Bit of a tangent, but what gambling log app do people recommend? I've been using a paper notebook which is getting unwieldy. Is there a good mobile app that lets you log sessions and wins/losses on the go?

This is exactly why I always recommend keeping contemporaneous notes while gambling! The key thing to remember is that your gambling log should reflect the actual time you were gambling, not when the casino's "gaming day" officially ends. Here's what I do: I note the actual calendar date and time when I start and stop gambling, regardless of what the casino considers their "gaming day." If I'm playing at 2am on February 15th, that's what goes in my log as February 15th activity. When I get a W-2G that shows February 14th for that same jackpot, I make a note in my log like "W-2G dated 2/14 due to casino gaming day policy" next to the February 15th entry. This creates a clear audit trail. The IRS has been pretty consistent that they want to see gambling activity tracked by actual calendar days, not casino accounting periods. Your approach of wanting to stay organized by calendar days is correct - just make sure you have those reconciliation notes to explain any date discrepancies on your tax forms.

As someone who's been through this exact same situation, I can confirm what everyone else is saying - TurboTax handles everything automatically once the IRS releases your refund. The timing is really consistent too. I've used the refund deduction option for the past 3 years and it's always been 1-2 business days from when WMR shows "sent" to when the net amount (after TurboTax fees) appears in my account. Since your expected date is April 3rd and the kids' activities don't start until April 5th, you'll have a comfortable buffer. One thing I'd suggest is setting up account alerts with your bank so you get notified immediately when the deposit hits - that way you can finalize any last-minute planning for those spring activities without stress!

Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who's used TurboTax's refund deduction option multiple times! The process really is as straightforward as everyone's describing. One thing that might help with your peace of mind - you can actually log into your TurboTax account and see a detailed breakdown of exactly what fees will be deducted before they take them out. This helped me budget precisely when I was in a similar situation with tight timing for family expenses. Also, most banks process ACH deposits overnight, so if WMR shows your refund as "sent" on April 3rd (which is a Thursday), there's a good chance you'll see the money (minus TurboTax fees) in your account by Friday morning April 4th, giving you a full day buffer before the kids' activities start. The automatic nature of the whole process is actually a relief once you get used to it - no action needed on your part at all!

Quick question - what if both my jobs had exactly the same employer but paid me with different W2s? My company split into two entities mid-year but it's basically the same company. Would they still over-withhold or should they have coordinated since it's technically the same employer?

This happened to me a few years back and I can totally understand the panic! Just to reinforce what others have said - you're absolutely right that you've overpaid, and no, your employers don't need to correct anything on their W2s. One thing I learned the hard way: make sure to keep good records of this for next year if you're still working multiple jobs. I now track my Social Security wages throughout the year so I can ask one employer to stop withholding once I hit the limit. It's not required, but it helps with cash flow instead of waiting for the refund. Also, double-check that both W2s show the correct Social Security wages in Box 3 and Social Security tax withheld in Box 4. Sometimes there are errors there that could affect your calculation. Your total overpayment should be the amount over $9,932.40 for 2023, which sounds like it's around $5,073 based on your numbers - that's a nice refund!

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress! The 810 code is absolutely maddening when you're counting on that refund money. I went through something very similar about 6 months ago and the uncertainty was the worst part. Since you mentioned you claimed EITC, that's almost certainly why you got flagged - they review those claims super carefully. The good news is that if your claim is legitimate (which it sounds like it is), it will eventually clear. The bad news is it typically takes 2-4 months for EITC reviews. A few things that helped me get through the wait: - Check your transcript every Friday for any changes (even tiny date updates can show progress) - Call at exactly 7:00 AM EST - I finally got through after 3 weeks of trying at that time - Keep records of everything in case you need to escalate later I know the waiting is torture when bills are piling up, but hang in there. Most people in your situation do eventually get their full refund plus interest for the delay. You're definitely not alone in dealing with this broken system!

I completely understand your frustration with the 810 code - it's one of the most stressful situations to be in when you're counting on your refund! I went through this exact same thing about a year ago and the uncertainty was absolutely maddening. From reading your situation, it sounds like your return is stuck in manual review, which unfortunately can take quite a while. Since you mentioned claiming EITC, that's very likely the trigger - they scrutinize those claims heavily due to fraud prevention measures. Here's what I'd suggest based on my experience and what others have shared: 1. Check your transcript weekly (maybe every Friday) to track any code changes or date updates - even small changes can indicate progress 2. Try calling at exactly 7:00 AM EST when they first open - several people have had better luck at that time 3. Make sure your address is 100% correct in your IRS account - if there's any discrepancy, their letters won't reach you 4. Document everything with screenshots and dates in case you need to escalate The waiting is absolutely brutal, especially with bills piling up, but most legitimate EITC claims do eventually clear. It typically takes 8-16 weeks unfortunately, but you should get your full refund plus interest for the delay. I know it doesn't help with your immediate financial stress, but you're definitely not alone in this struggle. The system is broken but it does work eventually - hang in there!

4 Has anyone had success calling the IRS to link multiple amended returns after sending them? I mailed two separate amendments three weeks ago and I'm worried they'll be processed out of order.

11 Based on my experience handling similar situations, I'd recommend mailing them separately and timing it strategically. Send your 2020 amendment first via certified mail, then wait about 2-3 weeks before sending the 2021 amendment. This gives the IRS processing centers a better chance of handling them in the correct sequence. Include a cover letter with each return explaining the relationship between them. For the 2020 return, mention "This amendment establishes capital losses that will carry forward to affect my 2021 tax year." For the 2021 return, state "This amendment depends on capital loss carryovers from my 2020 amended return submitted on [date]." Also consider e-filing if your situation qualifies - it's much faster and creates a clearer electronic trail for the IRS to follow between related returns.