I'm also dealing with the Maryland refund delays! Filed on February 7th and just hit the 7-week mark with still nothing but "being processed" status. I'm in Baltimore City and this is definitely the longest I've ever waited for a state refund - usually get it within 2-3 weeks. What's really frustrating is that I had to pay estimated taxes throughout the year due to some freelance work, so this refund represents overpayments I made. Called the comptroller's office yesterday and they basically said the same thing everyone else is hearing - massive backlog, enhanced fraud detection, no specific timeline available. The rep did mention that they're prioritizing based on filing date but that some systems upgrades earlier this year caused additional delays. Based on all the timelines shared here, I'm cautiously optimistic I might see something in the next week since other early February filers are finally getting theirs. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - it really helps with the anxiety of wondering if something went wrong with my return!

I'm also waiting on my Maryland refund and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Filed on March 1st and approaching the 4-week mark with the usual "being processed" status. I'm in Frederick County and this is my second year filing Maryland taxes after moving from Pennsylvania. Last year I got my refund in about 18 days, so this extended wait has been surprising. What's particularly frustrating is that I have a very simple return - just W-2 income, standard deduction, and married filing jointly status. Called the comptroller's office earlier this week and was told they're experiencing "unprecedented volume" this year due to enhanced security measures. The representative couldn't provide any timeline but mentioned they're working through returns in chronological order. Based on all the experiences shared here, it sounds like I should expect at least another 2-3 weeks given that early February filers are just now getting their deposits. I've switched to checking my bank account each morning around 6:30 AM instead of relying on their tracker since everyone says it's completely unreliable. Really appreciate everyone sharing their timelines - it makes the wait much more bearable knowing this is affecting so many people!

This is an incredibly frustrating situation, and I feel terrible that you're dealing with such a massive financial hit due to someone else's professional negligence. As someone who has navigated IRS issues before, I wanted to add a few thoughts to the excellent advice already shared. First, when you contact Lincoln Financial's compliance department, be very specific about the financial damages and timeline. Don't just say "the advisor made a mistake" - clearly state that their advisor's incorrect guidance has resulted in $30K in unexpected taxes and penalties that you would not have incurred if the transfer had been done properly as an inherited IRA rollover. Also, consider requesting a meeting with a supervisor or compliance officer rather than just submitting a written complaint. Sometimes having a live conversation where you can explain the full impact helps them understand the severity of the situation. They may be more motivated to find a resolution when they realize the scope of their advisor's error. One additional point about documentation - if you have any marketing materials, business cards, or website information where the advisor or Lincoln Financial promoted expertise in retirement planning or inherited accounts, save all of that. It strengthens your case that you reasonably relied on their claimed expertise. The fact that multiple people here have had success with various relief procedures gives me hope for your situation. This is clearly a case where professional advice led to an incorrect action, which is exactly what many of these relief provisions are designed to address. Don't give up - you have legitimate grounds for relief through multiple channels, and $30K is absolutely worth fighting for.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare situation. As someone who works in tax resolution, I've seen this exact scenario too many times - financial advisors who don't understand the specific rules for inherited retirement accounts causing massive tax consequences for their clients. The good news is that you have several strong avenues for relief, and based on the details you've provided, you have a compelling case for both IRS relief and potential recovery from the advisor/firm. Here's what I'd prioritize: **Immediate IRS Action:** File for late rollover relief under Revenue Procedure 2020-46 as soon as possible. Your situation - relying on professional advice that turned out to be incorrect - is exactly what this provision was designed to address. Include a detailed timeline showing how you explicitly sought professional guidance to avoid mistakes. **Documentation Strategy:** Create a comprehensive file with every communication from the advisor. If they recommended consolidating your accounts via email or recorded calls, that's golden evidence. Also document their marketing materials claiming retirement planning expertise. **Multiple Regulatory Complaints:** File with both FINRA and your state insurance commissioner simultaneously. This creates pressure from multiple regulatory angles and shows the severity of the professional error. **Compliance Department Leverage:** Contact Lincoln Financial's compliance department directly and request a meeting. Be very clear about the $30K financial damage and that you're prepared to pursue all available regulatory and legal remedies. The fact that this was a clear violation of inherited IRA rules (not some gray area) works strongly in your favor. Keep fighting - I've seen similar cases result in significant relief when clients pursue all available avenues aggressively.

Has anyone used TurboTax for reporting these CD penalties? Does it handle this situation well or should I be looking at other tax software options?

