Miguel, I went through something very similar with my consulting business! Got a CP134B for a tax period two years before I even had an EIN. It's absolutely terrifying when you first see that amount, but this is definitely resolvable. The most important thing is to act quickly but don't panic. Here's my step-by-step approach that worked: 1. **Verify it's real** - Check that all the formatting, letterhead, and contact info matches official IRS standards 2. **Document everything** - Gather your EIN letter, business formation docs, anything showing your 2025 start date 3. **Respond in writing within 30 days** - Send a certified letter disputing the notice and explaining your business timeline 4. **Call the number on the notice** - The wait is brutal, but phone resolution is often faster than mail When I called, the agent immediately saw the date discrepancy and put a hold on collections while I submitted my documentation. Took about 6 weeks total to get it completely resolved and removed from my records. The key thing to remember is that you're not actually responsible for taxes from a period when your business didn't exist. This is just a clerical error that needs to be corrected with proper documentation. You've got all the proof you need to show when your photography business actually started. Stay calm, respond promptly, and keep detailed records of every interaction. This will be resolved in your favor!

Miguel, I can completely relate to that panic feeling! I got hit with a CP134B notice last year for $1,800 for a tax period when my landscaping business was just an idea in my head. Absolutely terrifying at first glance. Here's what I learned from my experience: these mix-ups happen more frequently than you'd think, especially with newer EINs or when there are similar business names/addresses in the system. The IRS computer systems sometimes cross-wire records, but the good news is they're usually pretty good about fixing legitimate errors once you provide the right documentation. My advice would be to act fast but stay organized: 1. **Call the number on the notice immediately** - I know everyone says the wait times are horrible, but I actually got through in about 45 minutes when I called at 7:30 AM on a Wednesday. The agent was super helpful and immediately saw the date issue. 2. **Create a clear timeline document** - I made a simple one-page timeline showing when my business was actually formed versus the tax period in question. Made it crystal clear that there was no way I could owe taxes for a business that didn't exist. 3. **Send everything certified mail** - Include your timeline, EIN letter, business formation docs, and a cover letter explaining the situation. Reference the notice number and keep copies of everything. The whole thing took about 5 weeks to resolve completely. They not only cancelled the notice but also put a note in my file to prevent similar mix-ups in the future. You've got this - it's just a paperwork error that will get sorted out once they see your documentation!

I'm currently going through this exact same situation - my Michigan return went under review 3 days ago and I was immediately worried I'd made some kind of error! Finding this thread has been such a relief because it shows this is happening to so many people this tax season. Like many others here, I also have upcoming medical expenses (some routine lab work and a follow-up appointment with my cardiologist) and was really counting on that refund timeline being predictable like previous years. The complete absence of any estimated timeframe from Michigan Treasury is incredibly frustrating when you're trying to budget for healthcare costs. From reading everyone's shared experiences, it sounds like that 2-3 week window is pretty typical for these reviews, and the vast majority resolve automatically without requiring additional documentation. The randomness factor that several people mentioned actually gives me some comfort - knowing it's likely just standard verification rather than something I did wrong on my return. I'm going to try to be patient and wait at least 2 weeks before calling, but it's reassuring to know that when people do reach out, they usually get helpful information about what triggered the review. Thanks to everyone for sharing your timelines and outcomes - this thread has been incredibly helpful for managing the anxiety that comes with waiting on money you need for medical expenses. I'll definitely update with my progress to help others who might be starting this waiting period. It's comforting to know we're all navigating this uncertainty together and that it typically resolves without issues!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! My Michigan return went under review yesterday and I immediately started panicking that I'd made some mistake on my filing. This thread has been such a lifesaver to find - it's incredible how many people are experiencing this identical situation this tax season. Like so many others here, I also have upcoming medical expenses (some imaging studies my doctor ordered after my recent checkup) and was really counting on that refund timeline being predictable like it has been in previous years. The complete lack of any estimated timeframe from Michigan Treasury is so frustrating when you're trying to plan around healthcare costs. From reading everyone's experiences, it sounds like that 14-21 day window is pretty standard for these reviews, and most resolve automatically without needing any additional documentation. The randomness factor that several people mentioned actually makes me feel better - knowing it's likely just routine verification rather than an error I made. I'm going to try to be patient and wait at least 2 weeks before calling, but it's comforting to know that when people do call, they usually get helpful context about what triggered the review. Thanks to everyone for sharing your timelines and outcomes - this thread has been incredibly helpful for managing the stress that comes with waiting on money you need for medical expenses. I'll definitely update with my progress to help others who are just starting this waiting period. It's reassuring to know we're all going through this uncertainty together and that most reviews seem to work out fine in the end!

