One thing nobody's mentioned - have you considered the character of the gain? If this was actively farmed land that you used in a trade or business and held for many years, it might qualify for Section 1231 treatment which could give you more favorable tax rates than regular capital gains.

This is exactly the kind of complex transaction where having proper documentation and expert guidance is crucial. From what I've read here, it sounds like CPA firm B is on the right track with the bargain sale treatment. One additional consideration - make sure you coordinate the timing of this transaction carefully. Since you're dealing with both capital gains and a substantial charitable deduction, you'll want to consider whether it makes sense to complete this in the current tax year or defer to next year based on your overall tax situation and AGI limitations for charitable deductions. Also, given the complexity and the contradictory advice you've received, you might want to consider getting a third opinion from a tax professional who specifically specializes in conservation transactions and bargain sales. The nuances around basis allocation, documentation requirements, and potential Section 1231 treatment (as mentioned above) really benefit from specialized expertise. The stakes are high enough here that the cost of getting it right the first time will likely be much less than dealing with IRS issues later if something is handled incorrectly.

Another thing to consider - if you're getting a refund from the amendment, the IRS pays interest on that money (and the interest is taxable next year, fun). But if amending means you OWE money, you'll probably have to pay interest and possibly penalties too. The current interest rate the IRS charges is like 7-8% I think? So that's another factor in deciding if it's "worth it" - the longer you wait, the more interest accumulates either way.

The $4600 in mortgage interest could definitely be worth amending, but it really depends on whether you itemized or took the standard deduction. If you took the standard deduction and this wouldn't push your total itemized deductions above that threshold, then amending won't help. However, if you were already itemizing or this would tip you over into itemizing territory, you're looking at potential tax savings in the hundreds to over $1000 range depending on your tax bracket. One thing to keep in mind - you have 3 years from the original filing date to amend, so there's no immediate rush. But the sooner you do it, the sooner you'll get any refund (plus the IRS pays interest on amended return refunds). The processing time is definitely slow right now - expect 4-6 months minimum. I'd suggest pulling out your original return and checking Schedule A to see if you itemized. If you did, or if adding this $4600 to your other potential deductions (state taxes, charitable donations, etc.) would exceed your standard deduction amount, then it's probably worth the hassle and fee to amend.

Here's what's happening with state returns this year based on my research: States are implementing additional identity verification steps that weren't used in previous years. For example, if you have investment income like you mentioned, many states are now cross-referencing those amounts with third-party reporting which adds 2-3 weeks to processing. When you called, check exactly what department you reached - if it was collections saying "you don't owe anything," that's different from the refund department confirming your return is processing. Try this specific approach: call early morning (8:00-8:30am) and specifically ask for the "refund status department" rather than general inquiries. Ask them to check if your return is in the regular processing queue or if it's been flagged for additional review.

I'm experiencing something very similar! Filed my state return on February 15th and received my federal refund within 10 days, but my state return has been showing "processing" for over 6 weeks now. When I called last week, the representative also gave me that confusing "you don't owe anything" response - like they're reading from a script that doesn't actually address refund inquiries. What's particularly frustrating is that my return is straightforward with just W-2 income and standard deduction, so there shouldn't be anything complex to review. The lack of transparency in their processing timeline is really disappointing compared to how the IRS handles status updates. Has anyone found a way to get more specific information about where their return actually sits in the processing queue?

its crazy how some agents help and others dont even try. like do ur job fam 🤡

Stuck in the same boat since March. Gonna try calling tomorrow morning thanks for the hope lol

If anyone is still looking for the Sprintax discount code box - I just used it yesterday and found another way to get there. If you click on "Payment Options" in the top navigation, it takes you to a page where the discount code section is much more visible than on the regular checkout page. Also, pro tip: if your university discount code doesn't work for some reason, try googling "Sprintax discount code 2025" - I found a general 10% off code that worked when my university one had expired.

As someone who works in tax preparation, I want to add some important context to this discussion. While I'm glad Dylan found the discount code box, I'd encourage everyone to be very careful about the advice being shared here. Some of the services mentioned in these comments appear to be promotional rather than genuine recommendations. When dealing with tax preparation, especially as an international student, it's crucial to use established, reputable services that are specifically designed for nonresident tax situations. Sprintax, despite its interface quirks, is actually one of the more reliable options because it's specifically built for international students and has proper certifications. The VITA program suggestion from Yara is excellent - that's a completely legitimate IRS-approved free service that many universities offer. If you're struggling with Sprintax or any tax software, I'd recommend contacting your university's international student office first. They usually have relationships with approved tax preparation services and can provide guidance on which options are best for your specific visa situation.