reminder that path act means NOTHING moves until after feb 15th no matter what cycle ur in... its a 🤡 show every year

Same situation here! Cycle 05 with EIC and filed early. My transcript updated this weekend too but still showing processing. From what I've read, we're basically in limbo until Feb 15th due to PATH Act, then it should move pretty quickly after that. Cash App has been solid for me in the past - they usually deposit as soon as the IRS releases funds, sometimes even a day early. Hang in there! 🤞

Has anyone used QuickBooks Self-Employed for tracking these kinds of expenses? I'm wondering if it's good for separating the construction costs and then setting up the depreciation schedule correctly. I've been using it for my basic business expenses but not sure if it handles this more complex stuff well.

One aspect that hasn't been covered yet is the importance of getting proper permits and meeting local building codes, which it sounds like you're already planning to do. This is crucial not just for safety, but also for tax purposes - the IRS wants to see that any business structure meets legitimate building standards. Since you're a general contractor handling the work yourself, make sure you document your material costs separately from what your labor would typically cost. Even though you mentioned not including your labor costs in the deduction (which is correct), having that documentation helps establish the fair market value of the improvement. Also consider having the structure professionally appraised once complete, especially if it's a significant investment. This creates a solid basis for your depreciation calculations and can be helpful if you ever face questions about the valuation. The fact that your wife's business is currently paying commercial rent actually works in your favor here - you'll have a clear comparable for establishing fair market rent if you go the rental route between you as homeowner and her LLC as tenant.

Everyone saying cash is fine if documented is glossing over a huge issue - in an audit, the burden of proof is on YOU. Yes technically the IRS can accept any reasonable documentation, but in practice, card statements are WAY stronger evidence. My sister went through an audit last year on her small business and they rejected about 40% of her cash purchase deductions despite her having a log and some handwritten receipts. They said her documentation wasn't "sufficiently reliable" compared to her card purchases, which they accepted 100%. Just because some people got lucky in audits doesn't mean cash purchases are equally accepted. If you want to be safe, use a card whenever possible, especially for higher value items.

As someone who's dealt with IRS documentation requirements professionally, I want to emphasize that the key isn't whether you pay with cash or card - it's the quality and consistency of your record-keeping system. The IRS follows the Cohan rule, which allows reasonable estimates of expenses when you have some supporting evidence, even if it's not perfect. However, this doesn't mean sloppy records are acceptable. For cash purchases, here's what I recommend: 1. Create a standardized receipt template you can fill out for person-to-person sales 2. Always photograph items at time of purchase with visible price tags when possible 3. Keep a detailed purchase log with consistent formatting 4. Document the source of your cash (ATM withdrawals, etc.) 5. Cross-reference your records - if you bought 5 items at a flea market, your log should show 5 entries for that date/location The people mentioning audit experiences are right that scrutiny varies. But I've seen well-documented cash purchases accepted and poorly documented card purchases questioned. The IRS cares more about whether your records tell a coherent, believable story than the payment method itself. Don't let fear of documentation requirements stop you from legitimate business deductions - just be thorough and consistent from day one.

My return was stuck like this for 5 weeks - no acceptance, no rejection, just silence. Could it be a simple software glitch? Or something more serious with my filing? I finally resolved it last week! Turned out my software had actually received a rejection notice but failed to display it in my account. Once I called their technical support line, they found the rejection in their system and helped me correct the issue (incorrect prior year AGI). Resubmitted and got accepted within hours. Don't wait like I did - be proactive!

This is definitely concerning after a month with no acceptance! I experienced something similar last year - filed in mid-February and heard nothing until I proactively reached out. Here's what I learned from my situation: The IRS e-file system is supposed to send acceptance/rejection within 24-48 hours, so you're way past normal timeframes. In my case, the return had actually been rejected on day 2 due to a mismatch in my prior year AGI, but somehow the rejection notification never made it back to my tax software. My recommendation: Call your tax software's technical support line (not general customer service) and ask them to pull up your transmission records. They should be able to see if there are any error codes or rejection notices in their system that didn't display in your account. If they confirm clean transmission on their end, then you'll need to contact the IRS e-file department directly. Don't wait any longer - since your return technically hasn't been "filed" until it's accepted, you could face compliance issues if this drags on past the deadline. Better to resolve this now while you still have time to refile if needed!

Has anyone successfully sued one of these tax resolution companies? My elderly uncle got scammed out of $14k and they did absolutely nothing. We're considering legal action.

Miranda, I'm glad you caught this before the money was withdrawn! As someone who works in financial counseling, I see this situation constantly. These tax resolution companies prey on people's fear and confusion about dealing with the IRS. Since you're still within the 3-day rescission period, act immediately on multiple fronts: 1) Call American Tax Services RIGHT NOW and clearly state "I am exercising my right to cancel this contract within the 3-day rescission period." Don't let them transfer you around or give you the runaround. 2) Send written cancellation via email immediately, followed by certified mail today. Use the exact language about exercising your rescission rights. 3) Contact your mom's bank to place a stop payment on any pending transactions from this company as a backup measure. 4) Document everything - record the phone call if your state allows it, save email confirmations, keep certified mail receipts. The truth is, your mom can likely resolve her tax debt directly with the IRS for a fraction of what these companies charge. The IRS has payment plans, hardship programs, and even debt reduction options available. Once you've canceled this contract, help her call the IRS directly to discuss her actual options. You're absolutely doing the right thing by stepping in. These companies count on people not knowing their rights or being too intimidated to cancel. Stay firm and don't let them pressure her into keeping the contract.