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Had the exact same issue with Error 6000 last month! What finally worked for me was calling the Taxpayer Advocate Service at 1-877-777-4778. They're separate from regular IRS customer service and can actually escalate account restrictions. Takes about 2-3 weeks but they resolved mine without needing an office visit. Definitely worth trying before making that 2 hour drive!
Anyone know if the standard mileage rate is still 65.5 cents per mile for 2025? I'm tryng to estimate my deductions for next year.
Great question! I've been in a similar situation with my rental properties. The key principle is that you can only deduct the actual miles you drove, not multiply them by the number of properties visited. For your 15-mile round trip to work on both units, you should allocate those miles between the properties rather than claiming the full amount for each. Since you spent 2 hours at Unit A and 1 hour at Unit B, a reasonable allocation would be 10 miles to Unit A (2/3 of the trip) and 5 miles to Unit B (1/3 of the trip). This allocation method is defensible because it's based on the actual time spent at each property. You could also do a 50/50 split if the work was roughly equal in importance. The IRS cares more about having a reasonable, consistent method than the exact formula you use. Make sure to document your allocation method and keep good records showing the date, purpose of the trip, properties visited, and how you divided the mileage. This will help if you're ever questioned about your deductions. Whatever you do, don't claim the full 15 miles on both Schedule E forms - that would definitely be improper double-counting that could trigger problems with the IRS.
Don't forget about the annual gift tax exclusion too! It's currently $17,000 per recipient per donor (2023 amount, will be adjusted for inflation). So you and your spouse could each give $17k to each of your kids/grandkids each year without touching your lifetime exemption at all. For a family with several children and grandchildren, this can add up to substantial wealth transfer over time.
Is the annual exclusion in addition to the lifetime amount? And does it make sense to use the annual exclusion first before dipping into the lifetime amount for larger gifts?
Yes, the annual exclusion is completely separate from your lifetime exemption. You can give up to the annual limit ($17,000 per recipient in 2023) each year without filing a gift tax return or using any of your lifetime exemption. It absolutely makes sense to use the annual exclusion every year before making larger gifts that would use your lifetime exemption. Think of the annual exclusion as "use it or lose it" - if you don't use it in a given year, that opportunity is gone. Many wealthy families make a practice of giving the maximum annual amount to each family member every year as part of their estate planning strategy.
Make sure you're also considering state-level estate taxes! Not all states follow federal exemption amounts. I live in a state with a much lower estate tax threshold, and didn't realize I needed separate planning for state vs federal.
Which states have their own estate or gift taxes? I thought most followed the federal rules.
Currently 12 states plus DC have their own estate taxes with lower exemption thresholds than federal: Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. The exemptions range from $1 million (Oregon) to $12.9 million (Connecticut). Some states like New York have a "cliff" effect where if you exceed the threshold by even a small amount, you lose the entire exemption. Additionally, only Connecticut and Minnesota have state-level gift taxes that mirror their estate tax exemptions. It's definitely worth checking your state's specific rules!
Has anyone actually gotten their refund after going through all this identity theft mess? I filed my 14039 almost 7 months ago and still nothing. The identity theft PIN came after 4 months but no movement on my refund.
I got mine after 9 months last year. It was a nightmare but the money did eventually come through with interest. The key for me was getting someone on the phone around the 6-month mark who could verify it was still in process and hadn't been lost or forgotten.
That's somewhat reassuring, thanks. 9 months is ridiculous but at least you got interest on it. Did you have to do anything special to keep the case moving, or did it just resolve on its own after you confirmed it was still in process?
I'm going through this exact same situation right now - filed my 14039 about 8 weeks ago after getting the duplicate e-file rejection. The waiting and uncertainty is absolutely maddening! One thing that's helped me manage the stress is setting up alerts on my IRS account online (if you can access it) and checking the "Where's My Refund" tool weekly, even though it probably won't show updates for identity theft cases. I also started keeping a detailed log of every call attempt, reference numbers, and any correspondence - it makes me feel like I'm doing something productive while waiting. @Isabella Silva - have you tried reaching out to your local Taxpayer Advocate Service office? They can sometimes help expedite cases that have been stuck in the system for an unreasonable amount of time. The 10-week mark might be worth giving them a call, especially since you're experiencing financial hardship waiting for your refund. Hang in there - from everything I've read here, it sounds like persistence pays off eventually, even though the timeline is frustratingly long.
Melina Haruko
Hey there! I know exactly how you're feeling right now - that panic when you see an unexpected code is so real! π° I've been through the 570 situation twice, and both times it resolved within about 2 weeks without me having to do anything. The first time I was a complete wreck checking my transcript every few hours, but the second time I knew what to expect. From my experience and what I've seen others share here, the 570 is usually just the IRS doing routine verification - maybe checking your W-2s match what employers reported, or verifying some credits you claimed. The key thing to watch for is whether a 971 code pops up alongside it in the next week or so - that would mean they're sending you a letter with more details. Since you're caring for your mom and really need this refund, I totally get the stress, but try to give it at least 7-10 days before worrying too much. Most of these clear up on their own! Keep us posted on how it goes! π
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Angelica Smith
β’Thank you so much for sharing your experience! π It's really comforting to know that you've been through this twice and it worked out both times. I'm definitely trying to channel that "second time" energy where you knew what to expect rather than the "first time" panic mode! π Your advice about waiting 7-10 days before getting too worried is really helpful - I think I needed to hear a specific timeframe to help manage my expectations. And yes, I'll definitely be watching for that 971 code! I really appreciate you taking the time to reassure someone who's clearly stressed out about this. This community is amazing for support during these nerve-wracking times!
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Yuki Tanaka
I completely understand that panic feeling! π° The 570 code definitely looks scary when you first see it, but from everything I've learned in this community, it's usually just a temporary processing hold. The IRS puts these on returns when they need to verify something - could be matching your W-2 info, checking credits you claimed, or sometimes it's just random selection for review. Most people here report their 570s clearing up within 2-3 weeks without any action needed. Since you're dealing with caregiving responsibilities and really need that refund, I know the uncertainty is extra stressful. Keep checking for a 971 code - that would mean they're sending you a letter explaining what they're reviewing. Try to hang in there and give it at least a week before panicking too much. This community is great for support, so keep us updated! π€
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