Something else to consider - I'd recommend taking a close look at the conference agenda and breaking down expenses according to educational vs. entertainment components. Some conferences pad their schedules with social activities that aren't deductible. My accountant had me allocate my registration fee based on the percentage of time spent in actual educational sessions vs. networking events.

Don't forget about state tax implications too! I deducted a conference on my federal return correctly but didn't realize my state had different rules about business expense deductions. Ended up having to file an amended state return.

Has anyone actually received their refund EXACTLY at the 120-day mark? I'm genuinely curious if these timeframes are just maximum legal limits or if they actually use the full time period. It seems like such an arbitrary number.

From what I've seen working with taxpayers, the 120-day timeline is more of a "worst case scenario" that the IRS uses to manage expectations. In reality, most reviews are completed much sooner - typically within 60-90 days. The key factors that influence timing include: • The complexity of your return and any credits claimed • Whether the IRS needs additional third-party verification (like employer W-2s) • Current processing volumes at the service center handling your case • Whether your case gets flagged for manual review vs. automated processing Given that your letter was dated February 14th, you're already about 3 weeks in. I'd recommend checking your online account transcript weekly for any code changes, as this often updates before you receive any official correspondence. If you have documented medical hardship, you can also call the IRS to request expedited processing - they do have provisions for genuine financial hardship situations. The waiting is frustrating, but most people in your situation see resolution well before the 120-day mark!

Can anyone clarify if capital losses expire? I thought I read somewhere that they eventually expire if not used within a certain number of years.

I went through a very similar situation a few years ago when I transitioned from US resident to non-resident status. The forced $3,000 annual usage of capital losses against zero income was incredibly frustrating, especially when I knew I'd have significant US income again in the future. What I learned from my tax attorney is that you have two main options: either accept the annual $3,000 "waste" by continuing to file, or skip filing entirely during years with no US source income to preserve the full carryforward amount. The key insight is that as a non-resident with no US source income, you're generally not required to file a return at all. I chose to stop filing during my zero-income years and documented everything carefully. When I resumed filing three years later with US source income, I was able to claim the full original carryforward amount. Just make sure you keep detailed records of your last filed return showing the capital loss carryforward balance - this becomes your reference point when you resume filing. The IRS doesn't penalize you for gaps in filing when you have no filing requirement, and your capital losses remain valid indefinitely under current law.

Wait does anybody know if this also applies to the first and second stimulus payments too? We got all 3 rounds but now I'm paranoid about all of them lol

Just to add some reassurance to what everyone else has said - I work as a tax preparer and can confirm that the Third Stimulus payments ($1,400 per person) absolutely do NOT need to be repaid. We've had countless clients ask about this same rumor, and I've had to explain repeatedly that these were advance payments of the Recovery Rebate Credit, not loans. The confusion often comes from people mixing up the stimulus payments with other programs like the Advanced Child Tax Credit or Paycheck Protection Program loans (which did have forgiveness requirements). But the stimulus checks were completely different - they were essentially prepayments of tax credits you were entitled to receive. Your brother-in-law is definitely mixing this up with something else. You can safely budget for your refund without worrying about any stimulus repayment!

I'm feeling your frustration! The community wisdom on this is pretty consistent - once you see those positive codes, you're in the final stretch. Most people report seeing the 846 code within 5-10 days after transcript updates with good codes. The WMR tool is notoriously behind the actual processing status. I've been through this dance with the IRS many times, and while it's maddening to wait, the fact that your transcript has updated is genuinely the best sign possible. Hang in there!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Filed 1/26, accepted same day, and my transcript just updated two days ago with all the good codes but no 846 yet. Reading everyone's experiences here is really reassuring - it sounds like most people are seeing their 846 code within that 5-10 day window after transcript updates. I've been obsessively checking every morning too (guilty as charged!). The waiting is the hardest part, especially when you're trying to plan finances like you mentioned. Based on what everyone's sharing, it seems like we're both in that final stretch. Fingers crossed we both see our 846 codes by early next week!