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Have you tried using USPS Informed Delivery? It emails you scans of mail that's coming to your address each day. I started using it after missing an important tax document last year. Wouldn't it be better to know if the check is actually on its way instead of checking an empty mailbox every day?
I'm also in Alabama and still waiting for my paper check! Mine was scheduled for March 26th too, so it sounds like we're in the same batch. I've been using USPS Informed Delivery like Dylan mentioned, and it's been really helpful - at least I know when to expect it instead of constantly wondering. The regional processing does seem to be slower this year. I filed early February and had to switch to paper check because of a bank account issue too. Hopefully we'll both see them in the next few days!
Anyone know if this "undetermined term" stuff affects your overall tax liability? Like, if I can't find my original cost basis for some old Bitcoin I bought years ago, am I just screwed and have to report the full sale as gain?
Technically, if you can't document your cost basis, the IRS could consider it $0, meaning the entire proceeds would be taxable. However, they generally expect you to make a "reasonable effort" to determine your actual cost basis. If you truly can't find records of your original purchase, you might be able to use the price of Bitcoin on the approximate date you acquired it as your basis. Just document your methodology clearly in case of audit. But definitely try to find those original records first - old emails from exchanges, bank statements showing transfers, etc.
I went through this exact same situation last year with Robinhood! What worked for me was downloading my complete transaction history from Robinhood (you can get this from their web platform under Documents & Reports). Then I created a simple spreadsheet tracking all my crypto purchases chronologically. For those 3 undetermined transactions, I used FIFO method to match them with my earliest purchases. So if you sold 0.1 Bitcoin on a specific date, you'd match it with your first 0.1 Bitcoin purchase (or combine multiple small purchases until you hit 0.1). The key is being consistent with your method. Once you calculate the cost basis, report these on Form 8949 with Box C checked (short-term) or Box F (long-term), enter the sale proceeds from your 1099-B, then manually add your calculated cost basis and gain/loss. It's tedious but totally doable! I spent about 3 hours reconstructing everything but it was worth it to get it right. Make sure to keep documentation of your methodology in case the IRS ever asks.
After spending 6 months dealing with similar codes here's what I learned: dont panic about future dates they literally mean nothing. As long as you see that removal code youre probably good
Looking at your transcript, the 424 code with the freeze/unfreeze combo is actually a good sign! I had similar codes last year and it turned out to be routine verification of my EIC claim. The fact that codes 810 and 811 appear on the same date (2/10) suggests they're just cycling through their review process quickly. That $7,650 EIC amount is substantial so they're probably just double-checking your qualifying child info. The 971 notice will likely just confirm everything checks out. Don't stress about the future dates - the IRS computer system loves its weird timing quirks!
I've tried several and honestly found most of them disappointing until recently. Many couldn't read the receipts accurately, especially faded ones. The categorization was often wrong, and I'd spend more time fixing errors than it was worth. Recently switched to one that uses actual AI (not just OCR) and it's been way better. The accuracy is like night and day compared to the older apps. It even pulls in the store name, date, and itemizes everything correctly most of the time.
Nina, I totally feel your pain! I was in the exact same boat with my freelance consulting business. What finally worked for me was creating a hybrid system that doesn't require me to be perfect. Here's my "good enough" approach: I use my phone to snap photos of ALL receipts the moment I get them - even if I'm still standing at the register. I have a dedicated album called "Tax Receipts" that syncs to my computer. Then once a week (Sunday mornings with coffee), I spend 15-20 minutes uploading them to a simple Google Drive folder organized by month. For digital expenses, I set up automatic email alerts from my bank and credit cards so I get notified of every transaction. I forward business-related ones to a dedicated email folder as they come in. The game-changer was accepting that my system doesn't have to be perfect - it just has to capture enough information to justify the expense. Date, amount, vendor, and a quick note about the business purpose. That's it. One tip that saved me: I keep a small notebook in my car where I jot down the business purpose of purchases right after I make them, before I forget. "Client meeting lunch with Sarah" or "office supplies for Q4 project." Takes 10 seconds but saves hours of trying to remember later what that random $47 charge was for. Don't let the perfect system stop you from having a working system!
Cassandra Moon
Remember that medical expenses including transportation are only deductible if you itemize AND they exceed 7.5% of your AGI. So if your mom's AGI is $40,000, only medical expenses over $3,000 would be deductible. Do the math first to see if it's even worth the effort!
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Zane Hernandez
ā¢This! I spent hours documenting all my dad's medical trips last year only to find out we didn't reach the threshold. Standard deduction was way better for us. Calculate before you put in all the work!
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Kennedy Morrison
Great advice from everyone here! I'd also recommend checking if your mom's city has a transit app or website that might show her card transaction history. Some transit systems now keep records of tap-in/tap-out data that you can access online, even if you didn't think to save receipts at the time. Also, don't forget that if she had to pay for parking at any medical facilities during those other 4 visits with rideshare, those parking fees are also deductible medical expenses. Sometimes people overlook the small additional costs that add up. The documentation approach everyone's suggesting is solid - the IRS really does understand that public transit doesn't always provide individual receipts. Your appointment records plus the standard fare documentation should be more than sufficient to support the deduction.
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