


Ask the community...
This hits close to home! My spouse and I went through the exact same thing last year. What worked for us was creating a simple spreadsheet that tracked not just our tax withholdings, but also our quarterly estimated payments (I'm self-employed) and any other tax payments we made throughout the year. We found that even though our withholdings looked fairly even, I had made several large quarterly payments that really changed the proportions. Once we had all the numbers laid out, it was much easier to have a calm discussion about what felt fair. One thing that helped was also factoring in who was claiming the kids as dependents if you alternate years, or who's handling more of the tax prep work. These aren't monetary contributions but they do have value. For what it's worth, 65/35 split based on your contribution sounds completely reasonable to me, especially if you're also covering more childcare costs. Money is money, regardless of when it was paid to the IRS.
The spreadsheet idea is brilliant! I never thought about tracking quarterly payments separately. That could definitely change the math significantly, especially for self-employed folks. I'm curious - when you factored in who was doing the tax prep work, how did you assign a value to that? Did you look up what a tax preparer would charge, or just agree on some amount? That's actually a really good point because tax prep can take hours and hours, especially with kids and multiple income sources. Also totally agree about the 65/35 split being reasonable. If someone contributed 65% of the tax payments throughout the year, why wouldn't they get 65% of the refund back? Seems like basic math to me.
I'm dealing with something similar and honestly, the 65/35 split based on your actual contributions seems completely fair to me. My partner and I keep separate finances too, and we learned that the key is being transparent about ALL the numbers upfront. One thing that might help is calculating not just the withholdings, but also any estimated tax payments, and then looking at what each of you would have owed if you filed separately versus jointly. Sometimes the joint filing saves one spouse way more than the other. The childcare costs you mentioned are huge too - that's real money coming out of your pocket that benefits the whole family. Even if it doesn't show up directly on tax forms, it absolutely should factor into the "fairness" conversation. Have you tried sitting down with your husband and just laying out all the numbers? Like actual dollar amounts of what each of you contributed throughout the year? Sometimes seeing it all in black and white makes the discussion less emotional and more logical. You're definitely not being unreasonable - if anything, a 50/50 split when you paid 65% seems unfair to YOU.
This is such a frustrating situation that so many remote workers are dealing with! I went through the same thing last year when my company suddenly decided that working from home 3 days a week meant I couldn't claim mileage for client visits anymore. What really helped me was putting together a clear timeline showing that my home office arrangement was officially established by my employer, not just something I decided on my own. I included emails where my manager confirmed my hybrid schedule, any home office equipment they provided, and documentation of the regular work I do from home. The IRS is pretty clear that if your employer has established your home as a regular work location (which yours has by officially allowing you to work remotely 3 days a week), then travel from there to temporary work locations like client sites is business mileage, not commuting. The key word is "temporary" - if you're visiting different client sites rather than going to the same location every day, that strengthens your case. I'd suggest creating a simple presentation for your boss showing: 1) Your official remote work arrangement, 2) The varying client locations you visit, 3) The relevant IRS guidance on home-based workplaces. Sometimes employers just need to see it laid out clearly to understand they're interpreting the rules incorrectly.
This is really great advice! I'm dealing with a similar situation where my company is being stubborn about this. How did you present the IRS guidance to your boss? Did you just print out pages from the IRS website or did you create something more formal? I'm worried that if I just send them a bunch of tax code excerpts, they'll dismiss it as too complicated or say they need to run it by legal first (which could take forever).
I created a one-page summary document that was professional but easy to understand. I avoided copying raw tax code and instead wrote it in plain business language, something like "According to IRS Publication 463, when an employee's home serves as their principal place of business or regular work location, travel from home to temporary work sites constitutes business travel rather than personal commuting." I included specific page references to IRS publications (like Pub 463 and Pub 15-B) so they could verify the information themselves if needed, but I summarized the key points in simple terms. I also added a brief section showing how this applied to my specific situation - like "Employee works from designated home office 3 days per week per company policy" and "Client visits are to varying temporary locations, not a fixed workplace." The key was making it look official enough that they'd take it seriously, but simple enough that they wouldn't need to involve legal. It worked - they approved my request within a week without escalating it further up the chain.
This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with the exact same issue where my employer is claiming that since I work from home, any travel to client sites is considered "commuting" and not reimbursable. One thing I wanted to add that might help others - I found that documenting the *business necessity* of each client visit really strengthened my case. I started keeping a log that included not just the mileage and destination, but also the specific business purpose (client meeting, project site visit, equipment delivery, etc.) and who requested/approved each visit. When I presented this to HR along with the IRS guidance that others have mentioned, it became much harder for them to argue that these were personal commuting expenses. The documentation showed that these weren't routine trips to a fixed workplace, but legitimate business travel to serve different clients at varying locations. I think the key is showing that your situation fits the IRS definition of travel between work locations rather than home-to-office commuting. The more specific you can be about the business nature of each trip, the stronger your case becomes.
