That's a really good point I hadn't considered. My first payment is supposed to be due on May 15th according to what I set up in TurboTax. Should I just go ahead and make that payment to the IRS directly if I still don't have confirmation by then?

Yes, absolutely make that May 15th payment even without official confirmation. You can pay directly through the IRS Direct Pay system on their website - just make sure to select the correct tax year and payment type (installment agreement). This way you're covered no matter what. If your payment plan is already in their system, the payment will be correctly applied to it. If there was some glitch and the plan wasn't properly set up, you've still made a payment toward your tax debt before any serious penalties kick in.

It happened to me once! Turned out TurboTax had a transmission error with that part of my return. I had to call the IRS and set up the payment plan directly with them. They were actually pretty understanding about it and didn't charge me any late fees since I could prove I tried to set it up on time.

This is really helpful advice. Should we get an attorney involved to draft the documents properly? Is there anything specific we should include in the promissory note to make it clear this is a legitimate loan transaction?

Yes, I would definitely recommend having an attorney draft or at least review your documents. The cost of legal help upfront is much less than dealing with IRS issues later. Make sure your promissory note includes all standard loan terms - principal amount, payment schedule, consequences for default, security interest in the property, etc. Even though there's no interest, everything else should look like a standard loan. Also include language acknowledging that both parties understand there may be imputed interest for tax purposes. Having your uncles keep a payment ledger showing receipt of your payments provides additional documentation of the loan's legitimacy.

That's actually a really good point. I went through something similar and was able to deduct the imputed interest against the rental income I was receiving. Definitely helped offset the tax burden on the rental income!

That's a good suggestion. There's a senior manager who seems approachable - maybe I could ask her if she'd be willing to do quick pre-reviews for me on the more complex returns. Did you find your mentor within your firm or through a professional organization?

I found my mentor within my firm initially, but I also connected with another experienced expatriate tax professional through our local CPA society's international tax committee. Professional organizations like that are goldmines for finding people who are willing to help. My in-firm mentor would spend 15 minutes with me before I submitted anything complex, which cut my review notes down dramatically. The external mentor was great for bigger-picture career advice. Don't underestimate how willing people are to help someone who shows genuine interest in improving!

The IRS actually has some decent webinars specifically about international taxation. There's also a certification program through the American Academy of Attorney-CPAs focused on international tax that goes into much greater depth than regular CPE.

Do they handle Schedule C for small businesses? I have a side hustle selling crafts online and I'm trying to file properly without spending a fortune.

Yes, they do handle Schedule C for small businesses and side hustles. I actually started using them when I had a small consulting gig on the side. It covers all the common business deductions and expenses. The interface for business income isn't quite as polished as TurboTax's, but again, completely free is hard to beat. If you have inventory for your crafts business though, just be aware you'll need to understand the basics of how to track that yourself - this is true of most DIY tax software.

That's interesting - I've always been hesitant about the cost of a CPA, but I never thought about the year-round advice aspect. How did you find your CPA? And did you interview multiple people before choosing?

Thanks for this perspective. I'm worried the IRS might see it that way too. Do you think I should consult with a tax attorney before selling? I'm concerned about potential penalties beyond just calculating the basis wrong.

Consulting with a tax attorney would definitely be a good idea in your situation. They can review the specific details of your transfers and advise you not just on the correct basis calculation but also on any potential exposure you might have regarding the transfers themselves. A good tax attorney can also help you understand the statute of limitations that might apply to your situation and develop a strategy for how to properly document and report the sale to minimize your risk of problems down the road. The peace of mind alone is probably worth the consultation fee.

That's a really good point. For transfers of real estate without consideration, you're supposed to file a Form 709 (Gift Tax Return) even if no gift tax is owed because of the lifetime exemption. If those weren't filed, that could be another issue to address.