I'm a tax professional who sees this exact OPA system issue constantly during tax season, especially with graduate students. The good news is everything you're describing indicates your payment plan is active in the IRS system - that error when trying to create a new plan is actually confirmation it exists. Here's what I recommend: First, try logging into the main "Online Account" section at IRS.gov (not the payment plan portal) with your ID.me credentials. Look for "Payment Plan" or "Installment Agreement" in your account summary - this often works even when the OPA section is glitching. Check your bank statements for a small test charge from "IRS TREAS 310" (usually $1-2) that you might have missed. These verification charges sometimes get stuck in the system and block account access. Most importantly, call the Taxpayer Advocate Service at 1-877-777-4778 instead of the main IRS line. They handle exactly these technical failures and have much shorter wait times. As a student with system access issues, you qualify for their help. Make a payment through IRS Direct Pay selecting "Form 1040" and "Installment Agreement" to show compliance while resolving access issues. Don't panic - since you established the plan before the filing deadline, you're protected from penalties even with technical glitches. Avoid credit cards at all costs - the interest will be far worse than IRS fees. Your plan exists; it's just a system issue that typically resolves within 2-3 weeks.

I'm a CPA who works with a lot of graduate students, and this OPA system issue is unfortunately extremely common during tax season. The silver lining is that all the symptoms you're describing actually confirm your payment plan is active in the IRS system. Here's my recommended approach: **First, try alternative access methods:** - Log into the main "View Your Account" section on IRS.gov (not the payment plan portal) using ID.me - Look for "Payment Plan" or "Installment Agreement" in your account summary - Check your bank statements for any small charges from "IRS TREAS 310" - these verification micro-deposits often cause access issues if not properly confirmed **For immediate peace of mind:** - Make a payment through IRS Direct Pay selecting "Form 1040" and "Installment Agreement" as the payment type - This demonstrates good faith compliance while you resolve the technical issues **For resolution:** - Call the Taxpayer Advocate Service at 1-877-777-4778 (NOT the main IRS line) - They specialize in system failures like this and have reasonable wait times - Tell them you're a student with an inaccessible payment plan - you qualify for their help **Important:** Since you established the payment plan before the filing deadline, you're protected from failure-to-pay penalties even with these system glitches. The error preventing you from creating a new plan is actually proof your original plan exists. Don't put this on credit cards - the interest rates will be far more expensive than IRS payment plan fees. This is a common technical issue that typically resolves within 2-3 weeks, but TAS can expedite it.

Has anyone tried just structuring this as a gift instead of a loan? I know there are annual limits but doesn't each person get a lifetime exemption that's pretty high?

Just to add another perspective - don't forget about state tax implications too! Some states have different rules for reporting large cash transactions or loans, especially from foreign sources. In California, for example, they sometimes require additional documentation for large deposits that don't match your reported income, even if it's properly documented as a loan at the federal level. Also, since you mentioned your husband has an LLC, consider which entity should actually take the loan - personal vs business. If the LLC is buying the investment property, having the loan go directly to the LLC might simplify things, but you'll want to make sure the foreign relatives are comfortable lending to a business entity rather than individuals. The rental income and loan repayment structure could also affect your business vs personal tax situation depending on how you set it up.

11 Question about Nanny taxes in general - we just hired our first nanny and I'm trying to figure out all the tax implications. Do most people use a payroll service or DIY the taxes? And how does the mileage reimbursement get reported (or not reported) on end-of-year tax forms?

Just wanted to add one more perspective as a tax professional who works with many families employing nannies. The key points mentioned here are spot-on, but I'd emphasize a few additional considerations: 1) Make sure your nanny agreement explicitly states that mileage will be reimbursed at the IRS rate for work-related driving. This protects both parties and sets clear expectations. 2) Consider requiring pre-approval for longer trips (like day trips to the zoo) to avoid surprise large reimbursements. 3) Keep all mileage documentation for at least 3 years in case of an IRS audit - this includes the logs, receipts, and any app records mentioned. 4) Remember that if your nanny occasionally uses your family car for work trips, those miles obviously wouldn't be reimbursed since she's not using her personal vehicle. The automated tracking solutions mentioned by other parents sound helpful for busy families, but a simple notebook system works just fine too if you prefer to keep things low-tech. The most important thing is consistency and proper documentation, regardless of the method you choose.

One more piece of advice - make sure to keep copies of EVERYTHING you send to the IRS, and send your response via certified mail with return receipt requested so you have proof of when they received it. Also, if the January 18th deadline is too tight, you can call and request a 30-day extension, which they usually grant. That would give you more time to get the proper documentation from the restaurant group.

I've been through a very similar situation with a payment processor issue, and I want to emphasize something that hasn't been mentioned yet - document EVERYTHING about your employment relationship with the restaurant group. In addition to your W-2, gather any emails, text messages, or other communications that show: 1) You were asked to set up the Square account as part of your job duties 2) You never had control over the funds (they went directly to business accounts) 3) You were acting as an employee, not an independent contractor Also, since the restaurant group was sold to a parent company, try to get documentation of that sale/transfer. This can help establish the business relationship timeline and show the IRS that this was clearly a business operation, not your personal income. If the current accountant doesn't follow through, consider reaching out directly to the parent company's finance department. They may be more responsive since this could affect their tax compliance too. One last tip - when you write your response letter, be very specific about dates, amounts, and the business purpose of each transaction. The more detail you can provide about how this was clearly business income that was misreported, the stronger your case will be. Good luck, and don't let this stress you out too much - these payment processor mix-ups are incredibly common and the IRS has seen it all before!

I've filed with both Jackson Hewitt and H&R Block, and personally found Block to be marginally better, but neither was great for my situation with rental properties and self-employment income. Ended up switching to a local CPA who charges $400 but has saved me thousands in deductions the big chains missed. Sometimes you get what you pay for.

I feel your pain with Jackson Hewitt! I had a similar experience a few years back where the preparer seemed more interested in upselling me on additional services than actually doing my taxes correctly. The lack of attention to detail is really concerning when you're dealing with something as important as your tax return. One thing that really stood out to me in your story is how she got defensive when you caught her mistake with the mileage deduction. A good tax professional should welcome questions and corrections - that's how you know they care about getting it right. The fact that she blamed "the system" instead of double-checking her work is a huge red flag. You definitely made the right call walking out. $389 vs $89 for what sounds like the same level of service (or better with TurboTax) is just not worth it. I've found that the tax software has gotten so good over the years that unless you have really complex situations, it can handle most scenarios better than these chain preparers who are often undertrained seasonal workers.