This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a very similar situation - divorced in 2015, modified the agreement in 2024 with no mention of tax implications. After reading everyone's experiences, I feel much more confident about continuing to take the deduction. What really stands out to me is how consistent everyone's advice has been: if the modification doesn't explicitly state that the new tax rules apply, then the original pre-2019 treatment continues. The IRS seems to have written this rule pretty clearly - they require express language, not implied or assumed changes. For anyone else in this situation, I'd recommend: 1. Keep copies of both your original divorce decree AND the modification 2. Make sure your ex-spouse understands they still need to report the payments as income 3. Consider adding protective language to any future modifications (like @Rudy Cenizo suggested) 4. Keep detailed records of all payments It's frustrating that the IRS publications aren't clearer about this, but based on everyone's real-world experiences here, it seems like we're interpreting the law correctly. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - it's so much more helpful than trying to decode tax publications alone!

This entire discussion has been so valuable! As someone who went through a similar situation with a 2014 divorce agreement modified in 2023, I can confirm that the consensus here is absolutely correct. The key really is whether your modification contains explicit language about adopting the new tax rules. What I'd add from my experience is that it's worth having a conversation with your ex-spouse about this before tax season to make sure you're both on the same page. In my case, my ex had heard from friends that "alimony isn't taxable anymore" and stopped reporting it as income in 2023. This created a mismatch that could have triggered issues for both of us. I had to show them the actual tax code and explain that for our pre-2019 agreement (even with modifications), the old rules still apply unless specifically changed. Now we both file consistently - I deduct, they report as income - and everything works smoothly. The bottom line for anyone in this situation: silence in your modification is your friend, but communication with your ex-spouse is essential to avoid filing inconsistencies that draw IRS attention.

Just walked out of H&R Block myself because they wanted $795 for my taxes!! I'm self employed too, but just a simple Etsy shop. Ended up using TaxAct online for $110 total for federal and state. Took me about 2.5 hours but TOTALLY worth saving almost $700!

$675 is definitely excessive for straightforward self-employed taxes! I've been filing my own taxes as a freelancer for 5 years now and can share some perspective. H&R Block tends to use a "form-based" pricing model where each additional schedule adds to the cost, regardless of complexity. For self-employed filers, they automatically add charges for Schedule C, SE (self-employment tax), and sometimes estimated tax payments even if minimal work is involved. I'd strongly recommend getting quotes from 2-3 local tax preparers before committing. Many independent CPAs or enrolled agents charge $250-400 for similar situations and often provide more personalized service. If you decide to go the DIY route, the self-employed versions of major tax software (TurboTax, TaxAct, FreeTaxUSA) typically cost $80-150 and have really good guidance for Schedule C preparation. Don't let them pressure you into paying that much - your tax situation doesn't sound complex enough to justify those fees!

I'm at week 14 with my amended return to add my daughter's SSN for the child tax credit - filed through TaxSlayer after we finally received her social security card following a move where the paperwork got delayed. Like everyone else here, I've been stuck on that "Processing" status with absolutely no updates. This thread has been such a godsend! I was starting to panic thinking I'd done something wrong since there's been zero movement for months, but seeing so many people in nearly identical situations is incredibly reassuring. Learning that 20-30 weeks is the realistic expectation rather than the misleading 16 weeks the IRS advertises really helps me mentally prepare for the wait ahead. What's been most comforting is hearing from multiple people that adding a dependent's SSN is routine and low-risk for audit. As someone who's never filed an amendment before, I was getting anxious that this might trigger extra scrutiny, but it sounds like this type of correction is very common and straightforward. I'm definitely going to check my TaxSlayer confirmation for those processing center codes everyone mentioned to see where mine ended up - really hoping it didn't get sent to one of the severely backed-up centers like Austin or Kansas City! Since I'm getting closer to that 20-week mark, it's good to know about the contact options and resources like the Taxpayer Advocate Service if needed. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and timelines. It's oddly reassuring to know we're all going through this same frustrating waiting game together with such similar situations. The waiting continues!

I'm at week 22 with my amended return to add my daughter's SSN for the child tax credit - filed through H&R Block after we finally got her social security card following some delays at the Social Security office. Like so many others here, I've been stuck on "Processing" this entire time with absolutely zero movement on that tracker. This thread has been incredibly valuable for managing my expectations and anxiety! When I first filed, I naively believed the IRS's 16-week estimate, but clearly that's not realistic at all. Reading everyone's experiences here helped me understand that 20-30 weeks is much more accurate for the current processing times. What really helped ease my worries was learning from multiple people that adding a dependent's SSN is considered routine and low-risk for audit. I was getting anxious that any amendment might trigger extra scrutiny, but it sounds like this type of correction is very common and straightforward. Since I'm now past that 20-week mark several people mentioned for contacting the IRS, I'm considering reaching out soon. Has anyone had success getting through to them recently, or should I wait a bit longer? The money would definitely help with some upcoming expenses, but I don't want to waste time calling if they'll just tell me to keep waiting. Thanks to everyone who's shared their timelines and experiences - it's been so reassuring to know we're all going through this same frustrating process together!

Tax pro here. The 810/151 combo usually means they need more documentation from you. Have you checked your mail carefully? They sometimes send letters that look like junk mail. Also, I've been recommending taxr.ai to my clients lately - it's an AI tool that breaks down your transcript and tells you exactly what's happening and what steps to take. It's seriously revolutionizing how we handle these delays.

I went through the exact same thing last year - 810 freeze and 151 for almost 4 months. Here's what finally worked: I submitted Form 911 (Request for Taxpayer Advocate Service) online through the TAS website. You don't necessarily need financial hardship if you can show you've been waiting an unreasonable amount of time (which 3 months definitely is). Make sure to include all your documentation - copies of your return, any correspondence, and a timeline of your attempts to resolve it. The advocate assigned to my case got it sorted in about 2 weeks once they took it on. Don't give up!

bruh the IRS is so broken. why we gotta jump thru hoops just to get our own money back smh

Ugh I feel your pain! I had a code 810 freeze for almost 10 months last year 😭 The examiner kept telling me "just wait" too but honestly what worked for me was being super persistent about getting specifics. When you're on the phone, ask them exactly what documentation they still need and get a case number. Also ask for the direct fax number to send additional docs - don't rely on mail. Keep records of every call with names and dates. The whole system is frustrating but you gotta stay on top of them or they'll just let it sit there forever.