Has anyone used TurboTax Self-Employed for this kind of situation? I'm wondering if it handles the Schedule C and depreciation calculations correctly for computer equipment.

One thing to keep in mind is that business losses from Schedule C can only offset other income (like your W-2) up to your basis in the business. Since you're a sole proprietor, this usually isn't an issue, but it's worth noting. Also, regarding the computer depreciation question - since you bought the parts separately, you could technically treat each component as a separate asset if you want to maximize current deductions. Any single component under $2,500 can be expensed immediately under the de minimis rule, assuming your business doesn't have an applicable financial statement. However, from a practical standpoint, treating the assembled computer as one asset and using Section 179 to expense the full amount immediately might be simpler for record-keeping. Just make sure you can document that it's used more than 50% for business purposes since computers are considered "listed property" by the IRS. Keep detailed records of your business use percentage and consider taking photos of your setup with timestamps to support your deduction if questioned later.

This is such an encouraging post, Giovanni! I filed on 2/22 and just got my 571 code yesterday after what felt like an eternity of waiting. Haven't received the 60-day letter yet, but reading your timeline from letter to DDD in just 13 days gives me incredible hope that I won't be stuck waiting the full 60 days. I've been guilty of checking WMR multiple times a day (sometimes at 3am when I can't sleep!), but after reading everyone's advice here about Friday morning transcript updates being more reliable, I'm definitely switching to that strategy. The daily "still processing" message was really starting to affect my mental health. What really resonates with me is that you mentioned going through this same thing when you first moved to the US. As someone who's still relatively new to navigating the IRS system, it's both frustrating and oddly comforting to know this seems to happen somewhat regularly. Your experience proves that even when the process feels completely opaque, patience really does pay off. I need my refund to help with some unexpected home repairs after a pipe burst last month, so the financial stress of not knowing when it'll arrive is very real. But seeing your success story and all these other positive outcomes in the comments gives me confidence that the 571 code really is the light at the end of the tunnel. Congratulations on finally getting your DDD! Thanks for taking the time to share this update and encourage others - posts like this are exactly what those of us still waiting need to hear! 🙏

Thank you for sharing this, Giovanni! I filed on 2/19 and got my 571 code just two days ago, so reading your timeline gives me tremendous hope. The stress of waiting when you're counting on that money is so real - I need mine for my elderly father's medical equipment that we've been trying to get covered. I've been making the classic mistake of checking WMR obsessively throughout the day, but after reading through all these comments about Friday morning transcript updates being the most reliable, I'm definitely switching to that approach. It's clear that the transcript really is the better source of information than WMR. What strikes me most about your story is how you've maintained such a positive attitude despite going through this multiple times. Your advice to "keep the faith" really resonates, especially for those of us who are new to this process and don't know what to expect. Seeing that you went from your 60-day letter to a DDD in just 13 days is incredibly encouraging. The 571 code really does seem to be the key milestone everyone should watch for. Based on all the experiences shared here, it's clear that once you see that code, things typically move much faster than the dreaded 60-day timeline suggests. Congratulations on getting through the process and thanks for taking the time to encourage others still waiting. Posts like this make such a difference! 🙏

I'm going through this exact same situation! Filed my 1040-NR in mid-March as an F-1 student from Pakistan, and it's now been over 2 months with zero meaningful updates. The "Where's My Refund" tool just keeps showing that same frustrating "still being processed" message every time I check. This thread has been absolutely invaluable - I honestly had no idea that 4-6 months was considered normal for non-resident returns! Nobody mentions these insane wait times anywhere during the filing process. I also claimed treaty benefits under Article 21 for my research fellowship income, so based on everyone's experiences here, that manual review process is definitely going to extend my timeline significantly. After reading through all these stories, I'm definitely requesting my tax transcript this week. The idea that there might be actual specific hold codes explaining what's happening (instead of just endless wondering) is so appealing right now. At least then I'll know if there's a particular issue that needs addressing or if I'm just stuck in the normal incredibly long processing queue. The financial stress is so real when you're counting on that refund for summer living expenses - I completely feel your pain @Fatima Al-Farsi! But seeing that literally everyone who's shared their experience here eventually received their refund (even if it took 4-6 months) gives me hope. I was genuinely starting to panic that something had gone wrong with my filing. Thanks so much for starting this discussion - finding others dealing with this same nightmare has been such a relief! The waiting is brutal, but at least now I have realistic expectations and some concrete steps to get actual information about my return status.

