Try 800-829-0582 extension 652. Call exactly at 7:00am EST. Press 1 for English then 2 for tax questions. When asked for SSN, enter it slowly. Don't press anything when asked about forms. Wait through two messages. You'll get a person about 50% of the time. I've gotten through three times using this method.

I'm going through something very similar! Filed on February 15th with solar credits and my transcript has been blank for weeks too. The "still being processed" message on WMR is so frustrating when you're expecting a refund. Reading everyone's experiences here really helps - it sounds like the solar credit forms are just causing normal delays this year. I've been checking my transcript obsessively but maybe I should just be more patient. Has anyone found that calling multiple times actually helped speed up the process, or did your returns just eventually process on their own timeline regardless?

Just want to add that I consulted with a real estate-specific CPA, and they said most people focusing on business entities are missing the biggest tax advantage: doing a 1031 exchange to defer capital gains when selling. I've done this twice now to upgrade from smaller to larger properties without paying taxes on the appreciation. Saved well over $70k in taxes so far.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar situation with two rental properties and have been wondering about the same thing. Based on what everyone's shared, it sounds like the business entity route might not be the magic bullet I was hoping for, especially since I'm probably not at the income level where S-corp election would make sense. I'm really intrigued by the cost segregation and missed deduction strategies that @Butch Sledgehammer and @Freya Ross mentioned. I've been doing my own taxes with TurboTax, but it sounds like I might be leaving money on the table by not having a more detailed analysis done. The 1031 exchange info from @Elin Robinson is also really valuable - I hadn't considered that as part of my overall tax strategy, but it makes sense to think long-term about how to defer gains when upgrading properties. Thanks to everyone for sharing their real experiences rather than just theoretical advice!

Quick heads up from someone who works in this area - the IRS has been cracking down HARD on one-person religious organizations in the last few years. Too many tax scams using "churches" as fronts. They have a special audit flag for orgs where the founder is the only member and receiving compensation. This doesn't mean you can't do it legitimately! But you need to be EXTRA careful about documentation. I recommend recruiting at least 2-3 other people as board members (even if they're not "members" of your religion) and make sure you follow EVERY formality - regular documented meetings, clear bylaws, impeccable financial records.

As someone who went through this process recently, I'd strongly recommend consulting with a nonprofit attorney before accepting any donations, even small ones. The complexity around religious organizations is real, and the stakes are high if you get it wrong. One thing that helped me was creating a timeline: first establish the legal entity through your state, then get your EIN, then file for 501(c)(3) status. Only after that approval should you actively solicit donations. In the meantime, you can absolutely talk about your mission and build interest without taking money. Also consider starting with a fiscal sponsorship arrangement through an established religious organization while you get your paperwork sorted. This lets you accept tax-deductible donations legally while maintaining your independence. Many denominational bodies offer this service even for non-affiliated religious groups. The IRS publication 1828 "Tax Guide for Churches and Religious Organizations" is incredibly helpful - it's free and covers most of these scenarios in detail.

idk why ppl think they can trick the irs... they literally know everything about our money 💅

Just to add to what everyone's saying - even if you only worked 3 weeks, if you received ANY pay, it counts as taxable income for 2024. The IRS matches up employer reports with your tax return, so they'll definitely notice if something's missing. Better to report everything upfront than deal with notices later. If you haven't received the W-2 by early February, you can file Form 4852 as a substitute, but try contacting your old employer first.

As someone who's dealt with multiple IRS notices over the years, I want to add that the 12C letter will have very specific instructions about what documentation to send and where to send it. Don't send everything you have - only what they specifically request. I made that mistake once and it actually delayed my case because they had to sort through unnecessary paperwork. Also, if you're missing any of the requested documents (like a lost receipt), you can often substitute with bank statements showing the transaction, canceled checks, or even a sworn statement explaining the missing documentation. The key is to respond within the timeframe given - usually 30 days from the letter date - and to be thorough but focused in your response.

I received a 12C letter about 6 months ago regarding some business equipment deductions I claimed as a freelance photographer. The process was actually much smoother than I anticipated. The letter clearly outlined that they needed receipts for camera equipment purchases over $2,500 and documentation showing the business use percentage. I gathered my purchase receipts, created a simple log showing when I used the equipment for paid shoots vs personal use, and included a brief cover letter explaining my business model. The whole thing was resolved in about 5 weeks with no changes to my return. One tip: if you're still waiting for the letter to arrive, start organizing your 2023 tax documents now - receipts, 1099s, bank statements, etc. Having everything organized made my response so much easier when the time came.