One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is checking if your employer has a dedicated payroll helpline or employee services number. Many companies have these separate from HR, and the payroll staff usually know all the Box 14 codes inside and out since they set them up in the system. I had a similar issue a couple years ago and called the payroll department directly. The person I spoke with not only explained what my specific code meant (it was for parking deductions that were being handled pre-tax), but also sent me a quick reference sheet with all the codes they use. She mentioned that Box 14 questions are super common during tax season, so they're usually prepared to help. If your company is too small to have a separate payroll department, try asking whoever processes payroll - even if it's just one person wearing multiple hats, they'll likely know what the codes represent since they have to enter them into the system each pay period.

Another helpful resource that I don't think has been mentioned is your state's tax website. Many states have specific guidance about Box 14 items that might be deductible or require special handling on your state return, even if they don't affect your federal taxes. For example, some states allow deductions for union dues, professional association fees, or certain insurance premiums that employers report in Box 14. Others have specific rules about how to handle transit benefits or parking allowances. I discovered this when I was confused about a "STD" code in my Box 14 (which turned out to be state disability insurance). My state's tax website had a whole section explaining how to handle these premiums as a potential itemized deduction. Would have never found this information just looking at federal tax resources. Your state's Department of Revenue or Treasury website usually has these guides in their individual taxpayer sections. Worth checking even if you think your Box 14 items are just informational!

Anybody know if OP should consider a Traditional IRA instead of Roth at this income level? With such low income wouldn't it be better to take the tax deduction now?

Great question! You're absolutely on the right track thinking about retirement savings at 19. Just to add some clarity to what others have mentioned - your Roth IRA contribution limit is based on your "earned income" which for self-employed folks like you is your net profit from Schedule C (after business expenses like mileage, but before the self-employment tax deduction). So if your net profit after all business deductions is $6,500, that's exactly what you can contribute to your Roth IRA. The fact that it matches the contribution limit perfectly is just a coincidence - you're not required to have "extra" income beyond what you contribute. One thing to double-check: make sure you're tracking your mileage accurately since that's usually the biggest deduction for delivery drivers. The IRS standard mileage rate for 2025 is 67 cents per mile, which can really add up with delivery work. Keep up the smart financial planning - starting retirement savings this early will pay off huge in the long run!

Just wanted to add that I had the exact same codes (971 and 570) last year when I filed in February. Like others mentioned, it was just a routine review - they were verifying my dependent information since I had claimed my nephew for the first time. The waiting is definitely the hardest part, but try to stay patient. One thing that helped me was setting up IRS2Go app notifications so I could check my transcript status without constantly logging into the website. Also, make sure your address is current with the IRS since they'll be mailing you that notice. In my case, the review took exactly 21 days from the 971 date, and then everything processed normally. The notice I received was pretty straightforward and just confirmed they had verified my information. Your situation sounds very routine based on what you've described!

I've been helping people with transcript codes for years, and the 971/570 combination you're seeing is honestly one of the most routine ones during tax season. The IRS is essentially saying "we got your return, we're taking a closer look at something, and we'll send you a letter explaining what." Since you filed in February and the 971 is dated 04-15-2024, you're right on schedule for a typical review. The cycle code 20240805 indicates normal processing, not an audit or major issue. Most likely scenarios: they're verifying your W-2 data matches what employers reported, double-checking any credits you claimed (especially if you have kids or claimed education credits), or confirming your filing status. The key thing is that 570 holds usually release automatically once their systems verify everything matches up. You'll see a 571 code appear when the hold lifts, followed by a refund date within a few days. Based on your timeline, I'd expect movement in the next 1-2 weeks. The notice you receive will be pretty basic - usually just confirmation that they reviewed and approved your return.

I've been dealing with this exact situation and wanted to share what I learned from my research and talking to a tax professional. The key thing to understand is that there's a difference between selling personal items at a loss (which most garage sale items are) versus selling collectibles that have appreciated in value. For your garage sale items, if you're selling personal belongings for less than what you paid, there's generally no tax consequence. The IRS considers these personal losses, which aren't deductible but also aren't taxable income. For collectibles that have increased in value, you do need to report the gains. The tricky part about not having receipts is real, but the IRS allows "reasonable estimates" of your cost basis. You can research what similar items sold for when you originally bought them using price guides, auction records, or inflation calculators. One thing that surprised me: collectibles are taxed differently than stocks - they're subject to a maximum 28% rate rather than the lower long-term capital gains rates. So it's worth tracking these separately. As for whether the IRS will "come after you" for small amounts - while technically all income should be reported, enforcement resources are typically focused on larger discrepancies. That said, with new 1099-K reporting requirements lowering to $600 in 2025, there will be more paper trails for online sales.

I went through this same headache last year with vintage comic books and old Magic cards I'd been collecting since high school. What really helped me was keeping it simple and focusing on the bigger picture. For garage sale stuff, honestly most of it you're probably selling at a loss anyway - that old furniture, random household items, clothes, etc. Those don't need to be reported since you're not making a profit. For the collectibles where you might have actual gains, I found that researching historical prices wasn't as hard as I expected. For baseball cards, the Beckett database goes back decades and you can usually find price ranges for different years. Same with vintage toys - there are collector sites that track values over time. The key thing I learned is that the IRS isn't expecting perfect records for stuff you bought years ago. They want to see that you made a reasonable, good faith effort to estimate your basis. I kept a simple Excel sheet with my research sources and called it a day. One practical tip: if you're selling online and getting close to that $600 threshold where you'll get a 1099-K, it might be worth organizing your records now rather than scrambling later. But for small cash sales at yard sales? The enforcement risk is pretty minimal for occasional sellers like us.

The two 570 codes with the same date is definitely unusual - I've been following tax stuff for years and typically see just one 570 when there's a hold. This could indicate your return triggered multiple review flags simultaneously. The 971 notice will be key to understanding what specific documentation they need. In my experience, EIC reviews with dependents usually focus on verifying custody/residency requirements. Check your mail daily and respond quickly to any IRS correspondence - that's the fastest way to get these holds released. The April date for your EIC suggests they're planning to process it, they just need to complete their verification first.

I see you have dual 570 codes which is pretty rare - this usually happens when your return hits multiple verification checkpoints at once. With your EIC amount and the fact that you mentioned having 2 kids, the IRS is likely verifying both your income eligibility for EIC and your dependent qualifications. The 971 notice will spell out exactly what they need from you. Don't panic about the duplicate codes - I've seen this before with larger EIC claims and it doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem, just that they're being extra thorough. Keep checking your mail for that notice and respond promptly with whatever documentation they request. Your April 16th EIC date suggests they fully intend to process it once verification is complete.