One more critical tip that saved me last year - when you're filling out the certified mail form at the post office, make sure to write "TAX DOCUMENT - AMENDED RETURN" in the description section. This helps postal workers handle it with extra care and can be useful if you ever need to reference the mailing for any reason. Also, I'd recommend going to the post office during off-peak hours (mid-morning on weekdays if possible) when the staff has more time to help you get everything filled out correctly. The certified mail process has several steps and it's easy to miss something when they're rushing during busy periods. Keep that certified mail receipt in a safe place with your tax records - the IRS and state agencies sometimes ask for proof of mailing date years later, especially if there are any questions about meeting deadlines. I scan mine and keep digital copies too, just in case!

Another option to consider is USPS Priority Mail Express, which automatically includes tracking and signature confirmation. It's more expensive than certified mail (around $28-35), but it guarantees overnight or 2-day delivery and comes with up to $100 insurance coverage. For tax documents, the signature confirmation aspect is really valuable - you get the same proof of delivery as certified mail but with much faster processing. Some people prefer this route because state tax agencies often process documents in the order they're received, so getting yours there faster could potentially mean faster processing. Just make sure to keep the Priority Express receipt - it has the same legal standing as certified mail for proving timely filing. The tracking is also more detailed than regular certified mail, showing each step of the delivery process in real-time.

Has your friend actually confirmed with the IRS that his accounts are frozen specifically for unfiled taxes? I thought my accounts were frozen for unfiled returns last year but it turned out to be because of suspected identity theft. Completely different issue with a totally different resolution process and timeline.

Before you even consider loaning that money, your friend needs to get clear documentation from the IRS about exactly why his accounts are frozen and what's required to lift the freeze. Don't just take his word for it - have him request a transcript or get written confirmation of the freeze reason and requirements. The timeline others mentioned (2-3 months minimum) is accurate IF he can get all his missing returns filed correctly the first time. But here's the reality check: someone who hasn't filed for 4-5 years likely has messy records, missing documentation, and will probably need multiple attempts to get everything right. Each revision adds weeks to the process. Also consider that $13k might not be enough. If he owes substantial back taxes plus penalties and interest, the IRS might require a significant upfront payment or proof of ability to pay before unfreezing accounts. The mortgage situation suggests he's in deeper financial trouble than just needing bridge financing. My advice? Help him get organized and connected with proper tax help, but protect yourself financially. If you do decide to help monetarily, structure it as a secured loan with collateral, not a handout based on optimistic timelines.

Has anyone else noticed that TurboTax makes these simple situations way more complicated than necessary? I had a similar situation with some freelance writing income and TurboTax made me feel like I needed to register a corporation or something!

I went through this exact same situation two years ago with my part-time tutoring work! The confusion is totally understandable, but here's the reality: if you received a 1099-NEC, the IRS considers it self-employment income regardless of how infrequent it was. The "regular and continuous" test isn't as black and white as it seems. Even teaching just 4 workshops in a year can qualify as business activity if you're doing it with the intent to earn income. The fact that you might teach 5-6 more workshops this year actually strengthens the case that this is ongoing self-employment rather than a one-time thing. Don't let TurboTax intimidate you with all the business questions - you can keep it super simple. Use your own name as the business name, select an education/instruction business code, and report your income and any related expenses. You don't need a formal business structure or plan. The silver lining? Filing Schedule C means you can deduct legitimate expenses like mileage to the makerspace, any materials you purchased for the workshops, or even a portion of safety equipment if you bought anything specifically for teaching. This often reduces your tax liability significantly compared to just reporting it as miscellaneous income.