Weirdly, my tax software (TurboTax) asked me if I knew the basis amount even though box 2a was blank on my 1099-R. Anyone else have this happen? Not sure if I should override what's on the form.

I went through this exact same situation last year! The blank box 2a on your 1099-R for a Roth IRA withdrawal is actually pretty common and usually means your financial institution doesn't have enough information to determine what portion is taxable. Here's what I learned: You'll need to calculate this yourself using Form 8606. The key is figuring out your "basis" - basically all the contributions you've made to your Roth IRA over the years (not including any earnings/growth). If your $2,700 withdrawal is less than your total lifetime contributions, then it's likely completely non-taxable and you'd enter $0 for the taxable amount. But if you've withdrawn more than you've contributed, then part of it could be taxable earnings subject to penalties. I'd strongly recommend contacting your IRA custodian to get a statement of your contribution history before filing. They should be able to tell you exactly how much you've contributed versus earnings. Don't guess on this - the IRS can be pretty strict about retirement account distributions!

I almost signed up with Optima last year but decided to check reviews first. Thank god I did! Instead, I went directly to the IRS and set up a payment plan myself. It took one phone call (admittedly after being on hold for 2 hours) and I was approved for a monthly payment I could afford. These companies make it sound like you need some special expertise or insider connections to deal with the IRS, but for most basic tax problems, you absolutely don't. They're just inserting themselves as expensive middlemen.

This is exactly why I always tell people to be extremely cautious with these tax relief companies. The pattern you described - big promises upfront, poor communication after payment, and then trying to silence customers with NDAs - is unfortunately very common in this industry. The fact that they're demanding you sign an agreement to remove negative reviews in exchange for a partial refund is a huge red flag. Legitimate businesses don't operate this way. They're essentially admitting their service was inadequate while trying to manipulate their online reputation. For anyone reading this who's dealing with tax problems: before paying anyone thousands of dollars, try these free or low-cost options first: 1. Call the IRS directly to discuss payment plan options 2. Use the IRS Online Payment Agreement tool 3. Contact your local Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) if you qualify 4. Consult with a local CPA or Enrolled Agent for a transparent fee quote Don't let these companies prey on your stress about tax issues. Most tax problems can be resolved without paying these inflated fees to middlemen who often provide little actual value.

Small tip: After you get this issue resolved, I HIGHLY recommend setting up direct deposit info in your IRS account at https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account rather than leaving it to tax preparers each year. This keeps your bank info consistent regardless of who prepares your taxes. It also lets you check transcripts online to see exactly what's happening with your refund - including rejected direct deposits - without waiting for customer service.

I went through this exact same nightmare last year! My preparer switched two digits in my account number and my $2,400 refund went into the void. Here's what I learned: First, don't wait - contact your preparer immediately and demand they fix this. Most professional preparers carry errors and omissions insurance specifically for mistakes like this. Mine initially tried to brush me off saying "it happens," but when I mentioned their insurance should cover the costs of their mistake, they suddenly became very helpful. Second, file Form 8379 if you're married filing jointly and only one spouse has the banking error - this can help separate your portion of the refund for reprocessing. The good news is that if the account doesn't exist or belongs to someone else, banks are required to return erroneous deposits within a reasonable timeframe. The bad news is "reasonable" can mean anywhere from 3 days to 3 weeks depending on the bank. Document everything - keep records of all calls, emails with your preparer, and IRS correspondence. If this drags on, you may need this for a complaint with your state's board of accountancy if your preparer is licensed. Most importantly, this WILL get resolved. It's frustrating and scary, but the IRS deals with these situations regularly and has processes in place. You're not going to lose your refund permanently.

Just download it and take screenshots of the codes section. That way you can reference it easier when people try to help explain things to you

I totally get your confusion! CP74 notices can be really overwhelming when you're not familiar with them. Based on what you described, it sounds like you previously had your Child Tax Credit denied (probably flagged for potential fraud or errors), and you successfully completed Form 8862 to recertify for those credits. The good news is that the notice is saying you're all set - your credits have been restored and you should get your refund within 6 weeks! The best part is you won't have to deal with Form 8862 again for these credits in the future. Just keep an eye on your bank account and maybe check your transcript in a few weeks to see if there's a refund date posted. You're basically in the home stretch now! 🎉

Great question about personal assistant deductions! I've been doing bookkeeping for several independent contractors in real estate, and there are a few additional deductions you might be missing. Since you mentioned driving to properties and running errands, make sure you're tracking ALL business miles - not just client meetings but trips to the post office, bank deposits, picking up supplies, etc. Many people only track the obvious trips. For your phone, if you have one line used for both business and personal, you can deduct the business percentage. But if you can get a separate business line, that's 100% deductible and often worth it for the clean record-keeping. One thing people often overlook: professional development expenses. Any courses, certifications, or training related to real estate or admin work are fully deductible. Same with professional memberships or subscriptions to industry publications. Also consider equipment depreciation if you bought a computer, printer, or other office equipment primarily for work. You can either deduct the full cost in the first year (Section 179) or depreciate it over several years. Keep tracking everything in a dedicated business account if possible - makes record-keeping so much cleaner come tax time!

One deduction that's often overlooked for personal assistants in real estate is professional liability insurance! If you're handling sensitive client information or have access to property details, many real estate agents require their assistants to carry E&O (Errors and Omissions) insurance. This is 100% deductible as a business expense. Also, since you mentioned working from cafes - while the coffee itself isn't deductible, if you're buying food/drinks while conducting actual business (like client calls or work meetings), those can qualify as business meals at 50% deduction. Just make sure to note the business purpose on your receipt. For your car expenses, don't forget that parking fees and tolls for business trips are fully deductible on top of your mileage. And if you're using your personal vehicle regularly for work, consider tracking actual expenses (gas, maintenance, insurance percentage) vs. standard mileage rate - sometimes actual expenses work out better, especially if you drive an older, less fuel-efficient vehicle. One last tip: if your broker requires you to maintain a professional appearance for showings, while regular business attire isn't deductible, any special cleaning/dry cleaning costs for clothes worn exclusively during business activities can sometimes qualify. Keep those receipts and notes about the business purpose!