FWIW I was in the same boat. E-filed on Feb 2. Got accepted same day. Transcript showed N/A until Mar 12. Was freaking out tbh. Called IRS twice (nightmare). Finally got thru. They confirmed my return was in the system. Just backlogged. Transcript updated suddenly one day. DD hit my acct 6 days later. Hang in there. System's overwhelmed rn.

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Filed on March 5th, got accepted the same day, but my transcript still shows "N/A" for 2024. It's so frustrating because I really need that refund for some home repairs that can't wait much longer. Reading through everyone's experiences here is actually really reassuring though - sounds like this is just how the system is working (or not working) this year. I guess I'll stop checking my transcript obsessively and just wait it out. Thanks for posting this question, @Dmitry Volkov - at least now I know I'm not alone in this situation!

Has anyone successfully done a 1031 exchange from a rental property into something that's not traditional real estate? I heard there are DST investments (Delaware Statutory Trust) that qualify but still give you passive income without being a landlord.

Don't panic! This is actually a pretty common situation. While the depreciation recapture can't be avoided (you're correct that the IRS requires it even if you didn't claim it), there are definitely strategies to minimize your overall tax burden. First, make absolutely sure you're calculating your cost basis correctly. Start with your original purchase price, add ALL capital improvements (not just major ones - think new appliances, flooring, windows, landscaping, etc.), and add your closing costs from when you bought it. Many people forget smaller improvements that can add up significantly over 15 years. Since you lived in the house for the first couple years, you might qualify for a partial Section 121 exclusion on the gain (up to $250k single/$500k married). Even though it was later a rental, the IRS has specific rules about partial exclusions based on the time you lived there versus rented it out. Consider timing your sale strategically. If this will be a high-income year for you, maybe delay closing until January to spread the tax impact. Also, if you have any capital losses from other investments, now would be the time to realize them to offset some of the gain. Definitely work with a CPA who specializes in real estate transactions - the money you spend on professional advice will likely save you much more in taxes!

Has anyone changed their address directly with the IRS temporarily? I found this form 8822 for address changes, but I'm not sure if it's worth filing for a 2-month temporary change.

I went through something similar when I was stationed overseas for work. One thing I'd recommend is setting up electronic delivery for as many tax documents as possible before you leave. Most employers, banks, and investment companies now offer this option through their online portals. For the documents that must come by mail, a temporary PO box is definitely a good solution. Just make sure to notify the post office of your exact rental period so they don't accidentally forward mail after you've closed the box. I learned this the hard way when some late-arriving documents got returned to sender. Also consider giving a trusted family member or friend access to check your PO box if needed, especially toward the end of your rental period when you might be transitioning back. Having that backup person can save you from missing anything important that arrives right as you're closing the box.

I've been using Chime for my refunds for the past 3 years and honestly it's been pretty reliable. Usually get my money 1-2 days early like they advertise. The key is making sure your routing/account numbers are exactly right when you file - any typo will cause delays. No hidden fees on my end, but definitely keep some backup plan just in case there are processing hiccups.

Been using Chime for my refunds for the last 2 years and it's been solid overall. Got my money about 2 days early both times with no fees. The mobile app makes it super easy to track when deposits hit too. Only downside is their customer service can be slow to respond if you have issues, but for straightforward direct deposits it works great. Just triple check your routing and account numbers when filing!

Sorry but your brother is NOT going to get you a better refund unless he's willing to lie. These chain tax places actually tend to be pretty aggressive in finding deductions already. If your brother "finds more deductions" he's probably entering stuff that isn't legit and could get you audited. Just file what the professional prepared.

You absolutely did nothing wrong! As a taxpayer, you have every right to have your taxes prepared by one service and choose to file them yourself or through someone else. The H&R Block preparer was probably pushing because they get incentives for completed filings, not because of any legal requirement. That said, be careful with your brother's review. Even non-professionals can catch legitimate missed deductions, but make sure he's not suggesting anything questionable. If he does find additional deductions, you might need to have the return amended or redone entirely, which could cost you more in the long run. One thing to consider - if you're unsure about the quality of the original preparation, you could use a service like an AI tax review tool to double-check for missed deductions before making any changes. That way you'd know if it's worth pursuing your brother's suggestions or if the original return was already optimized. The bottom line: you paid for tax preparation, you received it, and now the filing decision is 100% yours. Don't let anyone pressure you into filing before you're ready!