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Tax coding issue with Backdoor Roth 1099-R - CPA says code 2 is wrong, Edward Jones says it's right - who's correct?

Title: Tax coding issue with Backdoor Roth 1099-R - CPA says code 2 is wrong, Edward Jones says it's right - who's correct? 1 Hey tax friends, I'm in a weird situation with my Backdoor Roth conversion and now I'm confused about who's right. Last year I did a Backdoor Roth IRA conversion and just got my 1099-R which shows distribution code 2. When I took everything to my CPA for filing, she refused to file Form 8606 because she insisted the 1099-R should have been coded as B, not 2. I called my Edward Jones advisor about this and he was adamant that code 2 is correct for my situation. He even showed me his own 1099-R from his personal Backdoor Roth which had the same code 2. He said he confirmed with their home office that my 1099-R was coded properly and they won't be changing it. Now I'm stuck between two professionals saying opposite things! Should I have specifically told my CPA I did a Backdoor Roth? I just assumed she'd figure it out from all the documents I provided. I'm worried I'll now face penalties for not filing Form 8606 and will need to deal with amending my return. Has anyone dealt with this situation before? Who's right in this scenario - my CPA or Edward Jones? I'm totally lost.

14 Just wanted to add something important - the 8606 form is absolutely critical for Backdoor Roth conversions regardless of what code is on your 1099-R. I've been doing backdoor Roth conversions for 7 years and here's what I've learned: 1) Form 8606 establishes your "basis" in your traditional IRA, which is essential for tax-free conversion 2) Without it, the IRS assumes your entire conversion is taxable 3) There's a $50 penalty for not filing it, but the bigger issue is potentially paying taxes twice on the same money 4) You need to file it EVERY year you do a conversion The distribution code debate is secondary to making sure you have proper documentation with Form 8606. I'd recommend filing an amended return ASAP.

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22 Is it too late to file 8606 forms for previous years? I've done backdoor Roth conversions for the past 3 years but I'm not sure my tax guy filed these forms. Should I go back and amend all my previous returns?

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14 It's not too late to file Form 8606 for previous years. You can (and should) file an amended return for any year where you did a Backdoor Roth conversion but didn't include Form 8606. The IRS generally allows amendments going back 3 years. This is really important because Form 8606 establishes your non-deductible basis in the IRA, which prevents the money from being taxed twice. Without this documentation, you might end up paying taxes on money that should be tax-free when you eventually withdraw from the Roth IRA. I'd recommend reviewing your past returns and filing amendments as needed - it's worth the effort to avoid potential tax issues down the road.

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9 Edward Jones is 100% right on this. I'm a tax preparer and see this confusion all the time. Code 2 means "Early distribution, exception applies" which is EXACTLY what a backdoor Roth conversion is - it's technically an early distribution but exempt from the 10% penalty. Code B is for "Designated Roth account distribution" which is for EMPLOYER plans like 401ks, not IRAs. Your CPA has mixed up retirement account types. I'd suggest: 1. File an amended return ASAP with Form 8606 2. Consider finding a new CPA who understands Backdoor Roth conversions 3. In the future, specifically tell your tax preparer about any special situations like this

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11 thx for explaining! so does the code 2 vs code B actually affect how much tax i would pay? or is it just a technical difference?

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The distribution code itself doesn't directly change your tax liability - what matters is whether Form 8606 gets filed properly. The code is just how the financial institution categorizes the distribution on the 1099-R. The real tax impact comes from filing (or not filing) Form 8606. Without it, the IRS assumes your entire conversion is taxable income. With it properly filed, only any earnings between your contribution and conversion would be taxable (which is usually $0 or very small if you convert quickly). So in your case, the CPA refusing to file Form 8606 because of the "wrong" code could have cost you thousands in unnecessary taxes. The code 2 vs B debate is really just about proper categorization - both should still require Form 8606 for a backdoor Roth.

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First time filing taxes independently - forgot to report gifted stocks, now what?

So I just filed my taxes for the first time on my own, and it seemed pretty straightforward at first. I got a confirmation email saying they were accepted, which I'm hoping means I didn't mess anything up too badly. But after submitting, I realized I might have made a mistake. When filling out my forms, there was a question asking if I owned any stocks, and I answered no. But I'm now realizing that technically I do own some. A couple years back, I was interested in trying out the stock market and created an account with Stash. As a signup bonus, they gave me two free stocks (I think they were worth like $10-15 total). I never actually put any of my own money into the account, and I never sold those stocks either. I completely forgot about them because I deleted the app maybe 3-4 months after signing up. Did I seriously mess up my tax filing by not reporting these forgotten free stocks? Should I be worried? Sorry if this is a really basic question, but I'm completely new to all this tax stuff and getting kind of anxious about it.

