Hey just throwing this out there - have you considered tracking ALL vehicle-related expenses instead of using the standard mileage rate? My tax guy told me that you can choose either the standard mileage rate OR actual expenses (gas, maintenance, insurance, depreciation, etc). If you drive a truck, especially an older one that's less fuel efficient, sometimes the actual expenses method gives you a bigger deduction IF you qualify for any deductions at all. Just a thought.

I feel your pain on this one! I'm a field service technician and was in almost the exact same situation last year - driving about 25,000 miles annually with my company only reimbursing at $0.45/mile. The unfortunate reality is that the H&R Block preparer was right about Form 2106 being essentially eliminated for most employees. I spent way too much time researching this and even consulted with a CPA who confirmed that regular W-2 employees can no longer deduct unreimbursed business expenses. What actually worked for me was taking the advice about negotiating with my employer. I put together a simple spreadsheet showing: - My annual work mileage - Current company rate vs IRS standard rate - Total out-of-pocket cost to me ($4,600 in my case) - How this affects my take-home pay I presented it during my annual review and got a $2,400 annual raise specifically to help offset vehicle costs. Not the full amount, but way better than nothing! The key was framing it as a retention issue - they'd rather give me a raise than train someone new who might quit over the same problem. Also started keeping detailed records of actual vehicle expenses (maintenance, tires, etc.) to show the real impact of all that driving. Even though I can't deduct them, it helped make my case to management.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - your aunt and uncle should consider filing IRS Form 911 (Taxpayer Advocate Service) along with their OIC application. My parents were in a similar situation (though they were in Canada, not deported) and the Taxpayer Advocate really helped navigate the unique circumstances. The Taxpayer Advocate Service can sometimes intervene when there are special circumstances like being unable to return to the US due to immigration issues. They have more flexibility than regular IRS agents to consider unique situations. Also, make sure to emphasize in the OIC application that your aunt and uncle CANNOT return to the US to earn income to pay the debt. That "economic hardship" angle can be persuasive in these cases.

Don't forget about the implications for future immigration status! When my cousin applied for reentry after a deportation, the immigration officers specifically looked at whether he had resolved his tax issues. Make sure your aunt and uncle understand that handling this tax debt properly now (even if through an OIC) could impact their ability to return to the US later. Unresolved tax debt can be considered in immigration proceedings as a negative factor. I'd strongly suggest consulting with both a tax professional AND an immigration attorney since these issues are intertwined. The approach to the OIC could have implications for the pending U-visa application.

Does anyone know if having tax topic 152 means you're definitely getting a refund? Or can they still deny it at this stage? This is my first time seeing this code and I'm not sure if I should be relieved or still worried, haha. Also, does checking WMR multiple times a day slow down processing? (Asking for a friend... who might be me 😅

Tax Topic 152 is actually a good sign - it means the IRS has accepted your return and it's moving through their system. You're definitely getting your refund, it's just a matter of when. I've been through this several times and checking WMR constantly doesn't affect processing speed (though it might affect your sanity!). The IRS updates their systems overnight, usually between midnight and 6am, so checking once daily in the morning is plenty. Since you filed 3 weeks ago, you should see movement soon - most returns with Topic 152 get their DDD within 21 days of filing. Hang in there!

Quick question about Form 8606 - do I need to attach any proof of my contribution history when I file? I'm in a similar situation with Roth contribution withdrawals and wondering how the IRS verifies I'm only withdrawing contributions.

Just want to confirm what others have said - yes, you can absolutely leave Parts 1 and 2 blank on Form 8606 when you're only withdrawing Roth IRA contributions. I had the exact same situation last year and was worried about leaving sections blank, but my CPA assured me it was correct. Part 1 is specifically for nondeductible traditional IRA contributions, and Part 2 is for Roth conversions. Since you're dealing with direct Roth contribution withdrawals, only Part 3 applies to your situation. The key thing is making sure you accurately complete Part 3, especially line 19 where you report your total contributions (basis) in all your Roth IRAs. One tip: if you've made contributions to multiple Roth IRA accounts over the years, you need to aggregate all of them when calculating your basis - it's not done on an account-by-account basis. Keep good records of all your contribution amounts and dates in case the IRS ever has questions down the road.

Just gonna say this: if you're waiting on the IRS to contact you by mail, sign up for Informed Delivery with USPS. You'll get emails showing what mail is coming each day, so you'll know when that IRS letter finally arrives. Saved me from checking my mailbox obsessively for weeks.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed in early April, accepted same day, then got hit with topic 151 about 3 weeks ago. My transcript shows codes 570 and 971 just like yours. I've been checking my mail religiously but nothing yet. Really hoping it's just a simple verification and not something more complicated. The waiting is driving me crazy, especially since I was counting on that refund for some unexpected car repairs. Following this thread closely to see what everyone else's experiences have been!