been dealing w this for 2 months now...its ridiculous how broken the system is fr

Code 570 is basically the IRS putting a temporary hold on your refund while they review something. It's super frustrating but unfortunately pretty common. The good news is it's usually not a major issue - just takes time to resolve. I'd recommend checking your transcript regularly to see if any other codes pop up that might give you more info about what specifically they're reviewing. Also make sure you haven't missed any notices in the mail since those usually explain what they need from you.

Any chance the 1099-Q amount is under $1,500? If so, you might be able to ignore it altogether on your taxes if it was indeed a rollover to another education account for the same beneficiary. The IRS usually only requires reporting if the amount is substantial or if there were earnings involved that aren't getting rolled over.

I went through this exact situation two years ago and can confirm you can absolutely file this manually! The key thing to understand is that a Coverdell to 529 rollover is generally non-taxable as long as it's done correctly (same beneficiary, direct transfer). You'll need to report the 1099-Q on your tax return, but you won't owe taxes on it. I reported mine on Schedule 1 (Additional Income) Line 8z as "Other Income" and wrote "ESA Rollover - Nontaxable" next to the amount. The most important thing is keeping good records - I kept copies of all the account statements showing the withdrawal from the Coverdell and the deposit into the 529, along with any rollover documentation from the financial institutions. This proves it was a qualified rollover if the IRS ever asks. Don't let TurboTax hold you hostage for $70! This is definitely something you can handle yourself with a little patience and the right forms.

11 Quick question - what about my car? I use it for business sometimes but also personal. Is that 50% deductible or based on actual business use?

Great question! The basic rule is that business expenses are generally 100% deductible if they're "ordinary and necessary" for your business. The IRS specifically carved out exceptions for certain categories: **100% Deductible:** - Office supplies, software, equipment - Contractor payments (yes, what you pay freelancers is fully deductible!) - Advertising and marketing - Professional services (legal, accounting, etc.) - Business travel (flights, hotels, car rentals) **50% Deductible:** - Business meals and entertainment - This limitation exists because the IRS assumes there's always some personal benefit to eating For your freelancer question - absolutely deductible at 100%! Just remember to get their W-9 form upfront and issue 1099-NECs if you pay them $600+ in a year. The key is keeping good records. For mixed-use items (like a laptop used for both business and personal), you deduct based on the business percentage. There's no "magic rule book" but IRS Publication 535 (Business Expenses) is your best friend for the details!

Has anyone dealt with Canadian RRSP accounts when making the first-year choice? I've heard there's a special form you need to file to avoid the US taxing these accounts as regular investment income.

I went through this exact same situation when I moved from Toronto to Austin in September 2024! The first-year choice election was definitely the way to go - it saved us thousands compared to filing as non-residents. A few things to keep in mind that I learned the hard way: Make sure you calculate the 31 consecutive days and 75% presence test carefully. Since you arrived in August, you should easily meet this. Also, don't forget that making this election means you'll be considered US residents from January 1, 2024 forward for tax purposes, so you'll need to report ALL worldwide income including your Canadian employment from early in the year. The foreign tax credit on Form 1116 will help offset the Canadian taxes you already paid, but gather all your Canadian tax documents (T4s, Notice of Assessment, etc.) because you'll need them. One tip: if you had any Canadian investment accounts (TFSAs, RRSPs, etc.), there are additional forms and elections to consider. The US-Canada tax treaty has some helpful provisions but you need to be proactive about making the right elections. Filing jointly with the full standard deduction made a huge difference for us compared to the non-resident alternative. Definitely worth consulting with someone who knows cross-border tax if you have a complex situation, but the first-year choice sounds perfect for your circumstances.

Had the exact same thing happen to me last year! Turns out there was a glitch in their system that delayed processing e-filed returns. Even though I had confirmation, it took them 3 extra weeks to actually process it. The non-filing letter was automatically generated before they caught up. I'd definitely call the practitioner priority line if you can get through - they were way more helpful than the regular customer service line.

This is super frustrating but unfortunately pretty common during busy filing seasons. Since you e-filed and have confirmation, your return is almost certainly in their system - it's just a timing/processing issue. The non-filing letters are often generated automatically before their systems sync up. I'd recommend calling the IRS directly with your confirmation number to get them to update your account status. Also keep all your filing documentation just in case you need to prove you submitted on time. Usually resolves within a few weeks once they catch up on processing.