I've had the opposite experience with interest. I miscalculated my quarterlies one year and thought I'd paid enough, but ended up owing more. The IRS hit me with underpayment penalties AND interest that was way more than what they'd pay me in the reverse situation.

This is such a great reminder that the tax system can occasionally work in our favor! I had no idea about the 45-day interest rule until reading this thread. It's refreshing to hear about the IRS actually paying taxpayers interest for once, especially after all the stories we hear about penalties and fees going the other way. Your identity verification experience sounds absolutely painful though - 8 weeks is ridiculous for something that should be straightforward. I'm glad you at least got compensated for their delay with that interest payment. The irony of getting a 1099-INT from the IRS for money they paid you because they were late is pretty amusing! Thanks for sharing this - I'm definitely going to keep this in mind if I ever have a large refund situation. Every little bit helps, especially when it's the government finally paying US interest for a change.

I think you could also check if you can access your W2 online. A lot of companies use services like ADP or Workday where employees can log in and download their tax documents even after they've left the company. Worth asking Walgreens HR if they have an online portal where you could get your W2 immediately instead of waiting for a paper copy.

You'd be surprised how many people have this exact issue! I worked as a tax preparer and we always had clients with missing W2s from short-term jobs. If it helps, here's what you need from that pay stub: your gross wages, federal income tax withheld, social security tax withheld, and medicare tax withheld. Make sure you have ALL those numbers before trying to file. A pay stub usually has most of this but sometimes misses details that are only on the W2.

I'm confused about something - if I inherit stocks and immediately sell them, do I owe any capital gains tax at all? Since my basis would be the value on the date of death, and I'm selling at roughly the same value, wouldn't my gain be zero?

I just went through a very similar situation when my uncle passed last year and left me some stocks and bonds. One thing that really helped me was getting a formal appraisal of all the inherited assets done right away, especially for the real estate. Even though the executor should have this information, having your own documentation of the fair market values on the date of death is crucial for establishing your stepped-up basis. Also, don't forget that you'll need to update the beneficiary information on any investment accounts you inherit. Some brokerage firms have specific procedures for transferring inherited accounts, and you might need to provide a death certificate and estate documentation. For the Pennsylvania inheritance tax, definitely check with the executor first - in most cases, they handle paying this from the estate assets before distribution. If for some reason you're responsible for paying it directly, Pennsylvania does allow payment plans in certain circumstances. The key is not to panic and take it one step at a time!

Don't forget to check if your grandfather had a mortgage on the property! When my mom passed and left me her house, I was surprised to learn I had to either assume the existing mortgage or refinance. The bank sent a letter about the "due-on-sale" clause being triggered by the inheritance.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Pedro. Losing a grandparent is never easy, and dealing with estate matters during grief makes it even harder. Everyone has given you great advice here. I want to emphasize one key point that might give you some peace of mind - as the beneficiary, you typically don't owe income tax on inherited property. The inheritance itself isn't considered taxable income to you. A few practical next steps to consider: 1. Get copies of all estate documents from your uncle (the executor) 2. Contact the county assessor's office about transferring the property deed 3. Check with your homeowner's insurance - you'll need to get coverage in your name 4. Review any outstanding debts on the property (utilities, HOA fees, etc.) The timeline can feel overwhelming, but most estate matters don't have to be resolved immediately. Focus on securing the property and understanding your options before making any big decisions about keeping vs. selling. And don't hesitate to consult with an estate attorney if the situation becomes more complex than expected. Take care of yourself during this process!

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong but I think you might be eligible for the Lifetime Learning Credit even without the 1098-T? It's meant for exactly this type of continuing education and certificate programs. As long as you have proof you paid tuition to an eligible educational institution you should be able to claim it.

I ran into this exact same issue last year with a professional development course! The university's resistance to providing their EIN is really frustrating, but you have several options here. First, definitely try the W-9 approach that Kennedy mentioned - it's often the fastest solution. Most universities post their W-9 forms online for vendor payments, and the EIN is right there. If that doesn't work, you can also check the university's annual financial reports or audited statements, which are usually public for state institutions. The EIN will be listed in the header information. As a last resort, you can file Form 8863 (Education Credits) and attach a statement explaining that you requested the institution's EIN but they refused to provide it, along with copies of your payment receipts. The IRS has provisions for situations where educational institutions don't cooperate with providing required information. Don't let them prevent you from claiming a legitimate education credit - you paid that tuition and you're entitled to the tax benefit!