Just wanted to add something that might help ease your worries - I work for a tax prep company and we mail hundreds of returns to these IRS processing center addresses every year. That Kansas City address you found is 100% legitimate and complete. The IRS processing centers are massive facilities that are specifically set up to handle millions of tax returns. They don't need traditional street addresses because they essentially function as their own postal destinations. Think of it like how major universities or large corporations sometimes just use their name and zip code. One thing I'd recommend beyond what others have mentioned - if you're really anxious about it getting there safely, you can use USPS Informed Delivery (it's free) to track when your envelope gets delivered. Combined with certified mail, you'll have complete peace of mind that your return arrived at the right place. Also, since you mentioned this is for a previous year, make sure you're checking the penalty and interest calculations. Sometimes people get surprised by how much those can add up, especially if it's been a while since the original due date.

That address format definitely looks weird at first glance, but it's completely legitimate! I had the exact same concern when I first had to mail a return. The IRS processing centers are essentially their own postal facilities, so they don't need traditional street addresses. Just a heads up though - since you mentioned this is for a previous year, make sure you're prepared for potential penalties and interest that may have accumulated. The IRS charges both failure-to-file and failure-to-pay penalties, plus daily compounding interest. For older returns, these can really add up. I'd also suggest calling the IRS at some point after you mail it to confirm they received it and get a status update. I know their phone lines are notoriously difficult to get through, but it's worth the effort for peace of mind, especially with an older return. You can also check if there are any issues that need to be resolved before your return gets fully processed. Good luck with getting it sorted out!

Just wanted to chime in with some encouragement! I know getting that CP5071 notice is super stressful, but you've got this! 💪 Reading through all these responses, it sounds like everyone who stuck with the process got it resolved. A few things that haven't been mentioned yet: if you're married filing jointly, make sure your spouse is available during the call too - they might need to verify both of you. Also, I'd recommend calling from a quiet place where you can focus and take notes. The verification process can feel overwhelming but the agents really are there to help you, not to make your life difficult. One last tip - if you get disconnected or the call doesn't go well the first time, don't give up! Sometimes it just takes a second attempt with a different agent. You'll get your refund, it's just taking the scenic route! 😊

I just went through this exact situation a couple months ago and wanted to share what worked for me! The CP5071 notice is definitely scary at first, but it's really just the IRS being extra cautious about identity verification. Here's my step-by-step experience: I called the number on the notice at exactly 7:59am (they open at 8am) and got through after about 20 minutes on hold. The agent was actually really professional and walked me through everything patiently. They asked for my SSN, DOB, filing status, and then some questions about my tax history - like amounts from previous years' returns and addresses I've lived at in the past 3-4 years. The whole call took maybe 30-40 minutes, and my refund was released exactly 9 days later! Pro tip: have your last 2-3 years of tax returns pulled up on your computer or printed out, along with this year's return if you filed already. Also write down your address history with approximate dates beforehand. Don't panic - thousands of people go through this every year and it gets resolved! You've got this! 💪

Just to add another consideration - if you do decide to work with this filmmaker, make sure you understand exactly what kind of "documentary" they're making and how your property will be portrayed. Even if the tax deduction angle doesn't work out, you want to protect your property's reputation as a vacation rental. I'd suggest asking for details about the project, getting a copy of their insurance certificate, and having them sign a proper location release agreement. Some documentaries can be controversial, and you don't want your property associated with something that could hurt your future bookings. Also, consider the wear and tear from film equipment - even a one-day shoot can be surprisingly hard on a property with lights, cameras, and crew members moving around. You might want to factor that into whatever rate you ultimately decide to charge them, tax implications aside.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the potential state tax implications. While everyone's focused on federal tax rules (which correctly don't allow deductions for donating property use), some states have their own charitable deduction rules that might differ from federal guidelines. Also, depending on your state's business license requirements, you might need to report any rental activity regardless of whether you charge full rate, reduced rate, or nothing at all. Some states require vacation rental operators to maintain certain records and file reports even for "donated" use. I'd definitely check with your state's tax authority or a local tax professional familiar with vacation rental regulations in your area. The federal rules are clear, but state compliance can be trickier and varies significantly by location.

I'm in almost the exact same situation and have been researching this for weeks! What I've learned is that you absolutely CAN use 529 funds for living expenses when your student lives at home, but the key is understanding the "cost of attendance" concept. Here's what I found out: Even though your child isn't paying rent to a landlord, the IRS recognizes that housing a college student involves real costs. You can withdraw up to whatever your school publishes as their "off-campus room and board" allowance in their official cost of attendance figures - this becomes your maximum tax-free withdrawal amount for housing expenses. For documentation, I've been keeping: - Official enrollment verification each semester (showing at least half-time status) - The school's published cost of attendance document - Records of household expenses that benefit my student (portion of utilities, groceries, internet, etc.) The beauty is you don't need to create artificial rent agreements or transfer specific amounts to your child. Just document that you're covering legitimate housing costs up to the school's published allowance. I'd suggest checking your college's financial aid website for their official cost of attendance breakdown - that's your roadmap for how much you can safely withdraw.

I went through this exact situation two years ago with my son who was living at home during his sophomore year. The key insight that saved me a lot of stress was realizing that the IRS doesn't require you to prove specific dollar-for-dollar expenses - you just need to stay within the school's published off-campus housing allowance and maintain reasonable documentation. What worked for me was creating a simple monthly tracking system. I kept a basic spreadsheet showing my son's proportional share of household costs (mortgage interest, utilities, groceries, internet) and made sure the annual total stayed well below his school's published room & board allowance of $11,200. I never had to create fake rental agreements or transfer money back and forth. The most important thing I learned: Get the school's official Cost of Attendance document and keep it with your 529 records. That document is your protection - as long as your withdrawals don't exceed the published off-campus allowance and your student is enrolled at least half-time, you're on solid ground. I've never been audited, but I feel confident that my simple documentation approach would hold up if questioned. One tip: I also kept screenshots of my son's student portal showing his enrollment status each semester, just to have that verification easily accessible. Much easier than requesting official transcripts later if needed.

Honestly this tax preparer pricing makes me so mad! They're just putting numbers into glorified TurboTax! I used to pay $350+ but switched to doing them myself. Takes an afternoon but saves hundreds.

I'm a tax preparer and wanted to give some insight on the pricing you're seeing. Those quotes ($375-525) are actually very reasonable for your situation. Here's what goes into that cost beyond just "entering numbers": 1. **Business income analysis** - We review all your business expenses, categorize them properly, calculate home office deductions if applicable, and ensure you're taking all legitimate deductions while staying audit-compliant. 2. **Investment transaction complexity** - Long-term stock holdings often involve basis adjustments, dividend reinvestments, or corporate actions that affect your tax liability. Getting this wrong can be costly. 3. **First-time homeowner benefits** - There are several deductions and credits you might qualify for that software doesn't always catch. 4. **Professional liability** - Most preparers carry E&O insurance and will represent you if there are issues with your return. That said, if you're detail-oriented and have time to research, tax software has gotten quite good. Just make sure you understand the implications of each decision, especially around business deductions. A mistake there can trigger an audit or cost you thousands in missed savings.