Has anyone actually had success getting a refund from Optima? I'm in month 5 with them, paid $3,900, and they keep saying they're "reviewing my case" but nothing happens. Starting to think I've been scammed too.

Carmen, you're absolutely not an idiot - these companies are predatory and specifically target people in stressful financial situations. The fact that you're taking action now shows you're being smart about protecting yourself. Here's my step-by-step recommendation based on what others have shared: 1) **Document everything immediately** - gather all contracts, payment records, emails, and notes from phone calls with Optima 2) **Send written termination notice** (email + certified mail) demanding immediate cancellation and an itemized list of actual services performed 3) **Contact your credit card company today** to dispute charges - explain that services were not rendered as promised 4) **File complaints with FTC, BBB, and your state attorney general** - this creates a paper trail and may help others The good news is you've already contacted a local EA/CPA, which is exactly the right move. They can often resolve IRS issues much faster and cheaper than these relief companies ever could. Don't let Optima string you along with more excuses. Be firm about cancellation and don't accept any "retention offers" - they're just trying to extract more money. You have consumer protection rights, especially if you paid by credit card. Stay strong - you're doing the right thing by getting out now before they take even more of your money.

I've been following this thread closely since I'm in almost the exact same situation! I started selling some old board games and comic books on eBay a few months ago and have been really worried about the tax implications. Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly helpful. The distinction between personal property sales (at a loss) versus actual business income finally makes sense to me. I was panicking thinking I'd owe taxes on every dollar I received from sales, but now I understand it's really about profit. One thing that's been particularly valuable is seeing how people have organized their record-keeping. I'm definitely going to implement that spreadsheet system tracking original cost versus sale price for each item. Better to start now while I only have about 20 sales under my belt rather than trying to reconstruct everything later! The advice about using credit card statements and email confirmations to establish cost basis is brilliant too. I actually found several Amazon purchase confirmations in my email going back years that should cover most of the collectibles I've been selling. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and knowledge - this community has made what seemed like a really complex tax situation much more manageable to understand and handle properly!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm new to selling on eBay and was completely confused about the $600 threshold too. Like Miguel, I've been selling some old electronics and collectibles - mostly stuff I've had for years that's just taking up space. What really clicked for me reading through all these responses is that the $600 is just when eBay has to report to the IRS, not when you automatically owe taxes. I was worried I'd have to pay taxes on everything once I hit that number, but now I understand it's really about whether you made a profit or not. The spreadsheet tracking idea is genius - I'm definitely going to start doing that right away. I've only sold about $300 worth of stuff so far, but I can already see how keeping organized records from the beginning will save me a huge headache later. One question for the group: if you're selling items that were gifts (like a gaming system someone gave you for your birthday), how do you establish the cost basis for tax purposes? Do you use the retail value from when it was originally purchased, or is there a different approach for gifted items?

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this confusing situation! Divorce definitely complicates tax filing, and it sounds like you're trying to do the right thing by supporting your ex-wife financially. Unfortunately, the other commenters are correct - you cannot claim your ex-wife as a dependent, even though you provided most of her support. The IRS specifically excludes ex-spouses from being claimed as dependents, regardless of the financial support provided. This rule changed with tax reform and is pretty absolute. For filing status, since you don't have any qualifying dependents (like children) living with you, you'll need to file as single rather than head of household. I know that's disappointing given how much support you provided, but the tax code is quite rigid about these requirements. One thing to keep in mind - make sure you coordinate carefully when preparing both returns to avoid any conflicts or duplicate claims that could trigger IRS scrutiny. Also, while you can't get tax benefits for supporting your ex-wife this year, consider maximizing other deductions like retirement contributions to help reduce your tax burden. Best of luck with your filing! The rules may seem unfair given your situation, but at least you're getting the right guidance before submitting anything.

I can see this is a really challenging situation, and it sounds like you're trying to navigate some complex tax rules after your divorce. Based on what everyone has shared, it seems pretty clear that the IRS rules around ex-spouses are quite strict - no dependent claiming regardless of support provided, and filing as single without qualifying dependents. One thing I haven't seen mentioned is whether you might want to consult with a tax professional for a final review, especially since you're preparing both returns. Even though the community has given great advice about the dependent and filing status issues, a CPA might spot other deductions or strategies specific to your situation that could help offset the tax impact. They could also ensure you're handling the coordination between both returns properly to avoid any IRS red flags. It's really admirable that you're continuing to support your ex-wife during her transition, even if the tax code doesn't recognize it. Sometimes doing the right thing doesn't come with tax benefits, but it sounds like you're handling a difficult situation with a lot of integrity.

Just a heads up, Zelle's daily/monthly limits vary A LOT by bank. With my credit union, I can only send $1,000 per day and $5,000 per month through Zelle. But my friend with Chase can do way more. You should log into your bank accounts and check the Zelle limits before assuming you can move the full $19K at once.

Great question! I can confirm what others have said - transferring money between your own accounts via Zelle is not taxable income. The IRS only cares about new income you're receiving, not moving your existing money around. A few practical tips for your situation: - Check both banks' Zelle limits first (as others mentioned, they vary widely) - Keep simple records showing these are transfers between your own accounts - just screenshots of the account names/numbers - Consider doing a test transfer first with a smaller amount to make sure everything works smoothly The $19K initial transfer might need to be split over a few days depending on your daily limits, but the monthly $2K transfers should be fine. I've done similar large transfers between my own accounts without any issues. The key is just making sure you can document that both accounts belong to you if anyone ever asks. Don't overthink this - it's a very common and legitimate way to move your own money between banks!

Quick question - what state are you in? Property transfer rules and taxes vary significantly by state, and that could impact your decision. In some states, transferring property to an LLC triggers transfer taxes that could be substantial depending on the property value.

I went through a very similar situation with inherited property and an LLC last year. One thing that really helped me was understanding that the IRS treats contributions to multi-member LLCs differently than single-member LLCs. Since you mentioned your LLC has another member, you'll want to be especially careful about the valuation and documentation. Based on my experience, I'd strongly recommend getting a professional appraisal before making any transfers. The IRS can challenge valuations, and having a defensible fair market value is crucial whether you're calculating gift tax implications or capital gains. Also, make sure your LLC operating agreement clearly addresses how property contributions are handled and how they affect each member's capital accounts. One approach my tax advisor suggested was structuring it as a sale to the LLC with the LLC giving you a promissory note, rather than an outright contribution. This can help avoid immediate gift tax issues while still getting the property into the LLC. The note payments would then represent your withdrawal of capital over time. Just make sure the terms are at fair market rates to avoid imputed income issues. Whatever you decide, document everything thoroughly. The IRS pays close attention to transactions between related parties and LLCs, so having clean paperwork from the start will save you headaches later.