If they're worried about the exact amount, they can also call the IRS automated system at 1-800-829-1040. I was able to get my balance without talking to a human. Just needed my SSN, filing status, and zip code from last return. It's not as helpful as talking to a person but at least gives you the current balance.

I went through this exact situation with my parents last year. The key thing to remember is that paying the original amount on the return immediately stops the bleeding - no more penalties and interest accumulating on that base amount. What I learned is that the IRS system can take 4-6 weeks to update online accounts after processing payments, which explains why the online account isn't showing a balance yet. Don't let that delay action though. Here's what worked for us: We paid the original tax amount through IRS Direct Pay, kept all confirmation records, and then waited for the penalty/interest bill. When it came about 3 weeks later, we called and successfully got first-time penalty abatement since they had a clean history. The interest still had to be paid (about $85 in our case), but eliminating the penalties saved almost $400. The most important thing is to act now rather than waiting for perfect information. Every day they delay costs more money in additional interest.

Just a thought - with that Earned Income Credit amount, do you have dependents? Make sure nobody else (like an ex) claimed the same dependents on their return. That's a common reason for 570 holds on returns with EIC. The IRS has to determine who has the right to claim them.

I went through this exact same situation last year! Had a 570 code for almost 3 months and it was driving me crazy. Turns out they were just verifying my EIC eligibility because I had qualifying children. The frustrating part is they don't always send you a notice right away, so you're left wondering what's happening. Since it's been 2 months already, I'd definitely recommend calling or using one of those callback services people mentioned. In my case, once I finally got through to someone, they were able to tell me exactly what was being reviewed and gave me a timeline. The agent said my case was actually already resolved but just waiting for the final processing - got my refund 2 weeks later. Don't lose hope! The 570 code is super common with EIC returns and most people do eventually get their refund. It's just the IRS being extra cautious with credits that have high fraud rates.

Anyone else catch that the OP mentioned they're military? You need to check if you're within 50 miles of your new duty station. If your old home is more than 50 miles from your new assignment, there are special rules that might help you with those expenses under the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act.

I'm also military and went through this exact situation two years ago during our PCS. The timing issue you're dealing with is tricky, but here's what I learned from my experience and tax preparer: Since you were still living in the home through January 7th, 2025, that's likely when your property was actually "placed in service" for rental purposes, not December 13th when you listed it. The IRS considers a property available for rent when it's truly ready and available - not when you're still using it personally. For your December expenses while still living there, these would typically be considered startup costs that get deducted starting in 2025 (when the property was placed in service), not on your 2024 return. However, as military, you might have some additional considerations due to your PCS orders. I'd recommend documenting everything carefully - keep receipts separated by month and note what work was done. Also check if your expenses qualify as repairs (immediately deductible) versus improvements (must be depreciated). Simple fixes like patching holes or touching up paint are repairs, but things like new flooring or major upgrades are improvements. The military angle is important here - there are sometimes special provisions for service members dealing with rental property conversions due to official orders. You might want to specifically ask about military-related timing considerations when you file.

Has anyone considered Series I Savings Bonds as a safe option? Current rate is decent, they're backed by the federal government, and the interest is exempt from state and local taxes. Only federal taxes apply, and you can even defer those taxes until you cash them out.

Isabella, your situation sounds very similar to mine a few years ago! At 43 with $187K in your 401k, you're in a good position to implement some strategic tax planning. Given that you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in 5-7 years, I'd actually recommend against Roth conversions right now. Instead, consider doing them during your early retirement years (60-65) when your income will likely be lower. This is called a "Roth conversion ladder" and can be much more tax-efficient. For the "safest" approach right now, I'd suggest: 1. Max out your current 401k contributions (especially if your employer matches) 2. If you have access to an HSA, max that out too - it's triple tax-advantaged 3. Consider tax-loss harvesting in any taxable accounts you have 4. Look into Series I Savings Bonds for a small portion of your safe money (currently paying decent rates) The key is diversifying your tax strategies across different account types. This gives you flexibility in retirement to manage your tax bracket by choosing which accounts to withdraw from each year. Municipal bonds aren't bad, but given your timeline and the current interest rate environment, you might get better long-term growth staying in diversified index funds within your tax-advantaged accounts.

PSA: Be aware that the IRS is really ramping up enforcement on crypto. They added that question to the front page of Form 1040 asking if you've transacted in digital assets for a reason. With $325k, you're definitely on the radar. Better to go overboard with documentation than risk an audit where they assume zero cost basis.

Adding to what others have said - I work as a tax preparer and see crypto situations like this regularly now. The key is establishing a "reasonable method" for determining your cost basis when original records aren't available. Your transaction hash is gold - it proves exactly when the crypto entered your wallet. From there, you can use any reputable source for historical pricing (CoinMarketCap, CoinGecko, etc.) to establish what the fair market value was on that acquisition date. The IRS Publication 551 actually addresses situations where original purchase records are unavailable. Document everything: save screenshots of the historical price data you used, note which website/source you referenced, keep the transaction hash info, and write a brief explanation of your methodology. If you have any bank statements showing transfers to the exchange around that time, include those too. For a $250k gain, I'd strongly recommend having a crypto-experienced CPA review everything before filing. The peace of mind is worth the cost, and they can help ensure you're not missing any deduction opportunities or making any reporting errors that could trigger unwanted attention. One more thing - start thinking about quarterly estimated payments now if you haven't already. A gain this size could put you in underpayment penalty territory if you wait until next April to pay.