Does anyone use a specific app for scanning receipts? I've been using just my regular camera app but the pics often come out blurry or with shadows.

I've been using Google Drive's built-in document scanner feature and it works great for receipts. You just open the Drive app, hit the plus button, and select "Scan" - it automatically crops the receipt and adjusts the contrast to make text more readable. Plus everything gets saved directly to your cloud storage so you don't have to worry about losing photos if your phone dies. One tip I learned the hard way - make sure to scan receipts from places like gas stations and grocery stores ASAP because thermal paper fades really quickly. I had some receipts from just 6 months ago that were completely blank when I tried to photograph them later. Digital copies saved me during tax prep since the originals had basically disappeared.

At least you got movement! Mine's been stuck on N/A since February 💀

I'm seeing the same pattern on my transcript! Got the 570 freeze about 2 weeks ago after initially showing all zeros. The waiting is brutal but at least we know they're actively working on our returns. From what I've read, once you see those codes it usually means you're in some kind of verification queue. Keep checking your mail daily - that notice will tell you exactly what they need. Fingers crossed we both get movement soon! 🤞

I've been helping people with tax issues for about 8 years now, and unfortunately, this TurboTax check problem seems to be happening to quite a few people this year. In my experience, the fastest solution is probably to deposit the check at your primary bank (not a check cashing place), and perhaps talk to a manager about reducing the hold time since it's a tax refund check. It might also be worth considering that sometimes these problems occur when there's a mismatch between the name on your tax return and the name on your bank account, which can cause direct deposits to be rejected and converted to checks. Just something to possibly check for next year.

This is exactly why I've been telling people to avoid TurboTax this year! I'm a tax preparer and I've seen at least 15 clients come to me with this exact same issue - the mysterious check number 100001 that banks won't cash. What's really frustrating is that TurboTax isn't being transparent about this problem. They're calling it a "small percentage" but from what I'm seeing, it's affecting way more people than they're admitting. The worst part is that families who need their refunds for rent, groceries, or other essentials are getting screwed over by a company that's supposed to make tax filing easier, not harder. I've been recommending clients file amended returns to get direct deposit set up properly, but that's another 8-12 week wait. Absolutely ridiculous that a major tax software company can't handle basic payment processing in 2025.

Is this a final estate tax return or ongoing? Because if it's the final one, you might want to spend the extra money just to make sure everything is perfect. The last thing you want is the IRS coming back with questions after you've closed everything out.

I went through this exact situation with my dad's estate two years ago and ended up going with FreeTaxUSA after comparing several options. At around $90, it was definitely cheaper than TaxAct's $139.99, and their estate tax module handled the 1041, Schedule D, and 8949 without any issues. One thing I learned is that if this is a simple estate (under $600 in income), you might not even need to file Form 1041 at all - double check the filing requirements first. But if you do need to file, I'd honestly recommend spending the money for e-filing rather than mailing paper forms. The processing is faster, you get confirmation it was received, and if there are any errors, you'll find out much sooner. Also, make sure you're taking advantage of any available deductions for administration expenses - those can significantly reduce the estate's tax liability and make the filing fee worth it in the long run.

Something important that hasn't been mentioned yet: If you agree with the IRS's findings on the 4800C, you typically have payment options. You can pay in full immediately, set up an installment agreement, or potentially qualify for an Offer in Compromise if you can't pay the full amount. The key is to respond within the timeframe they specify (usually 30 days) even if you can't pay right away. Ignoring the notice will only result in additional interest and potential penalties. Also, keep in mind that if you disagree, the burden of proof is on you to show why the IRS determination is incorrect.

Hey Andre! I totally understand your panic - I had the same reaction when I got my first 4800C notice! 😅 The good news is that everyone here has given you excellent advice. Since you mentioned you sold stocks this year and tried doing your own taxes, there's a very high chance this is related to those stock transactions. Here's what probably happened: When you sold your stocks, your broker reported the sale proceeds to the IRS on a 1099-B form. But sometimes the cost basis (what you originally paid for the stocks) isn't reported correctly or at all. So the IRS thinks you made more profit than you actually did. Before you do anything else, grab your original tax return and compare it line by line with what the IRS is showing on the notice. Look specifically at Schedule D if you reported capital gains. The discrepancy might be obvious once you see them side by side. Also, definitely keep all your brokerage statements and purchase records handy - you'll likely need them to prove your actual cost basis if you disagree with their calculations. Don't let the tax jargon intimidate you - you've got this! 💪