One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is keeping detailed records of your cleanup and restoration costs too. After Hurricane Michael, I learned that reasonable costs for cleaning, repairs, and even temporary storage while dealing with the damage can sometimes be included in your casualty loss calculation. Also, if you're dealing with contaminated floodwater like you mentioned (sewage backup), make sure to document any health-related expenses from exposure. While medical costs aren't part of the casualty loss itself, they might be deductible as medical expenses if they exceed the threshold. For your antique valuation issue, consider reaching out to local auction houses or estate sale companies. Many of them can provide informal estimates based on photos, and having that professional opinion documented in writing adds credibility to your claim. Even if it's not a formal appraisal, it shows you made a reasonable effort to establish fair market value. The key is showing the IRS that you acted in good faith and used reasonable methods to determine values. Your photos of the damage are actually really valuable evidence that many people forget to take, so you're ahead of the game there.

I want to add something important about the sewage contamination aspect that hasn't been fully addressed. When floodwater contains sewage (which you mentioned), the IRS actually allows you to claim the full replacement cost for certain contaminated items rather than just fair market value, since they're considered a health hazard that can't be properly cleaned. This is particularly relevant for your clothing, mattresses, and upholstered furniture that were soaked in contaminated water. For these items, you can often claim what it would cost to replace them with similar items today, not just their depreciated value before the hurricane. This can significantly increase your deductible loss. You'll want to clearly document which items were exposed to sewage contamination versus clean floodwater. Take photos that show the water line and any visible contamination, and keep records of any professional recommendations you received about disposal of contaminated items. Also, regarding your FEMA payment - make sure you understand exactly what it covered. If FEMA designated some of that $1,350 for specific items (like temporary housing assistance), those amounts might not reduce your casualty loss for different categories of property. You should have received documentation from FEMA breaking down what the payment was intended to cover. Have you considered consulting with a tax professional who specializes in disaster losses? Given the complexity with the sewage contamination and the mix of antiques and regular household items, it might be worth the cost to ensure you're maximizing your legitimate deductions while staying compliant.

I filed my Maryland return on February 10th and just received my refund this morning (March 27th) - about 6.5 weeks total! I'm in Howard County and had a fairly straightforward return with W-2 income and some itemized deductions. Like others have mentioned, the Maryland tracking system still shows "being processed" even though the money is already in my account as of 7:45 AM today. The amount was exactly what I calculated, so no issues there. For context, my federal refund came through in 16 days, so this Maryland delay was definitely unusual compared to previous years. Based on all the timelines I'm seeing in this thread, it looks like they're steadily working through the February filers now. If you filed mid to late February, I'd expect to see your refund within the next 1-2 weeks. Definitely check your bank account directly rather than relying on their tracker - it seems to be updating days or even weeks behind the actual deposits!

Filed my Maryland return on February 3rd and FINALLY got my refund deposited this morning (March 28th) - exactly 53 days! I'm in Carroll County and had a pretty standard return with W-2 income and standard deduction. Like everyone else is saying, the Maryland tracker STILL shows "being processed" even though the money hit my account at 6:22 AM today. The deposit amount matched exactly what I calculated on my return. For those still waiting who filed in late January/early February - hang in there! It seems like they're finally working through that backlog. My federal came in 12 days, so this 7+ week wait for Maryland was definitely abnormal compared to previous years. I called the comptroller's office twice and got completely different timelines each time, so honestly just ignore what they tell you on the phone and focus on checking your bank account each morning. Based on all the timelines in this thread, it really does seem like they're processing chronologically but just MUCH slower than usual due to the enhanced fraud checks everyone's mentioning.

Has anyone used TurboTax Self-Employed for a situation with multiple income sources? Worth the money or nah?

I'm in a very similar boat with multiple income streams - W2 from my day job, freelance writing work, and selling crafts on Etsy. What really helped me get organized was setting up separate business bank accounts for each of my self-employment activities. It makes tracking income and expenses so much cleaner when tax time comes around. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier - start tracking your business mileage NOW if you're not already! Any trips for your marketing contractor work or to buy supplies for your handmade items can be deductible. I use a simple mileage app on my phone and it's saved me hundreds in deductions. Also, don't forget about the home office deduction if you use part of your home exclusively for your graphic design work or crafting. Even if it's just a corner of a room, it can add up to significant savings. The simplified method lets you deduct $5 per square foot up to 300 square feet, which is much easier than calculating actual expenses.

As someone who's been through this exact situation, I'd recommend focusing primarily on your mother's passing. A death in the immediate family is one of the few explanations the IRS consistently accepts for penalty abatement. The mail delay from Canada is more subjective and harder to prove without a receipt. Make sure you're using Form 843 for your abatement request and attach a detailed letter explaining both factors. I'd also recommend calling the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service at 877-777-4778 - they're actually helpful (shocking, I know) and can sometimes expedite these requests when there are extenuating circumstances like a death in the family.

Don't overlook the fact this is your first year filing Form 5500EZ! The IRS has a First-Time Penalty Abatement (FTA) policy that's separate from reasonable cause abatement. You qualify if you: 1) Didn't have to file 5500EZ before 2) Have no penalties in the past 3 years 3) Are compliant with all filing and payment requirements So you actually have THREE strong arguments: bereavement, international mail delay, AND first-time penalty abatement. The FTA is almost automatically granted if you qualify, so definitely lead with that in your request!

Quick question - does anyone know how this works if the partnership owns mostly real estate? My dad wants to sell his partnership interest to me and my sister, but the partnership's main assets are three commercial properties.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is the importance of getting a proper valuation of the partnership interest before the sale. The IRS requires that sales between family members be at fair market value to avoid gift tax implications. If your cousin sells below market value, the IRS could treat the difference as a gift to the buyers. For a partnership that trades stocks and bonds, the valuation might seem straightforward since you have liquid assets, but you also need to consider factors like marketability discounts for minority interests, any built-in gains or losses in the portfolio, and the partnership's operating agreement restrictions. I'd also recommend checking if your partnership agreement has any buy-sell provisions or right of first refusal clauses that might affect the transaction. These provisions could impact both the sale price and the tax treatment.