did u verify your identity on id.me? sometimes that holds things up even after amendment is processed

Been in the same situation - got my amendment letter 6 weeks ago and still waiting. From what I've learned lurking here, it really depends on what was changed in your amendment. Simple math errors usually process faster, but if you claimed additional credits or deductions, they might do extra verification. Have you tried calling the amended return hotline (866-464-2050)? The wait times are brutal but sometimes they can at least tell you if there are any issues holding it up.

Anybody here messed around with QOFs (Qualified Opportunity Funds)? My buddy was talking about them for deferring capital gains but I don't really understand how they work or if they're legit tax strategy or just something sketchy.

Great thread! One strategy I haven't seen mentioned yet is tax loss harvesting in taxable investment accounts. If you have any investments outside your 401k that are at a loss, you can sell them to offset capital gains or even up to $3,000 in ordinary income annually. Just be careful about the wash sale rule - you can't buy the same or "substantially identical" security within 30 days. Also, if you're self-employed at all or have any 1099 income (even small amounts), consider setting up a Solo 401k or SEP-IRA. The contribution limits are much higher than traditional IRAs. For example, with a Solo 401k you can contribute up to $69,000 for 2025 (or $76,500 if you're 50+) based on your self-employment income. Another often overlooked deduction is continuing education related to your current job. Courses, certifications, books, and even conference attendance can be deductible if they maintain or improve skills needed in your present work. Your employer might even reimburse you, making it essentially tax-free money.

One thing nobody's mentioned yet - check if any of your tax debt is approaching the 10-year CSED (Collection Statute Expiration Date). If so, sometimes it's better to wait it out than agree to a payment plan! When you enter into an installment agreement, the statute is suspended during the plan plus 30 days after it ends. So you could accidentally extend the life of tax debt that would otherwise expire soon.

The combination of CNC status on multiple years while they actively pursue one specific year creates a complex situation that requires careful navigation. Here's my take based on what you've shared: First, don't feel bad about rejecting their initial offer - $500+ monthly escalating payments for someone who already has most years in CNC status due to financial hardship seems excessive. The fact that six of your seven years have TC 530 codes is significant leverage. Regarding the single-year payment plan issue: While IRS reps often say they can't do single-year agreements, there are exceptions. You should specifically ask about a "streamlined installment agreement" for just the 2019 liability, referencing the fact that the other years are already determined to be uncollectible due to your financial situation. The 2010 debt extending to 2026 is worth investigating further. That's a 16-year collection period, which suggests multiple statute extensions occurred (possibly previous payment plans, OIC applications, or bankruptcy). Request a copy of your CSED worksheet to understand exactly why it was extended. When they ask for financial statements, be prepared to demonstrate that your financial situation hasn't materially changed since the October 2022 CNC determination. If it hasn't improved, you might even be able to get the 2019 year put into CNC status as well. The employer withholding lock-in can be challenged once you establish a payment agreement and demonstrate compliance. This isn't automatic but is definitely possible. My advice: Call back, reference the CNC status on your other years, and propose a reasonable payment amount for just 2019 that aligns with your demonstrated financial capacity from the CNC determination.

I went through this exact thing last year. The timing is weird for freshmen because you're paying in one tax year for classes that start in the next tax year. Just make sure when you file your taxes that you only claim expenses you ACTUALLY PAID in the tax year you're filing for. If you paid in Dec 2024, you claim on 2024 taxes. If you paid in Jan 2025, you claim on 2025 taxes. The IRS doesn't care about when classes start, just when the money left your bank account. Keep ALL receipts!!! Good luck with freshman year btw!

I'm actually going through this same situation right now! Called my university's financial aid office three times and kept getting the runaround about the 1098-T form. Super frustrating when you're trying to be responsible about filing taxes. What I ended up doing was going directly to the student accounts/billing office instead of financial aid. They were way more helpful and printed out an official payment summary that shows all my qualified education expenses for the tax year. It has the payment dates, amounts, and breaks down tuition vs fees vs other costs. The billing office clerk told me tons of freshmen come in asking for this exact document for tax purposes, so they're totally used to it. She said the IRS accepts these payment summaries as documentation for education credits when the 1098-T isn't available yet. Also heads up - make sure you're only claiming expenses that were actually required by your school. Things like parking passes and meal plans usually don't qualify for AOTC, but tuition, mandatory enrollment fees, and required textbooks/supplies do. The payment summary from billing should help you separate what counts vs what doesn't. Hope this helps and good luck with your first year!

Did they say anything about how long refunds might take for prior year returns? I finally filed my 2022 taxes through a tax preparer but haven't received my refund yet after 2 months.

This is such a heartwarming success story! As someone who's dealt with IRS processing delays myself, I can totally understand the stress you must have felt with those lost returns. It's amazing how much money the VITA volunteers were able to find for you - that $1,350 difference on your 2022 return alone probably made the whole experience worth it! I had no idea VITA could e-file prior year returns. That's a game changer since mailing anything to the IRS feels like throwing it into a black hole these days. The fact that they caught the childcare expenses too shows how valuable having trained eyes look over your return can be. Those credits and deductions can really add up but are so easy to miss when you're doing it yourself. Thanks for sharing the income threshold too ($88,000) - that's really helpful for people who might be wondering if they qualify. Stories like yours make me want to volunteer with VITA myself to help other families in similar situations!