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Has anyone dealt with a situation where the IRS sent a CP2000 but accepted your response and then sent ANOTHER CP2000 for the same issue a year later? Just happened to me and I'm furious. Do I have to go through this whole process again?
Yes! This happened to me with a retirement distribution. Had to submit the same explanation and documents twice. Second time I included copies of their own acceptance letter from the first time. Ridiculous waste of everyone's time.
That's so frustrating! I think I'll do what you did and include their previous acceptance letter. I saved everything from last time thankfully. Wonder if this is happening a lot because of their backlog - like the left hand doesn't know what the right is doing. At least I know what documents to send now.
Just to give you hope, I had almost the exact same issue last year with duplicate W-2s from a payroll switch. I sent my response certified mail with copies of both W-2s, the corrected one, and a letter from my employer confirming the situation. It took about 4 months, but I eventually got a notice saying the issue was resolved and I didn't owe anything. The key is documentation - the more proof you can provide, the better. A letter from your employer explaining the payroll switch is super helpful if you can get it. Also, keep checking your IRS account online at irs.gov/account as sometimes you can see updates there before you get a letter.
This is really encouraging, thank you! I did include copies of both W-2s and the corrected one with my response. I didn't think to get a letter from my employer though - that's a great idea. I'll reach out to our HR department tomorrow and see if they can provide something on company letterhead explaining the payroll switch. I've been checking my online account but so far no updates. Sounds like I just need to be patient and wait out the 4+ months. Stressful, but at least I know I've done everything right.
I'll go against the grain here - I still use TurboTax and haven't had any issues. Yes, it's more expensive than some alternatives, but the interface is super intuitive and I know where everything is. For me, the time saved is worth the extra cost. If you've used it before and are comfortable with it, there's nothing wrong with sticking with TurboTax. Just be aware of the upselling and make sure you actually need the features they're trying to get you to pay for.
Do you use the online version or desktop? I've heard the desktop version is better for military situations because it gives you more control, but it's also more expensive.
I use the online version, but I've used both in the past. The desktop version does give you a bit more control and detailed forms, but honestly for most military situations the online version has worked fine for me. The key is to look carefully at whether you really need the "Deluxe" or "Premier" versions they try to upsell you to. Often the lower-tier version will handle everything you need, especially if you don't have complex investments or rental properties. The military-specific items like combat pay exclusion are actually handled in all versions, even the basic one.
One thing to consider is free options through Military OneSource. They offer free access to tax filing software (I think it's actually a version of H&R Block) for active duty, Guard, Reserve, and recently separated service members. I used it last year and it was pretty good.
Here's a helpful tip - if you used tax software to file your return, you can usually log back in and view a PDF of your actual 1040. The software will show you the official form with all the line numbers clearly labeled. This might be easier than trying to decipher paper forms or summaries. TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct, etc. all keep your returns available online for several years after filing. Just log into your account and look for "View my return" or "Download PDF" options.
Do they keep returns forever? I used TurboTax back in 2021 but I can't remember my login info. Is there another way to get copies of old returns?
Most tax software companies keep your returns accessible for about 7 years, though policies vary. If you can't remember your login info, you can usually recover your account through email verification or by contacting customer support. If that doesn't work, you can always request a transcript directly from the IRS through their website. Go to IRS.gov and search for "Get Transcript Online" - this will show you the information from your filed returns, though the format is different from the actual 1040 form.
I work in financial aid and deal with this confusion all the time! Here's a quick reference for common line numbers people ask about on the 1040: For 2023 returns (filed in 2024): - Line 10: Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) - Line 15: Taxable Income - Line 24: Total Tax (this was line 16 on older forms) - Line 33: Refund amount - Line 37: Amount you owe For older returns, the numbers shifted around a bit. When applications ask for specific line numbers without specifying the tax year, they're usually looking for specific TYPES of information (like your AGI or total tax), not literally "whatever is on line 16.
One more piece of advice about CP2000 notices - ALWAYS double-check their math! Last year I got one saying I owed $4,700, but when I went through line by line and checked their calculations, they had counted some income twice. I wrote a very detailed response showing exactly where the error was in their calculations, included copies of my original documents with the relevant parts highlighted, and they reversed the entire amount. Sometimes they make mistakes too!
Thanks for this tip! I'm going to go through my notice with a fine-tooth comb tonight. Did you just write your explanation in a letter or did you use any specific forms to point out their error?
I wrote a detailed letter explaining the error and referenced specific line numbers from both my return and their notice. I also filled out the response form that came with the CP2000 and checked the box that I disagreed with the notice. The most important thing is to be super specific and include copies (never originals!) of any supporting documents. I highlighted the relevant numbers on each document and created a simple spreadsheet showing how their calculation was incorrect. Making it easy for them to see your point increases your chances of success.
Has anyone used TurboTax or H&R Block's CP2000 assistance? My notice says I owe because of crypto transactions but I'm 100% sure I reported everything correctly. Wondering if tax software help is worth the extra cost or if I should just handle it myself.
I used TurboTax's CP2000 help last year and thought it was overpriced for what you get. They basically just gave me generic advice I could have found online. For crypto specifically, you might want something more specialized since that's a complicated area.
Hunter Brighton
I use Fidelity for my RSUs and they provide a specialized tax statement that shows the proper adjusted cost basis for RSU sales. Is your broker E*TRADE or Morgan Stanley by chance? I know they sometimes send separate supplemental info that's easy to miss. Check your online account for a document called "Supplemental Information" or "Adjusted Cost Basis Report" - it might have exactly what you need!
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Brooklyn Foley
β’I'm using Schwab actually. They did send a supplemental document showing the cost basis, but it's not formatted in a way that makes it easy to match up with the 1099-B transactions. There are different dates and lot numbers that don't seem to correspond exactly to what's on the 1099. Did you have to do any manual matching or calculations with yours?
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Hunter Brighton
β’Ah Schwab can be tricky with RSUs. Their supplemental document requires some manual work unfortunately. The lot numbers on the supplemental document should correspond to specific grant dates, not necessarily the sale dates on your 1099-B. You'll need to match each sale on your 1099-B with the appropriate lot(s) on the supplemental document. Look for matching quantities and dates that are close together. Sometimes a single sale on the 1099-B might include shares from multiple lots on the supplemental document, which means you'll need to calculate a weighted average cost basis for that transaction.
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Dylan Baskin
Don't forget to check if you had any disqualifying dispositions if these were Incentive Stock Options (ISOs) rather than RSUs! Different tax treatment altogether. Also, if your company withheld shares for taxes at vesting (typically around 22%), make sure you're only calculating basis on the shares you actually received, not the full grant amount!
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Lauren Wood
β’Not all RSUs have shares withheld for taxes. Some companies give you the full shares and expect you to pay the taxes separately. The OP should check their vesting statements to confirm whether shares were withheld or not before making adjustments.
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