Thanks for the insider perspective! Quick question - since I already paid and they filed my return, is there any way to still get an advance elsewhere or am I stuck waiting for the normal refund now? My emergency isn't going to wait 3 weeks unfortunately.

Unfortunately, once your return is filed, you can't get an advance from another company. The advance loans are tied to the preparation process, and you can only file once. Your best option now is to track your refund closely using the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool and consider other short-term options for your emergency. If you filed electronically with direct deposit, many refunds are coming through faster than the 21-day estimate this year - I've seen some clients get theirs in 10-14 days. Much better than payday loans or credit card advances, which have even worse terms than refund advances.

The IRS is running about on schedule this year for most simple returns, but there are definitely delays for returns with certain credits like EITC or Additional Child Tax Credit. Those are automatically held until mid-February by law. Returns with inconsistencies, verification flags, or identity theft markers also get delayed for manual review. If you're hitting the 21-day mark with no updates, it might be worth contacting the IRS directly to see if there's an issue they're not showing on the tracker.

Wait, really? I was planning to send the original passport since that's what I thought was required. Are certified copies accepted instead? And is there a way to track the application once it's submitted?

No, the IRS actually requires original documents or certified copies from the issuing agency for most ITIN applications/renewals - that's why it's such a risk. But you have better options! You can make an appointment at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center where they'll verify the original documents and give them right back to you. Or use a Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA) who can verify the documents and submit copies with a certificate of accuracy. Both options let you keep the originals safe. Once submitted, you can track status by calling the ITIN line at 1-800-908-9982, but they usually won't have info until 6+ weeks after submission.

You can submit multiple W-7 renewal forms with a single tax return! I did this last year for my parents and grandma. Just attach all the W-7s and supporting documents to your return. Make sure each W-7 has the correct supporting documents clearly labeled for each person. I used paper clips to keep each person's documents together, then attached the whole bundle to my return.

Never thought to check my last paystub! That's really smart. Do you know if box 14 items generally affect your tax refund amount at all?

Most Box 14 items don't affect your federal refund - they're usually just informational. They list things that are already accounted for elsewhere or things that don't impact federal taxes. However, certain items might affect state taxes depending on where you live. For example, some states allow deductions for certain contributions that might be listed in Box 14. That's why it's worth knowing what the codes mean, especially if you have a significant amount listed there.

I've used both H&R Block and TaxAct in different years, and neither was particularly good with unusual Box 14 entries. They both basically just let you enter the information but don't actually interpret what it means. I think it's because these codes aren't standardized.

What kind of documentation should I keep? I have confirmation emails from my brokerage showing the contributions, and I have last year's tax returns. Is that enough?

Confirmation emails are a good start, but you really want your account statements showing the contributions. Keep your Form 5498s that show IRA contributions for each year - these are usually sent out in May for the previous tax year. Your tax returns are crucial too, especially if you filed Form 8606 with them. If you didn't file 8606 forms for those non-deductible contributions, you should file amended returns to include them. Without the 8606 forms establishing your basis, it becomes much harder to prove which portions were already taxed.

I used TurboTax last year for my backdoor Roth and it worked fine. The interview questions specifically asked about non-deductible contributions and IRA conversions. Just make sure you answer the questions about having a basis in your IRAs correctly. The one tricky part was making sure I entered the 1099-R information exactly as it appeared on the form.

What kind of documentation would be best? I have credit card statements showing the purchases, but I didn't keep all the receipts. Will bank and credit card statements be enough, or does the IRS require more detailed proof?

Credit card and bank statements are a good start, but they only show that you spent money, not necessarily what it was for. The more detail you can provide, the better. If you don't have all receipts, include what you do have, along with a written explanation of each expense category and how it related to earning the 1099 income. Any contracts, emails with clients, or other documentation that shows the nature of your business activities will help support your case. The IRS is more likely to accept your expenses if you can clearly demonstrate they were ordinary and necessary for your business.

This is good advice. I went through something similar and was able to get the penalties removed by showing I had given all my documents to my preparer. The IRS form 843 can be used to request penalty abatement after you've resolved the CP2000 issue.