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I've been tracking adoption credit processing patterns for a few years now. The key factors affecting processing time are: 1) When you file (earlier = longer wait, counterintuitively), 2) Whether you paper file or e-file (paper is significantly slower), 3) Whether you're claiming other credits simultaneously, and 4) The completeness of your documentation. Are you e-filing or paper filing? And are you claiming any other credits besides the adoption credit?
I went through this exact situation in 2023 with our special needs adoption. Filed February 15th, got the dreaded 570 code by early March, and didn't see our refund until May 8th - almost 3 months! The IRS requested additional verification of our state's special needs determination even though I included it with the original filing. What really helped was calling the Taxpayer Advocate Service around week 10 when it became clear this was affecting our ability to pay for our child's therapy appointments. They expedited the final review and we had our refund within 2 weeks of that call. Don't hesitate to reach out to TAS if you're experiencing financial hardship due to the delay - that's exactly what they're there for.
The IRS Publication 974 actually has a pretty good example of this situation on page 26-27 (Example 2) that walks through shared policy allocations. Don't overthink it!
Pub 974 is helpful but actually doesn't fully address this specific situation where adult non-dependent children are on the same policy. The examples mostly focus on divorce situations or dependent allocation. This case is trickier because of the SLCSP adjustment requirement.
This is such a common issue that trips up many tax preparers! I want to emphasize something that hasn't been fully clarified yet - when you allocate 100% to the parents and 0% to the adult children, you're not just doing this for the premium amounts, but also for the advance premium tax credit (APTC) amounts shown in Column C of the 1095-A. The key steps are: 1) Use the state's SLCSP lookup tool to find the benchmark plan cost for JUST the parents (not the full family amount shown on the 1095-A) 2) Calculate the parents' PTC using their income and the adjusted SLCSP amount 3) Complete the allocation worksheet showing parents claim 100% of their portions 4) The adult children simply report they had coverage but don't file Form 8962 One thing to watch out for - make sure you're using the correct ages for the SLCSP lookup. Use the ages as of the first day of each coverage month, not current ages. This can make a difference in the benchmark calculation. Your instinct about the $5,600 PTC being more reasonable than $14,400 is absolutely correct. The higher amount would only make sense if you were calculating credits for all four family members, which isn't appropriate here since the adult children aren't in the parents' tax family.
Just to add to what others have said - make sure you're aware of the contribution limits for 403(b) plans. For 2025, the total limit for combined traditional and Roth 403(b) contributions is $23,000 if you're under 50. That $13k you mentioned is well under the limit so you're good! Also, don't forget to check if your employer offers a 457(b) plan too. Many non-profits do, and you can contribute to BOTH a 403(b) and a 457(b) up to the full limit for each, effectively doubling your tax-advantaged space!
Thanks for this info! My HR mentioned something about a 457(b) during orientation but I was already confused by the 403(b)/Roth options so I didn't pay much attention. Are there any downsides to 457(b) plans compared to 403(b)? And would employer matching count toward that $23,000 limit you mentioned?
The main difference with 457(b) plans is that they're technically deferred compensation plans rather than qualified retirement plans. The great thing is you can withdraw from them without penalty if you leave your employer at any age (though you'll still pay income tax). They're a fantastic option if you can manage contributing to both. Regarding the limits, employer matching contributions don't count toward your $23,000 personal contribution limit! There's a separate, higher overall limit that includes employer contributions - around $69,000 for 2025. So you can contribute your $23,000 and still get employer matching on top of that. It's one of the best perks of working for a non-profit with good benefits.
Remember that your W-2 should have code E in box 12 showing your pre-tax 403b contributions. And if you've made any Roth 403b contributions, they should appear with code EE. This is how you can double-check that your employer reported everything correctly!
Is code E always used for 403(b)? I have code D on mine and was told that's for 401(k) contributions. Are they basically the same thing for tax purposes?
Yes, code E is specifically for 403(b) contributions while code D is for 401(k) contributions. They work essentially the same way for tax purposes - both are pre-tax retirement contributions that reduce your taxable income. The difference is mainly in the type of employer (non-profits and educational institutions typically offer 403(b) plans, while for-profit companies usually offer 401(k) plans). So if you have code D, that's correct for a 401(k) plan!
Has anyone here actually been audited over vehicle deductions? I'm curious what that experience is like. I've been deducting my car for business use for years (about 30% business use) but my record keeping isn't perfect...
I went through an audit last year where they specifically looked at my vehicle deductions. They wanted to see my mileage log and questioned several trips. Because I had a decent log (not perfect, but consistent) showing dates, purposes and destinations of business trips, they only disallowed a few deductions where I couldn't prove business purpose. The auditor told me that vehicle deductions are one of their focus areas because so many people abuse them. The worst thing is having no log at all - they'll disallow 100% of your deduction without documentation.
The audit experience mentioned by @Ava Williams is exactly why I always tell people to be conservative with vehicle deductions. I'm a CPA and I've seen too many clients get in trouble because they listened to those YouTube "gurus" who make it sound like you can write off your entire car payment. Here's what I tell my clients: if you're not keeping meticulous records from day one, don't claim the deduction. The IRS knows that vehicle deductions are commonly abused, so they scrutinize them heavily. A simple smartphone app that tracks your business miles with GPS is worth its weight in gold during an audit. Also, @Jamal Washington, since your LLC isn't profitable yet, make sure you understand the hobby loss rules. If the IRS determines your business is more of a hobby than a legitimate profit-seeking enterprise, they can disallow losses (including vehicle deductions) that exceed your business income. Generally, you need to show a profit in 3 out of 5 years to avoid this issue. My advice: buy the car you actually need, keep detailed records of legitimate business use, and don't let tax tail wag the financial dog.
Melody Miles
Has anyone used Rocket Dollar for their checkbook IRA? They advertise a flat fee structure that looks pretty competitive, but I've heard mixed reviews about their customer support.
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Nathaniel Mikhaylov
ā¢I used them initially but ended up switching. Their platform is user-friendly and setup was straightforward, but I had issues whenever I needed to speak with an actual human. Support tickets would go unanswered for days, and when I had an urgent question about a potential prohibited transaction, I couldn't get a clear answer. I ended up transferring to a more traditional custodian with slightly higher fees but much better support. For something as important as retirement funds and as complex as self-directed investing, I found that having access to knowledgeable support staff was worth the extra cost.
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Melody Miles
ā¢Thanks for sharing your experience. That's exactly what I was worried about. Did the transfer process go smoothly or were there any complications? And which custodian did you switch to that had better support?
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Emma Wilson
I've been managing my checkbook IRA for about 3 years now and wanted to add a few practical tips that I learned the hard way: 1. **Document everything religiously** - Keep detailed records of every transaction, investment decision, and communication. The IRS can audit self-directed IRAs, and you'll need clear documentation showing business purpose for all activities. 2. **Set up separate accounting software** - Don't just rely on bank statements. I use QuickBooks to track the LLC's finances separately from my personal accounts. This makes annual reporting much cleaner and helps avoid any appearance of commingling funds. 3. **Annual valuation requirements** - Your custodian will need fair market value of all assets by December 31st each year. For illiquid investments like real estate or private businesses, you may need professional appraisals. Budget for this ongoing cost. 4. **State compliance matters** - Don't forget your LLC has state-level compliance requirements too. Annual reports, registered agent fees, etc. These vary by state but can add up over time. The freedom is amazing once everything is properly set up, but the administrative burden is real. Make sure you're prepared for the ongoing responsibilities, not just the initial setup costs.
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