The IRS phone system has different options depending on your specific issue. What exactly are you trying to resolve? That will determine which number and which menu options are best for your situation.

For what it's worth, I've had success using the callback feature when available. Instead of staying on hold, the system will call you back when an agent is available. It's not always offered, but when it is, it's a lifesaver! Also, if you're dealing with a notice or letter from the IRS, have the notice number ready - it can help the agent pull up your case faster. I learned this the hard way after getting transferred three times because I didn't have all my paperwork organized beforehand.

its so annoying they make you wait 2-4 weeks just to tell you whats going on.like hello its 2025 send an email??

The waiting period is frustrating but unfortunately standard for state tax agencies. One thing that might help while you wait - check if Michigan Treasury has any automated phone status updates you can access with your reference number. Some states offer basic case status through their automated systems even when detailed responses come by mail. Also, make sure your mailing address is current in their system since any delay in mail delivery will just extend your wait time further.

Has anyone mentioned head of household status yet? That's what you'd probably be filing as now with kids and an unmarried partner. When comparing tax benefits of marriage, make sure you're comparing married filing jointly against head of household (not single), which already gives you some benefits. The marriage benefit might be smaller than if you were filing as single.

Great question! As someone who went through a similar situation, I can confirm there are definitely tax benefits to getting married when one spouse has no income. One thing I'd add to the excellent points already made - make sure you also consider the timing of when you get married. If you get married by December 31st, you're considered married for the entire tax year for IRS purposes. So if you're planning to tie the knot anyway, doing it before year-end could maximize your 2025 tax savings. Also, with three kids, you'll want to look into how the Child and Dependent Care Credit might change. If your girlfriend ever decides to work part-time or go back to work full-time, being married could affect how much you can claim for childcare expenses. The spousal IRA benefit mentioned earlier is huge too - that's potentially $7,000 more you can save for retirement while getting tax benefits. With 15 years together and three kids, it sounds like you're already a family in every way that matters. The tax benefits could just be the cherry on top of making it official!

Just wondering - does it matter if the gift is in cash vs a bank transfer? My dad wants to give me money to help with medical bills but isn't sure the best way to do it.

This is great information everyone! Just to add one more perspective - I work as a tax preparer and see this situation frequently. The key thing to remember is that gifts are NEVER taxable income to the recipient, regardless of the amount. You won't report it on your 1040, and it won't increase your tax liability at all. The $20k gift will be incredibly helpful for your student loans, and you can feel confident that the IRS won't come after you for it. Your aunt and uncle sound wonderful for helping you out! The only paperwork involved would be on their end if the gift exceeds the annual exclusion limits, but as others mentioned, they likely won't owe any actual tax even if they need to file Form 709. Don't stress about this - focus on enjoying the relief from those student loan payments!

Former casino employee here. If you're a slot player with a players card, PLEASE request your annual win/loss statement from every casino you've played at. Most major casinos track this data and will provide statements showing your activity for the year. These statements don't show every single transaction, but they do show overall play volume and net win/loss, which helps substantiate your personal records. Also, keep ALL W-2Gs for jackpots. The IRS automatically gets these, so if you don't report them, it's an automatic flag. Most slot players who get audited get tripped up because they report their losses but "forget" some of their W-2G winnings.

I went through a gambling audit two years ago. My advice - GET ORGANIZED NOW before you file. Create a spreadsheet with: 1. Date 2. Casino name 3. Starting bankroll 4. Ending bankroll 5. Net win/loss 6. W-2G amounts (separate column) 7. Notes (ATM withdrawals, cash advances, etc) Keep EVERY piece of supporting evidence - ATM receipts, bank statements showing withdrawals near casinos, hotel folios proving you were there, even restaurant receipts from the casino. I lost some of my audit because I couldn't prove certain losses with supporting documentation.