5 Has anyone used an online tax program like TurboTax for reporting inheritance stuff like this? I'm wondering if they handle this situation correctly or if I need to see a professional.

Just want to add another perspective here - I went through something very similar when my grandmother passed and left her property to multiple heirs. The stepped-up basis rule that others mentioned is absolutely correct, but make sure you keep excellent records of everything. One thing I wish someone had told me: if there were any improvements or expenses related to settling the estate (like repairs needed before the sale, legal fees for the estate, etc.), those might affect your basis calculation. Also, if there was any time gap between your father's passing and when the property was actually distributed to you heirs, you might need to consider whether there was any appreciation or depreciation in that period. The 1099-S you received is just the IRS making sure they know money changed hands - it doesn't necessarily mean you owe taxes on it. But definitely report it properly on Schedule D and Form 8949 as others have mentioned. When in doubt, it's worth consulting with a tax professional who deals with estate issues regularly.

Be careful about counting on getting it sooner than 9 weeks. Compared to my state refund which came in 8 days, the IRS post-verification process was glacial. While some people here got theirs quickly, I had to wait almost the entire 9 weeks last year. My verification was February 10th and refund didn't come until April 5th. I called multiple times and kept getting told "it's still processing" with no explanation for the delay. No issues on my return, no credits that would delay it - just stuck in their system. I'd recommend planning your finances as if you won't see the money for the full 9 weeks, then be pleasantly surprised if it comes earlier.

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences! This is really helpful. I completed my phone verification yesterday, so I'm crossing my fingers it falls into that 2-4 week range most of you experienced rather than the full 9 weeks. @Diego Ramirez - I'll definitely keep an eye on my transcript for those codes you mentioned. I haven't seen any updates yet since verification was just completed, but I'll watch for the 571 code as a good sign things are moving. @Ethan Davis - You make a good point about planning for the worst-case scenario. I think I'll budget as if it won't come for 9 weeks, but keep checking my transcript weekly to see if there's movement. Better to be prepared than disappointed if it takes longer than expected. Does anyone know if there's a typical day of the week when refunds usually get deposited after verification? I've heard some people say Wednesdays or Fridays are common, but not sure if that's just coincidence.

If ur really worried try calling the taxpayer advocate service. Theyre seperate from the IRS and can sometimes help u figure out wats going on without the usual run around.

I went through this exact same situation last year! The "Action Required" message with the January 31 date is super common - it's usually their automated system generating a standard identity verification request. Don't panic about the timing - even though it says "sent on January 31," that often just means it was queued in their system on that date, not actually mailed. In my case, it took about 3.5 weeks for the letter to actually arrive, and it was just a simple identity verification form (Letter 5071C). I was able to complete it online through ID.me in about 10 minutes, and my refund was released about 2 weeks after that. The key thing to remember is that these delays are totally normal and don't mean you did anything wrong. Your return being "straightforward" actually makes it more likely this is just a routine identity check - they flag returns randomly for verification to prevent fraud. If you're really anxious about it, you could try accessing your IRS transcript online to see if there are any specific codes that might give you more info about what letter is coming. But honestly, I'd just give it another week or two before worrying. The IRS timeline estimates are notoriously conservative!

Anyone know if there's a way to report these companies? I had a cousin who lost over $8k to one of these tax relief places. Seems like there should be some regulation or oversight for businesses that claim to help with IRS issues.

I'm sorry to hear about your terrible experience with Optima Tax Relief. Unfortunately, your story is all too common with these large tax relief companies. As someone who works in tax resolution, I see clients who've been burned by these firms regularly. A few important points for anyone reading this: 1. **Red flags to watch for**: Any company that guarantees specific results before reviewing your case, requires large upfront payments, or uses high-pressure sales tactics should be avoided. 2. **Free alternatives first**: Always try the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service or contact the IRS directly before paying anyone. Many tax issues can be resolved through payment plans or hardship programs that don't require professional help. 3. **If you need professional help**: Work with local CPAs, Enrolled Agents, or tax attorneys who charge reasonable fees and provide regular updates. Avoid any company that advertises heavily on TV or radio. 4. **Your legal options**: Since Optima failed to provide the services you paid for, you may have grounds for a refund. Consider filing complaints with your state attorney general, the FTC, and your state's consumer protection agency. The tax relief industry has unfortunately attracted many companies that prey on people's desperation. Thank you for sharing your story - it will help others avoid the same trap.

Did you file electronically or by mail? Paper returns are taking foreeeever to process rn

I had almost the exact same situation with my 2021 return! The "Return Not Present" message with an 810 freeze code is actually more common than you'd think during heavy processing periods. What's happening is your return was received and assigned the freeze code, but it hasn't been fully processed into their main database yet - that's why it shows as "not present" even though they clearly have some record of it (hence the freeze). The 810 code usually means they're doing additional verification or your return got flagged for manual review. Since you e-filed through TurboTax in February, the good news is it's definitely in their system somewhere. I'd recommend calling the practitioner priority line if you have access, or try calling early morning (7-8 AM) for shorter wait times. In my case, it took about 6 weeks after the 810 appeared for everything to update properly and show my actual return info. Keep checking weekly - once it processes fully, all those blank fields will populate with your actual tax info and the freeze should lift automatically.