Pro tip: get your transcript instead of checking WMR. Way more accurate. If you need help reading it use taxr.ai - saved me hours of googling random codes

Same here! Filed early January and got hit with the PATH delay message. From what I've read, if you claimed EITC or Additional Child Tax Credit, the IRS legally can't release your refund until after February 15th. It's supposed to protect against fraud but honestly just feels like we're being punished for claiming credits we're entitled to. At least now I know to expect my refund around late February instead of getting my hopes up checking WMR every day 😅

Is the 1095-A the only healthcare form I need to worry about? I got something called a 1095-B from my state program and I'm confused if that's the same thing or if I need to wait for an A form too?

I'm in the exact same boat as you! Still waiting on my 1095-A and getting more frustrated by the day. I called the Healthcare Marketplace last week and they told me there's been unusual delays this year due to "system updates" - whatever that means. The rep said they're prioritizing cases where people had mid-year coverage changes or income updates, which explains why some people are getting theirs while others aren't. She couldn't give me a specific timeline but said most should be available by the end of this month. One thing that helped me was setting up notifications in my marketplace account - you can get an email alert as soon as your 1095-A is posted online instead of constantly checking. At least that way I'm not refreshing the page ten times a day! Hang in there - we'll get through this tax season eventually. The wait is definitely more painful when you can see that refund just sitting there waiting for one stupid form.

One thing nobody has mentioned yet is that the reporting requirements are different depending on how much you win. For certain gambling winnings over specific thresholds, the casino or gambling establishment will issue you a Form W-2G. For example, if you win $1,200 or more from slots or bingo, $1,500+ from keno, $5,000+ from poker tournaments, or $600+ from other gambling where the payout is at least 300 times your wager, you'll get a W-2G. When you receive this form, the IRS is already notified of those winnings, so you absolutely must report them correctly. But even winnings below these thresholds still legally need to be reported as income, even if you don't receive a W-2G. That's where your personal record-keeping becomes crucial.

Something that helped me with gambling tax reporting was using session-based reporting rather than trying to track every single bet. The IRS generally recognizes gambling sessions, so you can track your net win/loss per session rather than every individual wager. For example, if you go to a casino, play for a few hours, and leave with $200 more than you came with, you can report that as a $200 win for that session. If you lose $150 at your next visit, that's a $150 loss. You don't need to track every hand of blackjack or pull of the slot machine as long as you're consistent with your record-keeping approach. Just make sure to document the date, location, type of gambling, and starting/ending amounts for each session.

Why not just help your girlfriend set up her own bank account? Most online banks can be set up in like 15 minutes and don't have minimum balance requirements. That would solve the whole problem and be better for her financially anyway.

I'd strongly recommend against depositing checks made out to your girlfriend into your account, even temporarily. This creates unnecessary complications and potential red flags. Here's why this is problematic: 1. **Banking violations**: Most banks prohibit depositing third-party checks without proper endorsement or joint account status 2. **Tax confusion**: The IRS could view these deposits as your income, creating documentation headaches later 3. **Audit risks**: If either of you gets audited, you'll need to prove the money wasn't yours - why create that burden? The simple solution is to help your girlfriend open her own account. Many online banks (Capital One 360, Ally, etc.) can be set up in minutes with no minimum balance. She can even deposit checks via mobile app immediately. If she absolutely can't open an account right now, she should cash the checks at the issuing bank and handle the cash herself. Don't create a paper trail that suggests someone else's income is yours - it's not worth the potential headaches down the road.

Has anyone dealt with reporting unallowed passive activity losses that span multiple years? I've got about $29k in passive losses from my rental property spread across 6 different tax years. When selling, do I lump them all together on one form or need to itemize by year?

One thing to keep in mind when dealing with property conversions is the depreciation recapture timing. Since you converted from rental to personal use in 2016, you can only recapture the depreciation you actually claimed during the rental period (2010-2016). Any theoretical depreciation from 2016 onwards when it was personal use doesn't get recaptured. Also, make sure you have good records of any capital improvements made during both the rental and personal use periods, as these can be added to your basis and reduce your overall gain. Things like new HVAC systems, roof repairs, or major renovations can significantly impact your tax liability. The passive activity loss release is indeed a silver lining - those $31k in losses will provide some nice tax relief against your other income this year. Just double-check that you have the carryover worksheets from your prior returns to substantiate the total amount.