Don't forget about the impacts on your credit! A levy or ongoing tax debt can seriously damage your credit score, which might also affect your visa process since they often look at financial stability. As soon as you get on a payment plan, request a withdrawal of any filed Notice of Federal Tax Lien (Form 12277). This can help repair your credit faster. The lien withdrawal doesn't remove your obligation to pay the debt, but it removes the public notice which hurts your credit.

I'm sorry you're going through this stressful situation. A few additional things to consider that might help: Since you mentioned your health condition, make sure to gather all your medical expense documentation. The IRS has provisions for financial hardship due to medical issues, and this could strengthen your case for an installment agreement or even Currently Not Collectible status. Also, regarding your K1 visa concerns - you're right to be worried about income requirements. When you call the IRS, specifically mention that you're sponsoring someone for immigration and ask them to note this in your file. Having an active payment plan is much better than an unresolved levy for immigration purposes, as it shows you're taking responsibility for your obligations. One more thing - after you get your payment plan set up, consider consulting with an Enrolled Agent or tax attorney who specializes in tax debt resolution. Many offer free consultations and can review your situation to see if you qualify for additional relief options you might not know about. The most important thing is to act quickly. Don't wait until after the levy hits - call first thing Monday morning. You still have options, and the IRS would rather work with you than go through the levy process. Stay organized, be honest about your situation, and don't be afraid to ask about all available relief programs.

I believe the Claimyr service might actually be worth considering in certain situations, particularly if there's any unexpected delay after your DDD passes. While it's probably not necessary right now since you have a confirmed date, it could potentially be helpful if, for instance, your deposit doesn't arrive within 3-5 business days after your DDD. Sometimes there can be unforeseen complications that might require speaking directly with an IRS representative, and in those cases, having a reliable way to reach them could save considerable time and stress.

Welcome to the US tax system! Since this is your first time filing, here are a few key things to expect: Your May 15th DDD means the IRS will release funds on that date, but with TurboTax's fee structure, it will definitely go through SBTPG first regardless of when fees were deducted. For CashApp specifically, I'd recommend double-checking that your account is verified for direct deposits and that the routing/account numbers match exactly what you provided to TurboTax. CashApp sometimes has stricter requirements for tax refunds than regular transfers. You should see the deposit 1-3 days after your DDD, but keep an eye on both the SBTPG portal and your CashApp notifications. The good news is that once you have a confirmed DDD, you're in the final stretch - just a few more days of patience after 4 months of waiting!

Has anyone actually claimed QBI for oil royalties and been audited? I'm worried about claiming this deduction and then getting flagged.

The key distinction everyone's mentioning about working vs. royalty interests is crucial here. Since you mentioned the trust "divides it up between all the relatives" and you're receiving monthly payments, this sounds like it could be structured as royalty interests rather than working interests. However, don't give up on QBI entirely yet. There's also Section 199A(c)(3)(B) which allows certain rental real estate activities to qualify for QBI if there's sufficient participation. While oil & gas royalties are different from rental real estate, some taxpayers have successfully argued that certain mineral extraction activities can qualify under similar principles. I'd recommend getting copies of the original lease agreements and trust documents to understand exactly what type of interest your husband's uncle held. Look for language about who bears the costs of extraction, development, and operations. If the trust or beneficiaries have any responsibility for these costs (even if minimal), you might have a stronger case for QBI treatment. Also, consider that even if the income doesn't qualify for QBI, you might still be able to deduct depletion allowances which can provide significant tax benefits for mineral interests.

Don't forget that if you can't pay the full amount right away, you can set up a payment plan online at irs.gov/payments. I had a CP14 for about $3,500 last year and set up a monthly payment plan in about 10 minutes. You'll still accrue some interest but it's way better than ignoring it and getting hit with more penalties.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago and it was really stressful at first. Just to echo what others have said - you don't need to specify a month when making your payment. The CP14 notice will have all the information the IRS needs to apply your payment correctly. One thing I learned is that the sooner you pay, the better. Those penalties and interest really add up fast - I waited an extra month thinking I had time and ended up paying about $200 more than I would have if I'd just paid immediately. Also, if you're worried about whether your payment was applied correctly after you send it, you can check your account transcript online at irs.gov about 2-3 weeks after they receive your payment. That way you'll have peace of mind that everything was processed properly.

Just wanted to point out something about the service plan - if you started your business in January but didn't get the phone until July, were you using a different phone for business from Jan-July? If so, don't forget to include the business portion of those expenses too! Many people miss out on legitimate deductions by forgetting about partial year expenses on old devices.

Great question! I went through this exact same situation last year with my consulting business. You're on the right track with your calculation - since you're financing the phone, you can only deduct the business portion of what you've actually paid during the tax year. So yes, $129 x 6 months x 0.8 = $619.20 for the phone payments is correct. Don't forget to also calculate your service plan deductions: $95 x 6 months x 0.8 = $456 (assuming you got the service plan when you got the phone in July). One tip that helped me a lot - keep a simple log for a couple weeks showing your business vs personal usage to justify that 80% figure. Screenshot your recent calls, texts, and app usage if possible. The IRS likes to see documentation backing up your business use percentage claims. Also, make sure you're consistent with how you categorize this expense each year on your Schedule C. Most people put it under "Utilities" but "Other expenses" works too - just pick one and stick with it.