12 Any recommendations for how to track all this depreciation stuff? I've got 3 rental properties and I keep losing track of what improvements I've made, when they were done, and how I'm supposed to be depreciating everything. Is there a good software or system that others use?

8 Just wanted to add another perspective from someone who's been through this exact situation. I had a $3,800 AC unit replacement last year and initially tried to claim it as a repair expense. Big mistake! The IRS flagged my return and I had to provide documentation proving it was actually a capital improvement that needed depreciation. What saved me was keeping detailed records - the invoice showing it was a "replacement" not a "repair," photos of the old unit being removed, and the contractor's statement about expected lifespan. The IRS agent I eventually spoke with explained that the key distinction is whether you're fixing something broken vs. replacing a major component entirely. For anyone going through this, make sure your contractor's invoice clearly states "replacement" and keep all documentation. It'll save you headaches if the IRS has questions later.

Have you checked if the IRS tried to direct deposit your refund? In my experience, they usually try to refund using the same method you paid with. Since one payment came from your checking and one from savings, maybe check both accounts for a deposit around the same amount? Also, the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool might show the status, although it can be hit or miss for situations like this.

Just a quick tip - if you're having trouble getting your refund, make sure to request interest! The IRS is required to pay interest on overpayments after 45 days. At current rates that's like 7% annual interest, so for your $1215 over 7 months that's around $50 extra you should get.

one thing i wanted to add... check ur state's laws on unfair business practices. in california we have something called the unfair competition law that gives u the right to sue for this exact kind of thing. a lot of states have similar laws. my brother got tricked by one of these tax relief places a few years back... they told him they could fix everything then did nothing but cash his checks. he got a free consult with a consumer rights attorney who took the case on contingency (means they only get paid if u win) and he ended up getting back almost double what he paid bc they have to pay damages in some states. not sure where u live but worth checking if u cant get anywhere with the credit card dispute

I'm really sorry this happened to you - these tax relief scams are unfortunately very common and they specifically target people who are already stressed about their tax situation. One thing I'd add to all the great advice here is to also report this to your state's consumer protection agency if you haven't already. They often have enforcement powers that can help shut these companies down and sometimes even help recover funds through restitution programs. Also, when you're dealing with the IRS directly (which several people have recommended), make sure to ask about the Fresh Start program if you qualify. It's a legitimate IRS program that can help with payment plans, offers in compromise, and penalty relief. Many of these scam companies promise things that are actually available for free directly through the IRS. Document everything you can about the company - their phone numbers, addresses, website, any other names they operate under. This information can be valuable for law enforcement and other agencies investigating them. Sometimes these companies operate under multiple names to avoid their bad reputation. Keep fighting for your money back - you deserve it after what they put you through!

I just went through this exact same situation last month! The "TAX REFUND PROC for RFND DISB" description is totally normal - it's just how some banks display IRS direct deposits. The real issue is your missing $1,100. In my case, it turned out to be an offset for an old federal student loan that had gone into default years ago. I had completely forgotten about it since it was from a different servicer. The crazy part is I never received any notice that they were going to take money from my refund. Here's what I learned: You can actually check if you have any offsets BEFORE filing your taxes by calling the Treasury Offset Program at 1-800-304-3107. They'll tell you exactly what debts you have that could reduce your refund. I wish I had known about this earlier! Also, don't panic about waiting for the letter - mine took almost 4 weeks to arrive. If you need answers sooner, that phone number I mentioned will give you all the details about where your money went.

I've been reading through all these responses and wanted to share my experience too! I got that same "TAX REFUND PROC for RFND DISB" code last year when my refund was reduced by $800. Like others mentioned, the description itself is normal - it's just how the IRS labels certain direct deposits. What helped me figure out the issue was requesting my IRS transcript online at irs.gov. It's free and shows all the activity on your tax account, including any offsets or adjustments. Look for transaction codes like TC 898 (which indicates an offset) or TC 290 (which shows adjustments to your return). The transcript will have cryptic codes, but you can find explanations for most of them on the IRS website or by calling their automated line at 1-800-829-1040. In my case, it was an old overpayment from unemployment benefits that I had to pay back. One thing I learned is that if you disagree with an offset (like if you think the debt isn't yours), you can dispute it. But you have to act fast - there are time limits on challenging these things. The letter they send will explain your appeal rights, but don't wait too long to take action if you think there's an error. Hope this helps! The waiting and uncertainty is the worst part, but you'll get answers soon.

lol y'all are overthinking this. if my server doesn't have to pay taxes on tips, I'm still tipping the same 20% cause its not their fault the tax code is messed up. us working folks gotta stick together instead of fighting over scraps.

I think there's a bigger picture here that we're missing. The real issue isn't whether tips should be tax-free or not - it's that we have a broken system where service workers are forced to rely on the generosity of customers to make a living wage in the first place. In most other developed countries, servers get paid a proper wage and tips are truly optional. The fact that we're debating tax policy around tips shows how backwards our approach to worker compensation has become. Whether tips are taxed or not, restaurants should be paying their employees enough to live on without depending on tips. That said, until we fix the underlying wage structure, I'd still tip normally regardless of the tax implications. The server didn't choose this system and they still need to pay rent and buy groceries. But maybe this conversation about tip taxes will finally push us toward addressing the real problem - poverty wages in the service industry.