I've been dealing with error 428 for the past week and this thread has been absolutely invaluable! After trying multiple approaches mentioned here, I finally had a breakthrough this morning. Following the early morning timing strategy that Miguel, Sofia, and others have had success with, I checked WMR at 5:30 AM and got through on my second attempt. What's interesting is that I had been getting the 428 error consistently for 8 days straight, but my transcript (set up using Hattie's detailed instructions) had been showing normal processing the entire time with code 150. For anyone still struggling with this error, here's my consolidated approach based on what worked from everyone's suggestions: 1. Set up transcript access first for peace of mind - it's way more reliable than WMR during these system issues 2. Try accessing WMR between 5:30-6:30 AM EST when server load is lowest 3. Use a completely fresh browser session (incognito mode) or try a different device/network 4. Don't panic if you keep getting 428 - based on everyone's experiences here, it's purely a system capacity issue, not a problem with your actual return The most frustrating part is that my refund had actually been approved and was in final processing stages while WMR was still throwing errors! This community has provided better troubleshooting guidance than any official IRS resource. Thanks to everyone who shared their detailed experiences and solutions!

I've been following this thread religiously while dealing with my own 428 error nightmare for the past 10 days! Based on all the excellent advice shared here, I finally got some relief this morning. I set up transcript access using Hattie's method and found out my return has been fully processed with code 846 (refund issued) even though WMR is STILL giving me error 428! The early morning strategy definitely works - I got through at 6:15 AM after failing dozens of times during normal hours. But honestly, the transcript access is the real MVP here. It shows the actual status while WMR is basically useless during these high-traffic periods. One additional tip I discovered: if you're using a VPN or work network, try switching to your regular home internet. I had been trying from my office WiFi with no luck, but got through immediately when I switched to my phone's cellular data during the early morning window. This community has been more helpful than the IRS helpline, their FAQ section, or any official troubleshooting guide. It's frustrating that we've had to crowdsource solutions to what's clearly a systemic issue with their servers, but I'm so grateful for everyone's detailed sharing of what actually works!

I worked for H&R Block for 8 years and we always told clients: - 3 years for basic returns with only W-2 income - 6 years for Schedule C or if you claimed unusual deductions - 7 years for any investment transactions or basis issues - Forever for property records until 3 years after you sell But honestly? In the digital age, just scan everything and keep it forever. Storage is cheap and it's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Thanks for all the helpful advice everyone! As someone new to filing Schedule C, this has been really enlightening. I had no idea about the 6-year rule for business expenses or the special considerations for property records. I think I'll take the hybrid approach several of you mentioned - scan everything for digital backup, but keep physical copies of the most important documents (like property records and major business receipts) in a fireproof safe. For my older returns from before I had the business, sounds like I can safely shred anything older than 3 years from the W-2 days. One follow-up question: when you say "6 years for Schedule C," does that start from the filing date or the tax year? So for my 2024 taxes that I'll file in early 2025, would I keep those business records until 2030 or 2031?

One thing that might help is understanding that the IRS penalty calculation system is largely automated and doesn't always account for nuances in how payments are processed through EFTPS. I've seen cases where the system flags deposits as late even when they were technically submitted on time. A few specific things to double-check: 1. When you schedule your EFTPS payment, make sure the "effective date" (when the money actually leaves your account) falls on or before the deposit deadline - not just when you initiate the transaction. 2. Be very careful about the "Tax Period" dropdown in EFTPS. For semi-weekly deposits, you need to select the specific quarter AND make sure you're not accidentally selecting "Annual" or "Monthly" instead of the quarterly option. 3. Bank holidays can throw off the timing. If your due date falls on a banking holiday, the deposit is due the next business day, but the EFTPS system doesn't always make this clear. I'd also suggest calling the Practitioner Priority Service line at 866-860-4259 if you or your tax preparer has a PTIN. It's a separate line with much shorter wait times than the general taxpayer line. Even if you're not a practitioner yourself, many enrolled agents will make this call on behalf of clients for a small fee. The good news is that first-time penalty abatement is usually granted automatically if you have a clean compliance history, so don't stress too much about the immediate financial impact while you figure this out.

I've been following this thread with great interest because I'm dealing with a very similar situation! Got bumped to semi-weekly deposits about 6 months ago and it's been a nightmare trying to get the timing right. One thing that really helped me was finding out that the IRS has a specific deposit schedule lookup tool on their website (Publication 15, Circular E) that shows exactly which days deposits are due based on your payday. But even more helpful was learning that you can call EFTPS customer service directly at 1-800-555-4477 - they can actually walk you through the correct way to enter your deposits and explain the tax period selections. The EFTPS rep I spoke with told me that a lot of the confusion comes from people thinking "semi-weekly" means twice a week, when it actually just means there are two possible due dates each week depending on when you pay wages. She also mentioned that if you're ever unsure about a deposit deadline, you can always make the deposit earlier - there's no penalty for depositing early, only for depositing late. Also wanted to echo what others said about keeping detailed records. I started taking screenshots of my EFTPS confirmations and noting exactly which tax period I selected for each deposit. When I did get a penalty notice, having those records made it much easier to prove the deposits were made correctly and get the penalties reversed. Hope this helps - you're definitely not alone in finding this system confusing!

