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Check if your mailbox is locked or if there's any forwarding issues with your address. Sometimes refund checks get returned to IRS if there's a delivery problem. Also double check the mailing address on your return matches exactly what's on file with USPS. Hope you get it soon!
Great advice! I had a similar issue last year where my check got returned because of a slight address mismatch. Had to call IRS and update my address on file, then they reissued it. Definitely worth double checking everything matches up perfectly.
I'm in the exact same situation! My transcript shows it was mailed 6 days ago and I've been refreshing my Informed Delivery every morning hoping to see it. The waiting game is brutal when you're expecting money lol. From what I've read here it sounds pretty normal though - seems like most people get theirs within that 5-7 day window. Fingers crossed we both get ours soon! š¤
One trick I learned from an accountant friend - keep a separate log for your hobby sales that clearly documents each sale with dates, amounts, and context (like "church fundraiser" or "neighbor request"). This helps establish the occasional/non-commercial nature of the sales if questioned. Also track your expenses separately from any business activities. When my wife started selling her paintings occasionally, we created a simple spreadsheet showing that she was actually spending more on supplies than she was making from sales, which helps support the hobby classification. The key is showing you're not primarily motivated by profit.
This is good advice. Would you recommend keeping physical receipts too or is a digital log enough? I'm trying to minimize paperwork for my spouse's occasional pottery sales.
Digital logs are generally fine for hobby activities, but I'd recommend keeping digital copies of receipts (photos work great) rather than just logging amounts. The IRS accepts digital records as long as they're clear and legible. For pottery supplies especially, having the actual receipt shows what you bought and when - paint, clay, glazes, kiln costs, etc. This creates a stronger paper trail than just writing "supplies - $45" in a spreadsheet. Plus if you ever get questioned about the hobby vs business classification, detailed expense records showing you're spending more than you're earning really helps your case.
This is such a common confusion point! I went through this exact same situation with my ceramics hobby last year. What really helped me was understanding that sales tax and income tax are completely separate systems with different rules. For sales tax: Most states require you to collect it on tangible goods regardless of whether it's a hobby or business. The transaction itself triggers the requirement, not your profit motive. For income tax: The key is proving it's truly a hobby. I keep detailed records showing I'm not profit-motivated - my supply costs usually exceed my sales, I only sell when people specifically ask, and I don't advertise or actively seek customers. One thing that wasn't mentioned yet - if you do need to get a sales tax permit, some states offer simplified filing options for occasional sellers. Mine lets me file annually instead of quarterly since my sales are so infrequent. Definitely worth asking your state about when you call them. The most important thing is consistency in how you document and report everything. Good record-keeping will protect you if there are ever questions about your classification.
This is really helpful clarification! I'm just getting started with understanding all this. When you mention "simplified filing options for occasional sellers" - do most states have something like this? I'm worried about getting stuck with quarterly filings when I might only sell 2-3 items per year at local events. Also, when you say you keep records showing you're not profit-motivated, do you literally track that your costs exceed sales, or is it more about documenting the casual nature of the sales? I want to make sure I'm setting up my record-keeping correctly from the beginning.
This is a complex situation that requires careful documentation. Based on your timeline, you should qualify for the Section 121 exclusion on the residential portion since you lived there as your primary residence for over 2 years. However, the key is how you've been treating the property on your tax returns. If you've been claiming business deductions (home office, depreciation, etc.) on any portion, you'll need to allocate the gain proportionally. The residential portion can qualify for the capital gains exclusion, but the business portion will be subject to both capital gains tax and depreciation recapture at 25%. Make sure you have clear documentation of the square footage split between personal and business use, along with records showing this was genuinely your primary residence (voter registration, mail delivery, utility bills, etc.). The IRS will scrutinize mixed-use properties more closely, so having solid documentation is crucial. I'd recommend consulting with a tax professional who specializes in real estate transactions before you sell, as the timing and method of the sale can significantly impact your tax liability.
This is really helpful advice! I'm curious about the documentation requirements you mentioned. Since I converted a commercial building into living quarters, would things like building permits for the residential conversion help establish that it was genuinely my primary residence? Also, how strict is the IRS about the "primary residence" test when the property is zoned commercial but actually used as a home?
