This is such a helpful thread! I'm a small business owner who's been doing my own taxes with software, but I'm realizing I might be missing out on deductions and strategies that a professional could help with. From reading everyone's experiences, it sounds like the main advantage of EAs is their federal authorization and tax specialization, while CPAs offer broader financial services. For someone like me who just needs tax optimization and preparation (no auditing or complex financial statements), would an EA typically be more cost-effective than a CPA? I'm also curious - do EAs generally charge less than CPAs since they have a more focused scope of practice, or does their specialized IRS credential actually command higher fees? Trying to figure out the best value for my situation.

As someone who's worked in tax preparation for several years, I can confirm that yes, EAs can practice in all 50 states while CPAs are generally limited by state licensing (though some states have reciprocity agreements). What I find interesting from this discussion is how many people don't realize that both credentials have their strengths. I've seen situations where an EA was perfect for complex multi-state tax issues and IRS representation, but the same client later needed a CPA for financial statement preparation when applying for a business loan. One thing to consider when choosing between an EA and CPA is not just the credential, but the individual professional's experience with your specific situation. I've met EAs who primarily do basic individual returns and others who specialize in complex business structures. Same goes for CPAs - some focus heavily on taxes while others barely touch tax work. If you're dealing with multi-state issues, potential IRS problems, or need someone who lives and breathes tax code, an EA might be your best bet. If you need broader financial services or your state has specific requirements, a CPA could be more appropriate. The key is finding someone who understands your particular circumstances, regardless of their letters after their name.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Got my 570 code about 3 weeks ago and the waiting is driving me crazy. Like you, I've never had this happen before - always got my refund within 2-3 weeks max. From what I've been reading, it seems like the IRS is being extra cautious this year with their reviews. I didn't claim anything unusual either - just my standard deduction and W-2 income. My theory is they're flagging more returns because of all the fraud from previous years, but that's just speculation. The hardest part is not knowing what specifically triggered it. Did you try calling them yet? I'm debating whether it's worth the hassle of trying to get through their phone lines or if I should just wait it out like everyone suggests.

I'm dealing with this right now too! Got my 570 code about 10 days ago and received the dreaded "60-day review" letter yesterday. This is my first time experiencing this and it's honestly pretty stressful since I was planning to use my refund to pay down some student loans. From what I've been researching, it seems like the IRS has really ramped up their review processes this year. I filed a pretty straightforward return - just W-2 income, student loan interest deduction, and standard deduction. Nothing that should raise red flags, but here we are! One thing that's been helpful is checking my transcript every Friday to see if there are any updates. I've also been keeping a log of the dates and codes just in case I need to reference them later. The uncertainty is the worst part - not knowing if it's going to be resolved in 2 weeks or the full 60 days makes it really hard to plan anything. Hang in there! From what I'm seeing in this thread and other forums, most people are getting resolved within 30-45 days even though they say 60. Fingers crossed we're both in that faster group!

I'm dealing with this right now too! Got my CP59 notice yesterday and immediately went into panic mode. My return was accepted on March 5th, so just three days after yours @Serene Snow. After reading through all these responses, I'm feeling much more relieved. It sounds like this is basically a case of the IRS's left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing - their notice system is completely separate from their processing system. A few things I learned from everyone's experiences: 1. The CP59 might actually be for 2022, not 2023 (need to check the tax year on the notice) 2. Even if it IS for your recent filing, it doesn't mean they don't have your return 3. The transcript will eventually update, but it can take 2-4 weeks 4. Calling might give peace of mind but you'll likely just be told to wait I'm going to resist the urge to call and just monitor my transcript for the next few weeks. Thanks everyone for sharing your stories - this community is a lifesaver when the IRS is giving us all heart attacks!

This thread has been incredibly helpful - I received my CP59 notice two days ago and was absolutely panicking! My return was accepted on February 26th, so I'm right in line with everyone else's timeline here. What's really frustrating is that the notice makes it sound so urgent and scary, like you're in immediate trouble with the IRS. But from reading everyone's experiences, it seems like this is just a glitch in their system where automated notices go out before the processing departments have fully caught up. I checked my notice and confirmed it's actually for tax year 2022, not 2023 like I initially thought. I did file my 2022 return, but apparently it got stuck somewhere in their system. My transcript currently shows the non-filing indicator but no due date yet. Based on what I'm seeing here, I'm going to resist calling and just wait for my transcript to update over the next few weeks. It sounds like most people who called just got told to wait anyway, so I'd rather save myself the 3+ hour hold time! Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - it's amazing how much better this feels when you realize you're not alone and it's not actually an emergency.

Has anyone else noticed the Where's My Refund tool is completely useless for tracking physical checks? It told me "Your refund was sent to your bank" when I was getting a paper check. 😡 Nothing but problems this year!

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone still waiting - I had a similar situation last month where my check took almost 4 weeks to arrive after the 846 date. The key thing I learned is that the 846 date is definitely when they mail it, but delivery times have been really unpredictable lately. What helped me was checking with my local post office to see if they were holding any mail for my address. Turns out my check had been sitting there for over a week because the mail carrier couldn't fit it in my small mailbox and didn't leave a notice! Might be worth calling your post office if you're getting close to that 4-week mark. Also, make sure your mailbox has your name clearly visible - I've heard of checks being returned because the carrier couldn't confirm the recipient at the address.

The $600 threshold is definitely real now - I learned this the hard way when I got a 1099-K for my pet sitting side business last year. Even though you might not get the form, you're still required to report all income. One thing that really helped me was setting up a separate savings account and putting aside about 25-30% of each payment for taxes (covers both income tax and self-employment tax). That way when tax time comes, you're not scrambling to find money to pay what you owe. Also, don't stress too much about perfect record keeping for what's already happened - the IRS accepts reasonable documentation. Your Apple Cash screenshots showing dates, amounts, and who paid you should be sufficient. Just start keeping better records going forward with a simple spreadsheet tracking income and any business expenses. You're being smart by thinking about this now rather than ignoring it. Most people in your situation who run into trouble are the ones who never report anything at all, not the ones trying to do things right.

The key thing to remember is that you're already ahead of most people by thinking about this proactively! I run a small freelance writing business and went through this same panic when I first started making money through payment apps. A few practical tips from my experience: 1. Yes, you need to report this income on Schedule C regardless of whether you get a 1099-K form. The $600 threshold just determines if payment processors send you and the IRS a form, but your obligation to report income hasn't changed. 2. For documentation, your Apple Cash screenshots are actually fine - just make sure they show the date, amount, and ideally what the payment was for. Create a simple spreadsheet now with columns for date, amount, client/description, and keep it updated going forward. 3. Don't forget about business deductions! Things like repair supplies, any software you use for tutoring, a portion of your phone bill, even some textbooks if you reference them for tutoring could potentially be deductible. 4. Consider opening a separate checking account for your business income. Makes tracking so much easier and looks more professional if you ever do get audited. You don't necessarily need a business license for this scale, but check your college's policies too - some schools have rules about students running businesses on campus or in dorms. The IRS isn't going to come knocking down your door over $4,800, especially if you report it properly. Just get organized now and you'll be fine!