just a heads up - i did an SS-8 filing last year and it took almost 9 months to get a determination letter! the irs is super backed up with these. definitely file your taxes now using form 8919 like others said. also make sure you keep copies of EVERYTHING. every email, every instruction they gave her, work schedule, etc. the more proof you have that they treated her like an employee the better.

One more thing to consider - if this was a government agency, there's a good chance they have specific policies about contractor vs employee classification that they're supposed to follow. Federal agencies in particular have gotten in trouble for misclassifying workers to avoid paying benefits and taxes. You might want to look up whether this agency has had previous issues with worker misclassification. Sometimes there are patterns, and if the agency has been cited before, it could strengthen your case. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has done reports on this issue across various federal agencies. Also, since you mentioned they haven't sent any tax documents yet, that's actually a red flag. Even if they classified her as a contractor, they're legally required to send a 1099-NEC by January 31st if they paid her more than $600. I'd follow up on that immediately - you'll need that information regardless of how you file. Good luck with the SS-8 process! It sounds like you have a strong case based on what you've described.

I feel your pain. Been paying support for 10 years and it's ridiculous that there's no tax benefit. if it makes u feel any better, your ex should be using that money for the kids, so indirectly ur still supporting them like u would if u were married. small consolation i know. my advice is to check ur withholding on ur W4. if your switching from getting refunds to owing taxes, you probably need to adjust how much is being withheld from each paycheck. doesnt solve the fundamental unfairness but at least u wont get hit with a surprise tax bill.

I'm in a similar situation and it's incredibly frustrating. What really gets me is that the system seems to assume all divorced parents are trying to dodge their responsibilities, when many of us are doing everything we can to support our kids. One thing I discovered is that you might be able to deduct certain direct expenses you pay for your children outside of the formal support order - things like unreimbursed medical expenses, educational costs, or extracurricular activities if they exceed a certain threshold. These aren't technically "child support deductions" but they're child-related expenses that can sometimes be claimed. Also, make sure you're maximizing any credits available in the years you do claim your children as dependents. The Child Tax Credit has increased significantly in recent years, and there are education credits if your kids are older. It's not a perfect solution, but every bit helps when you're already stretched thin financially while trying to do right by your kids.

Just went through this exact same situation a few months ago! Those codes had me so stressed until I figured out what was going on. The 570 hold code is the scary one that stops your refund, but once you get through the identity verification it should resolve pretty quickly. When you call, definitely try early morning like others suggested - I got through around 8:15 AM on my third try. Make sure you have your prior year AGI, SSN, and filing status ready because they'll ask verification questions right away. The fax process took about 4 weeks for me to see movement on my transcript, then another week for the actual refund deposit. Stay patient and keep checking your transcript every few days - you'll see new codes appear when they start processing your verification docs. The whole thing is super frustrating but you'll get through it! 💪

I went through this exact same situation last year and it was honestly one of the most stressful experiences dealing with the IRS. Those codes you're seeing - 150, 806, 570, 971 - are actually pretty standard for identity verification cases. The 570 is what's holding up your refund and the 971 means they already sent you that dreaded letter asking for documentation. Here's what worked for me: I called right at 7 AM when the lines opened and got through in about 45 minutes. Have your SSN, last year's AGI, and current address ready because they'll verify your identity before discussing anything. The agent will give you a specific fax number - DON'T use any generic IRS fax numbers you find online, use exactly what they tell you. When faxing, include a cover sheet with your SSN, phone number, and write "IDENTITY VERIFICATION" at the top. I sent my driver's license, Social Security card, and a utility bill. Keep checking your transcript every week - mine took about 6 weeks to show movement with new codes, then another 2 weeks for the actual refund. The waiting is brutal but hang in there! Once you get through this verification process, everything should move pretty smoothly. Good luck! 🤞

I've been through this exact scenario twice now and can share what I learned! The 570/971 combo with the same date is actually pretty standard - it's like the IRS saying "we need to double-check something, and we're sending you a letter to explain what." In my first case, it was for identity verification (just like @Yuki Tanaka mentioned) and took about 2 weeks total. Second time was because I claimed education credits and they wanted to verify my 1098-T form - that one resolved in about 10 days once I uploaded the documents through their online portal. The key thing is that $0.00 amount on both codes - that's actually good news! It means they're not adjusting your refund amount, just putting a temporary hold while they review something. Pro tip: set up informed delivery with USPS if you haven't already. That way you'll know when the notice is coming before it hits your mailbox. The waiting is seriously the hardest part, but most of these resolve pretty smoothly once you know what they need. Keep us posted on what the notice says when you get it!

I just went through this exact same thing about 3 weeks ago! Had the 570/971 combo on my transcript with the same February date and was freaking out because I really needed my refund for some unexpected car repairs. The notice I got was for income verification - they wanted me to confirm some 1099 income that didn't quite match what my employer reported. Turned out to be a simple reporting discrepancy that I was able to clear up by faxing them a copy of my actual 1099 form. What really helped my anxiety during the wait was understanding that these codes are WAY more common than you think, especially early in tax season when they're processing so many returns. The IRS customer service rep I spoke with said they see thousands of these cases every week and the vast majority are resolved without any issues. My timeline was: noticed codes on transcript → got notice in mail 5 days later → faxed documents → transcript updated with 846 code about 8 days after that → refund deposited 3 days later. So about 2.5 weeks total from start to finish. @Isabella Russo definitely wait for that notice like others said - it'll save you time and give you exact instructions on what they need. And try not to stress too much, I know easier said than done when you're counting on that money! 🤞

What software does everyone recommend for high-income tax situations? I've been using TurboTax Premier but wondering if there's something better for managing more complex investments and deductions?

I'm a tax attorney and see these schemes regularly. What you're describing is almost certainly a syndicated conservation easement or similar abusive tax shelter. The IRS has these on their "Dirty Dozen" list and actively pursues participants with penalties that can exceed the claimed tax savings. The key red flags: 1) 4:1 or 5:1 deduction ratios, 2) vague explanations about the mechanics, 3) promises of 80% tax reduction, and 4) high-pressure sales tactics emphasizing secrecy or exclusivity. Real tax planning for high earners involves maximizing retirement contributions, strategic charitable giving, tax-loss harvesting, proper business entity selection, and timing strategies. These provide meaningful but realistic benefits - maybe 15-25% reduction in effective tax rate through legitimate means. I strongly recommend getting a second opinion from an independent CPA or tax attorney before proceeding. The IRS settlements I've seen from these schemes often result in participants paying more in penalties and interest than they originally "saved" in taxes.