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Hey Angela! I see you're dealing with the same Form 8812 issues that have been plaguing a lot of folks this tax season. The code 766 with a negative amount on 4/15/2022 is actually showing that the IRS processed an adjustment to your Child Tax - the negative means it's a in your favor, not a deduction. Since you mentioned your tax preparer already filed an amended return to fix the Form 8812 error, that $3,000 should eventually be released to you. However, I'd definitely recommend calling the IRS to confirm the timeline, especially since you received that notice in March. The 570/571 codes on your transcript show there was a temporary hold that's been resolved, which is good news. Just be patient with the phone lines - try calling early morning for better luck getting through!
Thanks Connor! That's really helpful clarification. I've been dealing with the same CTC mess this year and it's so confusing trying to decode all these transcript codes. Quick question - when you say "eventually be released," are we talking weeks or months? I'm in a similar boat with an amended 8812 and trying to figure out if I should just wait it out or keep calling. The phone wait times have been brutal lately! š
One other form to be aware of - if you're converting in 2025, the custodian will issue a 1099-R for the conversion with distribution code G. Make sure that matches what you report on your tax return. Sometimes people get confused because they see the 1099-R and think they need to report it as income, but in your case (with non-deductible contributions and a loss), you'll report the distribution but won't have additional taxable income from it.
I converted an IRA last year and my 1099-R had code 7, not G. Is that a problem? I already filed my taxes...
Code 7 means "normal distribution from an IRA (other than a Roth IRA)" while code G is specifically for "direct rollover and rollover contribution." If you did a direct trustee-to-trustee conversion, you should have gotten code G. Code 7 is typically for distributions that aren't rollovers. You might want to contact your custodian to see if they need to issue a corrected 1099-R, especially if this affects how you reported the conversion on your tax return. It could potentially impact your tax liability if not reported correctly.
Great question about IRA conversions! You're smart to be cautious about the pro-rata rule and Form 8606. A few additional points to consider beyond what others have mentioned: 1. **Timing the conversion**: Since you're converting at a loss, you might want to consider doing the conversion early in the year. This gives your Roth IRA more time to potentially recover and grow tax-free. 2. **State tax implications**: Don't forget to check your state's treatment of Roth conversions. Most states follow federal rules, but a few have quirks that could affect your tax liability. 3. **Documentation**: Keep excellent records of everything - your original contribution statements, the conversion documentation, and all Forms 8606. The IRS can ask about this years later, and having a clear paper trail will save you headaches. 4. **Future contributions**: After your conversion, you'll have a clean slate for future backdoor Roth contributions since your traditional IRA balance will be zero. The fact that you're asking these questions beforehand shows you're approaching this thoughtfully. Your situation seems relatively straightforward compared to people juggling multiple IRAs with mixed deductible/non-deductible contributions.
This is really helpful advice! I'm curious about the state tax point you mentioned - are there specific states that treat Roth conversions differently from federal rules? I'm in California and want to make sure I'm not missing anything on the state side. Also, regarding the timing suggestion about converting early in the year, does it matter if I convert in January vs later in the year for tax purposes, or is that just about giving the Roth more time to grow?
I work in estate planning and see this mistake unfortunately often. Your advisor made a significant error - non-spouse beneficiaries absolutely cannot roll inherited IRAs into their own traditional IRAs. This is one of the most basic rules in retirement account inheritance. The good news is this can definitely be fixed, but you need to act quickly. Here's exactly what you should do: 1. Contact your new advisor immediately and demand they acknowledge this was their error in writing 2. Call both financial institutions (old and new) and explain this was an "administrative error in rollover processing" 3. Request they process this as a "return of mistaken distribution" under Revenue Procedure 2016-47 4. Insist the funds be moved to a properly titled inherited IRA account Since you're within a reasonable timeframe (2 months), most institutions will cooperate to fix this, especially when it's clearly advisor error. Make sure the correction shows the account as "[Your Name] as beneficiary of [Father's Name] IRA" or similar inherited IRA titling. Don't let your advisor blame you or claim this is "just as good" - it's not. An improperly rolled inherited IRA could trigger taxation on the entire balance plus potential penalties. Document every conversation and get all agreements to fix this in writing. If they refuse to help correct their mistake, escalate to their compliance department immediately.
This is incredibly helpful advice, thank you! As someone new to dealing with inherited retirement accounts, I had no idea this type of mistake was so common. Your step-by-step approach gives me confidence that this can actually be fixed. I'm curious - when you say "Revenue Procedure 2016-47," is this something I should specifically mention by name when I call the financial institutions? And should I expect any pushback from them, or do they typically cooperate once they realize it was an administrative error on their part? Also, you mentioned escalating to compliance departments if needed. Is there a certain timeframe I should give them to respond before taking that step?
