Just a heads up - I'm a delivery driver too and the IRS audited me last year specifically about my mileage deduction. They made me provide: - Daily mileage logs showing odometer readings - Service records showing odometer at maintenance visits - Receipts for gas that matched my driving patterns My Excel sheet wasn't detailed enough and I lost about 30% of my claimed deduction. Whatever system you use, make sure you're recording: - Starting and ending odometer EVERY DAY - Specific business purpose for each stop - Total business vs personal miles

As someone who's dealt with IRS mileage documentation requirements extensively, I want to emphasize how important it is to get your tracking system right from the start. The IRS Publication 463 specifically states that mileage records must be "timely" - meaning recorded at or near the time of travel, not reconstructed later. Your Excel idea is absolutely valid, but make sure you're capturing the essential elements: date, business purpose, destinations, and actual odometer readings (not just calculated distances). The IRS wants to see that you're tracking actual vehicle use, not theoretical routes. One thing I'd strongly recommend - take photos of your odometer at the beginning and end of each tax year. This creates an undisputable record of your total annual mileage, which helps establish what percentage was business use. I've seen too many people get tripped up because they couldn't prove their total vehicle usage during audits. Whatever system you choose, consistency is key. The IRS looks favorably on organized, systematic record-keeping that shows you take your tax obligations seriously.

If you can't access SBTPG, you might try contacting your bank directly. Many larger banks can see pending ACH transfers 1-2 days before they post to your account. Just tell them you're expecting an ACH deposit from "SBTPG LLC" or "TurboTax" and ask if they can see anything pending. This worked for me when I was in a similar situation - my bank could see the pending deposit a day before it actually posted to my account.

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Filed through TurboTax and selected the early refund option that failed, and now I can't access the SBTPG site either. It's so confusing because you think you're getting your money faster, but it seems like it actually creates more delays and uncertainty. Reading through all these responses is really helpful though - sounds like the general consensus is to expect 1-2 business days after the IRS date for the money to actually hit your account. I wish TurboTax was more upfront about how this process actually works instead of just marketing it as "get your refund faster." Has anyone had luck getting clearer timelines directly from TurboTax customer service, or is it better to just wait it out like most people are suggesting?

Just a heads up that you may be able to fire this tax preparer for cause and get a refund of some of your prep fees. The AICPA and other professional organizations have ethical standards that include timely communication with clients. Document all your interactions carefully! I had the same issue last year and got 50% of my fees back.

I'm dealing with something similar right now and wanted to share what I learned from speaking with an EA (Enrolled Agent). The key issue isn't whether your preparer had the right to file an extension - they generally do have that authority as part of their professional duty. The real problem is the communication breakdown. Your preparer should have contacted you much earlier about potential issues, especially knowing you'd have a balance due. The fact that they waited until you contacted them just 4 days before the deadline is a service failure on their part. For the interest and penalties, here's what you should know: Interest on unpaid taxes accrues regardless of extensions, but you might be able to get failure-to-pay penalties abated if you can show "reasonable cause." The preparer's poor communication and late notification could potentially qualify as reasonable cause. I'd recommend requesting a copy of the actual Form 4868 they filed to see if they properly estimated your payment or left it blank. If they didn't handle the extension properly, that strengthens your case for penalty relief. Also document all your communications with them - dates, times, what was discussed. This will be important if you pursue penalty abatement or file a complaint with their licensing board.

Does anyone know if I can file a 1065 partnership return myself using regular tax software, or do I need to hire an accountant? I'm also a small manufacturer with a 50/50 partnership, but the quotes I've received from CPAs are outrageous!

I went through this exact same situation last year when my wife and I converted our craft business to an LLC! The Form 1125-A confusion is totally normal - I must have read the instructions 50 times before it clicked. Since you're manufacturing products from raw materials, you definitely need Form 1125-A. Here's what helped me understand it: think of it as tracking the "journey" of your materials from purchase to finished product. Your beginning inventory is zero (first year), then you add all material costs throughout the year, subtract what you actually used in products you sold, and what's left is your ending inventory. The key insight that saved me was realizing that materials sitting in my workshop on December 31st - even if it's just $50 worth of fabric or wood - counts as ending inventory and affects your taxes. I initially tried to say my ending inventory was zero because we "use everything quickly," but my accountant caught that mistake. One thing that really helped was doing a physical count on December 31st and taking photos of all unused materials with rough cost estimates. Made the whole process much clearer for the following year too.

Has anyone dealt with this in Minnesota specifically? The CRP form there (CRP certificate) seems especially strict and my landlord is telling me the same thing - that they can't change it because "the system" automatically splits it between everyone on the lease.

This is such a common issue and really frustrating! Your landlord is absolutely wrong - they have an obligation to provide accurate tax documentation. The CRP should reflect who actually made the rent payments, not just split it equally among lease holders. Since you have clear documentation that you paid 100% of the rent from your personal account, I'd recommend taking a multi-pronged approach: 1. Send your landlord a formal written request for a corrected CRP, including copies of your bank statements showing all rent payments came from your account 2. If they still refuse, file your taxes with the incorrect CRP but include Form M-1PR (or your state's equivalent) with a detailed explanation and attach your payment proof 3. Consider reaching out to your state's revenue department for guidance on the specific process Don't let them brush you off with "that's how it works" - several hundred dollars in tax credits is absolutely worth pursuing, especially when you have clear documentation on your side. The fact that you're getting married soon doesn't change that this year you're filing as separate individuals and deserve the full credit you're entitled to.