One thing I'd add to all the great advice here - make sure you're prepared to demonstrate the business nature of your activity if the IRS ever questions it. Since you bought the excavator in November but won't start generating income until spring, document everything that shows your serious business intent: research you did on pricing for excavation services in your area, any business cards or flyers you've made, social media pages you created, networking with potential clients, etc. Also consider getting business insurance for the excavator once you start operating. Not only is it smart protection, but the premiums are another business deduction. And if you're planning to operate it on other people's property, many clients will require you to have liability coverage anyway. The fact that you're asking these questions and thinking ahead shows you're taking this seriously as a business venture, which is exactly the kind of profit motive the IRS looks for. Good luck with your new excavation business!

This is such a common situation for people starting equipment-based side businesses! I went through something very similar when I bought a used dump trailer for my hauling business. One thing that really helped me was creating what I called a "business intent timeline" - basically documenting every step I took toward starting the business, even before I made my first dollar. Things like researching local competitors, calculating potential profit margins, even taking photos of job sites where I thought I could get work. When tax time came, having all that documentation made me feel much more confident about claiming the deductions. Also, don't overlook smaller business expenses that add up - things like the gas you used driving to look at the excavator before buying it, any tools or safety equipment you've purchased specifically for the business, even a portion of your cell phone bill if you're using it to contact potential clients. Every legitimate business expense helps reduce your taxable income. The key thing the IRS cares about is whether you're operating with a genuine profit motive, and it sounds like you definitely are. Starting in the spring gives you time to get all your documentation organized and maybe even line up a few jobs so you have some income to report alongside your expenses.

Just to add some practical info on donation values - I volunteer at a nonprofit thrift store and here are some ballpark clothing values we use that the IRS generally accepts: - Men's shirts: $5-10 - Women's tops: $4-12 - Jeans/pants: $5-12 - Coats/jackets: $10-40 - Shoes: $3-9 These are general ranges and condition matters a lot! A worn-out shirt is worth less than a like-new one with tags still on.

Don't forget that it's not just about the amount of donations - it's whether you have enough TOTAL itemized deductions to exceed the standard deduction. My wife and I donate about $1,200 a year but we still take the standard deduction because our mortgage interest and state taxes aren't enough to push us over the threshold.

Here's what's happening and what you should do: 1. First, check your tax transcript at irs.gov/transcripts - this shows actual processing status with codes 2. If you see code 570, that's a temporary hold which usually resolves on its own 3. If you see code 971, that means a notice is being mailed to you 4. For TurboTax filers specifically, there's a known delay pattern this year where returns show as accepted but sit in queue for 21-35 days 5. If you're past 21 days with no transcript codes indicating issues, call the IRS at 800-829-1040 6. Before calling, have your filing status, SSN, expected refund amount, and a copy of your return ready Most importantly, seeing your estimated refund amount is actually a good sign - it means your return passed basic validation. About 80% of these cases resolve with full refund issuance, just with a longer timeline than expected.

I'm going through something similar right now! Filed through TurboTax on February 28th, got the "accepted" status immediately, but still waiting for my deposit. What's really frustrating is that this is money I need for quarterly estimated payments for my freelance work. I've been checking WMR daily and it just keeps saying "being processed." One thing I noticed is that my transcript finally updated yesterday showing a processing date, which gave me some hope. The waiting is definitely the worst part - especially when you're used to getting refunds faster in previous years. Hang in there!

I had the same codes last year and it turned out to be an identity verification issue. The IRS wanted to make sure I was really me before releasing my refund. Got a CP05A notice asking me to verify my identity online through ID.me. Once I completed that, my refund was released within 2 weeks. Don't panic - these codes are super common and usually resolve quickly once you respond to whatever they're asking for.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! Code 570 basically puts a hold on your refund while they review something, and 971 means they're mailing you a notice explaining what they need. In my case, it was because I claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit and they wanted to verify my income. The notice (CP75) came about 10 days after the codes appeared on my transcript. Once I faxed them the requested documents (pay stubs and W-2), it took about 45 days to get my refund. The waiting sucks but it's usually not as scary as it seems at first. Keep checking your transcript weekly - you'll see the codes disappear when they've finished their review.

This timing discrepancy has been driving me crazy! I filed three weeks ago and have been refreshing the SBTPG portal obsessively. Based on what everyone's sharing here, it sounds like I should actually be checking my bank account more frequently than the SBTPG site. Has anyone found a reliable pattern for when deposits typically hit accounts versus when SBTPG updates? Like, is it usually overnight deposits that create the biggest lag, or does it happen at all times of day? I'm trying to figure out if there's an optimal time to check my bank account instead of wearing out the SBTPG portal refresh button!

This is incredibly helpful information! I'm currently in this exact situation - SBTPG showing $0 but I suspect my refund might be processing. Based on what everyone's sharing, it sounds like I should focus more on checking my actual bank account rather than obsessively refreshing the SBTPG portal. The batch update schedule at 6AM, 2PM, and 10PM Eastern that Amina mentioned is particularly useful to know. I'm going to check my IRS transcript for the 846 code like Oliver suggested, and then monitor my bank account during those overnight hours when Luca says deposits typically hit. It's reassuring to know this lag is normal and not a sign that something went wrong with my refund. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - this community knowledge is way more helpful than anything I could find in official documentation!