Wait, so the Liberty Tax portal isn't directly connected to the IRS system? It's like ordering pizza online but the restaurant doesn't actually update the tracker - you have to call them to find out if your pizza is in the oven or already out for delivery. Is that right? I'm confused about why we pay for tax preparation if we still need to do all the tracking work ourselves through the IRS tools.

I experienced this exact issue with Liberty last year and the year before. Their system typically takes 3-5 business days to reflect IRS acceptance, even though the IRS usually accepts/rejects within 24-48 hours. In 2022, my return was actually processed and my refund was pending direct deposit before Liberty's portal even updated to show IRS acceptance! Your best bet is to use the IRS tools directly - they're more accurate and timely than Liberty's portal.

I believe what likely happened is that you possibly started the refund advance application process but didn't fully complete it. For TurboTax's 2024 refund advance (for tax year 2023), there are actually several distinct steps you need to complete: 1. You must specifically select that you want the refund advance option when prompted 2. You need to complete the Credit Karma Money account verification (which it sounds like you did) 3. You must then complete a separate lending application from the partner bank 4. Finally, you need to digitally sign the loan agreement It seems you may have completed step 2 but not the others. The Credit Karma card info could have been entered just for your regular refund direct deposit. If you don't have the specific advance approval document (usually titled something like "Refund Advance Approval" or "Loan Agreement"), then unfortunately you probably didn't complete the full application process.

Check your email. TurboTax sends confirmation. Look for "Refund Advance" in subject line. Also check spam folder. They sent mine there. Had same issue in 2022. Thought I applied. Didn't get confirmation. Called TurboTax. They confirmed no application on file. Entered card doesn't equal applying. Need to complete all screens. Very confusing process.

The community consensus seems to be that offset timing is unpredictable! I've seen dozens of posts about this over the years. Some people get offset immediately after the first notice, others go 2-3 years without offset despite owing. The most reliable approach is to assume offset will happen and be pleasantly surprised if it doesn't. God, it's frustrating how inconsistent their systems are! The best protection is to adjust your withholding so you don't have a refund to offset in the first place.

I owed $4,300 from 2021. No offset in 2022. Got hit with offset in 2023. Called IRS directly. Agent told me point blank: "The offset system doesn't always catch everything in the first year." That's it. No explanation. Just their systems being slow. Don't count on getting that refund if you owe them money.

Quick q - if I already filed w/ TurboTax but didn't get the advance, is it too late to apply for it now? Or can I still go back and get it? TIA!

Be careful with tax advances! I tried this route last year and experienced several issues: • Credit Karma account was required - no exceptions • Advance was less than advertised due to "eligibility factors" • When my actual refund arrived, there was confusion about what portion had already been advanced • Customer service was unhelpful when trying to resolve discrepancies • Took me three calls to finally close the Credit Karma account afterward The convenience wasn't worth the headaches. Have you considered just filing early and waiting for direct deposit from the IRS?

I was in a similar spot a few years ago! What worked for me was filing my own return with zero income and claiming my kids. Even with no income, I got back around $5,000 from refundable credits like the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Credit. My boyfriend at the time (now husband) couldn't claim my kids, but it didn't matter because the money came to our household anyway. The IRS doesn't care who in the household gets the refund as long as the right person claims the kids. Just make sure you file before anyone else tries to claim them!

Looking at the 2023 tax year provisions, you should be aware that the Child Tax Credit is worth up to $2,000 per qualifying child under 17, with up to $1,600 being refundable (as the Additional Child Tax Credit). Even with zero income, you can receive this refundable portion. The filing deadline this year is April 15, 2024, so you still have time to file and claim these credits yourself. Your fiancé cannot claim the children unless you're legally married, as the IRS defines a step-parent relationship only through legal marriage. The biological parent with custody (you) has priority claim rights regardless of who provides financial support.

