Pro tip: Always send these international information forms via CERTIFIED mail with return receipt! I learned this lesson the hard way with my FBAR filing a few years back. Also keep a copy of everything you send, including proof of mailing. The penalties for late filing Form 3520 are insane (either $10,000 or 35% of the gross value of the trust distributions, whichever is greater).

This is exactly why I always recommend keeping multiple forms of documentation when dealing with international tax forms. In addition to certified mail, I also take screenshots of the IRS website showing the correct mailing address on the day I send the form, just in case addresses change or there's any dispute later. For Form 3520 specifically, I've found it helpful to also keep a copy of the trust documents and any correspondence that shows the filing requirement, since the IRS sometimes questions whether certain arrangements actually constitute reportable foreign trusts. The more documentation you have upfront, the easier it is to resolve any issues that come up during processing. Your situation with the ZIP code discrepancy is actually pretty reassuring - it shows the form made it to an IRS facility, which is the most important part. The internal routing between 84201 and 84409 is their problem, not yours!

The IRS verification system is like a temperamental security guard - sometimes it recognizes you and waves you through, other times it demands to see every form of ID you own even though you were just there yesterday. I've been tracking this issue across several tax forums, and there's a pattern emerging. The verification requirement seems to be triggered by an algorithmic risk assessment rather than a simple yes/no rule. Some factors that increase your chances of needing re-verification: 1. Filing from a new IP address or device 2. Income changes exceeding 20% year-over-year 3. New dependents or changed filing status 4. Claiming refundable credits you didn't claim previously 5. Filing significantly earlier or later than your previous year's pattern Interestingly, the IRS increased verification requirements after the massive fraud during COVID relief programs. Their systems are now more sensitive, which means more legitimate filers are getting caught in the verification net.

Just wanted to share my experience as someone who went through verification last year and was dreading having to do it again. Filed my return on February 15th this year and... no verification letter! My refund was processed normally within 3 weeks. For context, last year I had to verify after claiming the Child Tax Credit for the first time when my daughter was born. This year, same situation (claiming CTC again), same address, same employer, filed using the same software from the same computer. The only difference was my income went up about 15% due to a raise. It seems like once you're in their system and your filing pattern is consistent, you're less likely to get flagged again. Though based on other comments here, there's definitely no guarantee - the IRS system seems pretty unpredictable! For anyone still waiting on verification, hang in there. I know how stressful it is when you're counting on that refund.

Just wanted to add a practical tip about timing your expenses for maximum tax benefit. Since rental property expenses are deductible in the year paid (not when incurred), you have some flexibility with year-end planning. For example, if your rental property is showing a profit this year and you're hitting the passive activity loss limitations, consider prepaying some January expenses in December - things like insurance premiums, property management fees, or scheduled maintenance. This can help offset current year rental income. Conversely, if you're already maxed out on passive losses you can use this year, it might make sense to defer some discretionary expenses to next year when you might have more rental income to offset. Also, regarding the mortgage interest - keep copies of all your loan statements, not just the 1098 forms. Sometimes lenders make errors on the 1098s, and having your actual payment records makes it much easier to catch and correct these mistakes. I learned this the hard way when my lender undereported my rental property interest by almost $800 one year!

Great discussion everyone! I want to add something important that I learned from my CPA about the acquisition debt vs home equity debt distinction that could affect your primary residence deduction. The $750K limit applies specifically to "acquisition debt" - loans used to buy, build, or substantially improve your home. If you later refinance and take cash out for other purposes (like funding your rental property purchase), that portion above your original acquisition debt is considered home equity debt and isn't deductible for personal use. So if you originally had a $600K mortgage on your primary residence and later cash-out refinanced to $750K to help buy your rental property, only the first $600K of interest would be deductible as qualified residence interest. The remaining $150K portion would be considered home equity debt. However, if you used that $150K specifically to acquire or improve the rental property, you might be able to deduct that interest as a rental property expense on Schedule E instead. The key is tracing where the loan proceeds actually went - this is called the "debt tracing rules" and requires careful documentation. Just wanted to mention this since many people don't realize that not all mortgage interest on a primary residence automatically qualifies for the personal deduction, especially with cash-out refinances.

Does anyone know if half-day preschool programs qualify for the Child and Dependent Care Credit? My daughter only goes to preschool from 8-12, but I work full time. We have a babysitter in the afternoons. Can I claim both?

Great question about private preschool and Pre-K expenses! You're definitely on the right track. Since both you and your spouse worked full-time, those expenses should qualify for the Child and Dependent Care Credit. The IRS treats preschool and Pre-K as qualifying care for children under 13, even when provided by private schools. However, keep in mind that with two children, you can only claim up to $6,000 in expenses (not the full $14,800 you paid). The credit percentage depends on your adjusted gross income - it ranges from 20% to 35% of your qualifying expenses. So you could potentially get a credit of $1,200 to $2,100. Make sure to collect the school's name, address, and tax ID number (EIN) for Form 2441. You'll need this information when you file. Also, if either of you contributed to a dependent care FSA through work, you'll need to subtract that amount from your eligible expenses to avoid double-dipping on tax benefits.

Have you considered filing through a local VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) site and then applying for a separate refund advance loan through a financial institution? Ohio has numerous VITA locations that handle self-employment income below certain thresholds, and they file for free. Then you could separately apply for a Tax Refund Express Loan through regional banks like Fifth Third or Huntington that serve Ohio/WV. This separates the filing from the advance, potentially giving you better terms on both. I've seen people get their returns filed more accurately this way while still accessing funds quickly.

I'm in a similar situation and found that TaxAct's Refund Advance program works well for Ohio residents with mixed income. They approved my advance within 24 hours even with Schedule C income, though I had to upload bank statements showing my business deposits. The key was having organized quarterly payment records to the IRS - they seem to use that as verification that your self-employment income is legitimate. One thing to watch out for: make sure you calculate your expected refund accurately because if your actual refund is less than the advance amount, you'll owe the difference immediately. Also, most providers now require you to receive your refund through their bank products, so factor that into your decision. For transportation issues, some tax prep offices offer mobile services or will work with you over video calls for the verification process. Worth asking about if you find a provider you like but can't physically visit.