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22 We faced this exact problem last year. One thing to consider is that in some states, you can obtain a resale certificate WITHOUT registering for sales tax collection. It's a bit of a gray area, but we were able to get certificates in about 5 states this way by explaining we were below threshold but needed the certificate for our suppliers. It varies by state though. Some states flat-out refused and said we needed to fully register, while others had a simplified registration just for resale certificate purposes.
1 Which states allowed you to get certificates without registering? That might be exactly what we need. Also, did you have to file any returns in those states even though you were below threshold?
22 We were able to get certificates without full sales tax registration in Washington, Indiana, and Tennessee by specifically explaining our situation. Colorado and Arizona had simplified registration processes that didn't trigger filing requirements until we hit thresholds. No, we didn't have to file returns in those states as long as we remained under threshold. Just make sure to get written confirmation that no returns are required, as policies can vary and change. Each state required different documentation to prove we were below threshold. Tennessee was particularly accommodating once we explained the Avalara supplier situation.
16 Just be careful about registering in states where you don't need to. Once you're in their system, some states make it VERY difficult to deregister if you later fall below threshold again. We registered in NY during a sales spike, then our sales dropped below threshold, but they still required us to file zero returns for 3 years before allowing us to deregister. Also, most states have a minimum time period you need to stay registered (often 1-2 years) even if you no longer have nexus. It's a huge administrative headache you don't want unless absolutely necessary.
23 This is so true! We're still filing zero returns in Illinois and Michigan two years after our sales dropped below threshold. The deregistration process is ridiculous - multiple forms, letters explaining why, and constant follow-ups. Not worth registering unless you're consistently above threshold.
I went through this last year with my private company ISO plan. Make sure you also check if there were any state tax implications. In California, for example, the AMT calculation is different from the federal one for ISOs. Also, don't forget about the fees you paid! Those $620 in fees should be added to your cost basis when calculating your gain. So your gain would actually be $19,330 - ($1,330 + $620) = $17,380. Everyone always forgets to account for the fees.
That's a great point about the fees! I didn't realize I could add those to my cost basis. And thanks for the reminder about state taxes - I'm in Illinois and haven't even thought about how they might treat this differently. So if I include the fees in my basis, the capital gain would be $17,380 as you calculated. That would save me some tax compared to reporting the full $18,000!
Illinois follows federal treatment for the most part, but double-check if they have any AMT differences. The fees make a real difference in your case - whenever you're dealing with stock sales, always incorporate the transaction costs into your basis. Be sure to keep all your documentation from the sale and the Form 3921 for at least 7 years. ISO transactions are a common audit trigger because they're often reported incorrectly. Having clear records of how you calculated everything will save you headaches if questions ever come up.
Just to add my experience - I faced this exact situation with ISOs from a private company secondary sale. One thing nobody mentioned yet is that if your company gets acquired or goes public in the future, keeping track of your AMT credits becomes super important. I had a $14k AMT credit from a previous ISO exercise that I was able to claim when our company went public years later. Make sure you file Form 8801 each year to carry forward any AMT credit you can't use immediately.
Sometimes it also depends on what's in your return. My brother and I filed on the same day (through different tax preparers). He got his acceptance in 12 hours, I waited 4 days. The difference? He had a simple return with one W-2, while I had a W-2 plus 1099-NEC income and claimed the home office deduction. Anything more complex tends to take longer for processing. Do you have anything unusual in your return this year compared to previous years? New tax credits, self-employment income, education credits, etc can sometimes trigger additional verification steps.
This actually makes a lot of sense. I did claim the American Opportunity Credit this year for my daughter's first year of college expenses. I didn't think about that possibly causing a delay. Is there a list somewhere of what types of claims typically trigger longer review periods?
There's no official comprehensive list published by the IRS (they keep their exact verification triggers confidential to prevent fraud), but common elements that often cause longer reviews include education credits like the AOTC you mentioned, Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, recovery rebate credits, and returns with significant changes in income from previous years. The college credit could definitely be a factor in your delay! The good news is that verification delays at the acceptance stage usually don't impact how quickly you receive your refund once accepted. The system is just doing initial verification checks.
Has anyone noticed if filing early in the season affects processing time? I always file the first week returns are accepted and it seems like it takes longer than when my friends file in March.
One thing to consider when looking for an online CPA is their familiarity with the tax laws in your specific state. I hired someone who was great with federal issues but missed some state-specific deductions that cost me quite a bit. Also, ask about their client portal and how secure it is. You'll be sharing a lot of sensitive financial documents, so security should be a priority. My CPA uses a really good encrypted system that makes me feel comfortable sharing documents online.
This is such a good point! I made this mistake last year with a CPA who didn't know about my state's special treatment of retirement income. Do you think it's better to find someone local who does online consultations or someone fully remote?
I've had better luck finding someone local who offers online services. They tend to know both the state and local tax situations better while still providing the convenience of remote meetings. A fully remote CPA can absolutely work too, especially if they specifically list your state as one they're familiar with. Just make sure to specifically ask about their experience with your state's tax laws during your initial consultation.
I've been using FreeTaxUSA for years and honestly don't see the point in paying for a CPA. It walks you through everything step by step and costs way less. Unless you have super complicated investments or something, it seems like overkill.
Tax software is fine for filing, but it doesn't help with actual tax planning throughout the year. A good CPA helps you make strategic decisions BEFORE tax time to minimize what you owe. Software just processes what already happened.
That's a fair point. I guess I was just thinking about the filing part and not the planning aspect. Maybe I should look into this too since I'm starting a side business this year and could probably use some guidance on how to set things up properly from the beginning.
Ellie Simpson
You can also request an "Account Transcript" from the IRS which will show if they've received your return. Go to irs.gov, create an account (or log in), and request a transcript for 2025. It updates pretty quickly after filing - usually within 24-48 hours. Even if you don't get a refund, it'll show that your return was received and processed. Also, despite what TurboTax says, the IRS considers a return filed on the date it was electronically transmitted. If TurboTax sent it while it was still April 14th in the US, you're good regardless of your local date.
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Arjun Kurti
β’Does that Account Transcript show if you still owe money or if payments were applied correctly? My online account shows I owe $0 but I know that's not right since I just filed yesterday and owe around $3,500.
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Ellie Simpson
β’Yes, the Account Transcript shows your balance due and any payments applied. If you just filed yesterday, there might be a delay before the $3,500 shows up on your account. The transcript will show codes for return filed, assessments, and payments. It usually takes 2-3 business days after your return is accepted for the amount due to appear in your account. Don't worry if it still shows $0 right after filing - that's normal. Just make sure to submit your payment by the deadline even if the balance isn't showing yet.
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RaΓΊl Mora
TurboTax actually has a way to check this too! Log into your account on desktop (not mobile app), go to your tax return, and click "View E-file Status." It should show if your return was accepted or rejected by the IRS. Sometimes the emails get filtered to spam or delayed. As long as you submitted while it was still April 14th in the US, you're considered on time regardless of your local date.
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Margot Quinn
β’I checked my TurboTax and didn't see any "View E-file Status" option. Is this only available in certain versions? I used the Premier version but only see a general status that says "Filed" with no details about IRS acceptance.
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