Does anyone know how long the VITA appointments typically take? Trying to figure out if I can do it during my lunch break or if I need to take time off work.

Thanks for sharing this info about VITA and TCE! I had no idea these programs existed. As someone who's been paying $200+ every year to get my taxes done professionally even though I have a pretty simple return (just W-2 and student loan interest), this could be a game changer. I'm definitely under the $73k threshold and it sounds like the volunteers are well-trained and the returns get quality reviewed. My biggest concern has always been accuracy since I'm terrified of getting audited, but it sounds like these programs have good safeguards in place. Going to look up locations near me this weekend. Does anyone know if they typically have weekend hours or are most appointments during weekday business hours?

I used TurboTax for my father's estate and it was fine, but only because it was pretty straightforward. His estate just had a checking account, some stocks, and an IRA that went directly to beneficiaries. TurboTax Business has a section for fiduciary returns that works for Form 1041. With your situation having a small business being liquidated, that's a red flag to me that you might need professional help. Business liquidation involves asset sales, potential capital gains, depreciation recapture, and inventory valuation that can get complex fast. Maybe consider a middle ground - use a CPA for this first year while the business liquidation is happening, then if there's ongoing estate administration in future years, you might be able to handle it yourself.

As someone who's been through this process twice as an executor, I'd strongly recommend getting professional help for your first estate return, especially with that business liquidation involved. The business assets create complexity around depreciation recapture, inventory valuation, and proper timing of income recognition that can really trip you up. Here's what I'd suggest: get a consultation with a CPA who specializes in estates (not just any CPA - make sure they regularly handle Form 1041). Many will do an initial consultation for $200-300 where they can review your situation and give you a firm quote. With assets totaling around $640k including a business, you're looking at potential tax consequences that make professional guidance worthwhile. The peace of mind factor is huge too - as executor, you have fiduciary responsibility to handle things correctly. I made some costly mistakes on my first estate return trying to DIY it, and learned the hard way that estate tax rules are very different from personal tax rules. For subsequent years if the estate has ongoing simple income, then you might consider handling it yourself, but for this first year with the business complexity, invest in getting it done right.

This happened to me two years ago and I was absolutely stressed about it! I used my savings account routing number instead of my checking account routing number. The good news is that the system worked exactly as others described - the deposit was rejected and I got a paper check about 3 weeks later. One thing I learned is to keep checking the "Where's My Refund" tool because it actually updates pretty quickly when the deposit gets rejected. Mine showed "Payment Status Not Available" for about a week, then switched to "Your refund will be mailed to you" with a date. The actual check arrived right on schedule. Also, make sure your mailing address is current with the IRS! I almost had a heart attack when I realized I had moved since filing my previous year's return. Luckily I had updated my address with them using Form 8822 earlier that year, so the check went to the right place. Don't panic - this is way more common than you'd think and the IRS has a solid process for handling it. Just be patient and keep an eye on that refund tracker!

I just went through this exact situation last month! I accidentally used my old bank's routing number from an account I had closed years ago. I was panicking thinking my refund was lost forever, but it all worked out fine. The IRS attempted the direct deposit, it got rejected (obviously since the account didn't exist), and then about 2.5 weeks later I got a paper check in the mail. The "Where's My Refund" tool was actually pretty helpful - it showed "refund sent" initially, then after about a week it updated to say there was an issue and a paper check would be mailed. One tip: if you're really anxious about it, you can also check your bank account online to see if there are any pending transactions or rejected deposits. My bank actually showed a "returned deposit" notation which gave me peace of mind that the process was working as expected. The waiting is definitely stressful, but the IRS really does have this situation figured out since it happens so often. Just keep checking that refund tracker and watch your mailbox!

Has anyone used TurboTax or similar software to handle gambling income/losses with a CP2000 notice? My situation is almost identical to the original poster but I'm trying to avoid paying for professional help if possible.

I went through almost the exact same situation last year - online gambling losses, PayPal transactions, and a CP2000 notice that had me panicking. Here's what I learned after working with a CPA who specializes in gambling taxes: The IRS often gets confused by PayPal transactions because they can look like business income when they're really just gambling deposits/withdrawals. In my case, PayPal had issued 1099-K forms that made my gambling activity appear to be business transactions, which triggered the CP2000. My CPA helped me respond with a detailed letter explaining that: 1. All transactions were recreational gambling, not business activity 2. I had no profit motive beyond hoping to win (like any recreational gambler) 3. I didn't maintain the kind of detailed business records a professional would 4. I had significant net losses over the period in question We included all my win/loss statements, PayPal transaction history, and a spreadsheet clearly showing total deposits, withdrawals, and net losses. The key was demonstrating that this was clearly recreational activity despite the high dollar volume. The IRS accepted our response and dropped the Schedule C requirement entirely. I ended up owing much less than originally proposed because we could properly claim my gambling losses as itemized deductions on Schedule A. Don't let them push you into professional gambler status if you're not one - it could end up costing you more in self-employment taxes than you'd save.

Def a good sign! That status change from "still processing" to "being processed" is huge tbh. After ID verify, the system usually takes 7-14 days to fully update. The as-of date jump means your return is actively being worked. Most ppl see their refund within 2 wks of that change. Just keep an eye on your transcript for the 846 code - that's your DDD (direct deposit date). You're in the home stretch now!

That's definitely encouraging progress! I went through something similar about 6 weeks ago. My as-of date jumped forward by about 2 months, and the status change happened within 24 hours. What really helped me track things was checking my account transcript daily around 6 AM - that's when the IRS typically updates their system overnight. The jump from February to April might seem dramatic, but it's actually pretty normal when they're catching up after identity verification. In my case, I saw the 846 refund code appear exactly 8 days after the status changed to "being processed." The waiting is definitely the worst part, but you're clearly moving through their system now rather than being stuck in limbo!