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Just my two cents, but I've been audited before and parking deductions were one of the things flagged. My advice is to be super conservative with this. If you're claiming the home office deduction already, trying to also claim the garage separately might raise red flags.
That's really helpful context. What ended up happening with your audit? Did you have to pay back the deductions plus penalties?
As someone who's dealt with similar home office deduction questions, I'd recommend being very methodical about this. The key is proper documentation and understanding which method gives you the better deduction. Since you're already claiming 15% of your home for business use, you have a few options for the parking: 1. Include it as part of your home office calculation (15% of the $285/month) 2. Use it as part of the actual expense method for your vehicle if you switch from standard mileage 3. Treat it separately based on documented business use percentage The safest approach is probably option 1 - just include it in your existing home office percentage. This keeps everything consistent and is less likely to raise audit flags. Whatever you choose, make sure you keep detailed records of your business trips vs. personal use. A simple spreadsheet tracking dates, destinations, and purposes of trips will go a long way if you ever need to justify the deduction. Also consider consulting with a new tax professional before making any major changes to your deduction strategy, especially given the audit concerns mentioned by others here.
I'm dealing with a similar situation but with a different provider - my solo 401k administrator just hit me with a "service enhancement" fee that basically doubled my costs overnight. It's so frustrating how these companies lock you in with reasonable rates and then jack up prices once they think you're committed. What really bothers me is how they frame these increases as "improvements" when the service hasn't actually changed at all. Same portal, same customer service wait times, same basic administration - just a bigger bill. For those looking at alternatives, I'd definitely recommend getting fee schedules in writing before switching. Ask specifically about: annual increases, transaction fees, loan fees, and any "optional" services that might become mandatory later. Also worth asking if they guarantee rates for a certain period. The direct rollover process mentioned by others is straightforward, but make sure your new provider handles all the paperwork properly. The last thing you want is the IRS treating it as a distribution!
This whole thread is incredibly helpful - I'm in the exact same boat with Solo401k.com and was feeling pretty trapped by their price increase. The idea that they can just triple fees with some vague "service enhancement" justification is infuriating. I'm definitely going to look into both taxr.ai for analyzing my current situation and Claimyr for actually getting through to negotiate. Even if I end up switching providers, it would be good to understand exactly what I'm paying for versus what I actually need. The direct rollover information is reassuring too. I was worried about tax implications of switching, but it sounds like as long as the funds transfer directly between administrators, there shouldn't be any issues. One question for those who have switched - how long does the typical rollover process take? I'm worried about being stuck with the new higher fees while waiting for paperwork to process.
The rollover process typically takes 2-4 weeks from start to finish, depending on how quickly both providers process the paperwork. Most of that time is just waiting for the administrators to handle the transfer - your part is usually just signing some forms. Here's what helped speed things up for me when I switched: 1) Get the new provider to send you all the rollover paperwork upfront so you can review it, 2) Ask your current provider (Solo401k.com) for their specific rollover procedures and required forms, and 3) Make sure both sides have the exact same account information to avoid delays. The good news is that you're usually not charged the new higher fees during the rollover period since your account is in transition. I'd recommend starting the process ASAP though, since these transfers can sometimes hit snags if there are any discrepancies in paperwork or account details. Also worth noting - if you have any outstanding loans against your 401k, that can complicate the rollover process, so definitely mention that upfront to your new provider if it applies to your situation.
Has anyone used TurboTax for handling inherited rental property with mixed basis like this? I'm trying to figure out if the software can handle this type of complexity or if I should just hire an accountant this year.
I tried using TurboTax for a similar situation last year and it was a nightmare. The software doesn't have good guidance for mixed-basis inherited properties. I ended up having to hire an accountant anyway to fix my mistakes. Save yourself the headache and get professional help from the start.
I went through something very similar when I inherited my grandmother's duplex last year. The key thing to remember is that your total basis will be the stepped-up basis for your inherited portion plus whatever you actually paid for the other shares. One thing I learned the hard way - make sure you get a proper appraisal dated as close to the date of death as possible. The probate appraisal might be months later, and if property values were changing rapidly in your area, this could affect your stepped-up basis calculation. Also, regarding your question about IRS scrutiny - they're more likely to look closely at rental properties because depreciation reduces your taxable income every year. Keep meticulous records not just of the basis calculation, but also any improvements you make to the property since those can be added to your basis. The 3-year audit window generally applies, but if they think you've substantially underreported income (more than 25%), they have 6 years. For basis calculations on inherited property, as long as your numbers are reasonable and well-documented, you shouldn't have issues.
According to Internal Revenue Manual 21.4.1.3(7), when an adjustment is made to a taxpayer's account, the refund should be issued within 7-10 business days absent any additional compliance verification requirements. However, during peak processing periods (January 15-April 30), this timeline may be extended by an additional 3-5 business days due to volume considerations. I was surprised to learn that even after adjustment processing is complete, there are still multiple internal verification steps that must occur before the refund is released to the Financial Management Service for payment.
I understand how nerve-wracking this waiting period can be, especially with important financial arrangements pending. Based on the experiences shared here and what I've seen in similar situations, you're likely looking at 5-10 business days from when your transcript updated with the adjustment. The fact that your transcript already shows the adjusted amount is actually a great sign - it means the heavy lifting is done and you're in the final processing queue. Since your adjustment appeared on Friday, I'd expect to see movement by mid to late this week. Keep checking your bank account directly rather than relying solely on WMR, as deposits sometimes appear before the online tools update. Hang in there - you're almost at the finish line!
Gabrielle Dubois
Has anyone dealt with selling property in multiple countries? I'm wondering if losses in one country can offset gains in another. I'm about to sell properties in both Mexico (likely at a loss) and Portugal (significant gain) and trying to figure out if I can use the Mexico loss to reduce my tax bill on the Portugal gain.
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Tyrone Johnson
ā¢Yes, you can generally offset foreign capital losses against foreign capital gains, similar to how domestic losses and gains work. They all go on the same Schedule D. However, you need to be careful about the currency conversion and timing. Both transactions need to be converted to USD using the appropriate exchange rates at the time of purchase and sale.
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Tony Brooks
This is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar situation with a property in the Philippines that I inherited from my parents about 8 years ago. I've been renting it out and reporting the income, but I'm considering selling it now. One thing I'm curious about - since this was inherited property, do I use the fair market value at the time of inheritance as my basis, or do I need to go back to what my parents originally paid for it decades ago? And if it's the fair market value at inheritance, which exchange rate do I use - the one from when they passed away or from when the property was officially transferred to me (which took about 6 months due to probate)? Also, has anyone dealt with the situation where the foreign country requires you to pay their capital gains tax before you can transfer the proceeds out of the country? I'm wondering how that affects the timing of when I need to report everything to the IRS.
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