Former tax office manager here. Those disclaimers ARE standard, but what your tax preparer is doing is not providing proper service for what you're paying. Here's what should be happening: 1. The questionnaire is normal but should be SUPPLEMENTED by an actual consultation where the preparer reviews your situation and looks for tax planning opportunities 2. A quality preparer should be available for questions throughout the year, not just at tax time 3. While they all have liability disclaimers, reputable firms carry Errors & Omissions insurance specifically to cover mistakes they make 4. They should offer audit assistance as part of their service package You're definitely overpaying for glorified data entry. I'd recommend interviewing other preparers and specifically asking about what value-added services they provide beyond basic return preparation. Ask about their process for reviewing returns before filing and what happens if there's an IRS notice.

I went through the same thing and switched to a different CPA who charges about the same but provides WAY more value. The questionnaire is pretty standard (mine uses one too), but my new accountant: 1. Has a 30-minute consultation AFTER reviewing my documents to discuss strategies 2. Sends tax planning emails throughout the year with deadlines and tips 3. Answers quick questions by email year-round at no extra charge 4. Has an explicit policy that they cover penalties/interest if the mistake is their fault Not all tax pros are created equal! I'd interview a few others and specifically ask about these things. My guy costs $400 for a fairly complex return with some investment income and a small side business, which seems pretty standard in my area.

My friend tried deducting his real estate courses last year and got audited! The IRS disallowed the deduction because they said his education was preparing him for a "new trade or business" since he only owned one rental property at the time. Just be careful and document everything!!

The key distinction that tripped up your friend's situation is really important for everyone to understand. The IRS looks at whether you're already operating as a business versus preparing to enter a new business. With just one rental property, it can be harder to establish that you're already running a legitimate rental business operation. In your case with 2 duplexes over 3 years, you have a much stronger position to argue you're already in the rental business and the MBA courses are maintaining/improving existing skills. The fact that you're already paying taxes on rental income and have multiple properties helps establish this as an ongoing business activity. However, I'd still recommend being very conservative and only claiming the portions of courses that directly relate to your current landlord activities. Document how specific course modules connect to tasks you already perform - like tenant screening, property maintenance planning, financial analysis of your existing properties, etc. Avoid claiming anything that looks like it's preparing you for real estate development, commercial property acquisition, or other activities you're not currently doing.

Just want to warn everyone - be super careful about claiming ESA expenses. My friend tried deducting her emotional support cat expenses last year and got audited. The IRS made her pay back all the deductions plus penalties. Unless your situation clearly qualifies under the service animal rules, it's probably not worth the risk.

Thanks for sharing this question - it's one that comes up a lot and the answers here are really helpful. I went through something similar with my therapy dog last year. Just to add another perspective: even if you can't deduct the ESA expenses directly, don't forget that you can still deduct your therapy sessions and any other mental health treatment costs (assuming you itemize and meet the 7.5% AGI threshold). The therapy that led to your ESA prescription is definitely a legitimate medical expense. Also, keep really detailed records of everything - receipts, vet bills, your therapist's documentation, etc. Even if you don't claim the ESA expenses this year, tax laws can change, and having good documentation ready is always smart. The IRS appreciates thorough record-keeping if you ever do get questioned about any medical deductions. Hope Milo continues to help with your anxiety and depression - ESAs can make such a difference even if the tax benefits aren't there!

I completely understand your frustration, and you're definitely not alone in this struggle. Based on what others have shared here, contacting your representative seems like a legitimate option worth trying, especially given your financial hardship situation. From what I've gathered, the key factors for success appear to be: - Documenting your specific hardship with actual bills/notices - Ensuring your amended return is well beyond normal processing times - Having attempted other avenues first (like calling the IRS directly) The experiences shared here are encouraging - several people got results within 2-4 weeks after their representative intervened. The privacy release form seems to be standard, and the congressional liaison offices apparently have special channels for these situations. Given your childcare costs, bills, and car repair needs, this sounds like exactly the type of genuine hardship case that would qualify for assistance. The worst they can say is no, but it seems like many people have had positive outcomes. I'd say it's worth a shot - you're already in a difficult position, so why not try every available option? Good luck, and I hope you get the resolution you need soon!

I'm really sorry you're going through this - the financial stress while waiting for an amended return is absolutely brutal. Based on all the experiences shared here, it definitely sounds like contacting your representative is worth pursuing, especially since you have documented hardships like childcare costs and needed car repairs. A few practical tips from what I've gathered: make sure you have all your hardship documentation ready (bills, notices, etc.) and be prepared to fill out that privacy release form quickly. It sounds like the congressional offices are pretty experienced with these IRS cases, so they should be able to guide you through the process. One thing that stood out to me is that multiple people mentioned the timeline being around 2-4 weeks after the representative intervenes, which is much better than the months people wait otherwise. Given that you're already in a tough spot financially, it really seems like you have nothing to lose by trying this route. I hope you get some relief soon - this whole system shouldn't put people in impossible situations like this. Keep us updated on how it goes!

Has anyone gone through probate in both countries? My mom just passed with assets in both UK and US (we're all dual citizens too), and I'm getting conflicting advice about which country's probate process takes precedence. The solicitor in the UK is saying one thing, and the attorney here is saying another.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Thais. Going through this process while grieving is incredibly difficult. I wanted to add something that might be helpful regarding timing - make sure you understand the deadlines for various filings. While the inheritance itself isn't taxable income to you, there are specific timeframes for some of the international reporting requirements that others have mentioned. For FBAR filing, the deadline is typically April 15th (with an automatic extension to October 15th), but this applies to the tax year when you had the reportable foreign accounts. Form 8938 has different thresholds and deadlines that align with your regular tax return. Also, since you mentioned the house is currently being sold by the estate, keep detailed records of all expenses related to the sale (legal fees, real estate commissions, etc.). These can potentially be deducted from the estate value and may affect your stepped-up basis calculation if there are any remaining assets after the sale. Given the complexity of dual-country estates and the substantial amount involved, I'd strongly recommend consulting with a tax professional who has experience with UK-US tax issues. The peace of mind is worth the cost, especially when dealing with amounts in the hundreds of thousands.