I had the EXACT same situation - filed HoH in February, 570 code in March. I waited about 3 weeks and suddenly saw the 846 code without ever getting a notice or having to call. Sometimes they just randomly select returns for review and it resolves on its own. Be patient!

I went through this exact situation last year! The 570 code with a 971 notice is super common - it just means they're doing a routine review of your return. In most cases, it's completely automated and resolves itself within 2-4 weeks without you needing to do anything. The -1 balance is just their way of showing you have a credit (refund) coming, but it doesn't show the actual amount on the transcript sometimes. Since you verified your identity on March 10th and your transcript updated on March 15th, you're probably in the clear. The identity verification was likely what triggered the review in the first place. Now they just need to finish processing everything. Keep checking your transcript weekly - you should see either a 571 code (releasing the hold) followed by an 846 code (refund issued), or just the 846 code directly. Based on your timeline, I'd expect to see movement in the next 1-2 weeks. The notice they're sending is probably just a standard "we're reviewing your return" letter. Don't stress too much - this is way more common than you'd think!

One thing nobody's mentioned is that if you believe you're owed refunds, you should act FAST. The IRS only allows you to claim refunds for 3 years after the original due date. So for example, for tax year 2021 (which was due April 2022), you have until April 2025 to claim any refund. After that, the money is gone forever even if you were owed it. I learned this the hard way and lost about $3,200 in refunds from two tax years because I waited too long to file. Don't make my mistake!

Just wanted to share my experience - I didn't file for 3 years and finally got caught up last year. The IRS actually sent me a notice saying they would file a "Substitute for Return" for me, which is BAD NEWS because they calculate your taxes with no deductions except the standard deduction. My advice: - File yourself before they do this - If you already received a Substitute for Return, file your own return anyway to correct it - DON'T ignore any IRS notices!! - They were actually surprisingly reasonable to work with once I started communicating The biggest shock was filing 2020 with all the covid relief - I was owed way more than I expected and it offset what I owed for other years. Definitely check if you got all your stimulus payments!

I deducted some of my real estate certification courses last year as a landlord with 5 units. My accountant advised separating course costs that directly related to property management from general business courses. Also, don't forget you can deduct books, supplies, and even software you buy specifically for your landlord business as separate expenses! Make sure you're tracking all your education-related expenses separately so you can properly allocate them.

Great question about MBA deductions for rental property income! I went through something similar when I was pursuing my real estate license while managing several rental units. The IRS generally allows education expense deductions when the education maintains or improves skills required in your current business. Since you're already operating as a landlord and taking courses like Commercial Real Estate Development and Small Business Accounting that directly relate to your existing rental activities, you should be able to deduct the portion of your MBA expenses that specifically relates to these applicable courses. A few key points to remember: - Document how each course directly improves your current landlord skills (not preparing you for a new career) - Calculate the percentage of your total program that relates to rental property management - Keep detailed records of course syllabi, receipts, and how you apply the knowledge to your properties - Report these expenses on Schedule E along with your other rental business expenses Since you're looking at $32K total, even a partial deduction could provide significant tax savings. I'd recommend consulting with a tax professional who specializes in real estate to ensure you're maximizing your deductions while staying compliant with IRS requirements.

Whatever you do, DO NOT just informally pay them hourly without the proper structure! My friend did this with his "partners" and got audited. The IRS reclassified them as employees, and he owed back payroll taxes PLUS penalties. He ended up with an $18,000 tax bill that bankrupted the business. Make sure everything is properly documented from day one.

I faced a similar situation when I started my consulting firm with two colleagues who wanted hourly pay rather than profit sharing. After researching extensively, I learned that the key issue is whether they're truly "partners" or just employees/contractors with equity. If they want guaranteed hourly pay regardless of business performance, they're functioning more like employees than traditional partners. True partners share in both profits AND losses, not guaranteed compensation. Here's what I found works best: Form an LLC with yourself as managing member and them as minority members. Then pay them W-2 wages for their hourly work (since you'll likely have control over how/when they work) and they can also receive profit distributions based on their ownership percentage. This structure gives you the partnership feel they want while keeping you compliant with IRS worker classification rules. The hourly wages satisfy their need for predictable income, and the profit distributions give them upside when the business does well. Just make sure to document everything properly from the start - operating agreement, payroll setup, the works. The IRS scrutinizes these arrangements closely, especially when there's both wages and ownership involved.

My ex tried the same argument about only paying the post-tax amount! I finally had him talk to his own tax person who explained that the pre-tax benefit is a feature of MY employment that has nothing to do with HIM. He eventually agreed to pay the full amount. One thing that helped was pointing out that if he got insurance himself, he'd be paying the full premium anyway. The fact that I get a tax advantage doesn't change his responsibility. Plus, depending on your tax bracket, that difference can really add up over time!

This is a really common misconception that comes up in divorce situations. Your partner's ex is essentially trying to get you to subsidize his obligation by benefiting from your employment's tax structure. That's not how it works legally or ethically. The key point everyone else has made is spot-on: the $135 is what comes out of your paycheck to cover his children. Whether that money is pre-tax or post-tax is irrelevant to his reimbursement obligation. If he had to purchase coverage himself (which is what he's supposed to be doing), he'd pay the full retail price without any tax benefits. I'd recommend documenting everything - keep records of the premium increases, your communications about reimbursement, and any payments he does make. If this escalates, you'll want a clear paper trail showing you stepped up to fulfill his obligation and that he's trying to shortchange you on the reimbursement. Stand firm on the full $135. His argument might sound logical on the surface, but it's really just an attempt to get out of paying his full responsibility.