I'm so glad your timeshare didn't sell at auction! Your situation highlights a really important gap in how timeshare companies handle inherited properties. As a newcomer here, I've been reading through similar cases and it seems like this communication breakdown between resorts and county tax offices is unfortunately common. The fact that you were keeping up with maintenance fees shows you were acting in good faith. One thing I'd add to the great advice already given - when you contact the county tax assessor about penalty abatement, also ask if they can set up automatic email notifications for future tax bills. Many counties now offer this service, and it would prevent this situation from happening again. Also consider requesting that any future tax notices include both your current address AND a note that this is for inherited property. Some counties will add special flags to inherited properties to help prevent these kinds of mix-ups. Your story is actually really helpful for others in similar situations - the combination of inheriting property young, losing a parent, and dealing with address changes creates a perfect storm for these tax issues. Thanks for sharing the update too!

What a stressful situation, but I'm really relieved to hear your timeshare didn't sell at auction! As someone new to this community, I've been learning a lot about these property tax issues with inherited assets. Your experience really highlights how confusing the timeshare ownership structure can be. Most people assume that paying maintenance fees covers everything, but property taxes are typically handled separately by the county where the property is located. It's especially frustrating that the notices kept going to your mom's old address despite you updating your contact information with Marriott. The fact that you inherited this so young and then lost your mom shortly after makes this situation particularly understandable - you were dealing with grief and major life changes while trying to figure out adult responsibilities that most people don't encounter until much later. For your penalty waiver request, I'd definitely emphasize the timeline: inheriting at 18, losing your mom at 20, the communication failures with address updates, and your consistent payment of maintenance fees showing good faith. Counties often have compassion for these kinds of circumstances, especially when it involves young inheritance and family tragedy. Going forward, definitely set up direct communication with the county tax office and ask about electronic notifications. Your story will hopefully help other young people who inherit property understand they need to contact both the management company AND the local tax authority. Best of luck with the penalty waiver - your situation sounds like exactly the type of case these programs are designed to help!

I think your friend might be dealing with what happened to me last month. My WMR showed an offset notice for about $3,200 in child support (which was sort of accurate but the amount was wrong). My transcript showed a DD date of 2/3 for the full amount. What actually happened was that the Bureau of Fiscal Service took their portion first (about $1,800, not the $3,200 they claimed), then SBTG received the remainder, took out their $39.95 fee, and then deposited what was left to my account on 2/5. The whole process was kind of messy, and the actual deposit was about 2 days after the transcript date.

Based on what you've described, your friend is likely in for a mixed outcome. The transcript showing a DD date without adjustment codes is generally the more reliable indicator, but the WMR offset notice shouldn't be completely ignored either. Here's what I think is happening: The IRS processed your friend's return and approved the full refund amount (hence the clean transcript with DD date). However, there's probably a Treasury Offset that kicked in after the IRS approval but before the actual fund transfer. Since it's going to SBTG, they'll receive whatever amount makes it through the offset process, deduct any preparer fees, then send the remainder to your friend. My guess is your friend will get a deposit on or around 2/25, but it'll be less than the original refund amount. The exact amount will depend on what the offset was for and how much was actually taken. I'd recommend having your friend call that Treasury Offset hotline (800-304-3107) that others mentioned to get the real scoop on any debts before the deposit date arrives. The timing with filing on 1/30 and getting accepted same day is pretty standard for this time of year, so that part checks out normally.

Just wanted to say that I work with international taxpayers frequently, and this is unfortunately a common issue with ITINs. The IRS systems don't always properly connect newly issued ITINs with previously filed returns, especially when there's an amended return involved. Here's a tip that's worked for my clients: When you file your next amended return, attach a clear cover letter that states in bold at the top "ITIN VERIFICATION ISSUE - PREVIOUSLY FILED RETURN" and include a copy of the ITIN assignment letter you received from the IRS. This flags it for special handling. Also, be aware that ITIN applications are processed by a completely different department than tax returns, which is why these issues happen. The ITIN Operations department in Austin, TX issues the ITINs, but they don't necessarily communicate that to the return processing centers automatically.

This is such a frustrating situation, but you're definitely not alone in dealing with ITIN-related processing issues. Based on everything you've described, it sounds like the IRS has created separate processing tracks for your original return and your ITIN application, which is unfortunately common. A few things that might help beyond what others have mentioned: 1. When you file your next 1040-X, consider sending it via certified mail to the address specifically for amended returns with ITIN issues (different from the regular processing center). You can find this on the W-7 instructions. 2. Request your tax transcripts online to see exactly what the IRS has on file for your account. Sometimes you can spot processing errors that aren't obvious from the notices they send. 3. If you continue getting pushback about using the ITIN for prior years, ask the representative to cite the specific code section or regulation that prohibits it - because there isn't one. ITINs are routinely issued for exactly this purpose. The representative who told you that you can't use a newly issued ITIN for previous tax years was absolutely incorrect. Keep pushing back on this - your situation is completely normal and resolvable, it just requires persistence with the IRS bureaucracy.

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now! My tax preparer also missed my education credits for 2022, and I'm in the process of filing an amended return. One thing I learned that might help you - when you're filling out Form 8863 for your Lifetime Learning Credit, make sure you're using the net qualified expenses (your $6,200 minus the $2,100 in grants/scholarships = $4,100). The LLC is 20% of qualified expenses up to $10,000, so your $820 credit calculation looks spot on. Also, I'd recommend calling the IRS Practitioner Priority Service line if you run into any issues. Even though you're not a tax professional, they can sometimes help clarify questions about education credits if you explain that you're fixing a preparer's error. The regular taxpayer line is usually swamped, but the practitioner line sometimes has shorter wait times. It's infuriating that we have to fix these mistakes ourselves, but at least you caught it and you're still well within the 3-year window to claim your refund. That $550 is definitely worth pursuing!

I'm going through a similar situation where my preparer missed several credits on my 2022 return. One thing that really helped me was using the IRS Interactive Tax Assistant (ITA) tool on their website to double-check my eligibility for the Lifetime Learning Credit before filing the amendment. It walks you through all the qualification requirements and gives you confidence that you're on the right track. For your situation with $4,100 in net qualified expenses ($6,200 - $2,100 in grants), you're definitely looking at that $820 credit. Just make sure when you fill out Form 8863 that you enter the expenses in the right boxes - qualified tuition and fees go in one section, and you subtract scholarships/grants in another section. Also, keep detailed records of when you mail your 1040-X. I sent mine certified mail with return receipt so I have proof of when the IRS received it. That way I can track the 16-week processing timeline more accurately. It's frustrating having to fix someone else's mistake, but that $550+ refund will definitely be worth the effort!

Has anyone used TurboTax for reporting income without a 1099? I'm in a similar situation and wondering if it's straightforward through their interface or if there are specific sections I should look for.

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who went through this exact situation last year. I had about $800 in Venmo payments from tutoring services, all through my personal account and marked as friends & family to avoid fees. No 1099-K from Venmo obviously. I reported it all as self-employment income on Schedule C and kept screenshots of all my Venmo transactions as documentation. The IRS accepted my return without any issues. The key thing I learned is that having that electronic trail from Venmo is actually better documentation than cash payments would be - you have dates, amounts, and even the person's name who paid you. One tip: make sure you also track any related expenses (gas for travel, supplies, etc.) since those can be deducted against the income. Even small amounts add up and can reduce your tax liability. Better to be completely above board from the start!