You seem to have a good grasp on the process already, which is probably going to work in your favor. In my experience, which is admittedly somewhat limited, the system updates faster when you've successfully completed the verification in a single call. It's possible, though not guaranteed, that you might see movement in as little as 5-7 business days, especially if your return is otherwise straightforward. The IRS has been, in my observation, processing these verification cases more efficiently this filing season.

I went through identity verification just last week and can share what happened in my case. The agent told me it was specifically for Form 8962 (Premium Tax Credit) verification, and she mentioned my case would be prioritized since it was a "simple authentication" rather than a full identity theft case. My timeline so far: verified on Tuesday, transcript still shows the 570 hold as of yesterday (day 6). The agent said to expect 2-3 weeks, but based on what others are saying here, it sounds like it could be sooner. One thing that might help - when you call back to check status, ask them to confirm the specific type of verification you completed. There are apparently different processing queues depending on whether it's identity theft, Premium Tax Credit, Earned Income Credit, or just general authentication. Knowing which queue you're in can give you a better timeline estimate. Good luck with yours! The waiting is definitely the hardest part.

Alternative verification options to consider: • In-person verification at Taxpayer Assistance Centers (appointment required) • Phone verification via the dedicated Identity Verification hotline • Third-party in-person verification through certain tax professionals • Online verification through ID.me (fastest option) Each has different processing times. I've found the online method typically reduces overall processing by 7-10 days compared to other methods. Hope this helps with your analysis!

This is incredibly helpful data! I've been tracking my own verification timeline and can confirm the 15-day delivery window. Filed on February 28th, got flagged for verification on March 3rd, and received my CP01 letter on March 18th - exactly 15 days later. What I found interesting is that checking my transcript daily showed the 971 code appeared 2 days before I actually received the physical letter. For anyone waiting, I'd recommend checking your transcript on the IRS website regularly since it updates faster than mail delivery. Currently waiting for my verification to process after completing it online through ID.me last week.

OMG this happened to me and I found a workaround! If you act FAST, you might be able to use the IRS's "Get My Payment" tool to update your bank info before they process the deposit! I literally caught mine just in time last year. Otherwise, if the deposit gets rejected, don't stress too much - they'll automatically mail you a check, but it'll take an extra 2-4 weeks. Another option is setting up mail forwarding with USPS if you're moving soon, so you don't miss the paper check. Whatever you do, DON'T file an amended return for this - it would only delay things more!

I understand your anxiety about this situation! As someone who works in tax preparation, I see this issue fairly regularly. The good news is that name mismatches on direct deposits are actually quite common with joint returns, and the IRS has established procedures to handle them. When the deposit attempt fails (which it likely will since Walmart MoneyCard confirmed they don't allow joint accounts), the IRS system will automatically convert your refund to a paper check. This typically adds 2-3 weeks to your timeline, but it's completely automatic - no action needed on your part. Just make sure your mailing address is current with the IRS. Also, definitely don't amend your return for this issue - it would only cause more delays. The IRS considers this a payment processing issue, not a filing error. Keep checking the "Where's My Refund" tool, and it should update you when the status changes from direct deposit to paper check being mailed.

Has anyone actually tried doing an STR in an Opportunity Zone? I heard there are additional tax benefits but not sure if they stack with the cost segregation benefits.

This is a solid strategy that I've been using for the past two years with great success. The key points everyone mentioned are spot-on, but I'd add a few practical considerations from my experience: First, the 7-day average stay rule is calculated across the entire tax year, not per booking. So you can have some longer stays as long as your overall average stays under 7 days. I track this monthly to make sure I'm on target. Second, documentation is EVERYTHING. I use a detailed spreadsheet tracking every hour spent on property management, maintenance, marketing, guest communication, etc. Include travel time to the property, time spent researching market rates, even time spent on STR education/training. The IRS wants contemporaneous records, so log hours as you go, not at year-end. Third, consider the state tax implications too. Some states don't allow the same federal deductions, so factor that into your ROI calculations. The strategy absolutely works, but it requires treating it like a real business with proper record-keeping. At your income level, you'll definitely want a CPA experienced with STR tax strategies to make sure you're maximizing benefits while staying compliant.

Another option to get your AGI: If you used tax software last year, just log back into your account. Most of the major ones (TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct, etc.) keep your returns on file. I just logged into mine from last year and found my AGI in like 2 minutes. For your specific calculation question - your AGI is basically: Total income (wages + any other income) minus certain "above-the-line" deductions. Those specific college expenses might qualify for the American Opportunity Credit or Lifetime Learning Credit rather than direct AGI reduction.

Quick tip that helped me: if ur trying to e-file and need last years AGI, some tax software lets u answer "0" or "Did not file" depending on ur situation. Worked 4 me when I couldn't remember my exact AGI! If u need the exact calculation process, AGI is basically: total income - adjustments. The adjustments are specific things like student loan interest, self-employment tax, health insurance if self-employed, etc.