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Anybody know if OP should consider a Traditional IRA instead of Roth at this income level? With such low income wouldn't it be better to take the tax deduction now?
At this income level, a Roth is almost definitely better. OP probably won't owe much federal income tax anyway with the standard deduction, so the traditional IRA deduction has minimal value. Plus they'd pay tax on withdrawals in retirement when their tax rate will likely be higher than it is now as a student.
Great question! You're absolutely on the right track thinking about retirement savings at 19. Just to add some clarity to what others have mentioned - your Roth IRA contribution limit is based on your "earned income" which for self-employed folks like you is your net profit from Schedule C (after business expenses like mileage, but before the self-employment tax deduction). So if your net profit after all business deductions is $6,500, that's exactly what you can contribute to your Roth IRA. The fact that it matches the contribution limit perfectly is just a coincidence - you're not required to have "extra" income beyond what you contribute. One thing to double-check: make sure you're tracking your mileage accurately since that's usually the biggest deduction for delivery drivers. The IRS standard mileage rate for 2025 is 67 cents per mile, which can really add up with delivery work. Keep up the smart financial planning - starting retirement savings this early will pay off huge in the long run!
Just wanted to add that I had the exact same codes (971 and 570) last year when I filed in February. Like others mentioned, it was just a routine review - they were verifying my dependent information since I had claimed my nephew for the first time. The waiting is definitely the hardest part, but try to stay patient. One thing that helped me was setting up IRS2Go app notifications so I could check my transcript status without constantly logging into the website. Also, make sure your address is current with the IRS since they'll be mailing you that notice. In my case, the review took exactly 21 days from the 971 date, and then everything processed normally. The notice I received was pretty straightforward and just confirmed they had verified my information. Your situation sounds very routine based on what you've described!
Thanks for mentioning the IRS2Go app! I didn't even know that existed - I've been manually logging into the website multiple times a day like a crazy person. Definitely downloading that right now. The 21-day timeline you mentioned aligns with what others have said, so that's really helpful for setting expectations. I'm feeling much more confident that this is just routine verification rather than something I need to panic about. Really appreciate everyone in this community sharing their experiences - makes dealing with IRS stuff so much less stressful when you know others have been through the same thing!
I've been helping people with transcript codes for years, and the 971/570 combination you're seeing is honestly one of the most routine ones during tax season. The IRS is essentially saying "we got your return, we're taking a closer look at something, and we'll send you a letter explaining what." Since you filed in February and the 971 is dated 04-15-2024, you're right on schedule for a typical review. The cycle code 20240805 indicates normal processing, not an audit or major issue. Most likely scenarios: they're verifying your W-2 data matches what employers reported, double-checking any credits you claimed (especially if you have kids or claimed education credits), or confirming your filing status. The key thing is that 570 holds usually release automatically once their systems verify everything matches up. You'll see a 571 code appear when the hold lifts, followed by a refund date within a few days. Based on your timeline, I'd expect movement in the next 1-2 weeks. The notice you receive will be pretty basic - usually just confirmation that they reviewed and approved your return.
This is incredibly thorough and reassuring - thank you so much for breaking it down in such detail! As someone new to dealing with these kinds of codes, having an expert perspective really helps calm my nerves. The timeline you've outlined matches what others have shared, which gives me confidence this is truly routine. I did claim some education credits this year for my part-time graduate program, so that could definitely be what they're verifying. I'll stop obsessively checking my transcript every day and just wait for that 571 code to appear. Really appreciate you taking the time to explain this so clearly!
Has anyone here used a specific tax form or schedule to report the RSU loss? I'm trying to figure out if this goes on Schedule D or if there's another form I should be using for RSU-specific losses where I couldn't sell immediately due to company restrictions.
This is handled on Schedule D just like any other capital loss. Your RSU income (value at vesting) will be on your W-2, and the sale of shares gets reported on Schedule D. Your cost basis is the value on vesting date (which you already paid income tax on), and your sale proceeds are what you actually received when selling. The difference is your capital gain/loss. There's no special form for RSUs with trading restrictions - it's just a normal capital transaction. Make sure your broker reports the correct cost basis though, sometimes they get this wrong with RSUs.