Yes, definitely mention Revenue Procedure 2016-47 by name when you call - it shows you know the specific IRS guidance that allows this type of correction and will get you transferred to someone who actually understands inherited IRA rules rather than a general customer service rep. Most institutions will cooperate once they understand the severity of the error, especially since this could expose them to liability for providing incorrect advice. However, you might get initial pushback from frontline staff who don't understand these rules. If that happens, immediately ask to speak with their retirement services department or IRA specialist. I'd give them 5-7 business days to provide a written correction plan once you've spoken with the right department. If you don't hear back or get resistance, that's when you escalate to compliance. Also document every call with names, dates, and what was discussed - you'll need this paper trail if the correction process gets complicated. The key is being polite but firm that this was their administrative error and needs to be fixed promptly to avoid serious tax consequences for you.
As someone who recently went through a similar inherited IRA situation, I can't stress enough how important it is to get this fixed immediately. Your advisor made a fundamental error that could have serious tax consequences. When my grandmother passed and left me her IRA, I initially worked with an advisor who almost made the same mistake. Fortunately, I caught it before the transfer was completed after doing my own research. Non-spouse beneficiaries simply cannot roll inherited IRAs into their own accounts - this is IRA inheritance 101. The fact that your account is now labeled as a "traditional IRA" instead of "inherited IRA" is a major red flag. This incorrect rollover could be treated by the IRS as a taxable distribution of the entire inherited amount, potentially creating a massive tax bill for you this year. Here's what worked for me when I had to correct a smaller error with my inherited account: - Contact both institutions immediately and use the phrase "administrative rollover error" - Reference Revenue Procedure 2016-47 which allows self-certification for rollover corrections - Get everything in writing, especially acknowledgment that this was advisor/institutional error - Request expedited processing since this affects your current tax year Don't let your advisor minimize this or claim it's "not a big deal." This is exactly the kind of mistake that can cost people tens of thousands in unexpected taxes. The good news is that it's fixable if you act quickly and persistently. Good luck - you've got this!
Thank you for sharing your experience! It's reassuring to hear from someone who successfully navigated a similar situation. I'm definitely feeling more confident about getting this resolved after reading all the detailed advice here. One question - when you mention using the phrase "administrative rollover error," did you find that certain financial institutions were more responsive to that specific terminology? I'm wondering if there are other key phrases I should use to make sure I get connected to the right department that can actually help with inherited IRA corrections. Also, how long did your correction process take from start to finish? I'm trying to set realistic expectations for how quickly this might get resolved, especially since we're getting closer to year-end and I want to make sure this doesn't create complications for my 2024 taxes.
I went through this exact situation last year! As an F-1 OPT student working as an independent contractor, you'll most likely need Form W-8ECI. This form is specifically for foreign persons whose income is effectively connected with a US trade or business - which describes your contractor work perfectly. The key thing to understand is that W-8BEN is for passive income (like interest or dividends), while W-8ECI is for active business income from services you perform. Form 8233 is mainly for claiming tax treaty benefits on personal services income, so you'd only use that if your home country has a tax treaty with the US that provides specific exemptions for students. Regarding withholding - as an independent contractor, taxes typically aren't withheld automatically. Instead, you're responsible for making quarterly estimated tax payments using Form 1040-ES. This includes both regular income tax and self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare). I'd recommend setting aside about 25-30% of each payment you receive to cover these taxes. One important note: make sure your work is actually allowed under your OPT authorization and that you're reporting it properly to maintain your immigration status. The work needs to be directly related to your field of study. If you're unsure about any of this, definitely consult with your school's international student services office - they're usually very knowledgeable about OPT tax requirements.
This is really helpful! I'm also on F-1 OPT and was totally confused about the different W-8 forms. One follow-up question - you mentioned that the work needs to be directly related to your field of study. How strictly is this enforced? I'm a computer science major and got offered a contractor position doing some marketing analytics work that involves a lot of data analysis and programming. It's not pure CS work but uses the same technical skills. Would this qualify under OPT requirements? Also, when you say set aside 25-30% for taxes, is that on top of what I'd normally pay as a student, or does that replace other tax obligations? I'm still figuring out how contractor taxes work differently from regular employee taxes.
Great question about the field of study requirement! Marketing analytics that involves data analysis and programming should definitely qualify for a CS major - USCIS generally looks at whether you're using the skills and knowledge from your degree program, not whether the job title perfectly matches your major. Data analysis and programming are core CS competencies, so you should be fine. Just make sure you can articulate how the work relates to your field if anyone ever asks. Regarding the 25-30% for taxes - this replaces other tax withholdings, not in addition to them. As an independent contractor, you're essentially paying both the employee AND employer portions of Social Security/Medicare taxes (that's the self-employment tax), plus regular income tax. If you were a regular employee, your employer would withhold and pay their portion, but as a contractor, you pay both sides. So that 25-30% covers everything - federal income tax, self-employment tax, and potentially state taxes depending on where you live. The key difference is timing - instead of taxes being automatically deducted from each paycheck, you need to make those quarterly estimated payments yourself. Definitely keep detailed records of all payments received and expenses, as you'll need them for tax filing and to calculate your quarterly payments accurately.