This is such excellent advice about documenting the business necessity! I'm just starting to deal with this issue and hadn't thought about tracking the specific purpose of each trip. It makes total sense that showing these are legitimate business activities rather than just "going to work" would strengthen the case. Quick question - when you say you logged who "requested/approved" each visit, do you mean you got explicit approval for each trip beforehand, or just documented that it was part of your job duties? I'm wondering if I need to start getting written approval for every client visit or if showing it's part of my regular responsibilities is enough. Also, did you include any cost comparison in your documentation? Like showing how much the company saves by having you work from home versus maintaining office space, compared to the mileage reimbursement costs? I feel like that might help show the overall value to the company.
Now the message at the top is new. But I still donβt have code 846
That message usually indicates they're updating your account in real-time! Since you have the 766 credit dated 4/15 but no 846 code yet, they're likely finishing up that review from your March letter. The 846 "refund issued" code is what you're waiting for - that's when you'll see your actual direct deposit date. With 4/15 being Monday, I'd definitely keep checking your over the weekend. Sometimes the 846 appears just 1-2 days before the money hits your account. The fact that they put a specific date on your 766 is actually pretty promising - means they're planning to process it soon!
That's definitely a good sign! That message usually appears when the IRS is actively processing updates to your account. Since you have the 766 code dated for 4/15 but no 846 yet, it looks like they're still wrapping up that review from your March letter. The 846 code is what you really need to see - that's the actual "refund issued" code with your deposit date. I'd keep checking your daily, especially with Monday being 4/15. Sometimes that 846 code shows up literally the day before or even the morning of the deposit. The fact that they already have 4/15 scheduled on your 766 is actually really encouraging - it means they're planning to move forward with it once the review is complete!
Based on your situation, it sounds like you're in a really good spot! The 766 code with the 4/15 date is essentially the IRS saying "we owe you this money and plan to send it on this date." Since your education credit hasn't been added yet, that's likely what's causing the amount discrepancy you're seeing. The process usually goes: 766 codes show up first (like yours), then once all the credits and adjustments are finalized, you'll see the 846 code with your actual deposit date. The 846 is the "money's on its way" code. I've seen tons of people in your exact situation - the amount changes multiple times before that final 846 appears, especially with education credits since those take extra verification. Don't stress about the current amount showing, it's definitely going to adjust once they add your education credit. You should see that 846 code pop up within the next week or so, and then your deposit usually follows 1-3 business days after that. The fact that you already have a 766 with a date means they're actively working on your return, which is great news!
This explanation is a lifesaver! I've been checking my obsessively and seeing my 766 code with an amount that doesn't match what I filed for. I was starting to panic thinking the IRS made some huge mistake, but knowing that the amount changing multiple times is completely normal makes me feel so much better. I had absolutely no clue about the education credit verification process - that explains why my return has been in limbo for what feels like forever! The way you broke down the difference between 766 and 846 codes is super clear too. I've been waiting for that magical 846 to appear without really understanding what the 766 meant. Now I get that it's basically the IRS saying "yes, we owe you money, just hang tight while we sort out all the details." Thanks for sharing your knowledge and helping ease everyone's anxiety about this process!
Wow, thank you so much for this detailed explanation! I'm currently dealing with the exact same situation - I have a 766 code showing but my refund amount doesn't match what I originally filed for. It's been really stressful watching the numbers change on my transcript, but your breakdown about how this is totally normal really puts my mind at ease. I had no idea that education credits required extra verification time - that completely explains why my return has been taking so long to process. The way you explained the difference between 766 and 846 codes is super helpful too. I've been checking for that 846 code daily without really understanding what the 766 was telling me. Now I know it's basically the IRS confirming they owe me money while they work out all the final details. Really appreciate you taking the time to help everyone understand this confusing process!
This thread is a goldmine! I've been procrastinating on this exact problem for weeks. I have around 320 transactions from E*TRADE, Schwab, and some crypto from Coinbase that I need to get sorted before the deadline. Based on everything I'm reading here, it sounds like the automated conversion route is definitely worth it versus trying to do this manually. The time savings alone would be worth the cost - I was literally dreading spending my entire weekend entering transactions one by one. A few follow-up questions for the group: 1. For those who used taxr.ai with mixed stock/crypto portfolios - did it handle the different reporting requirements correctly? I know crypto has some unique tax implications. 2. Has anyone tried importing converted files into TurboTax's mobile app, or does this only work with the desktop/web versions? 3. If I run into issues with the import, what's the best way to troubleshoot? Are there any common error messages I should be prepared for? I'm definitely going to try one of the paid solutions mentioned here. My sanity is worth more than the conversion fee at this point! Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - you've probably saved me days of work and a lot of stress.
