Anybody else think it's ridiculous how cryptic these error codes are? Like why can't TurboTax just say "Hey, your name and SSN don't match what the IRS has" instead of "IND-031-04" which tells me absolutely nothing?? The whole system seems designed to be as frustrating as possible.

I had the exact same error code last month and it drove me crazy! Turned out to be a really simple fix though - I had entered my middle initial as "J" but my Social Security card actually has "James" spelled out completely. Even though both are technically correct, the IRS system is super picky about exact matches. Here's what I'd suggest: Pull out your actual Social Security card (not just rely on memory) and compare every single character of your name field by field. Look for: - Middle names vs middle initials - Periods after initials - Spaces between names - Any Jr/Sr/III suffixes Since you mentioned getting married and changing your name, that's almost certainly the culprit. Make sure you're using the exact format from your updated SS card. The IRS database might still have timing delays even after you updated with Social Security Administration. Don't worry about your refund being delayed too much - once you fix the name mismatch and resubmit, it usually processes pretty quickly!

I totally get the anxiety around the 570 code - had one last year and it drove me crazy! The remote work income struggle is so real too. From my experience, the 570 usually means they're just double-checking something in your return. Mine cleared after about 16 days with no action needed on my part. The key things to look for: check if there's a 971 code (means they're sending you a letter), and watch for cycle dates on your transcript. Most people see resolution within 2-4 weeks unless there's a more complex issue. I know it's hard, but try not to check daily - Wednesday mornings are when most updates happen. The waiting game with the IRS is brutal, but it usually works out in the end. Hang in there!

Hey Keisha! I totally feel you on the remote work income struggle - that feast or famine cycle is so stressful when you're waiting on money from the IRS! 😩 From what I've seen in this community, 570 codes are actually pretty common and most do resolve without you having to do anything. The timeline seems to vary a lot though - some people get lucky and it clears in a week or two, while others wait 4-6 weeks. The key thing to look for is whether you get a 971 code too, which would mean they're sending you a letter explaining what they need. If it's just the 570 by itself, it's usually just routine verification stuff happening behind the scenes. I know the waiting is brutal, especially when bills are due, but try to hang in there! Most people in your situation do get their refunds eventually, just with some extra patience required (unfortunately).

Just wanna add one thing - make sure to update your W4 with your employer ASAP for 2026! While there's no penalty for filing differently than your withholding status, it's best to have your withholding match your expected filing status to avoid surprises next year. The new W4 form doesn't even have a "filing status" checkbox anymore - instead it asks about multiple jobs and spouse working, so complete it accurately for best results.

Great question and lots of helpful answers here! Just to add one more perspective - I work in HR and help employees with W4 questions all the time. What everyone's saying is absolutely correct: your W4 withholding elections and your actual tax filing status are completely independent. The W4 is just an estimate tool to help your employer withhold approximately the right amount of taxes throughout the year. Your actual filing status is determined by your marital status on December 31st of the tax year. Since you were married by the end of 2025, you have the option to file either "married filing jointly" or "married filing separately" - regardless of what any W4 forms say. One tip from the employer side: when you do update your W4 (which I'd recommend doing soon for 2026), the new form is much more comprehensive than the old one. It considers your spouse's income, multiple jobs, deductions, and credits to give you more accurate withholding. Take your time filling it out completely rather than just checking a box!

Just wanted to share my experience - I was in almost identical situation last year. $198k net revenue, single-member LLC, found out about S corps in October. I filed Form 2553 under Rev. Proc. 2013-30 with my tax return for last year. My strategy was setting up payroll for Nov and Dec only, took reasonable salary for those months ($15k total), and documented why this was appropriate given the timing of my election. My S election was accepted without issues. Saved about $4k in taxes even with just 2 months of S-corp status, and now I'm fully set up for this year too. The key was solid documentation explaining the timing of my reasonable compensation decisions.

I went through this exact situation two years ago and decided to wait until the following tax year - best decision I made! Here's why: The administrative nightmare of retroactive S-corp compliance isn't just about filing Form 2553. You'd need to: - Set up payroll software and processes - Calculate and pay employment taxes for the entire year - File quarterly 941 forms (which were due months ago) - Potentially face penalties for late payroll tax deposits - Amend your quarterly estimated tax payments With $230k in net revenue, you're probably looking at around $6-8k in SE tax savings, but the compliance costs, penalties, and rushed setup could easily eat half of that. I used the extra time to properly research payroll providers, set up business banking for payroll, and plan my reasonable compensation strategy. When I elected S-corp status for the following year, everything was clean and proper from day one. The peace of mind was worth more than the one-year delay in tax savings. Plus, having a full year of S-corp planning let me optimize other aspects of my business structure that I would have missed if I'd rushed into it.

I went through this exact same situation last year when I proposed! The good news is that everyone here is giving you solid advice - your fiancée won't owe any taxes on the ring, and you probably won't either unless you're already close to that $13+ million lifetime exemption (which most of us definitely aren't!). Just wanted to add one practical tip: when you do file Form 709 to report the gift over $18,000, make sure you get a proper appraisal of the ring's fair market value rather than just using what you paid for it. Sometimes the actual value can be different from the purchase price, especially if you got a good deal or bought from a high-markup retailer. The IRS wants the fair market value, not necessarily your receipt amount. Also, don't stress too much about the paperwork - Form 709 is actually pretty straightforward for a simple gift like this. You've got until April 15th of the year after you give the gift to file it. Good luck with the proposal!

Great question about the appraisal timing! You don't need to get it done immediately when you purchase the ring - you have until you file Form 709 (by April 15th of the year after the gift) to obtain the appraisal. However, I'd recommend getting it done relatively soon after purchase while the market conditions are still similar. For IRS purposes, you'll want a certified appraisal from a qualified appraiser rather than just something from the jewelry store. Look for appraisers who are certified by organizations like the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) or the American Appraisal Society. The jewelry store appraisal might work for insurance purposes, but for tax reporting you want someone independent who specializes in valuations. One tip: when you get the appraisal, make sure they know it's for gift tax purposes specifically, as this can affect how they approach the valuation methodology. The fair market value should reflect what a willing buyer would pay a willing seller in the current market.