Is anyone else having issues with Keeper this year? My experience has been a nightmare. Not only did it miscalculate my self-employment tax initially, but the customer service has been unresponsive for days.

I had a similar experience with Keeper this year too! The calculation seemed off and when I tried to get help, their chat support kept giving me generic responses that didn't address my specific question. What really frustrated me was that they charged my card for the filing fee before I could even review everything properly. I ended up double-checking all my numbers manually and found a few errors in how they categorized some of my business expenses. Definitely considering other options for next year - this level of service isn't worth the cost.

I've been through a similar situation with an old tax debt and want to share what I learned about calculating CSED from transcripts. The key thing to understand is that your transcript will show transaction codes that tell the story of your debt timeline. Look for these specific codes on your transcript: - Code 150: This is your original assessment date - your 10-year clock starts here - Code 520/521: Suspension start/end (as others mentioned) - Code 340: Installment agreement established - Code 341: Installment agreement terminated - Code 420: Examination (audit) started - Code 421: Examination closed Each suspension period gets added to your original 10 years. So if you had a 6-month installment agreement, your CSED becomes 10 years and 6 months from the assessment date. One thing I didn't see mentioned yet - if you moved out of the country for any extended period, that can also suspend the collection statute. The IRS can't effectively collect while you're living abroad, so that time doesn't count toward your 10 years either. Since you mentioned not hearing from the IRS in years, there's a good chance your CSED might actually be approaching or may have already passed. But given how complex these calculations can be with all the potential extensions, I'd definitely recommend getting a definitive answer rather than guessing.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm dealing with a similar situation from 2012 and had no idea about all these different codes on transcripts. @Vanessa Chang, thank you for that comprehensive breakdown of the transaction codes - that's exactly what I needed to understand what I'm looking at. One question I have: if the IRS accepted an Offer in Compromise that was later withdrawn or rejected, does that time still count as a suspension period? I think I see some codes on my transcript related to an OIC I submitted years ago that didn't go through, but I'm not sure if that affected my CSED calculation. Also, for anyone still trying to figure this out - I noticed that some transcripts don't show all the historical data if you're only looking at certain types of transcripts. Make sure you're getting your "Account Transcript" rather than just a "Tax Return Transcript" because the account version shows all the collection activity and suspension periods.

One thing nobody has mentioned is that you should also check with your state tax agency! I had a similar federal issue but didn't realize it was also affecting my state return. Turns out my state was holding my refund because the IRS hadn't completed processing my federal return. Each state has different policies, but worth checking so you don't end up with problems on both levels.

This is such a stressful situation, but you're definitely not alone in dealing with this! I went through something similar two years ago when I moved during tax season and missed my verification letter. One thing I learned is that the IRS verification process can take several months even after you respond, so definitely start working on resolving your 2023 issue now rather than waiting until after you file 2024. When I finally got through to the IRS (took forever on the phone), they explained that having an unresolved verification doesn't technically prevent you from filing the next year's return, but it can create complications. In my case, both my 2022 and 2023 refunds were held up until I completed the verification process. The agent told me this is pretty common - they basically put a "freeze" on your account until identity verification is complete, which can affect multiple tax years. My advice: definitely file your 2024 return on time to avoid penalties, but prioritize getting that 2023 verification sorted ASAP. If you can't get through by phone, try visiting a local IRS office or see if you can create an online account to check your status. The sooner you resolve it, the sooner both refunds should process.

Just to add to the futures contract discussion - different brokers report futures trading differently on 1099s. Some issue a 1099-B and some issue a 1099-MISC for futures trading profits/losses. If you received a 1099-B for futures, double-check the box that indicates what type of transactions they are. I had this exact issue last year and spent hours on the phone with my broker. Turns out they had incorrectly issued a 1099-B for Section 1256 contracts when they should have used a different form. I had to request a corrected form and amend my return.

I've been following this discussion and wanted to share my experience from dealing with a similar situation last year. The key thing to understand is that TurboTax's prompt to mail Form 8453 doesn't necessarily mean you did something wrong - it's often just their way of handling situations where they can't electronically transmit all the supporting documentation. For futures trading specifically, you really need to determine if these are Section 1256 contracts first. Most regulated futures are Section 1256, which means they get reported on Form 6781, not Form 8949. The 60/40 long-term/short-term treatment mentioned earlier is automatic for these contracts regardless of holding period. If you do need to mail supporting documentation with Form 8453, a copy of your 1099-B with a brief statement explaining the transactions should be sufficient as long as it contains all the information you used to prepare your return. Just make sure to include your name, SSN, and tax year at the top of any attachments. My advice would be to first check your filed return PDF in TurboTax to see exactly what forms were included electronically, then decide if you actually need to mail anything at all.

Have you considered going to your local Taxpayer Assistance Center instead of calling? I had a similar issue last year after my separation and spent hours preparing for a phone call that never connected. I finally made an appointment at my local TAC (you have to call 844-545-5640 to schedule), brought all my documentation (divorce decree, previous tax returns, ID, etc.), and got everything resolved in one 30-minute visit. Just make sure you ask what documents to bring when you schedule. Do you know what specific questions you need answered about your filing status?

I went through this exact situation two years ago and want to share what worked for me. The in-person route that Omar mentioned is honestly your best bet if you have a TAC nearby. I tried calling for weeks with no success, but the TAC appointment got everything sorted in one visit. For your specific situation with a divorce finalized last month, you'll definitely want to bring: your final divorce decree, your 2023 tax return if already filed, your ex-spouse's SSN (if you have it), and any documentation about custody arrangements if you have kids. The agent will walk you through whether you should file as Single, Head of Household, or if you need to amend anything. Much less stressful than the phone marathon!