Has anyone tried negotiating a stipend with their employer for home office expenses since the tax deduction isn't available? My company gives us $150/month tax-free for internet, utilities, etc because they don't have to pay for office space for remote workers.

Great advice about negotiating a stipend! I'm definitely going to bring this up with my employer. Since they're saving money on office space, it seems like a win-win situation. One other thing I've found helpful as a remote W2 employee is keeping detailed records of any work-related expenses throughout the year, even if you can't deduct them federally. You never know when tax laws might change, and having good documentation is always valuable. Plus, if you do switch to 1099 status in the future, you'll already have a system in place. Also worth mentioning - if you're taking any online courses or certifications to improve your job skills, those educational expenses might still be deductible as a Lifetime Learning Credit, depending on your income level. It's not the same as a home office deduction, but every bit helps!

NFCU member here too! Filed 1/30, accepted same day, and just checked - my pending deposit is showing up as well! Been banking with them for 5 years and they're super consistent. Usually hits my account between 1-3am EST. Love how reliable they are compared to other banks I've had. Can't wait to wake up to that deposit tomorrow morning! 💸

NFCU member here! Filed 1/28, accepted 1/29, and my pending deposit just showed up about 20 minutes ago too! This is my second year with Navy Fed and last year my refund hit at exactly 1:23am EST. Their deposit timing is super reliable - way better than my old bank that would sometimes take until mid-morning. Looks like we're all in the same batch, so fingers crossed we all wake up to good news! 🤞💰

I was sort of in a similar situation, filed on 2/14 and transcript showed nothing until just yesterday. It seems like the IRS might be processing returns in somewhat random batches this year. Once my transcript finally updated, I got my refund deposited within 48 hours. So it might just suddenly appear for you too without warning. The wait is definitely stressful when you're counting on that money though.

I'm also in Mountain time (Denver area) and filed 2/10 - been stuck with "no tax return filed" on transcripts until just this morning when it finally showed up! Got my DDD for 3/13. So your theory about time zones might have some merit, or maybe we're just in a later processing batch. Either way, hang in there - seems like Mountain time filers are starting to see movement this week. Have you tried checking your transcripts early morning vs evening to see if there's a pattern to when updates appear?

Don't forget that your self-employment taxes (the extra Medicare and Social Security taxes you pay as both employer and employee) are calculated on your NET income from Doordash - meaning AFTER expenses. So keeping good records of all business expenses is super important!!! I made the mistake of not tracking my expenses properly my first year and ended up paying wayyy more in SE taxes than I needed to.

Great question! I was in a similar situation when I started doing gig work alongside my regular job. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier - consider opening a separate business checking account for your Doordash earnings. It makes tracking so much cleaner when you're dealing with both W-2 and 1099 income. Also, don't wait until tax season to start organizing everything. I set up a simple spreadsheet to track my weekly earnings and expenses from the beginning, which saved me tons of stress later. The IRS expects you to treat your gig work like a real business, so keeping good records from day one is crucial. One last tip - if you end up owing more than $1,000 in taxes from your Doordash income, you might want to consider having extra taxes withheld from your W-2 job instead of doing quarterly payments. Sometimes it's easier to manage that way, especially when you're just starting out and aren't sure how much you'll earn.

This is such a common and frustrating situation! I deal with this regularly as a tax preparer, and you're absolutely on the right track by trying to get the W-9. Here's what I always tell my clients: You have two main options. First, make one final attempt with a certified letter clearly stating that you're legally required to file the 1099-NEC by January 31st regardless of whether they provide their TIN. Keep the certified mail receipt as proof. If they still don't respond, file the 1099-NEC with "REFUSED" in the TIN box (not "Applied For" - that's for when you're still waiting on a response to a recent request). The IRS expects this situation and has procedures for it. Document everything - screenshots of texts, email attempts, dates of calls, the certified letter, etc. This shows you made good faith efforts. The IRS won't penalize you for a contractor's non-compliance when you can prove you tried. One tip: In your final letter, mention that filing without a TIN may result in backup withholding requirements for any future payments. Sometimes that motivates them to cooperate since they realize you understand the tax implications. The bottom line is you're legally required to file the 1099-NEC regardless of their cooperation level. Better to file it correctly with "REFUSED" than to not file at all.

I've been in a similar situation with contractors avoiding W-9 requests, and it's incredibly frustrating! What's worked for me is being very clear about the legal requirements from the start. For future contracts, I now include language in my agreements stating that payment is contingent on receiving a completed W-9 form. For your current situation though, I'd recommend one final certified letter explaining that you're legally obligated to file the 1099-NEC by January 31st regardless of their cooperation. The letter should be professional but firm - something like "I am required by IRS regulations to file Form 1099-NEC for payments exceeding $600. I have made multiple attempts to obtain your completed W-9 form. If I do not receive this information by [specific date], I will file the form with 'REFUSED' indicated in the TIN field as permitted by IRS guidelines." Keep copies of everything - your texts, this certified letter, the return receipt. The IRS recognizes that taxpayers can't force contractors to comply, so documenting your good faith efforts is what matters. You're doing everything right by trying to follow the rules properly.