Has anyone tried recreating a mileage log using Google Maps timeline data? My tax guy told me that the state accepted this as supporting evidence in another client's audit since it shows where you actually were on specific dates.

This is really helpful advice from everyone. I'm in a similar situation but for a different year. One thing I wanted to add - if you do end up owing additional tax, make sure to ask about installment payment plans when you talk to the state. Most states will work with you on a payment plan rather than demanding everything upfront, especially if you're cooperative during the audit process. Also, don't ignore the audit notice or delay responding - that just makes everything worse. Even if you can't find all your documentation, respond by the deadline and explain what you're missing. They'd rather work with someone who's communicating than someone who goes silent. The Google Maps timeline suggestion is brilliant - I wish I had known about that option when I went through my audit. Definitely going to remember that for the future.

Whatever you do, DON'T ignore the CP2000! I made that mistake thinking it would go away and ended up with wage garnishment! Respond within the deadline even if you're still gathering some documents - you can always send additional info later.

I went through almost the exact same situation last year with a CP2000 notice! The key thing that saved me was keeping meticulous records of WHEN payments were actually received vs when they were reported by clients. Here's what worked for me: I created a simple spreadsheet showing the client name, amount, date payment was actually received (per my bank statements), and which tax year I correctly reported it in. Then I included copies of the relevant pages from both my 2023 AND 2024 tax returns to show the IRS exactly where that income appeared. The IRS had the same issue - a client reported paying me in December 2023 when I actually received it in January 2024. My response letter was very straightforward: "The payment from [Client Name] for $X was received on [Date] as shown in the attached bank statement. This income was correctly reported on my 2024 tax return, not 2023, as it was received in 2024." Don't stress too much - when you have clear documentation like bank statements showing the actual deposit date, the IRS will correct their error. Just make sure to respond before that 3-week deadline! The whole process took about 6-8 weeks for me and they completely removed the assessment.

I'm in the same boat as the original poster - still waiting for my CP01A notice and getting nervous about filing deadlines. Based on what everyone's sharing here, it sounds like the online retrieval option through the IRS website might be my best bet rather than waiting for the mail. Has anyone had issues with the online IP PIN tool not working properly? I'm worried about getting locked out of my IRS account if I make too many verification attempts. Also, for those who successfully used it - do you remember roughly how long the whole verification process took once you got logged in? Thanks for all the helpful info in this thread! It's reassuring to know I'm not the only one dealing with this timing stress.

I just wanted to share my experience since I was in a similar situation last month. I ended up getting my IP PIN through the IRS online portal after waiting three weeks for the CP01A notice that never came. The verification process was actually easier than I expected - took about 15 minutes and I had my PIN immediately. One thing I learned is that if you've moved recently or had any address changes, that can delay or prevent delivery of the CP01A notice. The IRS might still have your old address on file even if you filed a change of address form. In my case, I had moved six months ago and apparently the notice went to my previous apartment. For anyone still waiting, I'd definitely recommend trying the online option first before calling. The "Get an IP PIN" tool on the IRS website worked perfectly for me, and I was able to file my return the same day. Just make sure you have a recent credit card or loan statement handy for the identity verification step.

I was in almost the exact same situation as you - self-employed photographer who hadn't filed for years due to poor record keeping and cash payments. Here's what I learned from going through this process: First, don't panic about the penalties. The IRS has a "First Time Penalty Abatement" program that can waive many penalties if you haven't had filing issues before. You have to file first, then request it. For reconstructing your income without records, start with whatever bank statements you have. Even if you only deposited money for bills, those deposits plus your known living expenses can help you estimate your actual income. The IRS isn't expecting perfect records from cash-based businesses - they just want reasonable good-faith estimates. For business expenses, make a list of everything you remember buying for your photography work. Camera gear, editing software, travel costs, even a portion of your internet and phone bills. Without receipts, you can still claim reasonable amounts based on what you remember spending. Just be conservative and honest. The state issue is important - if you worked in CA, you'll likely need to file non-resident returns there for the income earned in that state, even if you live in WA. I'd strongly recommend getting help from a tax professional who specializes in self-employment issues and back taxes. The cost is usually worth it to avoid mistakes that could trigger an audit.

I'm dealing with a similar situation as a freelance consultant who let things slide for way too long. One thing that really helped me was creating a simple spreadsheet to track what I could remember about each year - even rough estimates of quarterly income, major expenses, and any documentation I could find. For the cash payments issue, I started by looking at my living expenses during those years (rent, utilities, groceries, etc.) and worked backwards. If I was spending $2,000/month on basic living costs but only had $500 in documented income, that gap helped me estimate the cash income I wasn't tracking. Also, check if any of your photography clients might still have records of payments they made to you, even if they didn't file 1099s. Sometimes reaching out to past clients can help fill in gaps in your income timeline. The Washington/California situation definitely needs attention - I had to deal with multiple state filings too. California is particularly aggressive about collecting taxes from non-residents who earned income there, so don't ignore that part. One more tip: if you're feeling overwhelmed, start by just gathering whatever documents and information you can find for one year (maybe 2023 since it's most recent) and get that filed first. It's easier to build momentum by completing one return than trying to tackle everything at once.

Another tip - if you had any kind of medical condition that prevented you from handling your financial affairs during the relevant period, you might qualify for the "financial disability" exception under Section 6511(h). This is an exception to the 3-year statute of limitations for refund claims. To qualify, you need to show that you had a physical or mental impairment that was either: 1) Fatal, or 2) Expected to last for at least 12 months And the impairment must have prevented you from managing your financial affairs. You'll need documentation from a physician to support this claim.

I'm really sorry to hear about your situation, Alice. This is such a frustrating aspect of tax law that catches many people off guard. The distinction between filing deadlines and refund statute expiration dates is definitely confusing. Based on what others have shared here, it sounds like you have several potential avenues to explore: 1. **Disaster relief extensions** - Since you're in Arizona and there were federal disaster declarations in 2023, definitely check if your county qualified for extended deadlines that specifically mention refund claims. 2. **Financial disability exception** - If you had any medical conditions during the relevant period that prevented you from managing your finances, this could be worth exploring with proper medical documentation. 3. **Appeal process** - Even though your initial appeal was denied, don't give up. Make sure you're presenting all possible exceptions and citing the correct tax code sections. The fact that you have certified mail proof showing you mailed it by the deadline demonstrates good faith effort on your part. While the receipt vs. postmark rule is unfortunately clear for refund claims, there might be other exceptions that apply to your specific circumstances. $3,200 is definitely worth fighting for! I'd recommend gathering all your documentation and exploring these exceptions systematically. Good luck with your case!