Has anyone tried claiming these types of loans as gifts instead? If you're below the annual gift tax exclusion amount (which is $18,000 for 2025), wouldn't it be easier to just consider it a gift for tax purposes? You wouldn't get a deduction but at least you wouldn't risk an audit, right?

I went through something similar with my sister a few years back. One thing that really helped me understand the situation was documenting everything I could find - not just for potential tax purposes, but to get clarity on what I actually had. Even though your original agreement was just text messages, gather everything you can: the initial texts about the loan terms, any payment records (bank transfers, checks, etc.), and any subsequent communications about repayment. If your brother acknowledged the debt in writing at any point, that's valuable too. The reality is that most personal loans to family members don't qualify for bad debt deductions because the IRS assumes they're really gifts unless you can prove otherwise. But having good documentation helps you understand where you stand and what your options are. You might also want to consider having a frank conversation with your brother about officially writing off the remaining balance - sometimes that's better for family relationships than dragging it out indefinitely. Whatever you decide, don't claim the deduction unless you're confident you can back it up with solid documentation. The last thing you want is an audit over a questionable deduction.

I verified my identity last month and same thing happened. Check came right on schedule tho

This is actually pretty common - happened to me two years ago. The IRS switched my DD to check even though my bank info was perfect. Turned out they flagged my return for routine verification. The frustrating part is you really can't do anything until after that April 7 deadline they gave you. I know it sucks waiting an extra month, but the check usually arrives pretty close to the date they give you. Just keep an eye on your mailbox around March 10th and maybe a few days after. At least your return is fully processed so there's no issue with the refund itself, just the delivery method.

Pro tip: Call the IN DOR early morning right when they open. Way shorter wait times and sometimes they can tell you if theres any issues holding things up that dont show online

I'm going through the exact same thing! Filed my Indiana return on 2/5 and it's been stuck on "processing" ever since. Really frustrating because my federal came back weeks ago. At least now I know I'm not alone in this - sounds like Indiana is just really backed up this year. Guess we just gotta be patient 😤

The IRS systems are such a joke fr fr 💀

I feel your pain! Same thing happened to me - couldn't access my transcript online for ages due to some verification glitch. What finally worked for me was going to an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center in person with my ID and Social Security card. They were able to reset my online access on the spot. You can find your nearest office on the IRS website and make an appointment. It's a bit of a hassle but way faster than waiting weeks for mail delivery!

lol this is literally why i stopped volunteering for dorm events. my hall director had me buy $200 of halloween decorations "to be reimbursed" and then made me fill out 5 different forms and wait 2 months to get my money back. and yeah they wanted a w9 too. the whole university system is broken

Current university tax specialist here - you're absolutely right to ask about this! The W9 is completely standard procedure and doesn't change the tax treatment of your reimbursement. Since you have receipts showing you purchased supplies for an official university event, this should be processed as a non-taxable reimbursement. The university is just following their accounting protocols by collecting your tax ID information upfront - it's much easier for them to get a W9 from everyone than to determine case-by-case who might need one later. One tip: when you submit your reimbursement request, make sure to clearly label it as "Event Supply Reimbursement" and attach all your receipts. This helps their accounting team code it correctly in their system. Also keep copies of everything for your records - the receipts, the W9, and any emails about the reimbursement. The $145 amount is well below any threshold that would trigger additional scrutiny. You should receive your money back without any tax implications as long as everything is properly documented as a reimbursement rather than payment for services.