I've been following this thread and wanted to share another approach that worked for me after trying many of the suggestions here. I had the same transcript download errors for over a week. What finally worked was using Safari on my Mac (I know, I know - but hear me out). I had tried Chrome, Firefox, and Edge with mixed results, but Safari seemed to handle the IRS website's authentication differently. I also made sure to completely close and reopen the browser between attempts rather than just clearing cache. The other thing that helped was accessing the site through a mobile hotspot instead of my home WiFi. I think some ISPs might have connection issues with IRS servers during peak times. When I switched to my phone's hotspot and used Safari at around 7 AM, everything worked smoothly. For those on Windows who don't have Safari, you might try the same approach with a different network connection - maybe try your phone's hotspot or a different WiFi network entirely. Sometimes it's not just the browser but the network path to the IRS servers that's causing issues. Hope this helps someone who's still struggling with downloads! The combination of timing, browser choice, and network connection seems to be the key.

I've been dealing with this exact same issue for the past few days and it's been driving me crazy! After reading through all these helpful suggestions, I wanted to add one more potential solution that worked for me. I tried most of the browser and timing suggestions mentioned here, but what finally got me through was disabling JavaScript temporarily in my browser settings. I know it sounds counterintuitive since most sites need JavaScript to function, but the IRS transcript download page seemed to work better with it disabled. Here's what I did: In Chrome, I went to Settings > Privacy and Security > Site Settings > JavaScript, then turned it off. Then I navigated directly to the transcript page and was able to download it successfully around 8 AM EST. After downloading, I turned JavaScript back on for normal browsing. I think some of the JavaScript on the IRS site might be causing timeout errors or conflicts during high-traffic periods. With it disabled, the page loads more simply and the download process seems more reliable. Obviously this is a bit of a technical workaround and might not work for everyone, but it's worth trying if the other browser/timing solutions haven't worked for you. Just remember to re-enable JavaScript afterward since most other websites will need it!

I've been following this discussion as someone who recently went through estate administration myself, and I wanted to share a few additional insights that might help with your Form 1041 filing. First, regarding the stepped-up basis - make sure you're using the fair market value specifically as of the date of death, not the date you received the estate documents or were appointed as executor. This can sometimes be weeks or months apart, and vehicle values can fluctuate during that time. Second, when you report the sale on Schedule D of Form 1041, you'll want to describe the asset clearly (like "2018 Toyota Camry - inherited vehicle") to distinguish it from other types of transactions. This helps the IRS understand the nature of the transaction and why you're claiming the stepped-up basis. One thing I learned from my estate attorney that hasn't been mentioned yet - if your uncle's estate is large enough to require filing Form 706 (federal estate tax return), make sure the vehicle valuation is consistent between both returns. The IRS can cross-reference these filings, so having consistent valuations helps avoid any confusion or audit triggers. The consensus in this thread is absolutely correct - the $2,300 loss should be fully deductible as a capital loss since the estate doesn't "personally use" the vehicle. You're handling this properly by treating it as an estate asset rather than personal property.

I'm also dealing with a similar estate situation and wanted to add something that might be helpful - if you're working with any estate sale companies or auction houses to dispose of other assets, they often have connections with certified auto appraisers who specialize in estate valuations. When we were settling my grandfather's estate, the estate sale company we used recommended an appraiser who was very familiar with IRS requirements for date-of-death valuations. He provided exactly the kind of detailed documentation that would satisfy the IRS, complete with market comparables and condition assessments. The cost was reasonable (around $300) and having that professional appraisal gave us complete confidence when filing Form 1041. Even though online tools like KBB are generally accepted for modest losses like yours, if you want absolute peace of mind or if the vehicle has any unique characteristics (high mileage, accident history, modifications, etc.) that might affect its value, a professional appraisal could be worth considering. The appraiser we used also provided guidance on how to properly document the stepped-up basis for Schedule D, which was invaluable. Your approach of treating this as a deductible capital loss for the estate is definitely correct based on everything discussed in this thread. Good luck with your filing!

Just sharing my experience - I used my LPFSA for LASIK last May and it was the best decision ever! Process was super simple: 1. Confirmed with my benefits administrator that LASIK was covered (it is!) 2. Got the procedure ($4,100 total for both eyes) 3. Submitted the invoice to my FSA administrator 4. Got reimbursed within 2 weeks The tax savings were around $900 for me based on my tax bracket. Plus I've saved about $450 so far on contacts/glasses I no longer need. And waking up being able to see clearly? Priceless.

This is such helpful information! I'm in a similar situation - been wearing glasses for over 15 years and finally ready to take the plunge on corrective surgery. I had no idea that Limited Purpose FSAs could cover LASIK/PRK/SMILE procedures. I've been contributing to both my HSA and LPFSA but honestly haven't been maximizing either one properly. One question I have - does anyone know if there are any pre-approval requirements from the FSA administrator before getting the surgery? Or can you just get the procedure done and submit for reimbursement afterward? I want to make sure I don't run into any surprise denials after spending thousands on the surgery. Also, for those who've gone through this process, did you get any pushback from your FSA company about it being "cosmetic" rather than medical? I'm worried they might try to deny it on those grounds even though vision correction should clearly be medical.

5 Another thing to consider about employer payroll taxes - don't forget about state unemployment insurance (SUTA/SUI) and federal unemployment (FUTA). Those are ALSO additional employer costs on top of the 7.65% FICA match. SUTA rates vary by state and your company's layoff history, typically ranging from 0.5% to 14% depending on your experience rating. And FUTA is another 6% on the first $7,000 of wages, though it's usually offset by a 5.4% credit if you're paying state unemployment taxes, making the effective rate 0.6%. All told, your true employment cost can be 10-20% higher than just salary!

10 Since nobody else mentioned it - yes, the 7.65% employer portion is a business expense that's tax deductible! So while you're paying that extra amount, it does reduce your overall business income for tax purposes. Let's say you're an S-corp or LLC with profits around $150k. That employer portion of payroll taxes would reduce your taxable business income. Depending on your tax bracket, this could offset roughly 22-37% of the cost.

Has anyone actually filed taxes yet with these new Section 174 rules? What software are you using? I tried entering my split domestic/foreign R&D expenses in TurboTax Business and it doesn't seem to have a way to separate them properly. It's just asking for a total R&D amount without any way to specify 5-year vs 15-year portions.

This is exactly the kind of complex situation where having proper documentation becomes critical. From what I've seen in practice, the IRS is paying close attention to Section 174 compliance, especially with the domestic vs. foreign split. A few practical tips for your situation: First, create a detailed spreadsheet that breaks down each R&D expense by contractor/employee and tracks where the work was physically performed. For your European contractors, get written confirmation of where they were located while working on your project. Second, for the mixed work scenarios others mentioned, request time logs or work location records from contractors when possible. The key is being able to demonstrate a reasonable basis for your allocation. I've found that contemporaneous records (created at the time the work was done) carry much more weight than reconstructed documentation later. Even if you can't get perfect records, document your methodology and the information you relied on to make the split. One more thing - consider having a tax professional review your allocation before filing. The penalties for getting Section 174 wrong can be significant, and this is one area where the upfront cost of professional review often pays for itself in avoided issues down the road.