I'm getting the exact same Transaction 107461598510 error! Been trying since around 6am and it's driving me crazy. I'm also a PATH Act filer with EITC for my son and was really hoping to see some movement today after that long restriction period. Yesterday I could access my transcripts fine and saw code 570, but today nothing but that Treasury "unrecoverable error" screen. It's actually really comforting reading through all these comments and knowing it's widespread system overload from everyone checking at once, not something wrong with our individual returns. The timing is so frustrating though - right when we can finally check after PATH lift, the whole system crashes! 😤 Definitely going to try that 1-3am trick everyone's mentioning. Hopefully the servers can handle the load better during off-peak hours. This waiting game is torture when you're counting on that money for rent! Thanks for posting this - at least we know we're all stuck in this mess together! 🤞

I'm having the exact same Transaction 107461598510 error since about 7am this morning! Also a PATH Act filer with EITC for my two kids and was really hoping to finally see some movement on my refund today after that long restriction wait. Yesterday I could check my transcripts fine and saw code 570 processing, but now just getting that Treasury "unrecoverable error" screen every time I try to log in. Reading through all these comments is actually such a relief - at least we know it's massive system overload from millions of us trying to check our refund status at once, not something wrong with our individual returns. The timing is so ironic though! IRS finally lifts PATH restrictions and their servers immediately crash from all the traffic 😅 I'm definitely going to set my alarm and try that 1-3am window trick that everyone's mentioning. Hopefully the servers can handle the load better during those off-peak hours. This waiting game is killing me when I'm really counting on that refund money for some overdue bills. Thanks for posting this thread - it's so comforting to know we're all dealing with this mess together!

As someone who went through this exact process last year as a 1099 contractor, I wanted to share what worked for me. I had been doing freelance accounting work for about 2.5 years when my husband and I decided to buy our first home. The biggest challenge was indeed the income documentation. Lenders wanted to see not just my tax returns, but also profit & loss statements, bank statements showing consistent deposits, and letters from my main clients confirming ongoing work relationships. I learned that organization is absolutely critical - having everything ready upfront made a huge difference. One thing that really helped was working with a loan officer who specialized in self-employed borrowers. They knew exactly what documentation to request and how to present my income in the most favorable light to underwriters. They also suggested I get a CPA letter summarizing my business income trends, which seemed to carry weight with the underwriting team. Your situation sounds quite strong actually - having your wife's W-2 income as a foundation plus your consistent 1099 earnings should work in your favor. The key is finding the right lender and being prepared with thorough documentation. Don't get discouraged if you get a "no" from the first lender - shop around until you find one that understands self-employed borrowers. Feel free to ask if you want more specific details about the documentation process!

I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago as a freelance software engineer with 1099 income, so I can definitely relate to your concerns! The good news is that with your financial profile - consistent income growth, your wife's stable W-2 earnings, excellent credit scores, and that solid down payment - you're in a much stronger position than many self-employed borrowers. Here are the key things that made the difference for me: **Timing matters for business expenses** - I learned this the hard way. The year I applied for my mortgage, I had claimed some significant equipment deductions that really hurt my qualifying income. If you're planning any major business purchases, consider timing them strategically around your mortgage application. **Prepare a comprehensive income narrative** - Beyond just tax returns, I created a detailed summary showing my income progression, client retention rates, and future contract commitments. This helped demonstrate stability despite the 1099 status. **Consider portfolio lenders** - These are banks that keep loans in-house rather than selling them. They often have more flexibility with self-employed borrowers since they're not bound by strict secondary market guidelines. **Your wife's W-2 income is a huge asset** - Many lenders will be much more comfortable with your application because you have that stable income foundation. Some might even qualify you primarily on her income with yours as supplemental. The process took about 6 weeks total, which was longer than a traditional W-2 mortgage but not unreasonable. Don't get discouraged if you hit some bumps - persistence and the right lender make all the difference. You've got this!

I went through this exact same decision last year for my freelance consulting business! Here's what I learned from actually using these systems: The bundled TurboTax with QuickBooks Self-Employed is definitely more limited than standalone Home & Business. If you think you might ever need to handle rental properties, multiple business types, or complex deductions, go with Home & Business. For your situation with sporadic income and lots of expenses, I'd actually lean toward Wave + TurboTax Home & Business. Here's why: Wave's expense categorization is really solid, and since you're already using a receipt app, you can easily import those into Wave. The manual transfer to TurboTax at year-end isn't that painful when you only have a few transactions per month. The QuickBooks integration is nice, but you're paying $15-25/month for convenience you might not need. That's $180-300 annually vs. Wave (free) + Home & Business (~$120). For someone just starting out with infrequent transactions, that savings adds up. One tip: Whatever you choose, set up your expense categories early to match what you'll need for Schedule C. This makes tax time so much smoother regardless of which software combo you use!

