I'm going through something very similar with my mother's estate right now. One thing I learned that might help - make sure you document EVERYTHING related to the property's condition and any unique factors that might affect its value at the time of your father's death. When I got my appraisal done, the appraiser asked detailed questions about renovations, the neighborhood market conditions, and even things like whether there were any known issues with the property. Since you mentioned it's been 12 years since the last appraisal, the market dynamics in your area have probably changed significantly. Also, if your father made any improvements or if there were any problems with the house around the time he passed (like needing a new roof or having foundation issues), make sure the appraiser knows about these. They can affect the FMV determination either positively or negatively, and you want the most accurate picture possible for your stepped-up basis. The good news is that stepped-up basis really is designed to help heirs avoid being penalized for appreciation that happened during the original owner's lifetime. Getting that current appraisal is definitely the right move - it protects you and gives you solid documentation if the IRS ever has questions.

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now after my grandmother passed away last month. One thing that's been really helpful is keeping a detailed timeline of everything - when she passed, when we started probate, when we got the appraisal, etc. The estate attorney we're working with emphasized that the stepped-up basis date is locked in at the date of death, regardless of when probate closes or when you actually get possession of the property. So even though we're still months away from completing probate, we got the appraisal done as soon as we could to establish that FMV. Something else to consider - if there are multiple heirs, make sure everyone is on the same page about the appraisal and sale timeline. We initially had some disagreement in our family about whether to sell quickly or hold onto the property, but once we understood how capital gains would work with the stepped-up basis, it made the decision much clearer. The tax implications really do favor selling sooner rather than later if you don't plan to keep the property long-term. Every month you hold it after the date of death is potentially more capital gains you'll owe when you eventually sell.

I see you have both an 810 freeze and 570 pending action code - that's a double hold situation that unfortunately means your refund is stuck until the IRS completes their review. The good news is your credits are already calculated and scheduled to post on 4/16-4/17, so once the review clears, your refund should process quickly. With the EIC and those credit amounts, the IRS is likely doing income verification. Keep checking your transcript weekly for a 571 code (which releases the 570) or any updates to the 810 freeze. The wait is frustrating but your refund isn't lost, just delayed while they verify everything matches up.

I've been through this exact situation before! The combination of codes 810 and 570 means your return is in what we call "manual review status." The IRS flagged it for additional verification - likely because of the substantial EIC and credits totaling over $14,000. Here's what helped me during my wait: 1) Check your transcript every Friday morning when they update, 2) Don't call the IRS unless it's been over 120 days from your 570 date (they'll just tell you to wait), and 3) Make sure all your documents are ready in case they send a correspondence requesting verification. The timeline is typically 6-16 weeks from the 570 date for EIC reviews. Your cycle code suggests you should see movement by late April/early May. I know the wait is brutal, but hang in there - once it clears, you'll get your full refund amount!

Hey Mateo, I totally understand the panic - I went through the exact same thing last year! I forgot to report a 1099-INT for about $320 and was absolutely terrified I'd committed some kind of federal crime. The good news is that everyone here is right - this is NOT fraud and happens way more often than you'd think. The IRS sees the difference between honest mistakes and intentional tax evasion. For $275 in interest income, you're looking at maybe $50-80 in additional tax depending on your bracket. I ended up filing an amended return (Form 1040-X) about a month after I discovered my mistake. The process was actually pretty straightforward - I used the same tax software I originally used, and it walked me through exactly what changed. Paid the additional tax plus about $15 in interest and that was literally it. No penalties, no follow-up letters, nothing scary. The key is just to fix it rather than hoping they don't notice. Since banks report 1099-INTs directly to the IRS, they will eventually catch the discrepancy, but addressing it proactively shows good faith. You've got this!

@Luca Marino - Great question! When I filed my 1040-X last year, I had to mail it in. The IRS only started accepting electronic 1040-X forms for certain tax years recently, and even then it's limited to specific situations. Most amendments still need to be mailed to the processing center for your state. The mailing part was actually less scary than I thought it would be. I sent it certified mail so I could track it and confirm they received it. Took about 8-12 weeks to get my letter back with the amount owed, which is pretty typical processing time for amendments. One tip - make sure to include copies of any new documents (like your 1099-INT) with the amendment, and write a brief explanation letter about what you're correcting. It helps speed up their processing when everything is clear and organized.

Slightly off topic but why are u paying $12.99 per trade in 2025? Almost all major brokers offer free stock trades now. Unless ur trading something unusual or international?

Just wanted to add a point that might help others - make sure to keep detailed records of ALL your brokerage fees throughout the year, not just relying on your 1099-B. I learned this the hard way when my broker's year-end statement was missing some fees from smaller trades. I now keep a simple spreadsheet tracking each transaction with the actual purchase/sale price and the fee separately. This way when tax time comes, I can verify that my cost basis calculations are correct regardless of what the brokerage reports. Also, if you're doing a lot of trading like the OP mentioned, consider whether you might qualify as a trader for tax purposes rather than an investor - the rules for deducting expenses can be different and potentially more favorable.

idk why but this whole thing of kids getting 1099s is wild to me. back in my day we just had lemonade stands 👴

Just to add some clarity here - yes your child can absolutely receive a 1099 at any age! Since they made $600 from content creation, whoever paid them should issue a 1099-NEC if it was from a single source. The key things to remember: 1) They'll need to file their own return since it's self-employment income over $400, 2) You can still claim them as your dependent, and 3) Definitely set aside money for taxes (self-employment tax is 15.3% plus regular income tax). Also make sure to track all business expenses - equipment, internet costs, etc. can be deducted!