Based on the current processing timeline, I'd recommend your friend submit the requested documents by April 30th at the latest. If they do that, they could potentially see a new DDD by June 15th. Another option is to check if they can upload the documents through the IRS online account portal rather than mailing them - as of March 1st, 2024, the IRS expanded their digital document submission options for certain verification requests.

As someone who's dealt with IRS verification requests before, I'd strongly suggest your friend respond ASAP with the requested documents. The key thing is that once the IRS flags a return for additional verification, any existing DDD gets canceled until they complete their review. For international students specifically, make sure to include a copy of your I-20 or DS-2019 along with the W2-G and 1099 forms - the IRS sometimes needs to verify your tax status. Also, send everything via certified mail so you have proof of delivery. The waiting is brutal, but being proactive with the documentation really helps speed things up!

I just went through this process for my 2023 taxes with our November baby, and it was much simpler than our rental property deductions! You'll need to get a Social Security Number for your baby though - the hospital will give you the paperwork, but it takes a few weeks to process. The IRS won't accept your return claiming the credit without a valid SSN for the child.

Congratulations on your upcoming bundle of joy! 🎉 As a parent who just went through this process, I can confirm that the $2,000 Child Tax Credit for 2024 is exactly right. What's great is that even though your baby arrives in June, you'll qualify for the full credit when you file your 2024 taxes next year - no proration needed! With your combined income of $185k, you're well within the safe zone. The phase-out doesn't start until $400k for married filing jointly, so you have plenty of breathing room there. One tip from my experience: start the Social Security number application process at the hospital right after birth. It typically takes 4-6 weeks to receive the card, and you'll need that SSN to claim the credit on your 2024 return. If for some reason it doesn't arrive by April 15, 2025, you can always file an extension to give yourself more time. Also, don't forget that up to $1,600 of that $2,000 credit is refundable, meaning you could get money back even if you don't owe taxes. The remaining $400 can offset any tax liability you have. It's honestly one of the more straightforward tax benefits to claim!

Check your transcript for cycle codes - those are way more important than the as of date tbh

Same thing happened to me last year - my as of date jumped around like crazy for weeks and I was losing sleep over it. Turns out it was just routine processing and I got my refund exactly when WMR originally said I would. The IRS systems are confusing but try not to stress too much about the date changes alone!

I had the exact same thing happen to me last year! The "INFO" status with that adjustment message appeared even though I never requested anything. Turns out the IRS was just doing some routine account maintenance on their end. It cleared up after about 3 weeks and my refund processed normally. Since your previous years show $0 balances, you're probably fine - just the system being the system. But definitely keep an eye on it and maybe check back in a week or so to see if it updates.

I work as a tax preparer and see this "INFO" status frequently during this time of year. The IRS runs automated system updates in January/February to prepare for the upcoming filing season, which can temporarily lock access to account information. The fact that your 2022 and 2023 years show clean $0.00 balances is actually a good sign - it means those years are fully processed and settled. The 2024 "adjustment" message is likely just the system's way of saying "we're working on something in the background" rather than indicating any actual problem. Most of my clients who see this status have it resolve within 2-4 weeks without any action needed on their part.

Does anyone know if you have to pay the tax immediately when you buy the instrument, or just when you file taxes next year? I'm in a similar situation with my scholarship.

Just wanted to add another perspective on keeping records - I learned the hard way that you should also save your original scholarship award letter! Mine specifically outlined what expenses were allowed, and when I got audited two years later, that letter was crucial in proving which expenses I could legitimately treat as qualified vs unqualified. Also, if your scholarship comes from an outside organization (like yours does), they might not report it to your school on Form 1098-T, which means you'll need to be extra careful about tracking and reporting it yourself. The IRS will still expect you to report the taxable portion even if it doesn't show up on any forms they receive. One more tip - if you're unsure about whether something counts as qualified, err on the side of caution and treat it as taxable. It's better to pay a little extra tax than to get hit with penalties later for underreporting!