This is such a frustrating situation, but you're definitely not alone in dealing with this! I had a similar experience where my RSUs dropped 20% during a blackout period and I felt like I was being taxed on money that evaporated. One thing that helped me was working with my tax preparer to make sure I was tracking everything correctly. Since you're dealing with both income tax on the vesting value AND capital losses on the sale, it's important to keep detailed records of: 1. The exact vesting date and share price 2. The date restrictions were lifted 3. Your actual sale dates and proceeds 4. Any shares you're still holding Also, don't forget that if your total capital losses exceed $3,000 in a year, you can carry the excess forward to future tax years. Given how volatile some stocks have been lately, those carried-forward losses might come in handy for offsetting future gains. It really is an unfair system when you're essentially penalized for company policies you have no control over, but at least the capital loss treatment helps offset some of the pain. Hang in there!
This is really helpful advice, especially about keeping detailed records! I'm just starting to deal with RSUs at my new job and this thread has been eye-opening. I had no idea about the potential for being taxed on value you can't actually access due to trading windows. One question - when you mention carrying forward capital losses, is there a limit to how many years you can carry them forward? I'm wondering if it makes sense to try to time when I realize other capital gains to take advantage of the losses from RSU drops. Also, does anyone know if there are any proposed changes to how RSUs are taxed? It seems like this situation affects a lot of people, especially with so many companies going public and having insider trading restrictions.
Has anyone here dealt with allocation of shared utilities in a situation like this? I'm in a similar position with a commercial/residential mixed building and I'm confused about how to handle common area utilities when part is business and part is personal.
For shared utilities, you'll need a reasonable allocation method consistently applied. Square footage is most common - if your personal space is 30% of the building, you'd allocate 30% of common utilities as personal (non-deductible) and 70% as business expense. Some property owners install separate meters when possible, which makes documentation cleaner. For things that can't be separately metered, keep detailed records of your allocation methodology. The IRS wants to see that you're using a reasonable, consistent approach rather than arbitrary assignments.
One thing I'd strongly recommend is getting everything documented properly from the start. When we did a similar conversion, our CPA advised us to create a formal "conversion plan" that outlined exactly when each unit would transition from business to personal use, along with the square footage allocations. This documentation became crucial later when we had questions about which improvements qualified for depreciation. We included photos of the property before improvements, detailed cost breakdowns for each area, and a timeline of when different spaces would change use. Also, consider whether you want to elect out of bonus depreciation for some of these improvements. While bonus depreciation gives you bigger deductions upfront, it can create complications if you convert units to personal use shortly after. Sometimes taking regular depreciation over the longer schedule gives you more flexibility, especially with mixed-use properties like yours. Your accountant will probably want to see all this documentation, so getting it organized now will save you time and potentially money in professional fees later!
This is really helpful advice about documentation! I'm just starting to research this topic since my family is considering a similar situation. Quick question - when you mention "electing out of bonus depreciation," is that something you do on a property-by-property basis or improvement-by-improvement basis? And does that election have to be made in the first year you place the improvements in service, or can you make that choice later? I want to make sure I understand the timing before we start any work.
Beatrice Marshall
Dose this work for amended returns to?
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Melina Haruko
ā¢amended returns are totally different beast my friend š
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KylieRose
This is super helpful! I've been trying to figure out my processing cycle for months. Just checked my 2023 transcript and my cycle code ends in 02 - so I'm on daily processing. No wonder I've been seeing random updates throughout the week instead of just Fridays like some people. Thanks for sharing this method, way better than guessing!
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Paolo Moretti
ā¢That's awesome you figured it out! I'm still trying to decode mine - where exactly on the transcript do you find the cycle code? Is it in the same section where it shows the processing date? I've been staring at my transcript for like 20 minutes and can't figure out which numbers you're talking about š
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