Riddle - your multi-year strategy is fascinating, and the success you had with the IRS callback system gives me hope that they're more helpful than their reputation suggests. @Javier Cruz - I'm so glad you got your 2020 return in on time via certified mail! The certified mail advice throughout this thread is definitely something I'll remember for future filings. Better late than never for learning these lessons, I suppose. Has anyone dealt with missing the 3-year deadline by just a few days, or is that a hard cutoff with no flexibility? Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed experiences - this community is an amazing resource!
I'm sorry to say that the 3-year deadline is generally a hard cutoff with very limited exceptions. The IRS is pretty strict about these statutory deadlines - if you missed May 17, 2024 for your 2020 taxes by even a few days, you've likely lost the right to claim that refund permanently. There are extremely rare exceptions for things like being in a combat zone, presidentially declared disasters, or cases of IRS error, but routine circumstances like work travel unfortunately don't qualify for extensions of the statute of limitations. This is exactly why everyone in this thread has emphasized the importance of certified mail and not waiting until the last minute. The IRS doesn't have discretion to waive these deadlines the way they might with penalties or interest. However, don't let this discourage you from filing any other unfiled returns you might have! If you have 2021, 2022, or later years that you haven't filed, you still have time to claim those refunds. And going forward, definitely use the certified mail approach that's been recommended throughout this discussion. I know it's frustrating to potentially lose money that was rightfully yours, but hopefully this experience will motivate you to stay current with future filings. The good news is that this thread has given you all the tools to handle future situations correctly!
As a newcomer to this community, I want to thank everyone for such a comprehensive discussion! I'm currently dealing with unfiled 2022 taxes and was completely overwhelmed by the conflicting information online until I found this thread. The clarity everyone has provided about the 3-year rule for unfiled returns versus the 3yr/2yr rule for amended returns has been a game-changer. I've been procrastinating partly because I couldn't figure out which deadline applied to my situation, but now I understand I have until April 2026 for my 2022 return. @Ethan Wilson - I'm really sorry to hear you may have missed the May 17, 2024 deadline for your 2020 taxes. Your situation is a perfect example of why the certified mail approach that everyone recommends is so crucial. It's also a reminder for those of us with later years to not put this off any longer. @Glen Riddle - your multi-year strategy and positive experience with the IRS callback system gives me confidence that even complex situations can be resolved successfully when you understand the rules properly. What strikes me most about this thread is how the community has turned confusing IRS documentation into clear, actionable guidance through real experiences. The unanimous advice about certified mail, the importance of understanding which specific rule applies to your situation, and the reassurance that there are no penalties when you're owed a refund - all of this is gold. I'm definitely filing my 2022 return well before the deadline and using certified mail. Thanks to everyone for sharing your wisdom!
Has anyone run into Zelle transfer limits when doing larger amounts? I tried to move $8k once and my bank limited me to $3500 per day.
One thing to keep in mind is that while these transfers aren't taxable, you should still keep good records of them. I learned this the hard way when the IRS questioned some large deposits in my account during an audit a few years back. Even though they were just transfers from my other bank, I had to provide documentation proving both accounts were mine and that the money wasn't new income. I'd recommend keeping screenshots of both accounts showing your name, and maybe even a simple spreadsheet tracking the transfer dates and amounts. It's probably overkill, but it'll save you headaches if anyone ever questions where that money came from. The IRS agent told me that clear documentation makes these situations resolve much faster.
This is really solid advice! I never thought about keeping records for something that seems so straightforward, but you're absolutely right. Better to have the documentation and not need it than to scramble during an audit. Did the IRS give you any guidance on how long to keep those records? I'm assuming it's the same as other tax documents (7 years), but wanted to check since these aren't technically "tax" transactions.
Daniela Rossi
Sorry to jump in with a slightly different perspective, but isn't renting a different car each week extremely inefficient tax-wise? The standard mileage rate for 2024 is around 67 cents per mile, which accounts for ALL vehicle costs including depreciation. If you're paying $15,600 annually for rentals, you'd need to be driving nearly 23,300 business miles annually to make that worthwhile compared to just using your own vehicle and taking the standard deduction. Have you calculated if this approach actually makes financial sense?
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Ryan Kim
โขThis is a good point. Also, many credit cards offer rental car coverage, but it's typically only for short-term rentals. If you're renting weekly all year, you'd probably be better off leasing a vehicle specifically for business or buying a used car to depreciate for business purposes. Both would give you cleaner tax deductions without the personal/business allocation headache.
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Declan Ramirez
You might also want to consider whether your photography business would benefit from a dedicated business vehicle instead of weekly rentals. As a fellow creative professional, I understand wanting to protect your personal car from wear and tear, but there could be more tax-efficient approaches. For example, you could lease a vehicle exclusively for business use and deduct 100% of the lease payments, or purchase a used vehicle and depreciate it over time. This would eliminate the need to track personal vs. business use percentages entirely. That said, if the rental approach works best for your workflow (maybe you need different vehicle sizes for different shoots?), just make sure you're documenting everything meticulously. The IRS can be particularly scrutinous of Schedule C vehicle deductions, so having ironclad records is crucial. Consider setting up a simple system where you log business purpose, mileage, and take photos of receipts immediately after each rental period. Also, don't forget about other deductible expenses related to your vehicle use - things like GPS apps, car phone mounts, or other equipment you need for business travel can also be deducted as business expenses.
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Maya Jackson
โขThat's a really thoughtful perspective about considering a dedicated business vehicle! I'm actually curious about the depreciation vs. lease option you mentioned. As someone new to Schedule C filing, would leasing be simpler from a bookkeeping standpoint since it's just a monthly payment to deduct rather than tracking depreciation schedules? Also, regarding the GPS apps and car phone mounts - I hadn't thought about those being deductible! Do you just need to keep receipts for those purchases, or is there any special documentation required since they could theoretically be used for personal purposes too?
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