I've been dealing with a similar situation for the past few months - $198k in back taxes and license suspended just when I was trying to get back into trucking. This thread has been incredibly helpful, especially the systematic approach everyone's outlined. One thing I'd add from my experience so far: when you call the IRS, be prepared for them to ask about any recent changes in your financial situation. Since you mentioned losing your job 2 months ago, they'll want documentation of that job loss (termination letter, final pay stub, etc.) to support your CNC application. Having that ready can speed up the process significantly. Also, I found out that some states have expedited reinstatement procedures specifically for commercial drivers, since they recognize that CDL holders often need their licenses for employment. When you call your DMV, ask if they have any "commercial driver hardship" or "employment-based reinstatement" programs. It might not apply in every state, but it's worth asking since you specifically need the CDL for work. The timeline everyone's sharing gives me hope too. I'm about 3 weeks into my own process and seeing real progress. The key really is starting both the IRS and DMV processes simultaneously rather than waiting for one to complete before starting the other. Good luck - you can definitely get through this!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the stress of having your license suspended when you desperately need to work must be overwhelming. Based on everything shared here, it sounds like you have a clear path forward though. The advice about calling both the IRS and DMV simultaneously is crucial. When you call the IRS tomorrow, definitely ask for the "Collection function" and request both CNC status AND a collection hold while they process your application. Having your termination letter and final pay stub ready will help speed things up. One thing I'd add: since your CSED doesn't expire until 2029, make sure to mention this when discussing your situation with the IRS. The fact that you have several years left on the collection period, combined with your current inability to pay, actually strengthens your CNC case - it shows this isn't a temporary cash flow issue but a genuine long-term hardship situation. For the DMV call, that specific terminology about "tax debt license suspension release procedures" seems to be the magic phrase that gets you to the right department quickly. Ask about their document submission process upfront so you know exactly how to submit the IRS compliance letter when you get it. Hang in there - based on everyone's timelines here, you could realistically be working on your CDL within 6-8 weeks if you start the process immediately. This community has shown that this situation is definitely solvable, even starting from zero income and assets.

Has anyone actually used the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator? I found it super helpful for my situation (also married with non-working spouse). It asks detailed questions and at the end tells you exactly what to put on each line of the W4.

I was in almost the exact same situation last year! Married filing jointly, one young kid, non-working spouse, and getting huge refunds that I wanted to reduce. Here's what worked for me on the new W4: **Step 1:** Select "Married filing jointly or Qualifying surviving spouse" **Step 2:** Leave this completely blank since your spouse doesn't work **Step 3:** Enter $2,000 for your child (this is the Child Tax Credit amount) **Step 4:** Leave (a) and (c) blank, but for (b) you might want to enter any itemized deductions you have (mortgage interest, charitable donations, etc.) to further reduce withholding The key thing is that your old "0 allowances" setting doesn't translate to the new form - it was probably causing way too much to be withheld. Just by updating to married status and claiming your child credit, you should see a significant reduction in withholding. I went from getting $8,000+ refunds to around $1,500, which put about $250 more in each paycheck. Submit a new W4 to HR and you should see the change in your next pay period!

When I tried getting my transcript online, the verification system kept rejecting me. After wasting almost 2 hours trying different things, I used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to get through to an IRS agent who helped me request my transcript by mail. It's a service that navigates the IRS phone tree and holds your place in line. Got connected to a real person in about 15 minutes instead of the usual 2+ hour wait time. The agent was able to verify my identity over the phone and get my transcript request processed.

Just to add another option - if you're having trouble with the online verification or don't want to wait for mail, you can also call the IRS directly at 1-800-908-9946. It's their automated transcript request line. You'll need your SSN, date of birth, and the address from your most recent tax return. The system will mail your transcript to the address on file within 5-10 business days. Sometimes this is faster than going through the full online account setup if you're just looking for a one-time transcript request.

Can someone clarify exactly what gets prorated if you ARE over the 10% threshold? I'm confused about the difference between Schedule E allocation and the vacation home rules.

This is such a common source of confusion! I went through the exact same situation with my rental condo last year. The key thing to understand is that there are actually two separate tests that determine how your property is classified: 1. **Classification Test**: If your personal use is less than the greater of 14 days OR 10% of rental days, your property is classified as a "rental property" rather than a "vacation home" 2. **Expense Allocation**: Even as a rental property, you still need to separate expenses that are directly attributable to personal use vs. rental use In your case with 6 personal days vs 180 rental days, you're well under both thresholds (6 < 14 days, and 6 < 18 days which is 10% of 180). So your property qualifies as a rental property. This means you can claim 100% of your fixed expenses (mortgage interest, property taxes, insurance, depreciation) as rental deductions. You only need to exclude variable expenses that were specifically incurred during your 6 personal days (like utilities, cleaning fees, etc. during those specific days). Your property manager is correct - you don't need to prorate your major expenses since you're below the threshold. The vacation home proration rules simply don't apply to your situation.

If the original Roth owner had the account less than 5 years before passing away, things get more complicated. The earnings portion could be taxable while the contributions remain tax-free. Did your 1099-R break down how much was contributions vs earnings?

This is a really comprehensive discussion already! One additional point to consider - if you're working with a tax professional this year, make sure to bring both the 1099-R and any documentation from the bank showing the direct transfer to the inherited Roth IRA account. Even though this should be straightforward (especially with distribution code "Q"), having that paper trail can be invaluable if the IRS ever questions the transaction later. The bank statement or transfer confirmation showing the money went directly from one Roth account to another without touching your personal accounts helps establish that this was a proper trustee-to-trustee transfer. Also, since you mentioned this is your first time dealing with inherited retirement accounts, you might want to ask the bank if they have any educational materials about inherited Roth IRA rules. Many financial institutions have gotten much better about explaining the SECURE Act changes and what they mean for beneficiaries.