I'm new to this community but wanted to share my experience since I went through something very similar! I received an unexpected TREAS 310 deposit last fall and was completely baffled until I figured out what it was. After reading through all the helpful responses here, I wanted to add one more possibility that hasn't been mentioned: **Military Family Readiness Group (FRG) or unit fund reimbursements**. Sometimes if you contributed to unit events, family readiness activities, or other military community functions, reimbursements can come through Treasury channels months later rather than through normal unit finance. Also, if you participated in any **volunteer tax preparation programs** on base (like VITA), there are sometimes small reimbursements or incentives that get processed as Treasury payments. One thing that really helped me while waiting was creating a timeline of any financial interactions I had with military/government agencies in the past year - TDY travel, education benefits, family programs, special pay periods, etc. It helped me remember things I'd completely forgotten about. The January 15th timing really does fit the normal pattern for year-end military adjustments. In my case, it turned out to be a retroactive family separation allowance that got corrected after a pay inquiry I'd submitted months earlier and forgotten about. These mystery deposits are definitely stressful when you don't know what they're for, but this thread shows how many legitimate reasons there can be. You'll have your answer soon!

As a newcomer to this community, I just wanted to say how incredibly helpful this entire thread has been! I'm not currently dealing with a mystery TREAS 310 deposit myself, but reading through all these experiences and expert insights has been so educational. What really stands out to me is how many different legitimate reasons there can be for these unexpected Treasury payments - from retroactive military pay adjustments and combat pay corrections to TSP issues, education benefit reimbursements, and even things like unit fund reimbursements. I had no idea the military pay system was so complex with all these different channels and timing schedules. The practical advice shared here is gold - checking LES statements under "Entitlements," looking at the myPay correspondence section, reviewing IRS accounts online, and even using tools like the "Get My Payment" feature to potentially see pending disbursements. These are resources I never would have known about otherwise. For anyone else who might be dealing with mysterious government deposits in the future, this thread is a perfect example of why community knowledge is so valuable. The reassurance that these almost always turn out to be legitimate money you're owed, combined with all the specific possibilities to check, makes dealing with the anxiety so much more manageable. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and expertise - this is exactly the kind of helpful, supportive community discussion that makes a real difference for people navigating these confusing situations!

I went through this exact situation last year with a delayed refund that stretched 4+ months. Here's what I learned: **Form 911 is key** - Don't just call, submit the written request. Include copies of all your documentation: tax returns, notices received, records of previous IRS contact attempts with dates/times/outcomes. **Timeline reality check** - Even after TAS accepts your case, expect 30-60 days minimum. They're not magic, but they do have internal escalation paths that bypass regular customer service. **What advocates can actually do:** - Direct access to examination and processing departments - Authority to request expedited processing - Can issue Taxpayer Assistance Orders (TAOs) that require IRS response within specific timeframes - Access to case history that phone agents often can't see **Pro tip:** When you submit Form 911, also send a copy to your local TAS office (find yours on irs.gov). Sometimes local offices move faster than the national intake process. Your 3+ month delay with no explanation definitely qualifies you. The key is showing you've made reasonable attempts to resolve it through normal channels first. Keep detailed records of every interaction - this speeds up their review process significantly.

I've been through this exact situation twice - once in 2022 and again last year. Here's what I wish someone had told me from the start: **Yes, you qualify** - A 3+ month delay with no explanation absolutely meets their criteria for "failure to respond within normal timeframes." Don't second-guess yourself on this. **Documentation checklist:** - Print your tax transcript (Account Transcript and Return Transcript) - Screenshots/notes from every IRS interaction with dates, times, and what was said - Copy of your original return - Any IRS notices you've received - Bank statements showing no refund deposit **Form 911 tips:** - Be specific about the hardship (even if it's just the stress and time wasted) - Attach everything as exhibits - Use their exact language from the criteria when describing your situation **Reality check on timeline:** My first case took 6 weeks after assignment, second one took 10 weeks. But here's the key difference - my advocate had actual authority to see what was causing the delay and push it through departments that regular agents couldn't access. **One warning:** Don't abandon your case once you submit to TAS. Follow up every 2-3 weeks. Some advocates are swamped and cases can sit without updates. The squeaky wheel really does get the grease in this system. The process is frustrating, but TAS did ultimately resolve both my issues when nothing else worked. Hang in there!