Building permits for residential conversion would absolutely strengthen your case! That's exactly the type of documentation the IRS looks for to establish legitimate residential use of a commercial property. You should also gather utility bills showing separate meters or higher usage patterns consistent with full-time residence, any insurance policies that covered it as your homestead, and records of where you received mail and registered to vote. Regarding the zoning issue - the IRS focuses on actual use rather than zoning classification. IRC Section 121 doesn't disqualify properties based on commercial zoning if they were genuinely used as your main home. However, you'll need to demonstrate that the residential portion was separate and distinct from any business use. The key is showing you had exclusive residential areas (bedroom, kitchen, living spaces) that weren't used for business purposes. Keep detailed floor plans showing the residential vs business areas, and be prepared to explain how you maintained the separation between personal and business use of the property.
One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the importance of maintaining separate records for each portion of your mixed-use property throughout the ownership period. Since you lived there from 2019-2023, make sure you can clearly demonstrate which expenses were allocated to personal vs business use during that entire timeframe. The IRS may also look at whether you claimed any home office deductions during the years you lived there. If you did, that could complicate the residential portion calculation. Also, be aware that if you've been depreciating the entire building (rather than just the business portion), you may face some challenges in cleanly separating the residential use for the Section 121 exclusion. Given the complexity and the significant tax implications, I'd strongly recommend getting a professional tax opinion before proceeding with the sale. The cost of proper tax planning upfront is usually much less than dealing with IRS challenges or missed opportunities later.
Another thing to check is if your company has an ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Plan) running simultaneously with your RSU grants. I thought I was being double-taxed on my RSUs, but it turned out some of the shares I was seeing disappear were actually being used to fund my ESPP contributions which were coming out of my after-tax salary. Check your benefits enrollment to see if you might have signed up for an ESPP when you started. Sometimes these are opt-out rather than opt-in at some companies.
I hadn't considered this possibility! I did enroll in several benefit programs when I started, and I vaguely remember something about stock purchases. How would I tell the difference between ESPP transactions and RSU withholding? Do they show up differently in the transaction history?
They should show up as completely different transaction types in your history. RSU withholding usually shows as "sell to cover" or "net settle" while ESPP purchases typically show as "ESPP Purchase" or sometimes "Employee Stock Purchase." The timing is also different - RSU withholding happens immediately when shares vest, while ESPP purchases usually happen on specific dates (often at the end of a quarter or 6-month period). In your ETrade account, go to Transaction History and filter by transaction type - you should be able to see them categorized separately.
Just a heads up that RSU taxation can vary by country too! If you're outside the US or work for a multinational company, the rules might be different. I work for a US company but I'm based in Canada, and my RSU taxation is completely different from my US colleagues.
This is super important! I'm in the UK working for a US company and was completely confused by my RSU taxation until I realized I needed UK-specific advice. My company's HR kept sending me US tax documentation which didn't apply to me at all.
I'm in the US, but this is a good point. I wonder if there could be something unusual about my company's specific RSU plan. Is there a way to get the official plan documentation? Would that be something HR should provide?
Ally Tailer
Just went through this same situation last week! The issued date on your transcript is when the IRS actually sends the money out, not when it hits your account. For me it was exactly 3 business days from issued date to seeing it in my checking account (Bank of America). The waiting is definitely the hardest part but once you see that issued date you're basically home free! š
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Rudy Cenizo
ā¢That's such a relief to hear! 3 days doesn't sound too bad at all. I'm with a similar big bank so hopefully mine will be around the same timeline. Thanks for sharing your experience - it really helps to hear from someone who just went through this! š¤
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Kennedy Morrison
Just wanted to chime in here! The issued date is when the IRS actually processes and sends out your refund, but yeah it's not the same as when it hits your account. From my experience, most people see it within 2-3 business days after that issued date if you have direct deposit set up. If you filed with a paper check, add another week or so for mail time. The transcript is usually more accurate than the "Where's My Refund" tool, so if you see that issued date you're definitely in the final stretch! Good luck! š¤
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