I understand the concern, but there's a big difference between sketchy "tax help" services and legitimate tools. Think of it like comparing a back-alley mechanic to a certified service center. 😂 Claimyr doesn't actually access your tax info - it's just a phone connection service that navigates the IRS phone tree and holds your place in line. They don't see your tax details at all. As for document analysis tools like taxr.ai, they're using the same level of security as major tax preparation software. The alternative is either waiting weeks for IRS help or trying to decipher complex tax changes yourself, which is like performing surgery after watching a YouTube tutorial.

According to the IRS website (https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-changes-for-2023-tax-year), several temporary COVID-related tax benefits expired. I checked my own transcripts using the IRS online account portal and confirmed this. My refund dropped by $4,800 between 2022 and 2023 tax years. The National Taxpayer Advocate's annual report actually predicted this "refund shock" would affect millions of Americans this filing season.

Here's the complete process you need to follow: 1. Get a copy of your original return 2. Complete Form 1040-X (available on irs.gov) 3. Only fill out the lines that change due to the additional W2 4. Calculate the difference in tax owed 5. Include a written explanation in Part III stating you received a W2 after filing 6. Attach the new W2 to your amended return 7. Mail it to the address in the 1040-X instructions (depends on your location) Don't worry too much about the advance - if you went through a tax preparer, they typically understand these situations. But you should contact them to let them know about the amendment. Have you checked if the additional income will significantly change your tax situation?

Been thru this exact thing last yr. Forgot a tiny W2 from a side gig. Filed 1040-X in Feb and didn't hear ANYTHING until July. Smh. IRS is ridiculously slow w/ amendments. My advice: file ASAP, pay any extra tax you calculate you'll owe, and document EVERYTHING. Keep copies of when you mailed it, what you included, etc. Don't expect this to resolve quickly - but def do it before they come after you for it. The penalties aren't worth waiting.

I successfully claimed this last year! Make sure you get the manufacturer's certification letter for your specific VIN - this is absolutely required documentation. The credit comes off your tax liability line on your 1040, not as a separate refund. If your tax liability is less than $7,500, you only get credit up to that amount. Also, starting in 2024, you can transfer the credit directly to the dealer for instant savings instead of waiting for tax time. Just tell them you want the point-of-sale option when purchasing.

This credit saved me SO MUCH MONEY but I almost missed out because I didn't understand the requirements! 😫 The dealer told me my car qualified but didn't mention I needed to keep specific paperwork. Thank goodness someone on this sub warned me! The most important thing is to verify eligibility BEFORE purchase - some cars only qualify for partial credit. And if you're financing, remember you can apply the credit to your down payment if you use the point-of-sale option! Changed my monthly payment completely! 🙌

From my experience with OF specifically: • You can use your SSN if you're a sole proprietor • EIN is only needed if you have an LLC/Corporation or employees • OF should provide 1099-NEC electronically through their platform • They typically release them by January 31st • You need to have your W-9 completed in your account settings • They only issue 1099s if you made over $600 in the calendar year Don't expect them to mail a physical copy - it's all electronic through their system.

To clarify what others have said: The IRS requires platforms like OF to issue 1099-NECs to creators who earned exactly $600.00 or more during the tax year. You don't need an EIN as an individual - your SSN is sufficient. The W-9 form should be filled out in your account settings precisely 100% as your name appears on your Social Security card. Any mismatch could cause issues with the IRS automated matching system. If you're an international creator, you'd need to complete a W-8BEN form instead, which has different withholding implications.

Don't overthink this. TANF isn't taxable. You won't get a 1099 for it. If you received unemployment, that's different - you'll get a 1099-G for that part. The state won't send you anything to file for regular cash assistance. Keep it simple and don't report what doesn't need to be reported. Too many people make the mistake of reporting non-taxable benefits and then wonder why their refund calculations are off.

I was in this exact situation on April 10th last year. Called my state's DHS office on March 15th to confirm and they told me that cash assistance isn't taxable and no form would be issued. But I was curious about whether I needed to disclose it anywhere on my return, so I asked specifically about Schedule 1 reporting. They confirmed it doesn't need to be listed anywhere. Just wanted to share my experience since I remember how confusing this was for me!