Be SUPER careful with ERTC claims right now! The IRS has been cracking down hard on what they consider "improper" claims. My business partner's company had their claim audited and they're now fighting penalties. Make sure you're actually eligible and have solid documentation.

I'm going through the exact same situation right now - filed my ERTC claim in February and it's been radio silence from the IRS ever since. The uncertainty is killing me because my business really needs that cash flow. From what I'm reading here, it sounds like the 6-9 month timeline that Luca mentioned is pretty accurate, which means I've still got several months to go. The lack of communication from the IRS is the worst part - you have no idea if your paperwork is sitting in a pile somewhere or if there's an issue that needs to be resolved. I'm definitely going to look into some of these tools people mentioned for getting status updates. At this point I just want to know that my claim is actually being processed and hasn't disappeared into the bureaucratic void. Has anyone else tried calling the IRS directly or is that just a waste of time?

Has anyone tried just asking for a copy of their quarterly 941 form? That's what employers use to report wages and taxes to the IRS each quarter. My previous restaurant manager showed me mine when I had a similar issue. Might be worth asking for that specifically.

One thing that's helped me is creating a simple daily tip log using a notes app on my phone. I record cash tips, credit card tips, and any tip-outs to other staff every single shift. Takes maybe 30 seconds but gives you solid documentation. Also, if your restaurant uses a POS system like Square or Toast, sometimes you can ask to see your individual sales reports that show the credit card tips tied to your transactions. This can help you verify if they're calculating your reported income correctly. Some managers are more willing to show you this data than full payroll reports since it's less sensitive information. The key is catching discrepancies NOW rather than waiting until January when your W-2 arrives. Fixing errors after the fact is a nightmare that can drag on for months.

You should get an email from your tax software when its accepted. Check your spam folder maybe?

Pro tip from someone who's been through this - if your return was accepted, you should also be able to call the IRS automated line at 1-800-829-1040 and follow the prompts for refund status. It's the same info as Where's My Refund but sometimes works when the website is acting up. Also, if you filed with direct deposit, check that your bank account info was entered correctly - a lot of refund delays happen because of wrong routing/account numbers!

As a workaround for not being able to call IRS on weekends, try sending a secure message through your IRS online account if you have one set up. Also FWIW sometimes the Monday morning call queue isn't as bad as mid-week. I've had decent luck calling right when they open.

I totally get your weekend panic - been there myself! Unfortunately no IRS phone support on weekends, but here's what helped me in a similar situation: First, if your notice has a specific response deadline, don't stress too much about calling immediately. Most IRS notices give you 30+ days to respond, and you can often handle everything by mail without needing to call at all. Second, definitely check if you can access your IRS online account this weekend. Sometimes you can find transcripts or additional details about your notice that make the situation clearer. If you absolutely need to talk to someone Monday, I'd suggest calling right at 7 AM when they open - wait times are usually shortest then. Also consider that many IRS issues that seem urgent actually aren't as time-sensitive as they feel when you're stressed. What type of notice did you receive? Sometimes knowing the specific form (CP2000, CP3219, etc.) can help determine if it's truly urgent or if you have more time than you think.

I went through this exact same confusion when I started my SMLLC consulting business! After spending way too much time researching this, I finally got clarity by consulting with a CPA who specializes in small business tax issues. For a single-member LLC that's a disregarded entity, the correct approach for 1099-NEC filing is: Payer Name: Your personal name (Daniel Whitaker) Payer TIN: Your LLC's EIN The logic is that since your SMLLC is disregarded for federal tax purposes, YOU are the actual taxpayer making the payments. However, you still use the LLC's EIN because that's the business identifier associated with your contractor payments and business bank account. This approach ensures proper tracking of business expenses while maintaining consistency with your disregarded entity status. Just make sure this matches how you've been handling your business banking - if you've been paying contractors from an LLC business account using the EIN, this filing method will create a clean paper trail. One more tip: keep detailed records of all contractor payments and make sure they align with your Schedule C filing. The IRS likes to see consistency across all your business filings, especially for disregarded entities where the business and personal tax obligations flow through to you.

I just went through this exact same situation with my single-member LLC last month! After getting conflicting advice from multiple sources, I ended up scheduling a consultation with an Enrolled Agent who specializes in small business taxes. Here's what they confirmed for me: Since your SMLLC is a disregarded entity, you should use: Payer Name: Daniel Whitaker (your personal name) Payer TIN: Your LLC's EIN The reasoning is that as a disregarded entity, you're personally responsible for the tax obligations, but the EIN maintains the business connection for tracking purposes. This approach also aligns with how most business banking and payment processing systems work. One thing that really helped me was making sure this matches how I've been handling everything else - my business bank account, contractor payments, and previous tax filings all use the LLC's EIN. This creates consistency across all my business records, which my EA said is exactly what you want if you ever face an audit. The key is being consistent with whichever approach you choose. Since you mentioned you've been running the LLC for 2 years, make sure your 1099-NEC filing approach aligns with how you've been handling your Schedule C filings and business banking. That consistency will serve you well with the IRS!