I've been through this exact decision process recently for my consulting business! After testing both approaches, here's what I discovered: The key insight that helped me decide was understanding my actual usage patterns. Like you, I thought I'd barely use QuickBooks most months, but I found the automatic bank connection and transaction categorization actually saved me hours during busy periods when I'd otherwise let receipts pile up. However, given your specific situation - sporadic income, mainly check payments, and strong receipt tracking habits - Wave + TurboTax Home & Business is probably your best bet. Here's why: 1. You're already organized with receipt management, so you won't benefit as much from QuickBooks' automation 2. With only a few transactions per year, the manual data entry isn't burdensome 3. The cost savings ($180+ annually) is significant for a starting business 4. Home & Business gives you room to grow if you later form an LLC One thing to consider: If you do go the QuickBooks route temporarily, make sure to export your data AND take screenshots of your dashboard/reports before canceling. The export files don't capture everything, and having visual references can be helpful later. Also, whichever path you choose, I'd recommend doing a "practice run" with your current year's data before tax season hits. It'll help you identify any gaps in your process early!

This thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm currently in the exact same boat - formed an LLC about 10 months ago, got the EIN, but never actually used it for any business before deciding to dissolve it. What really stands out to me from reading everyone's experiences is how much anxiety and confusion could be avoided if the IRS just had clearer guidance on their website about this situation. It seems like SO many people go through this exact scenario of forming an LLC, getting an EIN, but then never actually operating the business. I'm definitely going to follow the process outlined here: wait for my state dissolution to be officially processed, then send that simple notification letter via certified mail. The template someone shared earlier ("I am writing to notify you that [LLC Name] with EIN [number] was officially dissolved on [date]. The LLC had no business activity and no tax returns were filed. Please update your records accordingly.") is perfect - straightforward and covers all the key points. One thing I'm curious about that I don't think was mentioned - has anyone ever had the IRS respond to their notification letter, or do they typically just process it silently? I'm trying to set my expectations for what happens after I send it. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and especially to Paolo for asking the question that so many of us needed answered!

This thread has been incredibly helpful for someone in my exact situation! I formed an LLC about 8 months ago, got the EIN, but never actually conducted any business before realizing it wasn't the right direction for me. Reading through all these detailed experiences has really demystified what initially seemed like a daunting process. The key insight that EINs are permanent and can't be "cancelled" - only properly notified about dissolution - was exactly what I needed to understand. I'm particularly grateful for the practical details shared here: waiting for official state dissolution confirmation before sending the IRS letter, using certified mail for proof of delivery, and keeping the letter content simple and straightforward. The template examples shared have been perfect for understanding what information to include without overthinking it. One small addition that might help others: when I called my state's business filing office to check on dissolution processing times, they mentioned they also email a PDF copy of the dissolution certificate in addition to mailing the physical copy. Having that digital copy made it easier to reference the exact dissolution date when drafting my IRS notification letter. Thanks Paolo for asking this question and to everyone who shared their experiences! This community knowledge is so much more practical and reassuring than trying to decode the confusing guidance on official websites. You've all made what seemed like a complicated administrative task feel completely manageable.

Be very careful about this arrangement - there are several red flags here that could get you in trouble with the IRS. The combination of cash payments, using your own crew, and working for the same employer in dual roles needs to be handled extremely carefully. First, the "substantially different work" test is critical. Your contractor work must be genuinely different from your employee duties, not just the same work done at different times. If you're doing similar construction work, the IRS might view this as your employer trying to avoid payroll taxes on overtime or additional regular work. Second, regarding your helpers - if you're providing equipment and directing their work, they're likely YOUR employees, not subcontractors. This means you'd need to handle payroll taxes, workers' comp, and all employer obligations. Many people miss this and face significant penalties. The cash payment preference is concerning. While not illegal if properly reported, it often indicates the employer wants to keep things "off the books." Make sure you get proper documentation (1099-NEC) and report ALL income. I'd strongly recommend getting professional tax advice before proceeding. The potential for worker misclassification issues, unreported income problems, and employment law violations could be very costly. Consider whether the extra income is worth the compliance complexity and potential risks.

You've received some excellent advice here, but I want to emphasize one crucial point that could save you from serious legal trouble: the IRS has been cracking down hard on "sham contractor" arrangements, especially in construction. The fact that your boss prefers cash payments and you'd essentially be doing construction work (just at different times) raises major red flags. The IRS doesn't just look at when you work - they examine whether the work is truly independent contracting or if it's just a way to avoid overtime and payroll taxes. Here are the key tests the IRS uses: - Do you have the right to control HOW the work is done? (Sounds like yes) - Are you economically dependent on this employer? (You're already their employee) - Is this work integral to their business? (Construction work for a construction company - yes) If you fail these tests, the IRS could reclassify all your "contractor" payments as employee wages, meaning your boss owes back payroll taxes, penalties, and interest. Worse, if they try to claim you were responsible for the taxes, you could be stuck with a massive bill. Before you proceed, I'd strongly recommend having your boss consult with an employment attorney or tax professional. Many employers think they can just call someone a contractor, but the legal requirements are strict. Getting this wrong isn't just expensive - it can result in criminal charges for willful misclassification. Consider asking for overtime pay or a raise instead. It's much cleaner legally and financially.