This has been an incredibly helpful thread! As someone who's been on the fence about hiring my 12-year-old in my consulting business, seeing all these real experiences and practical tips has given me the confidence to move forward. A couple of things I'd add based on my research: Make sure you understand your state's specific child labor laws in addition to federal requirements. Some states have additional restrictions on hours or types of work for minors, even in family businesses. Also, I've found it helpful to think about this as a legitimate business decision, not just a tax strategy. Ask yourself: "Would I hire a non-family member to do this work?" If the answer is yes and the work genuinely benefits your business, you're probably on solid ground. One practical tip I haven't seen mentioned: Consider having your child submit a simple "timesheet" or work log at the end of each pay period, just like any other employee would. This creates another layer of documentation and helps them understand professional work habits. For those worried about IRS scrutiny, remember that this is a completely legal strategy when done properly. The key is treating it like the legitimate business arrangement it should be, not trying to game the system.

As a CPA who works with family businesses, I want to emphasize the importance of getting your business structure clarified first. Since you mentioned you have an LLC in California, you need to determine how your LLC is taxed - as a sole proprietorship (default for single-member), partnership (if multi-member), S-Corp, or C-Corp election. This matters because the payroll tax treatment is different for each structure. If your LLC is taxed as a sole proprietorship or partnership, you're generally exempt from FICA taxes when hiring your own children under 18. However, if you've elected S-Corp or C-Corp taxation, you'll need to pay FICA taxes on their wages. Also, California has specific requirements for employing minors, even in family businesses. You'll need to obtain a permit to employ minors from the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, and there are restrictions on hours and types of work for children under 12. Make sure you understand these state-specific requirements in addition to federal tax considerations. The strategy can absolutely work, but getting the structure right from the beginning will save you headaches later. Consider consulting with a local CPA who understands both the tax implications and California labor law requirements.

I'm a tax professional and see this situation come up frequently during mortgage season! Just wanted to add some insider perspective that might help. Yes, the IRS absolutely still provides stamping services at Taxpayer Assistance Centers, but as others have mentioned, it's appointment-only now. However, before you go that route, definitely explore the alternatives others have suggested - many lenders have become much more flexible about what they'll accept as proof of filing. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that if you're working with a tax preparer or CPA, they can often provide a "client acknowledgment letter" that shows when you submitted your documents to them for filing. This isn't the same as an IRS stamp, but I've seen mortgage companies accept it as interim proof while waiting for official processing. Also, if you do need to mail your return via certified mail, make absolutely sure you're using the correct IRS processing center address for your state - this is crucial and using the wrong address can cause major delays. The IRS website has a "Where to File" lookup tool that's really helpful for this. Three weeks is actually a pretty comfortable timeline for this kind of issue - I've helped clients resolve similar situations in much less time. The key is starting with that conversation with your loan officer about alternatives, then having a backup plan ready. Don't let the stress overwhelm you - this is totally solvable!

This thread has been incredibly helpful - thank you to everyone who's shared their experiences! As someone who's never dealt with anything like this before, I was completely panicking when I first posted this question. I'm definitely going to start by calling my loan officer first thing tomorrow morning to ask about alternatives before pursuing the IRS appointment route. The certified mail option that so many people have mentioned sounds like it could be a much simpler solution, and I'm hopeful my lender will accept it. It's amazing how many different alternatives exist that I never would have known about without this community's input. Sometimes when you're stressed, you get tunnel vision and think there's only one way to solve a problem. I'm feeling much more confident now knowing that multiple people have successfully navigated this exact situation, many with even tighter deadlines than mine. The practical tips about timing, required documents, and backup plans are invaluable. I'll definitely update this thread once I get through the process in case it helps someone else in the future. This community is truly amazing for situations like this where you need real-world advice from people who've actually been there!

Another thing to consider - if any single person donated more than $17,000 to you in 2023, THEY might need to file a gift tax return (Form 709). This doesn't affect you as the recipient though, and doesn't mean the gift becomes taxable to you. It's just a reporting requirement for large gifts from the donor's side.

I'm so sorry for what you and your family are going through. Having dealt with similar fundraising during my grandmother's final months, I completely understand the stress of wondering about tax implications on top of everything else. The good news is that what you received are indeed gifts, not taxable income. Since you're well under the $20,000 and 200 transaction thresholds for 1099-K reporting, the platforms won't be sending you any tax forms. You don't need to report these donations as income on your tax return. However, I'd strongly recommend keeping detailed records of all donations received and how the funds were used - bank statements, screenshots of the fundraising pages, receipts for medical expenses, etc. This documentation will be invaluable if you ever need to explain these deposits to the IRS. The fact that your friend initially set up the GoFundMe shouldn't be an issue as long as it was clearly for personal medical expenses and the funds came directly to you. Just make sure it wasn't accidentally set up as a charitable organization fundraiser. You're smart to consult with your family's CPA before filing season. They'll be able to review your specific situation and provide peace of mind. Take care of yourself during this difficult time.