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Just wanted to add that when you do respond to the CP2000, make sure you respond to EVERY item they're questioning, even if you agree with some parts and disagree with others. I made the mistake of only addressing the items I disagreed with, and it caused more confusion and delays. Also, if you're requesting an extension, do it as early as possible! The closer you get to your deadline, the more stressful it becomes.
This is really helpful! When I respond, should I send copies of all my documentation or just the specific records related to the discrepancies they found?
Only send copies of the specific documentation that directly addresses the discrepancies mentioned in your CP2000. Sending too many unrelated documents can actually confuse the review process and potentially delay resolution. Make sure each document you send clearly relates to a specific item they're questioning. I like to use a cover letter that lists each discrepancy and exactly which supporting documents address each one. This makes it easier for the IRS agent reviewing your case to connect your evidence to their questions.
Has anyone here ever had their extension request denied? I'm in a similar situation with a CP2000 notice, and I'm worried about what happens if they say no to giving me more time.
10 I was in almost the exact same situation a few years ago! Based on my experience, here's what you should consider: With a duplex split 50/50, you'll likely do better with the standard deduction for your personal half unless you have significant other itemizable expenses (like major medical expenses or large charitable donations). The rental side is reported separately on Schedule E where you can deduct expenses regardless of whether you take standard or itemized deduction. Don't forget about depreciation on the rental portion! That's a big deduction many new landlords miss. And definitely take advantage of your Montana residency - that's a smart military tax move.
1 Thanks for the advice! I didn't even think about depreciation. Is that something I calculate myself or do I need an accountant? And are there any military-specific deductions I should know about with this setup?
10 Depreciation is actually pretty straightforward for residential rental property. The IRS lets you depreciate the building portion (not the land) over 27.5 years. You'll need to determine what portion of your purchase price was for the building vs. land - your property tax assessment often breaks this down, or you can use a reasonable estimate like 80% building/20% land in most areas. As for military-specific deductions, you can deduct unreimbursed moving expenses (still available for military even though civilians lost this deduction), and you may be able to exclude combat pay if applicable. If you paid state taxes in non-resident states where you were temporarily stationed, you might get credits for those in certain situations. I'd recommend talking to a military-experienced tax professional your first year with this setup.
22 Has anyone here used any particular tax software that handles the military + rental property situation well? I've used TurboTax in the past but it seems confused when I try to enter my duplex info and military status.
24 I've tried several and had the best luck with FreeTaxUSA. It handles the Schedule E for rentals really well and asks all the right questions about military service. Plus it's way cheaper than TurboTax especially if you have rental income - TurboTax forces you into their premium version for that.
22 Thanks! I'll give FreeTaxUSA a try. TurboTax was charging me nearly $200 for the premium version plus state filing, which seems excessive considering we get free filing options through Military OneSource.
From a bookkeeping perspective, here's how I would record this in QuickBooks: 1. Create an Other Current Asset account called "Refundable Deposits" 2. Record the payment to this asset account (not to an expense) 3. When you get the money back, record the deposit against this same account This way your books will show that you have this asset, and your taxes won't show an expense that isn't really an expense. The key is that it doesn't impact your profit and loss statement at all - it's strictly a balance sheet item.
Thanks for breaking it down like this! This makes a lot of sense. Do I need to do anything special at tax time to report this deposit? Does it show up anywhere on Schedule C?
You don't need to do anything special with this deposit on your tax return. It won't appear on your Schedule C at all since it's not an income or expense item. Schedule C only reports items that affect profit or loss. This deposit will only be reflected on your balance sheet as an asset. Since the IRS doesn't require sole proprietors or single-member LLCs to file balance sheets with their tax returns, you won't need to report it anywhere on your tax forms. Just keep good records in your accounting system so you remember to properly handle it when it gets refunded.
Just a quick note that if your state doesn't end up refunding the deposit (like if you mess up your sales tax filings or something), then it WOULD become an expense at that point. My brother had this happen with his construction business - they kept his $750 deposit because he filed late twice, and his accountant said to record it as a business expense in the year they officially told him it was forfeited.
Yeah, and make sure you get documentation if they don't refund it! My state tried to claim I never paid a deposit in the first place when it came time for my refund. Thankfully I had kept the original receipt and was able to get it back, but it was a hassle.
Here's a simple way to think about it - when you select "0" allowances, you're basically telling your employer "take out extra tax just to be safe." Each allowance you claim reduces the amount withheld. Most single people with one job should claim at least 1 allowance to account for the standard deduction (which is $13,850 for 2023). If you claim 0, you're likely overwithholding. But honestly, it depends on your comfort level with tax time. Some people prefer the "forced savings" of overwithholding to get a big refund. Others want their money throughout the year.
Would it be bad to change it to 1 halfway through the year? I've been at 0 since January.
Not bad at all! You can change your withholding at any time during the year. If you switch from 0 to 1 allowance now, you'll just start having less tax withheld from your remaining paychecks this year. The withholding system is designed to adjust throughout the year. Your employer calculates the withholding for each individual paycheck based on your current W-4 information, not based on what you submitted in January. So making the change now just affects your future paychecks - it doesn't retroactively change anything.
Are you getting paid a lot more at this new job compared to your campus jobs? Because tax withholding is based on your projected annual income. If you were making like $15/hr part-time before and now you're making $25/hr full-time, you're in a higher tax bracket so they take out more.
This is the most likely answer. I remember the shock when I went from my $12/hr campus job to my first salaried position. Suddenly I was seeing hundreds in taxes instead of like $30-40 per check. Welcome to adult life lol
Benjamin Carter
I'm a bookkeeper for several small businesses who use accrual accounting. Here's what we do: 1) Always report the full 1099-K amount on Schedule C 2) On Schedule C Part V, include an explanation of the difference 3) Keep a detailed spreadsheet showing: - Client name - Date payment received - Amount received - Project completion date - Tax year revenue should be recognized The IRS computer systems automatically match 1099 forms to your return. If you don't report it, you'll 100% get a letter asking why. But properly documenting the adjustment is totally legitimate and accepted accounting practice.
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Mateo Silva
ā¢Thank you for this detailed breakdown! For the Schedule C Part V explanation, how specific should I be? Is something like "Adjustment for deposits received but not earned under accrual method of accounting" sufficient?
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Benjamin Carter
ā¢That explanation is a good start, but I recommend being even more specific. Something like: "Adjustment of $34,000 for client deposits received in 2024 for design services to be completed in 2025 - accrual method of accounting." The more precise you are about the exact nature of the adjustment, the clearer it will be to anyone reviewing your return. Also, make sure your record-keeping is impeccable - for each deposit, have the client contract showing when services will be delivered, and your invoice clearly marking the payment as a deposit for future work.
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Maya Lewis
Has anyone had an actual audit triggered by this situation? I'm in the same boat with my consulting business. My CPA says it's fine but I'm still nervous about the big difference between my 1099-K and actual income.
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Isaac Wright
ā¢I had a "correspondence audit" (by mail) about this exact issue last year. They just asked me to provide documentation explaining the difference. I sent them my client contracts showing future service dates, my bookkeeping records showing when payments were received vs when work was completed, and a reconciliation worksheet. The case was closed with no issues or additional taxes. The key was having good documentation - if you can clearly show why the difference exists and that you're following proper accrual accounting methods, there's nothing to worry about.
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