Just walked out of H&R Block myself because they wanted $795 for my taxes!! I'm self employed too, but just a simple Etsy shop. Ended up using TaxAct online for $110 total for federal and state. Took me about 2.5 hours but TOTALLY worth saving almost $700!

$675 is definitely excessive for straightforward self-employed taxes! I've been filing my own taxes as a freelancer for 5 years now and can share some perspective. H&R Block tends to use a "form-based" pricing model where each additional schedule adds to the cost, regardless of complexity. For self-employed filers, they automatically add charges for Schedule C, SE (self-employment tax), and sometimes estimated tax payments even if minimal work is involved. I'd strongly recommend getting quotes from 2-3 local tax preparers before committing. Many independent CPAs or enrolled agents charge $250-400 for similar situations and often provide more personalized service. If you decide to go the DIY route, the self-employed versions of major tax software (TurboTax, TaxAct, FreeTaxUSA) typically cost $80-150 and have really good guidance for Schedule C preparation. Don't let them pressure you into paying that much - your tax situation doesn't sound complex enough to justify those fees!

I'm at week 14 with my amended return to add my daughter's SSN for the child tax credit - filed through TaxSlayer after we finally received her social security card following a move where the paperwork got delayed. Like everyone else here, I've been stuck on that "Processing" status with absolutely no updates. This thread has been such a godsend! I was starting to panic thinking I'd done something wrong since there's been zero movement for months, but seeing so many people in nearly identical situations is incredibly reassuring. Learning that 20-30 weeks is the realistic expectation rather than the misleading 16 weeks the IRS advertises really helps me mentally prepare for the wait ahead. What's been most comforting is hearing from multiple people that adding a dependent's SSN is routine and low-risk for audit. As someone who's never filed an amendment before, I was getting anxious that this might trigger extra scrutiny, but it sounds like this type of correction is very common and straightforward. I'm definitely going to check my TaxSlayer confirmation for those processing center codes everyone mentioned to see where mine ended up - really hoping it didn't get sent to one of the severely backed-up centers like Austin or Kansas City! Since I'm getting closer to that 20-week mark, it's good to know about the contact options and resources like the Taxpayer Advocate Service if needed. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and timelines. It's oddly reassuring to know we're all going through this same frustrating waiting game together with such similar situations. The waiting continues!

I'm at week 22 with my amended return to add my daughter's SSN for the child tax credit - filed through H&R Block after we finally got her social security card following some delays at the Social Security office. Like so many others here, I've been stuck on "Processing" this entire time with absolutely zero movement on that tracker. This thread has been incredibly valuable for managing my expectations and anxiety! When I first filed, I naively believed the IRS's 16-week estimate, but clearly that's not realistic at all. Reading everyone's experiences here helped me understand that 20-30 weeks is much more accurate for the current processing times. What really helped ease my worries was learning from multiple people that adding a dependent's SSN is considered routine and low-risk for audit. I was getting anxious that any amendment might trigger extra scrutiny, but it sounds like this type of correction is very common and straightforward. Since I'm now past that 20-week mark several people mentioned for contacting the IRS, I'm considering reaching out soon. Has anyone had success getting through to them recently, or should I wait a bit longer? The money would definitely help with some upcoming expenses, but I don't want to waste time calling if they'll just tell me to keep waiting. Thanks to everyone who's shared their timelines and experiences - it's been so reassuring to know we're all going through this same frustrating process together!

Tax pro here. The 810/151 combo usually means they need more documentation from you. Have you checked your mail carefully? They sometimes send letters that look like junk mail. Also, I've been recommending taxr.ai to my clients lately - it's an AI tool that breaks down your transcript and tells you exactly what's happening and what steps to take. It's seriously revolutionizing how we handle these delays.

I went through the exact same thing last year - 810 freeze and 151 for almost 4 months. Here's what finally worked: I submitted Form 911 (Request for Taxpayer Advocate Service) online through the TAS website. You don't necessarily need financial hardship if you can show you've been waiting an unreasonable amount of time (which 3 months definitely is). Make sure to include all your documentation - copies of your return, any correspondence, and a timeline of your attempts to resolve it. The advocate assigned to my case got it sorted in about 2 weeks once they took it on. Don't give up!

bruh the IRS is so broken. why we gotta jump thru hoops just to get our own money back smh

Ugh I feel your pain! I had a code 810 freeze for almost 10 months last year 😭 The examiner kept telling me "just wait" too but honestly what worked for me was being super persistent about getting specifics. When you're on the phone, ask them exactly what documentation they still need and get a case number. Also ask for the direct fax number to send additional docs - don't rely on mail. Keep records of every call with names and dates. The whole system is frustrating but you gotta stay on top of them or they'll just let it sit there forever.

I had a very similar experience last year! The key thing to understand is that the IRS processes S corp elections even if you don't receive confirmation. Since your 1120 was rejected, that's actually strong evidence your S election went through. Here's what I'd recommend: First, try logging into your IRS business online account at irs.gov - sometimes you can see your entity status there without calling. If that doesn't work, you can also request a transcript of your business account online or by mail using Form 4506-T, which will show if your S election is active. For the immediate filing issue, you'll need to prepare and file Form 1120-S instead of the 1120. The good news is that if you can show you never received the CP261 notice (reasonable cause), you may qualify for penalty relief when you file the correct return late. Just make sure to include a letter explaining the situation when you submit your 1120-S. One quick tip - check your spam/junk folder for any IRS emails, and also verify they have your correct mailing address on file. Sometimes these notices get lost due to address issues.

I just went through this exact situation a few months ago! The rejection of your 1120 is actually good news - it means your S election likely did go through. Here's what worked for me: Call the IRS Practitioner Priority Service line at 866-860-4259 instead of the regular business line. The wait times are usually much shorter (I got through in about 20 minutes vs. hours on the main line). When you reach an agent, ask them to check your "Entity Control Date" - this will show when your S election became effective. In my case, they confirmed my S corp status was active even though I never received the CP261. The agent explained that mail delivery issues are common with these notices, and the rejection of a 1120 filing is actually one of their standard ways to alert taxpayers about the status mismatch. You'll need to file Form 1120-S for 2023, but don't panic about late filing penalties. Include Form 2210 requesting reasonable cause relief and explain that you never received confirmation of your S election. I got my penalties completely waived this way. Also, make sure to update your address with the IRS and consider having future notices sent to your accountant if you have one - this prevents missing important correspondence in the future.