Hi Samantha! I can help answer your crypto question since I dealt with a similar mixed portfolio situation. The good news is that taxr.ai and similar tools do handle the different reporting requirements for crypto correctly - they separate the crypto transactions and use the appropriate tax codes. Crypto transactions typically get coded differently than regular stock trades in the TXF format. However, one important thing to keep in mind with Coinbase specifically is that they sometimes include staking rewards, airdrops, or other income events in their CSV files that aren't capital gains transactions. Make sure to review those carefully since they might need to be reported as ordinary income rather than capital gains/losses. For troubleshooting import issues, the most common error I've seen is "invalid date format" which usually means the converter used MM/DD/YYYY when TurboTax expected YYYYMMDD format. Also watch out for "unrecognized security" errors if your CSV has non-standard ticker symbols. Regarding the mobile app - in my experience, investment imports only work reliably with the desktop or web versions. The mobile app is pretty limited for complex data imports. You're absolutely making the right choice going with an automated solution! With 320 transactions, manual entry would be a nightmare. Good luck with your deadline!
I just wanted to add my experience for anyone still struggling with this! I had about 280 transactions from Fidelity, Interactive Brokers, and some Robinhood crypto trades that I needed to convert for TurboTax. After reading through all the great advice in this thread, I ended up trying the taxr.ai solution that multiple people recommended. I was honestly skeptical about paying for a converter when there are free options available, but the time savings were incredible. What would have taken me literally days of manual work was done in about 30 minutes including review time. The system handled all three different CSV formats perfectly and even caught some wash sales between brokers that I never would have noticed on my own. The crypto transactions from Robinhood were processed correctly with the right tax codes, and everything imported into TurboTax without any errors. One tip I'd add based on my experience - before uploading your CSV files, quickly scan them to remove any "pending" or "cancelled" transactions that might still be showing in your export. I had a few cancelled orders in my Fidelity CSV that would have caused confusion during the conversion process. Also, definitely keep your original CSV files backed up somewhere safe. TurboTax asks you to verify some details during the import process, and having the source files handy makes that much easier. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences in this thread - you saved me from a major tax deadline panic! For anyone on the fence about using a paid converter, it's absolutely worth it for the peace of mind and time savings.
This is exactly what I needed to hear! I've been putting off dealing with my investment imports for weeks because it seemed so overwhelming. Your point about removing pending/cancelled transactions is really smart - I probably have some of those in my exports that would cause issues. Quick question: when you say the system caught wash sales between brokers, does that mean it was looking at transactions across all your uploaded files simultaneously? That would be amazing since I definitely made some trades in the same stocks across different platforms. Also, did you have any issues with the TurboTax import process itself, or was it pretty smooth once you had the converted TXF file?
Diego Rojas
Thank you for sharing such a comprehensive timeline - this is incredibly valuable for those of us currently stuck in review limbo! I'm on day 61 of my review and was starting to panic that something was seriously wrong with my case. Your detailed breakdown of the entire 9-month process gives me realistic expectations and helps me understand that these delays are unfortunately just how the system works. Your employer wage reporting issue really resonates with me because I had a similar situation last year. My company switched from a small local payroll service to ADP mid-year, and there were definitely some hiccups during the transition with pay stub formatting and timing. Based on your experience, it sounds like these backend reporting discrepancies aren't something we can easily catch ourselves by comparing documents. The information about Tax Advocate services not being available until after 120 days is crucial - I wish this was clearly stated in the IRS notices! I was planning to contact them next week, but now I know to wait and focus my energy elsewhere. Your congressman approach is definitely something I'm going to start preparing for now rather than waiting until I hit desperation mode. I'm particularly grateful for your practical advice about certified mail and detailed call documentation. I've been keeping loose notes, but after reading your experience, I'm going to create a proper tracking system with dates, times, and representative names for every interaction. One question: during those months of regular calling, did you find that different IRS agents gave you consistent information about your case, or did you get conflicting stories about what was happening and expected timelines? Thanks again for taking the time to document this entire journey. Your post should be required reading for anyone starting an IRS review - it's exactly the kind of real-world guidance we need to navigate this frustrating but apparently very common process!
0 coins
Arnav Bengali
This is incredibly helpful - thank you for documenting your entire experience so thoroughly! I'm currently on day 47 of my review and was starting to feel like I was trapped in some kind of bureaucratic nightmare. Your timeline shows that while this process is painfully slow, it does eventually get resolved. The employer reporting error aspect of your case is particularly concerning to me because I had a job change mid-year where my previous employer had some issues with their final payroll processing. They had to issue corrected pay stubs twice, and now I'm wondering if that created reporting discrepancies that triggered my review. Your advice about the 120-day requirement for Tax Advocate services is information that should be plastered all over the IRS website! I've been planning to contact them, but now I know to save that effort until I actually qualify. The congressman route is something I'm definitely going to start researching now rather than waiting until I'm financially desperate. The certified mail tip is brilliant - I've been sending documents via regular mail like an amateur. Going forward, everything is getting tracked with delivery confirmation. I'm also going to start keeping much more detailed records of every phone call after reading about your experience. One question: when you mention calling "repeatedly" after getting your Tax Advocate assigned, did you feel like those calls actually moved your case forward or were they more about staying informed about what was happening? I want to be persistent without being counterproductive. Thanks for giving all of us hope that this nightmare does eventually end, even when it feels endless!
0 coins