I'm going through this exact same frustrating situation! Filed my return on February 28th and have been checking WMR maybe once every few days, but yesterday it suddenly told me I exceeded my daily limit when I hadn't even logged in that day. It's like the system is playing tricks on us! After reading through everyone's experiences here, I'm feeling much better knowing this is a widespread technical issue and not something I did wrong. The explanation about partial login attempts counting against the limit really makes sense - I did have a couple of slow-loading pages earlier this week that might have registered as failed attempts. I'm going to follow the advice here and wait the full 24 hours before trying again. It's reassuring to hear from so many people that this approach actually works and that the lockout doesn't affect the actual processing of our returns. That was my biggest worry! Thanks to everyone for sharing their solutions and experiences - this community is such a lifesaver when dealing with IRS technical headaches. I'll update tomorrow after I try the 24-hour reset method!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Got locked out of WMR this morning even though I haven't checked my refund status since Monday. It's so frustrating when you're already stressed about taxes and then the system decides to lock you out for no apparent reason. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring though - it's clear this is a major technical problem on the IRS side, not something we're doing wrong. The explanation about partial login attempts and session cookie issues really makes sense, especially during peak tax season when their servers are probably overwhelmed. I'm going to follow the advice here and wait the full 24 hours before trying again. It's good to know from multiple people that this approach actually works and that the lockout is just affecting access, not the actual processing of our returns. That was my main concern! Thanks to everyone for sharing their solutions and experiences. This community is so helpful when dealing with these kinds of IRS technical headaches. I'll try again tomorrow morning during off-peak hours and hopefully the system will reset properly.

This has been such a helpful thread! As someone new to the business world, I was completely confused about gift card deductions until reading through all these responses. The distinction between business gifts (subject to the $25 limit) and promotional expenses (fully deductible) makes so much sense now. It's all about the context and intent - giving gift cards directly to specific customers as appreciation gifts versus using them as prizes in legitimate promotional events like raffles. What really stands out to me from everyone's advice is how important proper documentation is. Taking photos of the event, keeping attendee lists, saving promotional materials, and clearly showing the random selection process seems to be the key to ensuring these expenses are properly classified as marketing costs. For someone just starting out with customer appreciation events, this thread has given me a clear roadmap for how to structure these activities to maximize the tax benefits while staying compliant. Thanks to everyone who shared their real-world experiences - it's incredibly valuable to hear from people who have actually navigated audits and worked with CPAs on these issues!

I've been dealing with this exact issue for my photography business! After going through an IRS audit last year, I can confirm that proper documentation is absolutely crucial for gift card deductions. The auditor specifically asked to see evidence that our customer appreciation event was a legitimate promotional activity rather than disguised gifts to preferred clients. What saved me was having detailed records: photos of the event setup, copies of our social media posts promoting the raffle, email invitations sent to our customer list, and most importantly, a clear paper trail showing how winners were selected randomly. One thing I learned is that the IRS looks for patterns. If you're giving gift cards at multiple events throughout the year, make sure you can show they're all genuine promotional activities with different participants and random selection processes. They also want to see that the amounts are reasonable for your business size and industry. For your $35 restaurant gift cards at a customer appreciation raffle, that sounds perfectly appropriate. Just make sure you document everything - the business purpose of the event, how you promoted it, who attended, and how winners were selected. Keep all receipts for the gift cards and categorize them consistently as marketing/promotional expenses in your books.

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.