Have you considered going to your local Taxpayer Assistance Center instead of calling? I had a similar issue last year after my separation and spent hours preparing for a phone call that never connected. I finally made an appointment at my local TAC (you have to call 844-545-5640 to schedule), brought all my documentation (divorce decree, previous tax returns, ID, etc.), and got everything resolved in one 30-minute visit. Just make sure you ask what documents to bring when you schedule. Do you know what specific questions you need answered about your filing status?

I went through this exact situation two years ago and want to share what worked for me. The in-person route that Omar mentioned is honestly your best bet if you have a TAC nearby. I tried calling for weeks with no success, but the TAC appointment got everything sorted in one visit. For your specific situation with a divorce finalized last month, you'll definitely want to bring: your final divorce decree, your 2023 tax return if already filed, your ex-spouse's SSN (if you have it), and any documentation about custody arrangements if you have kids. The agent will walk you through whether you should file as Single, Head of Household, or if you need to amend anything. Much less stressful than the phone marathon!

Has anyone tried using TaxAct's direct crypto import options instead of creating a separate PDF? They supposedly added support for some exchanges, though I don't know if Binance.US is one of them.

I just went through this exact process last week with my crypto trades from multiple exchanges. The key insight that saved me hours of frustration is that TaxAct treats the attachment feature differently for crypto than for other investments. First, make sure you're selecting "Category A" instead of Category C if you have any transaction records from your exchange, even without a 1099-B. Category C is really meant for situations where you have zero documentation. Since you have Binance.US records, Category A is more appropriate. Second, as others mentioned, you MUST enter your summary totals in TaxAct's Schedule D section first. Calculate your total proceeds, total cost basis, and total gain/loss from your 15,000+ transactions and enter those numbers. This is what triggers the attachment option to appear later. The attachment option only shows up during the final filing process, specifically in the "Review & File" section, not during preparation. Look for "Supporting Documents" or "Attachments" - the exact wording varies by TaxAct version. One more tip: if your PDF is still large after compression, consider breaking it into multiple smaller PDFs by date ranges. TaxAct allows multiple attachments, and smaller files are less likely to cause upload errors during peak filing times.

One more tip for anyone filing last minute - make sure you save/print a copy of your return AND the confirmation page showing it was accepted. Screenshot the confirmation if using your phone. Last year I thought I filed on time but had no proof when the IRS claimed they never received it. Nightmare situation that took months to resolve!

Great advice from everyone here! Just wanted to add that if you're e-filing at the last minute, double-check that your software is actually submitting to the IRS and not just saving a draft. I made that mistake a few years ago - thought I had filed but just saved it locally on my computer. Also, if you're really cutting it close and worried about technical issues, consider having a backup plan. Some tax preparers offer same-day service, and while it's more expensive, it might be worth it for peace of mind if you're down to the wire. The October 15th deadline has been a lifesaver for me multiple times. Just remember - if you owe money, you should have already paid the estimated amount back in April to avoid interest charges, even with the extension!

I've been preparing taxes for friends and family for over 10 years, and this is a very common misunderstanding. Your federal and state returns are completely separate systems. Many people don't realize that the IRS (federal) and your state's department of revenue are entirely different agencies with different rules, forms, and processing systems. They do share information eventually, but an error on one doesn't automatically affect the other. If your federal return was accepted, it's in process regardless of what happens with your state return. The only time you'd need to worry is if the information you provided on both returns contradicts each other significantly.

Hey Muhammad! I totally get the stress - tax season as a new grad is already overwhelming enough! 😅 Just wanted to echo what everyone else is saying: your federal return is completely safe! Think of it this way - the IRS and your state tax agency are like two different companies that don't share the same computer system. Your federal acceptance has nothing to do with your state error. Since you're just starting out with taxes, here's a pro tip for the future: always double-check your state info before hitting submit, especially things like state ID numbers or addresses. TurboTax is usually pretty good about catching errors, but it can't catch everything. While you're waiting for that state letter, you can track your federal refund progress using the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool. It should show up there within a few days of acceptance. Hang in there - you've got this! 💪

Has anyone considered the pro/cons of NOT repaying the CARES withdrawal? I took about $30k out and am now able to repay, but I'm wondering if it might actually be better to just pay the taxes (I selected the 3-year option) and keep the money out? My reasoning is that I'm 52 and might get more benefit from using that money now rather than having it locked away until retirement.

I went through a very similar situation last year and want to share what I learned. First, definitely make sure you understand which tax treatment you originally elected for your CARES withdrawal - this makes a big difference in how the repayment works. One thing that caught me off guard was the timing. Even though you have until the 3-year deadline to repay, you need to make sure you do it in the right tax year if you want the tax benefits for that year. I almost missed this and would have had to wait until the following year to get my refund. Also, regarding your Roth conversion question - since you mentioned your income is still relatively low, this could be a great opportunity. You're essentially paying taxes now at lower rates to avoid potentially higher rates later. Just make sure you have enough cash outside of retirement accounts to pay the conversion taxes without touching the converted funds. Have you calculated what your total tax liability would be for both the CARES repayment (if you don't repay) and the Roth conversion? That might help you decide the optimal strategy.