I'm dealing with the exact same frustrating situation! Filed my 1040-NR in early March as an F-1 student from Egypt, and it's now been over 2.5 months with absolutely no progress. The "Where's My Refund" tool has been completely useless - just that same generic "still being processed" message for weeks. This thread has been such a lifesaver to find! I had no idea that 4-6 months was considered "normal" for non-resident returns - this is never mentioned anywhere during filing or on the IRS website. I also claimed treaty benefits under Article 22 for my teaching assistant income, so based on everyone's experiences here, that manual review process is definitely adding months to my timeline. After reading through all these stories, I'm absolutely going to request my tax transcript this week. The idea that there might be specific hold codes explaining what's actually happening (instead of just wondering if my return disappeared into thin air) is incredibly appealing. At least then I'll know if there's a specific issue or if I'm just stuck in the normal very long queue. The stress of waiting when you're counting on that money for summer expenses is so real - I completely understand everyone's frustration here! But seeing that literally every person who's shared their story eventually got their refund (even if it took 4-6 months) is really reassuring. I was starting to panic that something had gone wrong with my filing. Thanks so much @Fatima Al-Farsi for starting this discussion - finding others going through this same nightmare has honestly saved my sanity! The waiting is awful when you're counting on that refund, but at least now I have realistic expectations and some actionable steps to get more information about what's happening with my return.

Random tip that might help someone - I called FreeTaxUSA's customer support about this exact issue last year, and they were actually really helpful. They told me to go to the Income section > Miscellaneous Income and create an entry for "Compensation from employee stock purchase plan" with the amount being the discount I received. Their support is free even on the basic version, unlike some other tax software. Might be worth trying before spending money on other solutions!

Great to see this got resolved! Just wanted to add one more tip for anyone dealing with employee stock purchase plans in the future - make sure to keep detailed records of all your transactions. When you eventually sell those shares, you'll need to calculate your cost basis correctly to avoid double taxation. The IRS doesn't automatically know about the compensation income you already reported from Form 3922, so you'll need to adjust your basis when reporting the sale on Schedule D. I learned this the hard way when I sold my ESPP shares and initially calculated my gains incorrectly. Had to file an amended return! The taxable discount you report this year becomes part of your cost basis for future capital gains calculations. Also, if your plan allows it, consider the Section 83(b) election for future purchases - it can save you money on taxes in certain situations. Worth discussing with a tax professional if you're planning to participate in the ESPP long-term.

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.

Hey Daniel! I feel your weekend panic - I've been in that exact situation before where you get an IRS notice and can't sleep until it's resolved. Unfortunately, like others mentioned, the IRS phone lines are definitely closed on weekends. But here's what I'd suggest for right now while you're stressed on a Friday night: First, take a deep breath! Most IRS notices aren't as scary as they seem at first glance, and you almost certainly have more time than you think to respond properly. If you haven't already, try setting up that IRS online account tonight - you might be able to see your tax transcripts and get a better understanding of what's going on. Sometimes just having more information helps reduce the panic. Also, what type of notice did you get? The notice code (like CP2000, CP14, etc.) is usually at the top right. That can help determine how urgent it really is. Many people think they need to call immediately, but often you can respond by mail with the right documentation, which might actually be better than calling anyway since you'll have everything in writing. Hang in there - Monday will come soon enough, and this will get sorted out!