I just went through this process a few months ago as an F-1 OPT student, and it can definitely be confusing! Based on my experience, you'll most likely need Form W-8ECI since your contractor income is effectively connected with conducting business in the US. Here's what I learned: W-8BEN is for passive income (like dividends), W-8ECI is for active business income from services you perform in the US, and Form 8233 is specifically for claiming tax treaty benefits. Since you're doing actual work as a contractor, W-8ECI is usually the right choice. Regarding withholding - as an independent contractor, taxes typically won't be withheld from your payments. Instead, you'll need to handle this yourself through quarterly estimated tax payments using Form 1040-ES. I'd recommend setting aside about 25-30% of each payment to cover federal income tax, self-employment tax, and potential state taxes. One thing that really helped me was keeping detailed records of all payments and any business expenses from day one. You'll need these for both your quarterly payments and when you file your annual return. Also, make sure your contracting work is directly related to your field of study to stay compliant with OPT requirements. If you're still unsure, your school's international student services office should be able to provide guidance specific to your situation. They've usually dealt with these questions many times before!
This is exactly the kind of comprehensive answer I was hoping to find! I'm in a similar situation and had been going in circles trying to figure out which form to use. The distinction between passive income (W-8BEN) and active business income (W-8ECI) makes so much sense when you explain it that way. One question about the quarterly estimated payments - how do you calculate how much to pay for your first quarter when you don't know what your total annual income will be? I just started my contractor position and have no idea how much work I'll get throughout the year. Should I just estimate conservatively and adjust as I go? Also, did you run into any issues with your employer's payroll department not understanding the W-8ECI form? I'm worried they might push back or not know how to process it properly since most of their other contractors are probably US persons using W-9 forms.
Lucas Lindsey
I'm going through the exact same nightmare! Filed in early February and have been sitting with a 570 code for about 3 weeks now, processing date of 4/10/24. Expecting around $6,900 with EIC and CTC. What's driving me crazy is the complete lack of transparency from the IRS. Like, just tell us what you're looking at! Are you verifying income? Identity? Credits? Something else entirely? The silence is honestly worse than knowing there's an actual problem. I've been religiously checking my transcript every Friday morning hoping to see literally ANY change - a 971, a 571, anything - but nope, just that same 570 code taunting me. It's somewhat comforting (in a misery loves company way) to see so many others dealing with this exact situation. From reading everyone's timelines, it seems like 4-8 weeks is becoming the new normal for these holds, which is absolutely insane. I'm going to try to hold out until after my processing date passes before attempting the IRS phone roulette, but that Claimyr service people mentioned is looking more tempting each day. Stay strong - we'll get through this bureaucratic purgatory eventually! š¤
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Zainab Ahmed
ā¢This whole situation is absolutely maddening! I'm also stuck in the same boat - filed in late January and have been staring at a 570 code for almost a month now. Processing date of 3/31/24 and expecting about $5,200 with EIC. What really gets me is how the IRS can just hold onto our money with zero explanation. Like you said, even a generic "we're reviewing your credits" notice would be better than this complete radio silence. I've been checking my transcript obsessively every few days hoping for ANY movement but it's the same story - just that 570 code sitting there. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both comforting and terrifying. Comforting to know we're not alone, but terrifying to see people waiting 6-8 weeks! I really hope the IRS gets their act together soon because this level of delay without communication is just unacceptable. Crossing my fingers we all see some movement soon. This waiting game is brutal! š¤
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Yuki Tanaka
I'm in the exact same situation and it's absolutely maddening! Filed in late January, accepted immediately, and have been stuck with a 570 code for almost 4 weeks now. Processing date of 4/3/24 and expecting around $6,500 with EIC and CTC. The complete lack of communication from the IRS is the worst part. I've been checking my transcript every Friday religiously but it's just that same 570 code staring back at me. No 971, no letters, nothing. It's like our returns just disappeared into some bureaucratic black hole. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both reassuring and terrifying - reassuring to know we're not alone in this mess, but terrifying to see people waiting 6-8 weeks with no resolution. The fact that so many of us filed early and are claiming EIC/CTC seems to be the common thread here. I'm trying to stay patient until my processing date passes, but honestly considering those calling services people mentioned because this uncertainty is killing me. We shouldn't have to pay extra just to find out what the IRS is doing with our own money! Hang in there everyone - hopefully we'll all see some movement soon. This whole situation is just unacceptable. š«
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Cynthia Love
ā¢I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm dealing with the exact same issue - filed in early February, been stuck with a 570 code for 3 weeks now, processing date of 4/7/24. Expecting about $7,100 with EIC and CTC. The anxiety is real! I keep checking my transcript hoping for literally ANY change but it's just that same 570 code every time. What's really frustrating is that I did everything right - filed early, double-checked all my info, used the same tax software as last year - and still ended up in this limbo. It's definitely helpful to see so many others going through this. Makes me feel like it's not something specific to my return but rather some kind of systematic review they're doing this year. The timelines people have shared give me hope that we'll eventually see movement, even if it takes way longer than it should. I'm going to try to hold out until after my processing date before calling, but man, this waiting game is brutal when you're depending on that refund! Stay strong everyone - we'll get through this together! šŖ
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