Has anyone tried filing their own ERC claim without using a service? I'm pretty good with tax forms and have detailed records from the pandemic period. My business clearly qualifies (we had a 50% revenue drop in Q2 2020 compared to Q2 2019), but I'm wondering if I'm underestimating the complexity.

Just a warning to everyone - the IRS has been cracking down HARD on improper ERC claims. They announced a special withdrawal program because so many businesses filed improper claims based on advice from sketchy ERC "mills." Be super careful with any company promising easy qualification or huge refunds.

The IRS's own website (https://www.irs.gov/faqs/irs-procedures/refund-inquiries/refund-inquiries-0) states that most traces take about 6 weeks to resolve, but I've found that timeframe to be surprisingly optimistic in many cases. The Taxpayer Advocate Service reports that during peak tax season (which we're in right now), trace resolution can take 8-10 weeks due to backlog. If your trace involves a paper check that was never received, the process includes additional verification steps that can extend the timeline.

I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago and can share what I learned. After getting my trace number, I called back every 2 weeks to check status (I know, painful wait times). The agent told me that trace numbers are assigned in batches and processed in the order they're received. Mine took exactly 7 weeks from trace initiation to refund deposit. One tip that helped me stay sane during the wait: screenshot or write down the exact date you got your trace number and the agent's reference number if they gave you one. When I called for updates, having those details made the conversations much smoother. Also, don't panic if your "Where's My Refund" tool doesn't update - mine showed no progress right up until the day the money hit my account. The trace process seems to happen somewhat separately from their normal refund tracking system. Hang in there - having a trace number really does mean they're working on it, even when it feels like nothing is happening!

Don't forget to also check if your state has its own health insurance marketplace! Some states have different rules and might be more flexible about retroactive adjustments than the federal marketplace. If you live in California, New York, Massachusetts, or several other states with their own exchanges, call your state marketplace directly rather than the federal one.

I'm sorry you're dealing with this stressful situation. Based on what you've described, unfortunately you'll likely need to repay most or all of the $3,899 in advance premium tax credits since your wife had affordable employer coverage available during that overlap period. Here's what I'd recommend doing immediately: 1. **Gather all documentation** - Get your wife's pay stubs from Jan-July 2023 showing insurance deductions, both 1095 forms, and any correspondence from the marketplace. 2. **Contact the Marketplace directly** at 1-800-318-2596 to report the overlap situation. While they may not be able to retroactively cancel coverage, they need to know about the error and might provide guidance specific to your case. 3. **Calculate the exact repayment amount** using Form 8962. You'll need to determine if there were any months where you were actually eligible (like transition periods). 4. **Consider professional help** - A tax professional experienced with ACA issues might be able to identify any legitimate ways to reduce your repayment obligation. The silver lining is that this is a relatively common mistake, and the IRS has procedures for handling it. You won't face penalties beyond having to repay the credits you weren't eligible for. Make sure to file your taxes accurately with Form 8962 to avoid future complications. Going forward, always contact the marketplace immediately when you get employer insurance to avoid this situation happening again.

I had a similar issue with TaxAct last year and found that it was actually related to my internet connection stability. Even though my connection seemed fine for browsing, tax software requires a more consistent connection for the constant auto-saving features. Try using a wired ethernet connection instead of WiFi if possible, or test from a different location with a different internet provider (maybe a friend's house or local library). Sometimes switching to mobile hotspot can help identify if it's an ISP-specific issue. Also, make sure you're not running other bandwidth-heavy applications while using TaxAct. I found that streaming services or large downloads in the background can interfere with the saving process even when the internet seems fast enough.

I've been dealing with this exact same TaxAct saving issue for the past week! What finally worked for me was a combination of things: first, I switched to using Microsoft Edge instead of Chrome (apparently some tax sites work better with Edge), then I made sure to disable all browser extensions, and most importantly - I found that the saving issue happens less frequently if you manually save your progress every few minutes by clicking on a different section and then coming back. Also, if you're worried about losing your data, TaxAct actually keeps multiple backup copies. You can access previous versions by going to "My Account" and looking for "Restore Previous Version" - this saved me when I thought I lost everything last Tuesday. The system usually auto-saves even when the visual indicator gets stuck, but having that backup option gave me peace of mind. One more tip: try working on your return during off-peak hours (early morning or late evening). I noticed the saving issues were much worse during typical work hours when their servers are probably getting hammered by everyone trying to file before the deadline.

Don't forget to consider state taxes too if your state has income tax! You'll likely need to file an amended state return as well. Each state has different forms and procedures.

This is exactly the kind of situation where having good documentation practices pays off! Since you caught this mistake relatively early, you're in a much better position than if you had discovered it years later. One additional tip - when you file your 2024 tax return next year, make sure to keep a copy of your amended 2023 return and any correspondence from the IRS in the same folder. If there's ever any confusion down the line about this income being reported twice, you'll have the paper trail showing you corrected the error properly. Also, don't beat yourself up over this mistake! Rental property income timing can be tricky, especially when you're dealing with payments that come in right around year-end/New Year. I've seen seasoned real estate investors make similar errors. The important thing is that you caught it and are taking the right steps to fix it.