When I was new to taxes I accidentally claimed a college credit I wasn't eligible for. THAT was a real mistake that got me a letter from the IRS. They don't generally bother you over technicalities that don't change what you owe. The stocks thing sounds like a non-issue to me.

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Same! I claimed the wrong education credit once and the IRS sent me a very scary letter. But they were actually pretty reasonable about fixing it. I just had to pay back the difference plus a small interest amount.

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I'm in a really similar boat! I got some free stocks through Robinhood's referral program last year and totally spaced on them when doing my taxes. Reading through all these responses is making me feel so much better - sounds like as long as we didn't actually sell anything or get meaningful dividends, we're probably fine. It's kind of reassuring to know this happens to a lot of people. I was spiraling thinking the IRS was going to come after me for like $8 worth of free stock I forgot I owned. Definitely going to be more careful about that question next year though!

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Transcript Status Changed from 'Not Filed' to Showing New Address - Progress?

Hey everyone. I've been monitoring our tax situation post-filing. The transcript initially displayed a 'not filed' status with our old residential address. After approximately a week without checking, I just accessed it again and noticed the status still indicates 'not filed' but now displays our updated/new address. In terms of IRS processing parameters, would this be considered an indicator of forward movement in the system? Trying to determine if this represents actual progress in our filing verification pipeline.

I understand your concern about the transcript status. Based on what you've described, here's what's happening: โ€ข Address updates often process separately from return status updates โ€ข The system is acknowledging your new information (good sign) โ€ข The "not filed" status will likely update within the next 7-10 days โ€ข This pattern is especially common with address changes or newly married filing status changes Many of us have experienced this exact sequence, and it typically resolves itself without any action needed on your part. The fact that your new address is showing means your return is definitely in the system and being processed.

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Thanks for sharing this question - I'm actually going through something very similar right now! Filed about 3 weeks ago and just noticed my transcript updated with our new address but still shows "not filed" status. It's reassuring to see from the other comments that this seems to be a normal part of the process. I was starting to worry something went wrong with our return, but it sounds like the IRS systems just update different pieces of information at different times. Going to give it another week or two before I start panicking. Fingers crossed we both see our status update to "filed" soon!

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Advice on dealing with incorrect 1099 for options trading - broker reporting 1256 contracts incorrectly

I need some advice about a frustrating situation with an incorrect 1099 I've been trying to resolve for months. I earn income from my regular W2 job as a nurse practitioner and also receive 1099s from several brokerages since I actively trade options. In 2022, I experimented with different brokerages to find the best platform for my trading strategy. I primarily trade index options (SPX, NDX, RUT) which qualify as 1256 contracts with that special tax treatment (60% long-term/40% short-term capital gains regardless of holding period, and no wash sale rules). Three brokerages provided accurate 1099s without any issues, but one brokerage is causing a huge headache. I had a gain of around $9K with them, but their 1099 shows a short-term capital gain of approximately $39K. The other brokerages correctly reported similar trades as 1256 contract gains. I suspect they incorrectly applied wash sale rules, which don't apply to 1256 contracts. I've contacted this brokerage repeatedly since February. Every time they acknowledge it's an error and promise a correction "next week"... but here we are in November with no resolution! They keep blaming their clearing firm (Apex Securities) and assure me Apex is "working on it." I've tried contacting Apex directly multiple times but just get promises that someone will call me back - nobody ever does. This is becoming a serious problem. I haven't filed my 2022 taxes yet, which is creating a cascade of issues. Fortunately, I overpay on my W2 withholding so I'm still due a federal refund even with the inflated gains, but I owe state taxes plus interest penalties now. And if this isn't resolved soon, I might have trouble renewing my professional license. My accountant suggests filing with the incorrect 1099 and amending later, but I keep hoping the corrected form will arrive any day. I'm considering getting an attorney involved at this point, though I'm not sure what type of lawyer handles this or what they could realistically do. Any thoughts on how to get this resolved more effectively? I'm at my wit's end!

