lmaooo liberty tax stays playing games wit ppls money. switched to HR block this year and way better experience ngl

I used to work at a tax prep office and can confirm what Dylan said - Liberty Tax almost always takes their advance loan repayment from your federal refund first. They have to set up a temporary bank account during tax prep that intercepts your federal refund, deducts what you owe them, then deposits the remainder into your actual account. Your $800 state refund should come directly to you without any deductions. Just make sure to keep checking your account because sometimes the timing can be weird depending on when the IRS processes everything.

Has anyone tried using a CPA instead of an EA? What's really the difference? My buddy used a CPA for his back taxes and said it worked out fine.

I just want to echo what others have said about not panicking over those unopened IRS letters. I was in a very similar situation - hadn't filed for 3 years and was terrified to even look at the mail from the IRS. One thing I learned is that the IRS actually prefers to work with people who are trying to get compliant rather than those who continue to avoid the issue. When I finally got help, the penalties weren't as catastrophic as I had imagined in my head. For finding an EA in Minneapolis specifically, you might want to check with the Minnesota Society of Enrolled Agents. They often have local chapters that can provide referrals to members in your area who have experience with non-filer cases. Also, don't be afraid to interview a few EAs before choosing one. Most reputable ones will offer a brief consultation to discuss your situation and their approach. Ask specifically about their experience with 4+ years of unfiled returns and what their typical timeline looks like for getting everything resolved. You're taking the right step by seeking help now. The sooner you start, the more options you'll have for payment plans and penalty abatement.

Mine showed no offset too but ended up having to verify my identity. Check if you got any letters in the mail

No offset is definitely good news! It means your refund won't be reduced by any debts. The delay could be random review, missing W-2 matching, or just general processing backlog. When did you file? If it's been over 21 days, definitely call the IRS. Also check your bank account - sometimes refunds hit before WMR updates!

Has anyone dealt with the timing issue on these CP2000 notices? Mine says I need to respond within 30 days, but I need more time to gather all my medical receipts from 2021.

I went through almost the exact same situation with my 2021 HSA distributions! The IRS sent me a CP2000 showing I owed over $900 because they thought all my HSA withdrawals were taxable. Here's what I learned that might help you: 1. **Don't panic about the amount** - If your HSA distributions were truly for qualified medical expenses, you likely won't owe the full amount (or possibly anything at all). 2. **The "Tax on qualified plans" line** - This caught me off guard too. It's the additional 20% penalty the IRS thinks you owe for non-qualified HSA distributions. But again, if your expenses were qualified, this penalty doesn't apply. 3. **Documentation is key** - I gathered every medical receipt, EOB (Explanation of Benefits), and HSA statement from 2021. Even small expenses like co-pays and prescription costs count as qualified expenses. 4. **Response format** - Use the response form that came with your CP2000. Check the "disagree" box and attach a detailed letter explaining that the distributions were for qualified medical expenses, along with all your supporting documentation. The whole process took about 8 weeks for me, but the IRS eventually agreed with my documentation and I didn't owe anything. The key is being thorough and organized with your response. Good luck!

This is exactly the kind of complex tax situation where having proper documentation from day one is crucial. I've seen too many businesses get into trouble with the IRS because they didn't establish clear policies upfront. A few additional considerations that might help: **Allocation Method**: Consider using a "days available" method to allocate costs. If the suite is available 365 days per year, but only used for entertainment 50-60 days, you might be able to argue that a larger portion should be treated as facility rental rather than entertainment. **Business Purpose Documentation**: Create a standard form for each suite usage that captures: date, attendees, business purpose, topics discussed, and outcomes. This becomes invaluable if you face an audit. **Separate the LLC's Books**: Make sure the LLC maintains separate books and records. Each member company should receive detailed K-1s showing their share of different types of expenses (facility rental vs. entertainment). **Consider Revenue Recognition**: Since you mentioned the LLC will have some revenue from reselling unused tickets, make sure you're properly accounting for this income and how it affects the overall deduction calculations. The fact that you're asking these questions upfront puts you way ahead of most businesses. Document everything, work with a qualified CPA, and you should be in good shape. The key is being able to demonstrate legitimate business purpose for the arrangement.

This thread has been incredibly helpful - thank you all for sharing your experiences! I'm seeing a pattern here that proper documentation and allocation methodology are absolutely critical for these suite arrangements. One thing I wanted to add that hasn't been mentioned yet: consider the optics and "reasonableness" test from the IRS perspective. Even if you follow all the technical rules perfectly, luxury suite expenses can still draw scrutiny simply because they seem excessive for smaller businesses. To strengthen your position, I'd recommend: 1. **Comparative Analysis**: Document that the suite arrangement is actually more cost-effective than alternatives (hotel meeting rooms, catering venues, etc.) when used for legitimate business meetings 2. **Industry Benchmarking**: If your industry commonly uses entertainment for client relations, document this as standard business practice 3. **Revenue Connection**: Track and document any actual business generated from suite usage - new clients, deals closed, partnerships formed, etc. 4. **Professional Appearance**: Make sure the suite usage supports your business image and client expectations in your industry The IRS will often challenge luxury expenses not just on technical grounds, but on whether they're "ordinary and necessary" for your specific business. Having a clear business case beyond just tax optimization will serve you well if questioned. Also, since you're in Michigan, be aware that the state may have different rules about what constitutes deductible entertainment expenses, especially if any of the member companies are professional services firms subject to additional restrictions.