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One thing nobody mentioned - if this is your first time missing tax payments, you might qualify for the IRS First Time Penalty Abatement program! It won't eliminate what you owe, but could wipe out the failure-to-pay penalties if you've had a clean tax record for the past 3 years. You have to ask for it specifically though - they don't automatically give it to you. Just another option to help reduce the total amount.
You would request this after you file your taxes and receive a bill or notice from the IRS that includes penalties. You can call the IRS directly and ask for the First Time Penalty Abatement, or include a written request if you're responding to a notice by mail. Just be aware it only applies to penalties, not the interest or the original tax amount you owe. But it can still save you hundreds of dollars depending on your situation!
I went through a very similar situation a couple years ago - owed about $3,200 on 1099 income and was completely panicking. Here's what I learned that might help: First, definitely file your taxes on time even if you can't pay. The penalty for not filing is 5% per month (up to 25%) while the penalty for not paying is only 0.5% per month. Big difference! Second, don't overlook business deductions. As a freelancer, you can deduct a lot more than you might think - home office expenses, equipment, software, phone/internet, mileage, training costs, etc. I ended up reducing my tax bill by almost $800 just by claiming legitimate business expenses I hadn't thought of. Third, the IRS payment plans are pretty reasonable. I got on a plan for $85/month and the whole process was much less scary than I expected. You can apply online after you file, and if you owe less than $50,000 it's usually auto-approved. The move between states does complicate things a bit, but since you moved from California to Texas (no state income tax), you'll probably just need to file a part-year California return. Don't let the complexity paralyze you - just file and deal with any corrections later if needed. You've got options and this is definitely manageable!
Has anyone else noticed that the IRS website seems to work better at certain times of day? I had a similar issue last month, and I found that logging in very early in the morning (like 5-6 AM) sometimes showed my balance when it wouldn't show it during normal daytime hours. Might be worth trying if you haven't already.
That's actually a good tip. I work in IT (not for the IRS) but many government systems run their heavy database updates overnight, which means system performance can vary dramatically depending on time of day. Early morning is often best because maintenance routines have finished but the system isn't under heavy user load yet.
I've been dealing with IRS payment plan issues for years, and what you're experiencing is unfortunately very common. The IRS systems are notoriously slow to update, especially when there are multiple processes happening simultaneously (like a payment plan application while you still have an outstanding balance). A few things that might help while you're waiting: 1) Keep trying to log in at different times - the system really does work better during off-peak hours, usually early morning or late evening. 2) Make sure you're using the correct login credentials. Sometimes people create multiple IRS accounts accidentally and end up logging into the wrong one. 3) If you submitted your payment plan application online, there should have been a confirmation number or reference ID. Keep that handy - you'll need it when you eventually get through to someone. 4) Even if your payment plan isn't officially approved yet, the IRS usually won't penalize you for late payments if you can show you applied in good faith before the deadline. But definitely document everything. The 3-week mark is still within normal processing time, though I know it's stressful not knowing. Most people I know who've been through this process say it took 4-6 weeks to get full confirmation and see their accounts update properly.
This is really helpful advice, especially the part about documenting everything. I'm new to dealing with IRS payment plans and honestly had no idea the systems could be this slow to update. When you mention keeping the confirmation number handy - I do have one from when I submitted online, but should I also be keeping screenshots of the error pages I'm getting? It sounds like having proof of the technical issues might be useful if I need to explain why I couldn't see my balance later on.
Same thing happened to me last month! It's super frustrating but totally normal. The IRS systems are just slow to update transcripts even after acceptance. I'd give it another week or two before worrying. If you need to check your refund status in the meantime, try the "Where's My Refund" tool on the IRS website - that usually updates faster than transcripts do.
