Does this fix the support page too? I still need to get a refund since I already paid for Premium which doesn't even work.

It did partially fix the support page for me - I could at least access it, though submitting forms was still hit or miss. For refunds, I had better luck calling their billing department directly at 319-373-3600 and selecting the billing option. Took about 25 minutes on hold, but I eventually got through to someone who processed my refund. The support page seems to be completely broken, but their phone systems still work.

Smart approach. Which software are you using this year instead? I need to find an alternative to finish my returns.

My brother tried to do a 1031 exchange last year and it was a complete nightmare with all the timing restrictions. Make sure you have a qualified intermediary lined up BEFORE you sell if you go this route!

THIS! My cousin sold some "worthless" land in Wyoming to a mining company for what seemed like a great price, only to find out later they discovered a major lithium deposit. Do your homework before selling!

Oh wow, I hadn't even thought about that! I was just excited about getting money for land I thought was worthless. Maybe I should look into what exactly they're mining for and get a second opinion on the value. Thanks for bringing this up - definitely don't want to get taken advantage of!

9 That's a really good point! How exactly do you "group" or "not group" activities on your tax return? Is that something on a specific form or schedule?

3 You'd indicate the grouping of activities on Form 8582 (Passive Activity Loss Limitations) and how you report the income on Schedule E versus Schedule C. The key is making sure rental activities stay on Schedule E as passive income (not subject to self-employment tax) rather than having them rolled into Schedule C business income (which is subject to SE tax). Your tax software might not flag this issue, so it's worth specifically asking your accountant about it. The IRS has specific tests for "material participation" and "real estate professional" status that determine how the income is classified.

2 Series LLCs are only available in certain states, and the tax treatment can get complicated. I use one in Texas for my 7 properties. The IRS hasn't given definitive guidance on Series LLCs, but generally they're still treated as pass-through entities that don't change the character of rental income. The FICA exemption should still apply as long as your rental activities remain passive.

16 Thanks for the info! I'm in Illinois which apparently does have Series LLCs. I'll look more into the state-specific rules, but good to know it shouldn't change the FICA situation as long as I'm still doing passive rental activities.

Thank you for mentioning those specific forms! I hadn't heard about Form 1310 yet. I'll definitely make sure to write "DECEASED" on the returns too. I've contacted his bank but they weren't very helpful without a court order or something official showing I have authority. I'm going to try again with his last bank statement to see if there are any transfers to investment accounts I can trace.

You're welcome. The Form 1310 is crucial - the IRS won't issue the refund without it when filing for a deceased taxpayer. And make sure you're using your uncle's final address on the return, which sounds like it should be the State B address where he actually lived. For the bank issues, you might need to get Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the probate court, depending on your state's processes. Even for small estates, many states have a simplified probate process that gives you the legal authority you need. Without those documents, financial institutions are legally restricted in what information they can share, even with family members.

This is so true! My brother got hit with double taxation when he tried to file my dad's taxes incorrectly. Both Michigan and Indiana came after him because dad worked in one state but lived in the other. It was a complete mess to untangle.

Is it too late to create a mileage log now? I kept rough track in my calendar of my routes and deliveries but didn't have a formal "mileage log" per se. Can I recreate one from my notes?

You can reconstruct a reasonable mileage log from your existing notes and calendars. The IRS doesn't require a specific format - they just need to see evidence that you tracked business vs personal miles. Include dates, starting location, destination, purpose of trip, and mileage for each business drive. Be honest about reconstructing it from your notes - don't claim it's an original contemporaneous log if it isn't. Many small business owners have to reconstruct logs during audits, and the IRS understands this as long as you have some supporting documentation like your delivery schedules, client meetings, etc.

For high-mileage, lower-cost vehicles, standard mileage rate usually wins. I've done both delivery and rideshare for years. When I tracked both methods side by side last year, standard mileage gave me a $9,850 deduction while actual expenses would have been around $7,200. But it totally depends on your vehicle and situation.