Don't forget about the annual price increases!! I started with ProSeries 7 years ago and my cost has doubled since then. They get you with the low initial price but then jack it up every year knowing it's too much of a pain to switch.

For growing a practice with complex multi-state and partnership returns, I'd strongly recommend considering CCH Axcess Tax or Thomson Reuters UltraTax CS as your primary options. Both handle complex business structures exceptionally well and won't limit your growth potential. From my experience, Drake is great for straightforward returns but becomes cumbersome with multi-state allocations and complex K-1 flow-throughs. ProSeries falls into a similar category - fine for basic practice but you'll outgrow it quickly if you're targeting complex business clients. One thing to really consider is the total cost of ownership beyond just the software license. Factor in training time, support quality (as others mentioned), and the efficiency gains on complex returns. A more expensive platform that saves you 30 minutes per complex return will pay for itself quickly. Also, whatever you choose, negotiate a multi-year price lock if possible. The annual price increases can really add up over time, and having predictable costs helps with business planning. Some vendors are willing to work with you on this, especially if you're switching from a competitor.

I'm confused about something. If the mom died in 2021 and the dad died in 2022, how were they filing a joint return? I thought you could only file jointly if both spouses were alive at the end of the tax year?

Just to clarify the timeline - the original post mentions mom died in June 2023 and dad died in April 2024. Dad filed a joint return for 2023, which is completely valid since mom was alive for part of that tax year. When one spouse dies during the tax year, the surviving spouse can still file a joint return for that year. The confusion might be coming from misreading the dates. Since dad filed the 2023 joint return after mom's death but before his own death in 2024, everything follows normal tax rules. The refund is now part of dad's estate since he was the last surviving taxpayer on that return. @f0a5c9e0aa63 - You should definitely review that trust document carefully. Even if it doesn't specifically mention tax refunds, it might have language about how "income" or "assets" from joint accounts or filings should be distributed between the families. This could impact whether your stepsister has any claim to the refund.

Have you checked your transcript on the IRS website? Sometimes that shows codes and pending actions that the "Where's My Refund" tool doesn't show.

I feel your frustration completely - being broke and waiting on money you desperately need is one of the most stressful situations. A few things that might help while you're waiting: 1. Contact your utility companies and landlord ASAP to explain the situation. Many have hardship programs or will work with you if you communicate proactively rather than just going silent. 2. Check if your state has emergency rental assistance programs - many still have COVID relief funds available for exactly this situation. 3. Look into local food banks and assistance programs to free up any money you do have for rent/utilities. 4. If you filed with a tax prep company, call them about the refund advance status - that's completely separate from your IRS processing timeline. The "still being processed" status is unfortunately the new normal this year, but hang in there. Most people are seeing movement around the 3-week mark, so you should hopefully see progress soon. Document everything about your financial hardship in case you need to escalate to the Tax Advocate Service.

Has anyone calculated whether it's actually better over the long-term to just keep the active funds and pay the annual tax bills? I'm facing a similar choice and when I run the numbers, the tax hit from selling everything seems so large that it might take 8-10 years of ETF tax efficiency to break even. By then who knows what tax laws will be...

You've outlined some solid strategies, and I think your instinct to be methodical about this transition is spot-on. One additional consideration that might help optimize your approach: look at the specific timing of when each fund typically makes its distributions. Most funds announce their estimated distributions in October/November, so you have a window to act before December. But some funds distribute quarterly or have different schedules. If you can identify which of your funds (FMAGX, FDGRX, PRHSX) have the largest upcoming distributions relative to your cost basis, prioritize moving those first. Also consider the "tax budget" approach - calculate exactly how much additional tax liability you can absorb this year without jumping into the next bracket, then use that as your guide for how much to transition now versus spreading across multiple years. Given that you mentioned still having room before hitting the 20% bracket, you might have more flexibility than you think. The charitable giving strategy you mentioned is particularly powerful if you itemize deductions. You can essentially convert what would be capital gains taxes into charitable deductions at your marginal income tax rate, which could be significantly higher than your 15% capital gains rate. One last thought: if any of these funds are in tax-advantaged accounts (401k, IRA), obviously the tax considerations don't apply and you can transition those immediately without consequence.

Pro tip: scan and save digital copies of ALL your tax docs. Makes it 10000x easier when the IRS comes asking

Same situation here! I've got codes 570 and 971 showing up too. One of my employers apparently never submitted their W2 info to SSA. Been stuck for 3 weeks now waiting for this CP12 letter. Did they give you any timeline on when you might see movement once they get the missing W2 data?