Don't forget about the year of disposition too! The year you convert a property back to personal use or sell it has special depreciation rules. You generally only get half the annual depreciation in the year you place it in service AND in the year you dispose of it (the "mid-month convention").

Great information in this thread! Just to summarize the key points for @dcac7ecca8da: 1. Your rental property conversion date is November 2014 when tenants moved in, not when you moved out 2. Form 3115 is definitely the right approach - don't amend prior returns 3. You'll get the catch-up depreciation deduction on your 2025 return, but no refunds for prior years 4. The IRS will still treat you as having taken depreciation when you sell (even though you didn't), so filing Form 3115 now prevents you from losing those deductions entirely One additional tip: make sure to keep good records of when you converted the property to rental use and any improvements you've made since then. The IRS may ask for documentation if they have questions about your Form 3115. Also, since you mentioned this is a military move situation, you might want to check if there are any special provisions that apply to your situation, though the standard depreciation rules should still apply to your rental property. Good luck with your filing!

Why don't you just claim exempt? I did that when I was making $16/hr and got way more in my checks. You can always pay what you owe at the end of the year if needed.

Hey Olivia! I totally understand your frustration - that first paycheck shock is real! Based on what you're describing, it sounds like your withholding might be set too high for your actual situation. A few things to consider: First, make sure this paycheck was for a full pay period and not just partial days when you started. Second, with two jobs, the withholding can get tricky because each employer doesn't know about your other income. Here's what I'd suggest while you wait for payroll to get back to you: 1. Look at your pay stub to see exactly what's being withheld (federal income tax vs. FICA vs. state, etc.) 2. Check if you filled out your W-4 correctly - especially the multiple jobs section 3. Consider using the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator online to see what your withholding should actually be At $17/hr as your main job plus part-time work, you're probably in the 12% federal tax bracket, so 20% withholding does seem excessive. The good news is this is totally fixable with a new W-4! You might be able to get significantly more in your take-home pay while still covering your actual tax liability. Hang in there - once you get this sorted out, your budget should work much better!

Had this issue. Fixed it myself. Called the TPP directly. Number is different. Regular agents can't help. Asked for supervisor on third call. Got transferred properly. Verified identity by phone. Refund arrived three weeks later. Don't wait for letters. Be proactive. Keep detailed notes of each call. Names and badge numbers help. Good luck.

This exact situation happened to me last year, and I completely understand your frustration. The inconsistent information is maddening when you're depending on that refund. Here's what I learned after going through this nightmare: the regular customer service reps literally cannot see your full case details when you're in TPP (Taxpayer Protection Program). They're looking at different systems that don't talk to each other, which explains the wildly different answers. What finally worked for me was calling early morning (7-8 AM seems to be the sweet spot) and immediately asking to be transferred to the Taxpayer Protection Program department. Don't let them tell you they can help - they can't. You need TPP specifically. Have your prior year AGI ready and be prepared to answer security questions. Also, check if you can access idverify.irs.gov - some people can complete verification online without waiting for the letter. The anxiety of not knowing what's happening while drowning in debt is real, and I'm sorry you're going through this. Document every call with names and reference numbers. You've got this!

Something else to consider - do either you or your sister plan to live in the house at all before selling? If one of you moved in and used it as your primary residence for at least 2 years, you might qualify for the Section 121 exclusion, which lets you exclude up to $250,000 of capital gain from your income ($500,000 for married couples filing jointly). It's a long-term strategy and might not be practical in your situation, but worth mentioning as it's one of the biggest tax breaks available for residential real estate.

I'm sorry for your loss. This is definitely a complex situation that requires careful handling. One important point that hasn't been fully addressed yet - you mentioned your sister is the executor of your father's estate. Since your father passed away in August (after the July quitclaim deed transfer), there may be some coordination needed between how this transfer is handled and the overall estate administration. The executor will need to include information about this quitclaim deed transfer in the estate tax return (Form 706, if required) and potentially amend any gift tax considerations. Make sure your sister is working with a qualified estate attorney or CPA who understands both the gift tax implications of the July transfer AND the estate tax implications following your father's death. Also, keep detailed records of all expenses related to maintaining, improving, or selling the property after you received it - these can potentially be added to your basis and reduce your capital gains when you do sell. Given the complexity and the significant tax implications involved, I'd strongly recommend getting professional advice from someone who specializes in estate and gift taxation rather than trying to navigate this alone.

when i moved from qatar (also no income tax) to the US last year, the biggest shock wasn't even the income tax - it was realizing how many OTHER taxes there are!!! sales tax, property tax, medicare tax, social security tax... my advice - if your company offers any tax preparation assistance as part of relocation, TAKE IT. or at minimum, work with a cpa who specializes in expats moving to the US for your first year. there's so many forms and deadlines and rules that aren't obvious.

Coming from a zero-tax environment myself (moved from UAE two years ago), I can tell you the sticker shock is real but manageable once you understand the system. A few key points that helped me: 1. Don't just look at the tax rates - consider the total cost of living. Yes, you'll pay more in taxes in NY vs Texas, but factor in things like housing costs, transportation, and quality of life. 2. Max out your 401(k) contributions ($23,000 for 2024, or $30,500 if you're over 50). This reduces your taxable income significantly and is money you should be saving anyway. 3. If your company offers HSA (Health Savings Account), use it! Triple tax advantage - deductible going in, grows tax-free, and tax-free withdrawals for medical expenses. 4. Consider the timing of your move carefully. If you arrive in the US in July, you'll only be taxed on US income from July onward, which can make a big difference in your first year. The transition is definitely an adjustment, but the earning potential and career opportunities in the US often make up for the higher tax burden. Just make sure to get professional tax advice for your specific situation - it's worth the investment!