Has anyone received a check that was delayed because of an address change? My transcript shows it was mailed April 5th. Should I be concerned yet? The IRS website says to wait 4 weeks before requesting a payment trace. Is that really necessary?

Since you mentioned changing your address after getting married, I'd definitely recommend calling the IRS to confirm they have your current address on file. Even if you filed a change of address with USPS, the IRS maintains their own records. If your check was sent to your old address, it could take weeks to get returned to them and then reissued to your new address. You can update your address with the IRS using Form 8822 or by calling them directly. Better to verify now than wait potentially months for a returned check to be processed!

Watch out for the timing of your backdoor Roth! I messed up last year by waiting too long between making the Traditional IRA contribution and doing the conversion. My $6,000 contribution grew to $6,120 in just a few weeks and that extra $120 was taxable income when I converted! It wasn't the end of the world, but it created some extra tax liability and made the TurboTax entry more complicated. Do the conversion ASAP after making the contribution.

Great question! As someone who's been doing backdoor Roth conversions for a few years, I can confirm you're on the right track. Since this is your first Traditional IRA and you're contributing $6,500 of after-tax money, your basis is indeed $6,500. One thing I'd add to the excellent advice already given - when TurboTax asks about your basis, it's essentially asking "how much after-tax money have you put into Traditional IRAs over the years?" Since you're starting fresh with $6,500, that's your answer. Also, make sure you complete the conversion quickly! I see you mentioned submitting the paperwork "later today" - that's perfect timing. The longer you wait, the more chance for earnings that would be taxable upon conversion. TurboTax will automatically generate Form 8606 for you, which tracks your nondeductible contributions. Keep a copy of this form - you'll need it for future years if you continue doing backdoor Roth conversions. The software handles most of the complexity, but double-check that it shows zero taxable income from the conversion (assuming you convert the full amount quickly with minimal earnings). You've got this! The first one is always the most nerve-wracking, but you're being thorough which is exactly the right approach.

Omg I'm literally dealing with the exact same thing right now!! Mine says it's from "IRS KCSC" in my informed delivery and I've been refreshing my IRS account like a crazy person all day. Did yours arrive yet? What was it? I'm dying to know if it's something serious or just routine. My anxiety can't take this lol

I completely understand the anxiety! I went through something similar a few months ago. The disconnect between USPS informed delivery and what shows up in your IRS online account is actually pretty common. From my experience, there can be a significant lag - sometimes up to 2-3 weeks - between when a letter is mailed and when it appears in your online notices section. The IRS systems just don't sync in real-time. Since you're planning to file next week anyway, I'd suggest waiting to see what the actual letter says before making any changes to your filing timeline. Most IRS correspondence gives you plenty of time to respond if action is needed. In the meantime, try not to stress too much (easier said than done, I know!). The Kansas City Service Center handles tons of routine correspondence - payment confirmations, processing updates, identity verification requests, etc. It's not always something scary. Once you get the physical letter, you'll have all the information you need to determine if it affects your upcoming tax filing or if it's just routine correspondence.

Has anyone else had issues with the bar association not sending proper receipts for these expenses? I paid almost $2,000 for my initial licensing but the receipt they sent doesn't break down the costs properly. My accountant says I need better documentation if I want to deduct these as business expenses.

The timing distinction mentioned by GalaxyGuardian is spot-on and crucial for your situation. Since you paid most of these fees while working as a 1099 contractor, you're likely in good shape for deducting them on Schedule C for 2022. One additional consideration: make sure you can demonstrate that obtaining your bar license was "ordinary and necessary" for your paralegal/contractor work. Even though you weren't yet practicing as an attorney, having legal credentials could reasonably be considered necessary for advancing your legal consulting services or enhancing your value as a contractor in the legal field. Keep detailed records of exactly when each payment was made relative to your employment status changes. The $1,800 bar exam fee and $950 character and fitness application were likely paid while you were still a 1099 contractor, making them strong candidates for business deductions. The $650 licensing fee timing will depend on exactly when in September you received your license versus when you transitioned to W-2 status. Also worth noting: some attorneys have successfully argued that bar admission costs are startup expenses for their legal practice, which can sometimes provide additional deduction opportunities even if the timing doesn't work perfectly for Schedule C treatment.

Question: If op was really in a bind, couldn't they just take a normal early withdrawal and pay the 10% penalty? At least that way they wouldn't be misrepresenting anything about birth/adoption and risking extra penalties. Or am I missing something?

I've been in a similar cash crunch situation and understand the temptation to look for any available option. But honestly, after reading through all these responses, I'd strongly advise against the QBA withdrawal if you don't actually qualify. The risk-to-reward ratio just isn't worth it. Here's what I'd recommend based on my own experience: First, calculate exactly what a standard early withdrawal would cost you (income tax + 10% penalty). Then compare that to other options like a 401k loan or personal loan. In my case, I found that a personal loan from my credit union at 8% APR was actually cheaper than the tax hit I'd take on a 401k withdrawal. Also consider if you really need the full $5k right now. Could you get by with less? Every dollar you don't withdraw from your 401k continues to grow tax-deferred. At your age, that money could be worth significantly more by retirement. The peace of mind of staying above board with the IRS is worth a lot too. Financial stress is bad enough without adding potential audit worries on top of it.