Has anyone here actually reported their GoFundMe on their taxes? I ran one last year and got about $12k, used it all for my medical bills, and honestly didn't report anything. Did I screw up??

This is a really thoughtful way to handle the excess funds, Sean! One additional consideration I'd mention is timing - if you're planning to redistribute the $9,000 before the end of this tax year, make sure to space out your donations if you're concerned about hitting the $18,000 annual exclusion limit per recipient. Also, since you mentioned tax season is coming up, keep detailed records of everything: your original GoFundMe description, all incoming donations with dates and amounts, your medical expenses, and then all outgoing transfers to other campaigns. The IRS loves documentation, and having a clear paper trail will make everything much smoother if you ever need to explain the transactions. One last tip - consider reaching out to the recipients of your donations to let them know the funds are coming from your redistributed GoFundMe rather than directly from you personally. This can help establish that you're fulfilling your original campaign promise rather than making independent personal gifts, which could support the "conduit" argument Carmen mentioned above.

Quick tip: If you filed with a IP PIN make sure it was correct, that was my issue last year when this happened to me

I went through this exact same thing last month! The non-filing letter is actually a good sign - it means the IRS has your return in their system but it's still processing. When I was obsessively checking (guilty as charged lol), I noticed the transcripts typically update Friday mornings around 2-3 AM EST. Pro tip: bookmark the direct transcript page and check it Friday mornings instead of multiple times throughout the week. The system only updates once weekly for most people. Also keep an eye on "Where's My Refund" tool - sometimes that updates before the transcript does. Hang in there, you should see movement soon! 🤞

Oof, child support offsets are rough. Been there, my dude. Just remember, it'll get better. Hang in there! 💪

I went through this exact same situation last year! The Treasury Offset Program website (treasury.gov/services/report-payment-issues) has a section where you can request details about your offset. You'll need to fill out Form 8379 if you're married filing jointly and your spouse shouldn't be affected by the offset. Also, your state child support enforcement agency should have sent you a notice within 30 days of the offset - if you didn't get it, definitely call them too. The whole process is frustrating but you'll get through it!

Does anyone know if mailing old returns affects how fast you get your refund? I heard the IRS is still backed up processing paper returns from 2021...

I'm in a similar boat with unfiled returns and want to share what I've learned from my tax preparer. The key thing to remember is that even though you can't e-file old returns, you still have time to claim those refunds - you have 3 years from the original due date. So for 2020, you have until April 2024, and for 2021 until April 2025. One tip that helped me: when you mail the returns, send them certified mail with return receipt requested. It costs a few extra dollars but you'll have proof the IRS received them, which is crucial if there are any questions later. Also include Form 1040X if you need to make any corrections after filing. The processing time for paper returns is brutal right now (6-12 months in some cases), but don't let that discourage you from filing. The IRS penalties and interest keep adding up if you owe money, and if you're due refunds, that money is just sitting there waiting for you. Better to get the ball rolling now than wait any longer.

As someone who recently navigated a similar situation with my father's estate, I wanted to add a few practical considerations that might help with your planning. One thing that caught my attention in your post is that you mention keeping the checking account separate from the trust "for easier access to funds for paying bills after she passes." Just be aware that many banks will temporarily freeze joint accounts when they're notified of a death, even when there's a surviving joint owner. This happened to us and created complications when we needed to pay final expenses quickly. If maintaining easy access for post-death expenses is a priority, you might want to consider keeping a smaller amount in the joint account (maybe $10-15k) and moving the larger balance into the trust. This would minimize any gift tax concerns while still providing the liquidity you're planning for. Also, regarding your question about the collectible scenario - the same gift tax principles would apply, but there's an additional consideration with inherited assets. When someone inherits property and then sells it, they get a "stepped-up basis" equal to the fair market value at the time of inheritance. So if your brother inherited a $50k collectible and immediately sold it for $50k, there would be no capital gains tax on the sale. But if he then gave you $25k from the proceeds, that transfer would still be subject to gift tax rules. The documentation strategies others have mentioned (letter of intent, memorandum, etc.) are really valuable, but getting the account structure right from the beginning is even better if it's feasible for your family's situation.

I've been following this discussion with great interest as I'm in a very similar situation with my elderly father. One aspect I haven't seen mentioned yet is the importance of communicating with the bank ahead of time about your intentions and the account structure. When we set up my dad's joint account, I made sure to have a conversation with the bank manager about what would happen when he passes away. They explained their specific procedures for handling joint accounts after a death, including what documentation they would need and how long any holds might last. Some banks are more flexible than others, and knowing their policies in advance can help you plan better. The bank also mentioned that having a letter on file from the account holder (your mom, in this case) stating the purpose of the joint ownership and her intentions for the funds can sometimes help streamline the process later. They said it's not legally required, but it can help clarify the situation for their internal reviews. Another thing I learned: some banks offer "convenience accounts" that are specifically designed for situations like yours, where an adult child helps manage a parent's finances. These accounts sometimes have different ownership structures that might avoid some of the gift tax complications you're concerned about. It might be worth having a conversation with your mom's bank about the best account structure for your specific goals. Every bank handles these situations slightly differently, so getting their input could help you make the most informed decision about whether to restructure things now or stick with your current approach.