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Another thing worth mentioning about the IP PIN - you need to make sure your address is updated with the IRS if you've moved recently. I moved last year and didn't update my address with the IRS (only with USPS), and my IP PIN letter went to my old address. When I tried to file, I realized I didn't have the PIN and couldn't retrieve it online because the system was down. Ended up having to file a paper return which took almost 6 months to process and get my refund. Lesson learned: Keep your address updated directly with the IRS, not just with postal service forwarding!
Is there an easy way to update your address with the IRS? I just moved last month and didn't even think about this issue.
There are a few ways to update your address with the IRS. The easiest is probably submitting Form 8822 (Change of Address) directly to the IRS - it's a simple one-page form you can download from their website. You can also update your address when you file your next tax return, but that might be too late if you've already moved and are waiting for important documents like your IP PIN. Another option is to call the IRS directly, but as others have mentioned in this thread, getting through can be challenging during busy periods.
Quick question - I've heard that getting an IP PIN means your returns will be processed more slowly. Is that true? I usually get my refund pretty quickly and don't want to delay things if I don't have to.
That's actually a misconception. Having an IP PIN doesn't slow down the processing of your tax return as long as you enter it correctly when filing. In fact, it can potentially speed things up because your return won't be flagged for additional identity verification that might otherwise be triggered.
This seems like a widespread issue. I worked as a tax preparer for 2 years and this refund transfer fee catches SO many people by surprise. Pro tip: ALWAYS choose to pay your preparation fees upfront with a credit card rather than from your refund. The convenience fee is never worth it. Also, keep in mind the IRS doesn't charge fees to process your refund - these are solely from the tax preparation companies and their banking partners. If you're comfortable doing it, consider using the IRS Free File options next year to avoid all these extra charges.
Does the Free File option work if you have more complicated taxes? I'm a contractor with multiple 1099s and some investments.
The IRS Free File program has different options depending on your income level. If your adjusted gross income is below $73,000, you can use their guided tax preparation services which can handle most common tax situations including 1099 income and basic investments. If you make more than that threshold or have very complex situations (multiple rental properties, complicated business deductions, etc.), you can still use Free File Fillable Forms, which are basically the electronic versions of paper forms. This option requires more tax knowledge since it doesn't guide you through the process, but it's still free and handles direct deposit refunds without the extra fees.
Has anyone else noticed that the TPG PRODUCTS SBTPG LLC fee has increased this year? Last year it was $39.95 but this year they charged me $44.95! That's a crazy increase for literally the same service.
I noticed that too! I think they're taking advantage of people not paying attention. My brother used FreeTaxUSA instead and paid way less in fees overall.
One important thing no one has mentioned - when you file a 1040-X claiming a refund, make sure you file it within the refund statute of limitations. You generally have 3 years from the original filing deadline to claim a refund. So for 2024 taxes, you'd need to file your 1040-X by April 15, 2028 (assuming you filed your original return on time). Also, when I submitted my amended return, I included a brief cover letter explaining the situation in simple terms. I can't prove it helped speed things up, but I got my refund in about 16 weeks which seemed faster than what others experienced.
Did you mail your 1040-X or were you able to e-file it? I've heard some people can e-file amended returns now but I'm not sure if that's true for all situations.
I had to mail my 1040-X. While the IRS has been expanding e-filing options for amended returns, it's still limited. If your original return was e-filed through certain tax software, you might be able to e-file the amendment through the same software. But many situations still require paper filing. For my situation (similar to the original poster where I overpaid), I had to mail it in. If you do mail it, use certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of when the IRS received it. This is important for tracking and in case there are any disputes about meeting filing deadlines.
Has anyone ever received their amended return refund via direct deposit? I thought the IRS only sends paper checks for amended return refunds, no matter what you request on the form.
Be super careful with ERTC claims for farms! My neighbor got bamboozled by one of those ERTC "specialist" companies that promised huge refunds. They filed claims for quarters when his farm actually had INCREASED revenue compared to 2019. Now he's facing an audit and potential penalties. The legitimate quarters for ERTC can be valuable, but filing for quarters you don't qualify for is basically asking for trouble. The IRS has specifically said they're targeting fraudulent ERTC claims. Make sure you have solid documentation showing either the revenue decline OR specific government orders that affected your farm operations.
How much do the penalties end up being if the IRS determines you filed incorrectly? I've been told by several ERTC companies that "there's no downside" to applying even if I'm not sure I qualify.
There can absolutely be a downside! The penalties can include repayment of the full credit amount plus a 20% accuracy-related penalty, interest on the repaid amounts, and potentially a 75% penalty for fraudulent claims in worst-case scenarios. These ERTC companies claiming "no downside" are being dishonest. They get their commission upfront, while you're left dealing with the IRS for years if there's an audit. The IRS has explicitly made ERTC abuse an enforcement priority, so the risks are very real. Only file for quarters where you truly meet the eligibility requirements and can document it.
Just a heads up for anyone filing ERTC for their farm - the actual process is a bit complex. You need to: 1) Determine eligibility for each quarter (either revenue decline OR government shutdown impact) 2) Calculate qualified wages for eligible employees 3) File Form 941-X for each quarter you're amending 4) Include a detailed statement explaining your eligibility reason 5) Keep ALL supporting documentation for at least 4 years For our berry farm, the most tedious part was documenting how the social distancing requirements impacted our U-pick operation. We had to gather all the local health orders and explain how they reduced our capacity.
What tax software are you guys using to handle the amended returns? I've been using TurboTax Business but it doesn't seem to have good support for 941-X forms.
Mohamed Anderson
Just as a data point, I've had a Solo 401k with Vanguard for about 5 years now with both traditional and Roth components. They automatically set both up under the same plan number but with different account numbers. From what I understand, this is standard practice and the correct way to do it. The plan number is what identifies your retirement plan as a whole to the IRS, while the account numbers are just for the financial institution's internal tracking. Definitely get them matched up before you have to file any Form 5500 paperwork.
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Danielle Campbell
ā¢Thanks for sharing your experience! Do you know at what point I would need to file Form 5500? I thought solo 401ks were exempt from that unless the assets exceed $250,000?
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Mohamed Anderson
ā¢You're right that solo 401ks are exempt from Form 5500 filing requirements until your total plan assets exceed $250,000. Once you cross that threshold, you'll need to file Form 5500-EZ annually. Even if you're below that threshold now, it's still good practice to have your plan documentation consistent and organized from the beginning. Makes life much easier if/when you do eventually need to start filing, and prevents headaches if you ever get audited or need to roll the accounts over to a different provider.
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Ellie Perry
I'm surprised nobody mentioned this yet, but you might want to double check if your E-Trade solo 401k plan document actually allows for Roth contributions in the first place. Some off-the-shelf solo 401k plans don't include this option unless specifically elected. If your plan document doesn't include the Roth option but you've been making Roth contributions, that could be a bigger issue than just having different plan numbers.
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Landon Morgan
ā¢This is an excellent point. When I set up my solo 401k with Schwab, I initially assumed I could make both traditional and Roth contributions, but it turned out their standard plan document didn't include the Roth option. Had to specifically request an amendment to add that feature.
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