I've been following this thread closely as someone who went through a similar US-Germany tax transition in 2022, and there's one important aspect I haven't seen mentioned yet: the potential impact of state tax treaty benefits. While the federal US-Germany tax treaty is comprehensive, some US states don't automatically honor federal treaty provisions. Since your rental property is in California, you'll definitely need to file a California non-resident return (Form 540NR), and California has its own rules about recognizing foreign tax credits. California generally doesn't provide the same treaty benefits that federal taxes do, so you might end up with some level of triple taxation (US federal, California state, and German) on your rental income that can't be fully eliminated through credits. The good news is that California's tax rates are typically lower than German rates, so your German foreign tax credits on your federal return should still provide substantial relief. Also, make sure you understand the difference between the Foreign Tax Credit and Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. For your rental income, you'll want the Foreign Tax Credit since rental income doesn't qualify for the exclusion. But for future German employment income, the exclusion might be more beneficial depending on your situation. One practical tip: consider keeping separate bank accounts for your rental property income and expenses. This makes record-keeping much easier when you're dealing with currency conversions and different tax year reporting requirements between the countries. The learning curve is steep initially, but once you establish good systems and find the right professionals, it becomes much more manageable!

I went through a very similar situation when I moved from the US to Germany in 2020, and I can definitely relate to the sticker shock of those professional fees! Here are a few practical steps that helped me navigate this without breaking the bank: First, take advantage of the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service - they have specialists who can help explain treaty provisions over the phone for free. I found them incredibly helpful for understanding how Article 23 of the US-Germany treaty applies to specific situations like ours. For the German side, look into local Lohnsteuerhilfeverein offices - these are non-profit tax assistance organizations that charge much lower fees (typically €200-400) compared to private Steuerberater. Many have staff who understand basic US-Germany tax coordination. One thing that saved me significant time and stress: I created a simple spreadsheet tracking all my income sources, tax payments, and relevant dates in both USD and EUR. This made it much easier to complete forms like 1116 for foreign tax credits and helped me catch potential issues early. Also, don't forget to check if your employer offers any expat tax assistance as part of your benefits package. Some German companies provide this support for international employees, even if it's not explicitly advertised. The €4000 quote you received is definitely on the high end. With some preparation and the right resources, you should be able to handle this for well under €1500 total. The first year is always the most challenging, but it gets much easier once you understand the process!

I went through identity verification in January 2024 and can share my exact timeline to help ease your anxiety! Here's what happened: Jan 8: Received 5071C letter Jan 10: Called verification line (got through after 2 hours of redials) Jan 10: Completed phone verification (took about 20 minutes once connected) Jan 24: Transcript updated with refund date Jan 29: Refund deposited So 14 days from verification to transcript update, 19 days total to money in account. The verification itself was straightforward - they asked for my SSN, filing status, refund amount, and a few line items from my return. Since you mentioned urgent medical expenses, definitely emphasize this when you call. The IRS has expedited processing for financial hardship cases. Also, call first thing in the morning (7-8 AM) for shorter wait times. One thing that helped my peace of mind was checking my online account transcript every few days after verification. You'll see the 570 "additional account action pending" code clear, then 971 "notice issued" will appear, followed by 846 "refund issued" with your actual deposit date. The waiting is the hardest part, but most people get their refunds within 2-3 weeks of verification. You've got this!

I went through identity verification just last month and wanted to share my experience to help calm your nerves! Here's my timeline: Dec 15: Filed return electronically Dec 28: Received 5071C letter in mail Jan 2: Called verification number (took 3 attempts to get through - kept getting busy signal) Jan 2: Completed phone verification in about 25 minutes once connected Jan 18: Checked transcript and saw code 846 with refund date Jan 22: Direct deposit hit my account So exactly 16 days from verification to transcript update, and 20 days total to getting my money. The agent was actually very helpful and walked me through each step. A couple things that made the process smoother for me: - I had my prior year AGI written down (they always ask for this) - Made sure to call from the phone number that matched what was on my tax return - Had my ID, Social Security card, and tax return spread out in front of me Since you mentioned urgent medical expenses, definitely lead with that when you call. I've heard they can flag accounts for expedited processing in hardship situations. The verification process itself really isn't as intimidating as it sounds - they're just confirming basic info from your return and ID. You'll get through this and have your refund soon!