Just went through this exact situation last month! I had to break my CD early in 2023 for emergency home repairs. Here's what I learned from my research and talking to my tax preparer: The penalty will definitely show up on your 2023 1099-INT (which you'll receive in January/February 2024), not on any amended 2022 form. The bank reports penalties in the year they actually charge them, not when the CD was originally opened. One thing that really helped me was keeping detailed records of the CD closure. I took screenshots of my online banking showing the penalty amount because I wanted to verify it against the 1099-INT when I receive it. The silver lining is that early withdrawal penalties are "above-the-line" deductions, meaning they reduce your adjusted gross income dollar-for-dollar. So if you paid a $500 penalty, that's $500 less in taxable income, which could save you $100+ in taxes depending on your tax bracket. Don't stress too much about it - this is a pretty common situation and the tax treatment is straightforward once you get that 2023 1099-INT!

One thing nobody has mentioned: KDP (kindle direct publishing) and other platforms will send a 1099-K if your husband makes over $600, and that gets reported to the IRS. they expect to see that income on your return somewhere. If you report as hobby, make sure you list "self-published book" in the description so it matches the 1099. Nothing triggers audits faster than income reported to IRS that doesn't show up on your return!

As someone who went through this exact decision last year with my husband's self-published poetry collection, I'd strongly recommend going with Schedule C from the start. Here's what I learned: Even though we had minimal expenses (just some basic editing software and a simple book cover), treating it as a business allowed us to deduct a portion of our home office, internet costs, and even mileage to a local bookstore event. These small deductions added up. The record-keeping really isn't as scary as it seems - I just use a simple Excel spreadsheet with columns for date, description, amount, and category. Takes maybe 10 minutes a month to update. Most importantly, starting with Schedule C gives you flexibility. If your husband's book takes off and he decides to write more, you're already set up properly. If it stays small, no harm done - you're just getting legitimate tax benefits you'd miss with hobby classification. The key is showing profit motive, which it sounds like you have - he completed and published the book with the intent to sell it. That's business activity, not just a hobby. Don't overthink it!

This thread has been absolutely brilliant - so much practical advice from people who've actually been through this process! I've been running woodworking workshops through Eventbrite for about 7 months and made around £6,200 so far. Like everyone else here, I was completely overwhelmed by the tax implications until reading through all these experiences. The consistent message is crystal clear: register as self-employed with HMRC now, set up a separate business account, track everything, and save 30% for tax. I particularly love the Monzo automatic transfer idea - that would solve my discipline problem completely! A few woodworking workshop-specific questions I wanted to add: **Tool depreciation**: I've invested quite heavily in professional woodworking tools that I use exclusively for workshops (table saw, router, chisels, etc.). Some individual tools cost £300-800. Can I claim these in full in the first year under the Annual Investment Allowance? **Material waste**: With woodworking, there's always significant material waste - offcuts, damaged pieces, etc. Can I claim the full cost of materials purchased even though not all of it ends up in the final projects participants take home? **Safety equipment**: I provide safety glasses, dust masks, and hearing protection for all participants. These need regular replacement. Are these ongoing safety costs fully deductible? **Workshop insurance**: Beyond public liability, I carry specific tool insurance and workshop accident coverage. The premiums are getting expensive but seem essential given the machinery involved. At £6,200 in 7 months, I'm clearly way over any threshold for registration. Reading this thread has given me the confidence to stop procrastinating and get properly organized. Thanks to everyone for making this complex topic feel manageable through real-world examples!

This thread has been absolutely incredible - so much detailed, practical advice from people who've actually navigated this exact situation! I've been running financial literacy workshops through Eventbrite for about 5 months and made around £3,400 so far. Like everyone else here, I was completely confused about whether this counted as a "real business" for tax purposes. Reading through all these experiences, the message is crystal clear: stop overthinking it and get registered with HMRC immediately. The consistency of advice here is reassuring - register now, separate business account, track everything religiously, and save 30% for tax. A few financial workshop-specific questions I wanted to add: **Educational materials and subscriptions**: I subscribe to various financial publications and buy educational resources that I reference during workshops and sometimes recommend to participants. Are these fully deductible even though I also use them for my own professional development? **Certification maintenance**: I maintain several financial education certifications that require annual fees and continuing education credits. These benefit both my workshops and my day job - can I still claim the full cost as a business expense? **Technology costs**: I use specialized budgeting software and financial planning tools during workshops, plus pay for video conferencing licenses for online sessions. These monthly subscriptions are adding up but seem essential for delivering quality content. The Monzo automatic tax savings approach sounds absolutely brilliant - I've been terrible about setting money aside and this automated solution would solve that completely. No more relying on willpower! Getting my HMRC registration sorted this week - no more procrastinating! Thanks to everyone for transforming what felt like an impossibly complex topic into a clear set of actionable steps. This thread should be required reading for anyone starting educational workshop businesses in the UK!