I would recommend using the IRS Free File program if your income is that low. Go directly to IRS.gov and look for Free File options. They have partnerships with tax software companies that will let you file completely free if your income is below certain thresholds, which clearly you would qualify for with zero income.

I was in almost the exact same situation last year - zero income and two kids. Yes, you can absolutely claim the Child Tax Credit! The key is understanding that part of it is "refundable" which means you get money back even if you don't owe any taxes. For 2024 taxes (filing in 2025), you can get up to $1,600 per qualifying child under 17 through the Additional Child Tax Credit, even with zero income. There's no special non-filer tool this year - you just file a regular tax return showing $0 income. I used the IRS Free File program on IRS.gov and it walked me through everything. Make sure you have your kids' Social Security numbers and can prove they lived with you more than half the year. The process was actually simpler than I expected, and I got about $3,200 total for my two kids. It was a huge help during a really tough time. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't get tax credits without income - that's one of the biggest misconceptions out there!

This is why you dont trust those "tax hacks" on social media yall

Got the same letter last week and I'm actually relieved they're cracking down on this. The amount of people claiming fuel credits without proper documentation was getting out of hand. If you legitimately qualify and have the receipts, you'll be fine - just make sure everything is organized and legible before you send it in. The 30-day deadline is firm so don't wait until the last minute. For anyone who followed those social media "hacks" without understanding the requirements, this is a good reminder that the IRS always catches up eventually.

Anybody have recommendations for apps to track freelance income/expenses? I'm terrible at keeping receipts and then panic at tax time lol.

As someone who also made the transition from W-2 to freelancing, I totally understand the stress! One thing that helped me a lot was opening a separate savings account specifically for taxes. Every time I get paid, I immediately transfer 30% to that account and pretend it doesn't exist. It's better to overestimate and get a refund than to scramble for money at tax time. Also, don't forget that you can make adjustments to your estimated payments throughout the year if your income changes significantly. If you have a slow quarter, you're not locked into paying the same amount - you can recalculate based on your actual income to date. The IRS Form 1040-ES has worksheets that walk you through this, and while it's not the most user-friendly, it's definitely doable once you get the hang of it. One last tip: consider making your first quarter payment a bit higher since you mentioned your income has been inconsistent. It's easier to reduce future payments if needed than to catch up if you've underpaid early in the year.

Don't stress too much about this! I had a similar situation with my 2019 return where I forgot to date my signature line. The IRS processed it without any issues and I got my refund about 6 weeks later. The signature itself is what really matters - they need proof that you're filing under penalty of perjury. The date is more of a formality, especially for prior year returns where they already know it's being filed late. Since you're dealing with health issues and financial stress, try not to add unnecessary worry about this. The IRS deals with millions of returns and minor errors like this are incredibly common. They have procedures in place to handle these situations, and outright rejection for a missing date would be unusual. If you're really anxious about it, you could try one of the services others mentioned to get peace of mind, but honestly I think you'll be fine. Focus on your health and let the IRS process your return normally.

I understand your anxiety about this - tax issues can be really stressing, especially when you're dealing with health problems and counting on that refund. Based on what others have shared here, it sounds like missing the date on your signature line is unlikely to cause a rejection. The IRS receives millions of returns with minor errors like this every year. Their primary concern is that you've signed the return under penalty of perjury, which you have. The date is more of a formality, and since you're filing a prior year return anyway, they already know it's being submitted after the original deadline. I'd recommend avoiding the temptation to send a duplicate return - that could create more complications than the missing date ever would. If the IRS does need anything from you, they'll send you a notice explaining exactly what's required. Try to focus on your recovery and let the normal processing take its course. Most likely your refund will arrive without any additional steps needed on your part.

Another thing to consider when comparing income: health insurance costs! When self-employed, you can deduct your entire premium on Schedule 1, but as a W2 employee, you typically pay your portion with pre-tax dollars if it's an employer plan. Run the numbers both ways - sometimes the self-employment health insurance deduction is more valuable than you'd think, especially if you're in a higher tax bracket.

I was in your exact situation 2 years ago! One thing those calculators almost never account for properly: state taxes and how they interact with federal deductions. Make sure to run state-specific calculations too, especially if you're considering jobs in different states. Some states don't tax certain types of income or have weird rules about W2 vs self-employment.