Took 9 months for mine last year no joke

3 weeks is still pretty normal for mail delivery + initial processing. I wouldn't worry about USPS losing it yet. The IRS actually has a pretty good track record with receiving mailed returns. If you're really concerned, you could call the IRS practitioner priority line to confirm they received it, but honestly I'd wait another week or two before stressing about it being lost.

Anyone know if TurboTax can handle amending a return that was already filed through them? Or do I need to go to a tax professional if I'm in this situation?

I went through this exact same situation last year! The IND-452 rejection code is definitely because you're trying to file a second return for the same tax year. What worked for me was filing an amended return (Form 1040-X) that combined everything - my W-2 income plus my side business income on Schedule C. One thing I learned the hard way is to wait until your original return is fully processed before filing the amendment. I tried to rush it and had to resubmit because the IRS system couldn't find my original return yet. Also, if your side business income pushes you into owing more taxes, pay it ASAP to avoid interest charges piling up from the original due date. The whole process was way less scary than I thought it would be - TurboTax walked me through the amendment step by step and even caught some business deductions I had missed. Just remember that next year you'll want to file everything together from the start to avoid this headache!

your supposed to keep checking Where's My Refund tool too, not just transcripts. Sometimes WMR updates first

Hey Amara! I totally feel your pain as a fellow first-timer 😅 The N/A showing up after ID verification is actually super normal - it basically means the IRS is still working through your case after confirming your identity. The date change from 5/1 to 5/22 is definitely a good sign! It shows they're actively processing your return. That "LOW SIGNIFIES A CREDIT AMOUNT" message you're seeing just means that negative numbers on your transcript would represent credits (like your refund). Since everything is showing $0.00 right now, it's just because they haven't finished processing yet. The 3-week timeline the phone rep gave you was probably a bit optimistic - after ID verification, it usually takes closer to 6-9 weeks total. I know it's frustrating to wait, but that date change is progress! Keep checking your transcript weekly and hang in there 💪

Remember that you can also get a property appraisal specifically for determining the land value for tax purposes. It costs money but might be worth it if you have a significant property value. I did this for my rental and the appraiser specifically broke out the land value from the improvements.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! I think I was overcomplicating this. Based on what you've all shared, I'm going to use the proportional method with my tax assessment - so 19% of my $250k purchase price for land ($47,500) and the remaining $202,500 for the building depreciation. I really appreciate the clarity on why the assessed values are so much lower than what I paid - I had no idea that counties use different assessment ratios for tax purposes. That was throwing me off completely. For anyone else in a similar situation, it sounds like there are multiple approaches (assessment ratio, closing documents, appraisal, or even calling the IRS), but the proportional method using tax assessments seems to be the most straightforward for most people.

Has your new CPA filed the missing returns yet? This is super important! Even while you're fighting the penalties, you need to get those past returns filed ASAP to stop additional penalties from accruing. Each month adds more to what you owe. Also, check if you were actually due a refund for either of those years. If you were, you might be facing a smaller penalty than you think once everything is properly calculated. But there's a 3-year deadline for claiming refunds, so don't delay!

I went through almost the exact same situation two years ago with a negligent tax preparer who failed to file my 2019 and 2020 returns. The IRS hit me with over $7,000 in penalties and I was absolutely panicked. Here's what worked for me: I immediately had my new CPA file the missing returns (this stops additional penalties from accumulating). Then we prepared a detailed penalty abatement request using Form 843, including every email, text, and payment record showing I had repeatedly tried to get the original preparer to file on time. The key is documenting your "reasonable cause" - you need to show you made good faith efforts to comply but were prevented by circumstances beyond your control. Your email trail asking for the filings will be crucial evidence. I also filed a complaint with my state's board of accountancy and sent a demand letter to the CPA's professional liability insurance. While the board complaint is still pending, his insurance company actually settled and covered most of the penalties to avoid a lawsuit. Don't give up! The IRS does approve these requests when you have solid documentation. It took about 6 weeks, but they abated about 80% of my penalties. The whole experience was a nightmare, but there definitely are ways to fight this.