This is really helpful, thanks! I'm in a similar situation - filed 3 weeks ago and getting anxious about the transcript not showing up yet. Good to know the "Where's My Refund" tool updates faster, I'll definitely check that out while I wait for the transcript to populate š
Same here! Been checking every day like a maniac š The "Where's My Refund" tool def helped ease my anxiety a bit. Shows "processing" which is at least something compared to the transcript blackhole lol
Been there! Just went through this exact same thing last month. Filed in early December and didn't see my transcript until after New Year's. The acceptance notification is just step 1 - your return still has to go through their processing queue which can take forever during busy season. 3 weeks is still within normal range but I totally get the anxiety! Try not to refresh the transcript page 50 times a day like I did š it'll show up eventually
Has anyone considered the aggregation election for rental properties? If your client has multiple rentals and some are profitable while others show losses, electing to aggregate them as a single business for QBI purposes might be beneficial. This way, you're properly reporting everything on Form 8995, but the losses and profits offset each other. The requirements for aggregation are in Reg. 1.199A-4, and you need to meet the 50% common ownership test, plus at least 2 of the 3 factors (similar businesses, shared resources, or interdependence). For many clients with multiple rentals in the same area, this might be a viable approach.
I've been following this discussion with great interest as I've encountered similar dilemmas with my rental property clients. One approach I've found helpful is creating a clear decision matrix for each client that documents the factors supporting Section 162 trade or business status. For each rental property, I evaluate: (1) hours per week spent on management activities, (2) whether they use a management company or handle operations directly, (3) frequency of tenant interactions, (4) involvement in maintenance and repairs, and (5) marketing efforts for vacant units. I document this analysis in the client file regardless of whether I ultimately include the activity on Form 8995. What's helped me sleep better at night is being consistent in my application of these criteria across all clients. If the facts support Section 162 treatment, I include the activity on Form 8995 whether it shows a profit or loss. The tax code doesn't give us the luxury of cherry-picking only profitable QBI activities. That said, I do make sure clients understand the impact on their current-year QBI deduction when rental losses are involved. Sometimes we discuss strategies like timing of repairs or equipment purchases to help manage the overall QBI picture across multiple business activities.
This is exactly the kind of systematic approach I've been looking for! Your decision matrix idea is brilliant - I've been making these determinations somewhat intuitively, but having documented criteria would provide much better support for my positions. I'm curious about how you handle the "hours per week" factor. Do you have clients track their time, or do you estimate based on their description of activities? Also, have you found that the IRS or courts give more weight to certain factors over others when determining Section 162 status for rentals? The consistency point really resonates with me. I think part of my original dilemma came from not having a clear framework to apply across all situations. Thanks for sharing this approach!
Juan Moreno
The timing right now is much worse than earlier in the season. People who verified in January were seeing DDDs within 5-7 days, but now in peak season it's taking 2-3 weeks for many people. Your Thursday verification puts you in a better position than weekend verifications, which tend to get processed in later batches. I'd expect movement by next Thursday at the latest, compared to paper filers who are waiting months. Check your transcript daily - that's where you'll see updates first, usually with a 571 code reversing any previous holds.
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Derek Olson
I completely understand the anxiety, especially with your mom's medical needs. From what I've seen in this community, verification timing has been all over the place this season. A few things that might help while you wait: ⢠Check your transcript daily at irs.gov - it updates before Where's My Refund and will show codes like 571 (reversing holds) or 846 (refund date) first ⢠If you have genuine hardship due to medical expenses, document everything. The Taxpayer Advocate Service can sometimes expedite cases with medical hardship ⢠Thursday verifications typically process in the next weekly cycle, so you might see movement by Wednesday/Thursday this week I was in a similar situation last year caring for my elderly father. The financial stress is real when you're waiting on funds for medical equipment. The good news is that once you've verified, you're past the biggest hurdle - now it's just processing time. Most people are seeing 8-14 days from verification to DDD this season. Stay strong, and I hope you get your DDD soon so you can get your mom what she needs. š
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Amaya Watson
ā¢This is such helpful and compassionate advice, Derek. I'm new to this community and going through something similar - verified last Tuesday and waiting for funds for my dad's mobility equipment. The daily transcript checking tip is gold - I didn't know it updated before WMR. Also didn't realize the Taxpayer Advocate Service could help with medical hardships. Did you have to provide specific documentation when you contacted them about your father's situation? And how long did they take to respond once you reached out?
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