I used to work in broker operations and can tell you that escalating to the compliance department might be more effective than continuing with customer service. Every brokerage has a compliance officer who takes regulatory reporting very seriously. Send a formal written complaint addressed to "Chief Compliance Officer" at the brokerage firm. State clearly that you are filing a formal complaint regarding incorrect tax reporting. Mention that you are considering filing complaints with FINRA, the SEC, and your state securities regulator if not resolved within 15 days. This typically gets routed to someone with actual authority to resolve issues and bypasses the customer service runaround.

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This is great insider knowledge - thank you! I'll definitely try the compliance department approach. Should I send this via certified mail or would email be sufficient? And is there specific language I should include to make sure it gets proper attention?

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Certified mail with return receipt is best - it creates a paper trail that can be important if you need to escalate further. Email is okay as a follow-up but not as your primary communication. Use this language in your subject line: "FORMAL COMPLAINT: Regulatory Reporting Violation - Incorrect 1099 Tax Reporting." In the body, start with "This serves as a formal complaint regarding inaccurate tax reporting that violates IRS regulations for 1256 contract treatment." Then clearly outline the specific issue with your 1099, the dates you've attempted resolution, and names of people you've spoken with. Include a specific deadline (15 days is standard) and explicitly state that you will be filing regulatory complaints with FINRA, the SEC, and your state securities division if not resolved by that date. End with "I expect acknowledgment of this complaint within 3 business days.

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As someone who's dealt with similar brokerage reporting issues, I'd recommend a multi-pronged approach to maximize your chances of resolution. First, definitely follow Paolo's advice about contacting the Chief Compliance Officer via certified mail - that's probably your best bet for getting someone with actual authority involved. The formal complaint language he suggested should cut through the bureaucratic delays you've been experiencing. Second, while you're waiting for that response, I'd also suggest filing complaints with both FINRA and your state securities regulator simultaneously. Don't wait - these complaints are free to file and create additional regulatory pressure. Many states have securities divisions that are very responsive to investor complaints. Third, consider reaching out to your state's attorney general office. Many have consumer protection divisions that handle investment-related complaints, and they often have more leverage with financial firms than individual consumers do. Finally, document absolutely everything going forward - dates, times, names, what was promised. If this eventually requires legal action, having a detailed timeline will be crucial. The fact that they've acknowledged the error multiple times but failed to fix it for months suggests this isn't just an oversight - it might be a systematic issue with their reporting process. Your persistence in seeking resolution could help other traders who might be facing the same problem. Stay strong - you're in the right here, and these suggestions should help break through the stonewalling you've been experiencing.

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What Does "As Of Feb. 17, 2025" Mean On My Transcript With Cycle Code 20250505? Head of Household Refund Timeline Question

Looking at my transcript and seeing an 'as of' date for Feb. 17, 2025. Not sure if thats when I'll actually get my refund? Also noticed I'm cycle code 05. Getting confused with all these dates and codes. Here's what my transcript shows: AMOUNT SHOWN BELOW SIGNIFIES A CREDIT AMOUNT .00 AS OF: Feb. 17, 2025 AS OF: Feb. 17, 2025 .00 FROM THE RETURN OR AS ADJUSTED ** Head of Household .00 RECEIVED DATE (WHICHEVER IS LATER) Apr. 15, 20 Feb. 17, 20 TRANSACTIONS CYCLE DATE 20250505 02-17-2025 I filed as Head of Household, but I'm totally confused about what the "AS OF" date means. Does the Feb. 17, 2025 date indicate when I'll get my refund? And I see my cycle code is 20250505 - from what I understand that means I'm a cycle 05 filer, but what does that actually mean for my refund timeline? There's also an Apr. 15 date mentioned as a "RECEIVED DATE (WHICHEVER IS LATER)" - not sure how to interpret all these different dates and what they mean for when I'll actually see my money. Can someone help me understand what all these codes and dates actually mean on my transcript?

The IRS really needs to make this stuff more user friendly istg

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fr its like they purposely make it confusing ๐Ÿคก

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I feel you on the confusion! Just went through this same thing last month. The "As Of" date basically just shows when the IRS computers last touched your account - it's NOT your refund date unfortunately. Your cycle code 05 means you're on the Thursday update schedule, so any changes to your transcript will typically show up on Thursday mornings. That April 15th date you're seeing is probably related to the tax deadline, not your specific return. The real timeline depends on so many factors - whether you have credits like EITC/CTC, if there are any review holds, etc. Most people are seeing 2-3 week processing times right now if there are no issues. Keep checking your transcript on Thursdays since that's when cycle 05 accounts update! ๐Ÿคž

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