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pro tip: screenshot everything. irs website be acting crazy sometimes
fr fr learned that the hard way last year ๐ฏ
Just want to add that this "Information Not Available" message is super common right now since we're still early in tax season. The IRS systems are constantly updating as they process returns and make adjustments. I've seen this exact same message on my account for the past few weeks and it's totally normal. The key thing is your 2023 shows $0 which means you're in good standing. Don't stress about it - the 2024 info will populate once you file your return or if there are any updates to process. The IRS website can be confusing but this particular message is nothing to worry about!
This is really concerning and unfortunately more common than it should be. The CP40 is serious - it's the IRS's final notice before they start seizing assets, so you need to act quickly. First, verify this is legitimate by calling the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 (from their official website, not the number on the notice). Have your Social Security number and a copy of your 2021 tax return ready. Most likely what happened is the IRS sent previous notices (CP14, CP501, CP503, CP504) to an incorrect address. This could be due to: - Address changes not properly updated in their system - Mail delivery issues - The IRS using an old address from a previous return Your immediate next steps: 1. File Form 12153 (Request for Collection Due Process Hearing) within 30 days of the notice date. This stops all collection actions while you resolve this. 2. Request your account transcript online at irs.gov or by filing Form 4506-T to see what notices they claim to have sent and when. 3. If you've moved since filing your 2021 return, file Form 8822 to update your address. Don't panic, but don't delay either. The Collection Due Process hearing will give you time to sort this out without worrying about frozen bank accounts or wage garnishment. Many people successfully resolve these situations once they can actually communicate with the IRS.
This is excellent advice! I just want to emphasize how important that 30-day deadline is for Form 12153. I've seen people miss it by just a few days and then have to deal with frozen accounts while trying to resolve everything. Even if you're not sure about all the details yet, get that form filed first to protect yourself, then work on gathering the information you need. You can always provide additional documentation during the hearing process. The IRS website has the form available for download, and you can fax it if you're running short on time rather than waiting for mail delivery.
I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago and it was incredibly stressful at first, but it ended up being completely resolvable. Like others have mentioned, the CP40 is their "intent to levy" notice, which sounds scary but the key thing is you still have options. The most important thing RIGHT NOW is to file Form 12153 (Collection Due Process hearing request) immediately - you have 30 days from the notice date and this stops all collection actions while you sort things out. Don't wait on this even if you're still gathering information. In my case, I discovered the IRS had been sending notices to my old college apartment address from 4 years ago, even though I'd been consistently filing with my current address. The account transcript (which you can get online at irs.gov) showed they sent CP14, CP501, CP503, and CP504 notices over several months, all to the wrong address. When you call the IRS (try calling right at 7 AM when they open for shorter wait times), specifically ask them to read you ALL addresses they have associated with your SSN. This is often where the problem is - they can have multiple addresses in their system and use the wrong one for notices. Also file Form 8822 to update your address even if you think they have the right one - this creates a paper trail showing you made sure they had correct information. The Collection Due Process hearing bought me the time I needed to prove I never received the prior notices due to their address error. The whole thing took about 3 months to fully resolve, but having that protection in place meant I could sleep at night while working through it. You've got this - just act quickly on that Form 12153 deadline!
This is incredibly reassuring to hear from someone who's been through the exact same thing! I'm definitely feeling less panicked now knowing that this is actually a common issue that can be resolved. I'm going to file Form 12153 first thing in the morning - I keep seeing everyone emphasize that 30-day deadline and I'm not taking any chances with it. Your tip about calling at 7 AM is really helpful too since I've been dreading those legendary IRS hold times. It's crazy how their system can have multiple addresses and just randomly use the wrong one for notices. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience - it really helps to know there's light at the end of this tunnel!
Your in the home stretch! The $0 balance is basically the IRS saying everything checked out with your return. Now its just a waiting game for the deposit
this makes me feel so much better tysm!! ๐
This is definitely a good sign! The sudden change to $0.00 across both tax years usually indicates the IRS has completed their review and cleared any outstanding balances. I've seen this pattern many times - it typically happens when they're preparing to issue refunds. The key thing to watch for next is checking your transcript for code 846 (refund issued) with a direct deposit date. That's when you'll know for certain your refund is on the way. Most people see their deposit within 3-7 business days after the balance goes to zero. Keep checking your bank account and maybe set up alerts if you haven't already. You're probably very close to getting that refund!
Just wanted to add another perspective - I'm a Canadian freelance developer and I've been working with EU clients for years. My accountant advised me to get VAT numbers for my high-volume EU countries through a fiscal representative service. It was expensive but worth it for me because I have many B2C clients in those countries. If you're mainly dealing with B2B clients though, the reverse charge mechanism means you don't need to register or collect VAT. One practical tip: always ask new EU clients for their VAT registration number upfront and include it on your invoice. This documents that they're a business client subject to reverse charge.
How much did the fiscal representative service cost you? I've been looking into this but the quotes I'm getting seem ridiculously high.
I pay approximately โฌ800-1200 per year per country for the fiscal representation service, which includes quarterly VAT filings. It's definitely not cheap, which is why I only registered in countries where I have significant B2C business. For countries where I have just a few clients, it wouldn't be cost-effective. If you're getting higher quotes, it might be worth shopping around. There are firms that specialize in digital businesses and offer more competitive rates. Also, the OSS system now allows you to register in just one EU country and file VAT for all EU sales through that single registration, which can significantly reduce costs.
This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm also a Canadian freelancer and had been worrying about this exact issue with my growing EU client base. One thing I'd add for other Canadians reading this - make sure you're also considering the impact on your Canadian tax obligations. Even though you might not need to collect EU VAT, you still need to report all international income to CRA. I learned this the hard way during my first audit. Also, for invoice templates, I found that including a clear statement about the reverse charge helps avoid confusion with EU business clients. Something like "VAT reverse charged - Customer to account for VAT according to local regulations" seems to work well. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and the tool recommendations. It's so reassuring to know other Canadian freelancers have navigated this successfully!
Brian Downey
My accountant told me that when it comes to paper returns, the IRS has a process called "perfection" where they fix minor errors on returns before fully processing them. Wrong dates on signatures fall into this category. Major issues (missing forms, math errors that affect tax owed, missing signatures) will trigger notices, but minor issues like wrong dates are typically just corrected internally.
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Jacinda Yu
โขIs there any official guidance on this from the IRS? I've been searching their website and can't find anything specific about signature dates.
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Christopher Morgan
Don't stress about this! I made the exact same mistake on my 2023 return - wrote 2022 instead of 2023 on the signature date in February. I was mortified when I realized it after mailing, but my return processed completely normally with no issues or delays. The IRS really does understand that people make these simple date errors, especially in the first few months of the year when we're all still getting used to writing the new year. Your dual status situation is already the more complex part that they'll be focusing on - not a minor date typo. Since you caught it before mailing, you could always make the small correction that Quinn suggested (cross out, write correct date, initial), but honestly even if you don't, you'll be fine. Focus your energy on double-checking the actual tax calculations and forms rather than worrying about this small mistake!
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