Another option is to fax Form SS-4 to the IRS. I did this for my sister's trust and received the EIN via mail in about 2 weeks. Not as fast as online, but if you're having trouble with the website and don't want to use a service or call, this is a reliable alternative. Just make sure you fill out every field correctly!

Just a heads-up for anyone applying for a trust EIN - make sure you're clear about what type of trust you have before starting the application. I messed up and had to call to get it fixed. Estate trusts, living trusts, and testamentary trusts are all handled differently. Double check your paperwork first!!

Just wanted to share my success story that might help others here. Had almost identical situation in February - 570 code with no 971 notice. After verifying my identity, I still had the hold. Called the IRS using the tax account department number (not the general line) at exactly 7:00am Eastern on a Tuesday (their least busy day according to my research). Got through to an agent who explained they were verifying my reported healthcare premium tax credit amounts. They released the hold while I was on the phone, and I had my direct deposit 8 days later. Persistence and calling the right department at the right time made all the difference.

I'm going through something very similar right now! Filed 2/14, got the dreaded 570 code on 4/2 with no 971 notice, and my as-of date keeps moving (currently showing 5/13). Like you, I completed ID verification weeks before the 570 appeared, so this feels like a separate issue entirely. What's been driving me crazy is the lack of communication from the IRS about what they're actually reviewing. I've called three times and gotten three different explanations - one agent said income verification, another said they're checking my education credits, and the third couldn't see any specific reason for the hold. The consensus here seems to be that no 971 notice is actually a good sign since it means they're handling it internally. I'm trying to stay patient until my as-of date passes, but after dealing with the verification process earlier this year, this feels like adding insult to injury. Did you end up getting any clarity from your congressman's office about what specifically triggered the review?

Great question! I just went through this same confusion when I filed a few weeks ago. Since you used the completely free TurboTax version with no fees deducted, your refund will come directly from the IRS to your bank account - no intermediary bank involved at all. This is actually the fastest route! The timing depends more on your bank's processing speed than anything else. Most major banks like Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo etc. will post IRS direct deposits within 1-2 business days of receiving them. Credit unions are sometimes even faster. The IRS typically sends refunds out on Wednesdays and Fridays, so if your refund gets approved on a Wednesday cycle, you might see it in your account by Thursday or Friday depending on your bank. Just keep checking Where's My Refund for your approval date, then you can estimate when it'll hit your account based on your specific bank's typical posting times. Good luck! 🤞

This is such a great thread! I'm a tax preparer and see this confusion come up constantly with clients who use TurboTax Free. You're absolutely right that when you use the completely free version with no fees deducted, your refund comes straight from the IRS to your bank account - no third-party bank involved. One tip I always share: if you want to be 100% certain about your refund route, you can actually see this information on your IRS transcript (available at irs.gov/get-transcript). Look for transaction code 846 - if it shows your bank's routing number directly, that confirms it's coming straight from the IRS. If it shows a different routing number (like Santa Barbara TPG's), then it's going through an intermediary. The direct route is definitely faster! I've seen clients get their refunds in as little as 7-10 days from acceptance when going IRS-direct, versus 14-21 days when it goes through a third-party bank. Your anxiety is totally understandable, but you picked the fastest option by using the free version!

Don't forget to keep ALL your documentation! My sister got audited over gifted stock because she couldn't prove the original basis. Make sure you have: 1. Documentation of when the original owner bought the stock and for how much 2. Documentation of the gift transfer (date and fair market value) 3. Documentation of your sale (date and proceeds) The IRS puts the burden of proof on you to substantiate the basis. Without proper documentation, they might treat the entire sale proceeds as gain!

Just wanted to add another important point about gifted stock timing - make sure you understand the holding period rules! When you receive gifted stock, you inherit the original owner's holding period for determining long-term vs short-term capital gains treatment. So in your case, even though your son only held the stock briefly before selling, if you had owned it for more than a year before gifting, his sale would qualify for long-term capital gains rates (which are generally more favorable than short-term rates). This can make a significant difference in the tax bill, especially for higher-income taxpayers. The key dates are: when you originally purchased the stock, when you gifted it, and when your son sold it. The IRS looks at the total time from your original purchase to his sale to determine the holding period classification.

Just wanted to mention that different states have completely different rules about this situation! Colorado and Arizona follow different approaches: Colorado is what's called a "federal conformity" state, meaning they start with your federal AGI and make state-specific adjustments. Arizona has its own calculation method. I'd strongly recommend AGAINST trying to do this yourself with basic tax software. Either use a specialized service that handles multi-state situations or hire a professional. The few hundred dollars you might spend will save you from potential audits and incorrect filings.

I went through this exact situation two years ago when I moved from Texas to California mid-year while my husband stayed in Texas for his job. The key thing I learned is that you absolutely need to be precise about your residency dates and income allocation. For your Colorado/Arizona situation, here's what worked for me with a similar setup: 1) Keep detailed records of your move date and when you started working in Arizona 2) Colorado will want income earned while you were a Colorado resident, plus any Colorado-source income earned after you moved 3) Arizona will want income earned while you were an Arizona resident, plus any Arizona-source income The tricky part is joint income like investment gains, interest, etc. Most states use a "source" rule - if the investment account was opened while you were a resident, that state may claim the income. But this varies by state. I ended up using a CPA for the first year to make sure I got the allocation right, then used that as a template for subsequent years. The peace of mind was worth the extra cost, especially since I discovered I was eligible for some part-year resident credits I would have missed otherwise. Don't stress too much about the software limitations - most aren't designed for complex multi-state situations like yours. Either go with a specialized service or get professional help for this year at least!