Hey so random question but what software did you use to e-file your return originally? If you used TurboTax, TaxAct, etc. instead of just going through H&R Block, those services usually keep your returns available for download for several years!

I went through this exact same frustrating experience last year! The IRS website definitely doesn't provide complete tax returns - only transcripts. But here's what worked for me as a fellow self-employed person needing documents for a mortgage: First, try getting both the Tax Return Transcript AND the Wage & Income Transcript from the IRS website. The Tax Return Transcript should show your Schedule C information (business income/expenses), while the Wage & Income shows all the 1099s and other income documents reported to the IRS. Before going the Form 4506 route (which takes forever and costs $43), call your mortgage lender and ask if they'll accept these transcripts instead. Many lenders actually prefer transcripts because they come directly from the IRS and can't be altered. If your lender insists on the full return, you might also try calling the IRS directly to ask about expedited processing for the Form 4506 due to your mortgage timeline - sometimes they can prioritize these requests. Just be prepared for long hold times when calling! Good luck with your mortgage application!

22 Has anyone dealt with the filing requirements for the French individual in this situation? Would they need to file a US tax return even though they're receiving dividends through a US LLC? I'm in a similar position (but from UK) and wondering what my obligations are.

I've been dealing with similar withholding complexities for our international shareholders and wanted to add a few practical considerations that might help. First, make sure you get the W-8BEN from the French individual well before the dividend payment date. The IRS requires that you have valid documentation in hand before you can apply the reduced treaty rate. If you don't have it, you're required to withhold at the full 30% rate, and then the individual would need to claim a refund later. Second, regarding the potential 5% rate mentioned above - be very careful here. The treaty language specifically refers to companies owning the required percentage, and there's ongoing debate about whether individuals can qualify for this rate even when owning through business entities. I'd strongly recommend getting professional advice before applying the 5% rate to avoid potential penalties. Finally, keep detailed records of your withholding analysis and the documentation you relied on. The IRS can review withholding decisions years later, and you'll want to be able to demonstrate that you made a reasonable, good-faith effort to apply the correct rate based on the information available at the time.

Has anyone here used the free IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program for help with partnership returns? My local place said they don't do business returns but then another volunteer said they sometimes help with simple partnerships.

Daniel, you've gotten some good advice here already! Just wanted to add a couple of practical tips from when I helped my sister with her dissolved LLC filing last year. Make sure you're consistent with how you report the dissolution date throughout all your forms - use the same date on Form 1065 and all the K-1s. The IRS gets picky about date inconsistencies. Also, since you mentioned you had cloud servers and software subscriptions, double-check that you've accounted for any prepaid expenses that might need to be prorated. If you paid for annual subscriptions but only used them part of the year before dissolving, you might be able to deduct the full amount since the business ceased operations. One last thing - keep really good records of all this. Even though the LLC is dissolved, the IRS can still come back with questions for up to 3 years, and partnership audits can be particularly messy if your documentation isn't solid.

I went through a very similar situation a few years ago and can share some hard-learned lessons. First, you're absolutely right to be concerned - installment agreements can become endless cycles if the payment amount doesn't exceed the monthly interest and penalty charges. Here's what I wish I had known earlier: Request a detailed breakdown of how your monthly payment is being applied. The IRS should be able to tell you exactly how much of each payment goes to principal vs. interest/penalties. If less than 50% is going to principal, you're essentially treading water. A few practical steps that helped me: 1. Calculate the minimum payment needed to make actual progress (usually 20-30% higher than what covers just interest) 2. Request penalty abatement for any months you can qualify for - this can significantly reduce the total debt 3. Consider making extra payments specifically designated for principal reduction 4. If your financial situation has changed since starting the agreement, request a review The 10-year collection statute mentioned by others is real, but don't count on it as your primary strategy. Focus on either increasing payments to attack the principal or exploring other options like an Offer in Compromise. With a baby coming, document everything about your changing financial situation - the IRS does consider family circumstances in hardship determinations. Good luck!

I'm dealing with a similar situation and wanted to share what I've learned from talking to several tax professionals. The key thing that's often overlooked is that you can request what's called a "Financial Hardship Review" even if you're current on your installment agreement payments. With a baby on the way, your situation is actually perfect timing for this. The IRS recognizes that major life changes like new dependents significantly impact your ability to pay. You can submit Form 433-A (Collection Information Statement) along with documentation of your expected expenses for the baby - things like projected medical costs, childcare if both parents work, increased food and clothing expenses, etc. What's particularly relevant to your situation is that the IRS may agree to suspend collection activities entirely under "Currently Not Collectible" status if your necessary living expenses exceed your income. During this time, penalties and interest continue to accrue, but you're not required to make payments. More importantly, the 10-year collection statute continues to run. I'd also suggest requesting a complete account transcript to see exactly when each tax year was assessed. If any of the debt is close to the 10-year mark, it might make more sense to focus on financial hardship options rather than trying to pay down debt that could expire soon anyway. The timing with your growing family could actually work strongly in your favor - just make sure to document everything properly when you apply.

Code 424 is definitely one of the more stressful ones to see! I got mine about 8 weeks ago and just had it resolve last week, so there's definitely light at the end of the tunnel. From what I've experienced and read, it usually means they're doing income matching or verifying credits you claimed. The timeframe really varies - some people get through it in 45 days, others take 4+ months. One thing that helped me was setting up informed delivery with USPS so I'd know immediately if the IRS sent any letters requesting documents. Try to stay patient (easier said than done, I know!) and remember that most 424 reviews end with your refund being released without any issues. You've got this! 💪

I totally understand the anxiety! I got code 424 about 4 months ago and it was such a rollercoaster of emotions. Mine ended up being related to the Earned Income Tax Credit verification - they wanted to make sure my income and dependents matched up properly. The whole process took about 14 weeks but I did eventually get my full refund with interest. The hardest part was definitely the uncertainty and not knowing what specific issue they were reviewing. I found it helpful to keep a little journal of when I checked my transcript and any changes I noticed - it helped me feel like I had some control over the situation. Also seconding what others said about having your W-2s, 1099s, and any dependent documentation ready to go just in case. Hang in there - I know the waiting is brutal but you'll get through this! 🌟