I'm currently in week 5 of waiting for my post-audit refund after completing a correspondence audit for 2023, so this thread is exactly what I needed to read! Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like I'm still well within the normal timeframe. What's been most helpful is learning about the Friday batch processing - I had no idea the IRS worked that way, but it explains why my account transcript updated on a Tuesday last week. I've been following Marilyn's advice about keeping detailed records, and I set up the email notifications through my IRS online account yesterday. The waiting is definitely challenging, especially when you know the money is rightfully yours, but reading these real experiences from people who've actually been through the process is so much more reassuring than the vague timelines on the IRS website. Thanks to everyone for sharing their stories and practical tips - this community is incredibly valuable for navigating these situations!

As someone new to this community and currently going through my first audit experience, I can't express how valuable all these detailed responses have been! I just completed my correspondence audit for 2023 last week and was feeling pretty anxious about the refund timeline - the IRS website gives such generic information that it's hard to know what to actually expect. Reading through everyone's real experiences here, especially the insights about Friday batch processing, the 45-day interest rule, and the importance of keeping detailed records, has been incredibly reassuring. I had no idea about setting up the online account transcript tracking or that larger refunds go through additional verification. The tip about EFTPS vs. general payment portal is something I wish I'd known beforehand! It's fascinating how much the actual timeline varies - from 28 days for some CP2000 cases to 8+ weeks for others who needed additional forms. Based on what I'm reading, it sounds like patience and good record-keeping are key, along with knowing when to follow up if you hit that 45-day mark. Thanks to everyone for sharing such practical, real-world advice. This community is a lifesaver for navigating these stressful tax situations!

I'm surprised nobody mentioned that you need to be careful with this if you're taking the simplified home office deduction of $5 per sq ft! If you go that route you cant deduct actual expenses like rent or utilities separately. You have to pick one method or the other.

I went through this exact same situation when I started freelancing! The key thing to remember is that you need to have an actual expense to deduct. Since your boyfriend pays the rent and you don't reimburse him, you technically don't have a deductible rent expense right now. However, there are a few ways to handle this: You could start paying your boyfriend for your portion of the rent (get a simple written agreement for documentation), or you could take over paying for other home expenses like utilities, internet, or maintenance that you can then deduct proportionally for your office space. Another thing to consider - if you're using 25% of the apartment exclusively for work, you might want to calculate both methods to see which gives you a better deduction. The actual expense method might be worth more than the simplified $5/sq ft method depending on your total housing costs, but the simplified method is much easier to track and document. Make sure whatever arrangement you set up, you keep good records. The IRS loves documentation for home office deductions!

Great breakdown of the cost basis calculations! I went through this exact same process last year with my first rental property and made a few mistakes that cost me money. One thing I'd add to the excellent advice already given - make sure you're accounting for the mid-month convention when calculating your first year's depreciation. Since you placed the property in service in January, you'll get a full year of depreciation, but if it had been placed in service mid-year, you'd only get partial depreciation for that first year. Also, regarding the H&R Block Premium software - I found their rental property section to be pretty limited for complex situations. If you're still having trouble with their Basis Assistant, you might want to consider upgrading to their Self-Employed version or switching to a different tax software that has more robust rental property features. Keep detailed records of everything you're including in your basis calculations. The IRS can ask for documentation years later, and having organized records with clear explanations of why you included certain costs will save you headaches down the road.

You're absolutely right to be careful about getting these calculations correct on your first rental property! I went through this same learning process a few years ago and want to share a couple of additional considerations that might help. For your closing costs question, you're on the right track with including taxes/government fees, legal/escrow fees, and owner's title insurance. One thing to watch out for - if you had any inspection fees or appraisal fees that were required for the purchase (not just for your loan), those can also be added to your basis. Regarding the HOA fees you mentioned, the capital contribution is definitely basis-eligible since it's a one-time payment that adds to your ownership rights. The move-in fee is trickier - if it's truly a one-time fee required for ownership transfer, it might qualify, but if it's more of an administrative fee, it probably doesn't. Your math on the land/building split looks solid. Just remember that when you eventually sell the property, you'll need to "recapture" all that depreciation you claimed, so keeping meticulous records now will save you major headaches later. One last tip - consider setting up a dedicated folder (physical or digital) for all your rental property documentation. Include your closing disclosure, receipts for improvements, tenant lease agreements, and your depreciation calculations. Future you will thank present you for this organization!

I'm a newcomer to this community but wanted to share my support - your panic is completely justified and you're definitely not the first person to go through this shock! I had almost the identical experience last year when my first property tax bill arrived. That sick feeling in your stomach is so real - I actually had to call my parents because I thought I'd made a terrible financial mistake. The consistent advice everyone's giving about calling your county tax office before the due date is absolutely crucial. I was terrified they'd be unhelpful bureaucrats, but the person I spoke with immediately understood my situation as a recent grad and offered me a 3-month payment plan with no penalties when I explained my financial constraints. A few things that made my call successful: - I called mid-week in the morning when they seemed less busy - I had my tax bill and a basic overview of my monthly income/expenses ready - I was upfront about being a recent graduate still learning about adult expenses - I asked specifically about any programs for people in financial hardship The representative actually told me they get dozens of these calls every week, especially from younger people experiencing this for the first time. It's apparently such a common situation that they have standard procedures to help. For next year, I immediately started putting $85 into a separate savings account each month. When this year's bill came, instead of panicking I just transferred the money. It's such a relief not to go through that stress again. Don't blame yourself for not knowing - this seems to be a universal blind spot that catches everyone off guard the first time. You're going to handle this just fine!

I'm a newcomer to this community but had to jump in because I experienced this exact same panic just last year! That first property tax bill is absolutely brutal - I remember getting mine and just sitting there in disbelief wondering how I was supposed to come up with that kind of money. The amount you're seeing ($1,071) is unfortunately pretty standard for a new vehicle. It's based on the assessed value, so new cars get hit the hardest. But here's the good news - everyone's advice about calling your county tax office is absolutely correct and it WORKS. I was terrified to make that call, but when I finally did, the representative was incredibly understanding. She immediately said "first-time car owner?" and explained they have these conversations constantly. I got set up with a 4-month payment plan with no interest, which made it completely manageable. Here's what I learned that might help you: - Call ASAP before the due date (they're much more willing to work with you) - Be honest that you're a recent grad dealing with financial stress - Ask about both payment plans AND any income-based hardship programs - Double-check your assessment to make sure they have the right trim level/features The silver lining is that next year's bill should drop by at least 15-20% as your car depreciates. I started putting aside $80/month immediately after paying off my first bill, and this year was stress-free. Don't beat yourself up about not knowing - dealerships focus on the sale, not ongoing costs. This catches almost everyone off guard the first time. You've got this!

According to the Office of Child Support Enforcement website (acf.hhs.gov/css), another option to consider is requesting a case review through your state's child support agency. Many states have implemented enhanced collection methods beyond tax refund interception, including passport denial for debts over $2,500, credit bureau reporting, and property liens. The OCSE Federal Parent Locator Service might also help identify other income sources. Have you checked if your state has an online portal where you can track enforcement actions?

Thank you all for sharing such detailed experiences! This is incredibly helpful. @Fatima Al-Farsi - I didn't know about the passport denial option for debts over $2,500. That's actually a really powerful enforcement tool I hadn't considered. Do you know if that applies automatically once the debt reaches that threshold, or does it need to be specifically requested through the state agency? Also, regarding the online portals - my state does have one, but it's pretty basic and doesn't show much detail about what enforcement actions are currently active. I'm wondering if there's a way to get more transparency about which collection methods are actually being pursued in my case.