Just wanted to add some perspective on the extension question since no one addressed that part yet. Filing an extension doesn't increase your audit risk at all - it's actually pretty common and the IRS expects millions of people to file extensions every year. The extension just gives you more time to file your return, but your tax liability is still due by the original deadline if you owe anything. One thing that might help with your anxiety is knowing that audit rates are actually pretty low overall. For most individual taxpayers, it's less than 1%. Even with a Schedule C, unless you're claiming unusually high expenses or have income over $200k, the odds are still very much in your favor. Keep all your receipts and documentation for that side gig though - having good records is your best protection if anything ever does come up!

As someone who's been through this anxiety before, I totally understand your worry! I had similar concerns when I started reporting freelance income a few years ago. One thing that helped calm my nerves was learning that the IRS actually has pretty specific patterns for when they send audit notices. While they *can* audit anytime within those 3 years, most correspondence audits for typical individual returns happen within 12-24 months of filing. So if you filed in February 2025, you'd most likely hear something (if anything) between early 2026 and early 2027. The good news is that reporting your $14k side gig income properly on Schedule C actually works in your favor! The IRS computer systems are mainly looking for unreported income - like when someone gets a 1099 but doesn't include that income on their return. Since you were upfront about everything, you've already avoided the biggest audit trigger. Also, keep in mind that even if you did get selected for audit, having a legitimate business with proper documentation makes the process much more straightforward. Just keep those receipts and business records organized for the next few years and try not to stress too much about something that probably won't happen!

I'm going through this exact same nightmare with my small event photography business! Applied for my EIN about 3 weeks ago and have been stuck in that endless "high call volume" loop ever since. It's incredibly frustrating when you're trying to finalize contracts with clients and can't complete the business registration process. This thread has been absolutely invaluable - I had no idea about the Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 or these early morning timing strategies that actually work. The detailed success stories from people like @Jamal Harris and @Nia Williams give me real hope that there's a proven path through this bureaucratic maze. I'm definitely going to try the 7:01 AM calling approach tomorrow with all my application details organized exactly like the successful cases described. That key phrase "I'm calling to check the status of my EIN application that I submitted 3 weeks ago" seems crucial for avoiding transfers and getting straight to someone who can help. Also planning to review my original SS-4 form for potential classification issues since so many people discovered errors in business type selections or NAICS codes that were causing delays. The backup options like faxing and visiting a local TAC office are great to know about too. It's ridiculous that we need to become IRS phone system experts just to follow up on basic business paperwork, but seeing all these real solutions instead of just complaints has been incredibly helpful. This community has provided more actionable advice than hours of searching the official IRS website! @Paolo Longo - hoping you get through soon! Your photography business shouldn't be held up by this administrative nightmare.

I'm dealing with this exact same frustration for my small catering business! Applied for my EIN 4 weeks ago and have been getting that same "high call volume" message every single day. It's maddening when you're trying to get your business properly set up and the government systems seem designed to block you. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about all these specific strategies that actually work. The Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 with the early morning timing approach seems to be the most reliable solution based on all the success stories here. I'm going to try calling at 7:01 AM tomorrow with everything organized exactly like @Jamal Harris and others described - business name, SSN, application date, and that key phrase "I'm calling to check the status of my EIN application that I submitted 4 weeks ago." Also planning to double-check my original application for classification issues since so many people discovered errors in business type selections that were causing delays. The backup fax option and in-person TAC visits are great alternatives to have ready too. It's honestly ridiculous that we need to become phone system experts just to follow up on basic government services, but this community sharing real solutions has been more helpful than anything on the official IRS website. Thanks everyone for the detailed success stories - gives me hope there's actually a way through this bureaucratic nightmare! @Paolo Longo - really hope you get your photography business EIN sorted out soon. This administrative mess shouldn't be holding any of us back from running our businesses!

Same exact situation here - day 25 with my CA refund stuck at "issued" status! Filed March 8th, got the "issued" notification on March 26th, and still nothing. My federal refund hit my account in 4 days, so definitely not a banking issue on my end. What's really infuriating is how they can instantly process tax payments and penalties but somehow can't manage to send out refunds within their own stated timeframes. The double standard is ridiculous - if we're late by even one day they charge interest, but they can be late by weeks with zero consequences. I've given up on their phone system after 30+ failed attempts. Going to try that chat option people mentioned and maybe one of those callback services. At this point I'm willing to pay just to talk to an actual human who can explain what's happening with my own money. Thanks for posting this - it's somewhat reassuring to know we're all dealing with the same CA FTB nightmare. Hopefully they get their systems fixed soon because this level of dysfunction is completely unacceptable for a state agency!

I'm in the exact same nightmare - my CA refund has been stuck at "issued" for 20 days now! Filed in mid-March, got the notification on March 30th that it was issued to my bank, and absolutely nothing since then. Like everyone else here, my federal came through in 6 days no problem, so I know my banking info is correct. What's driving me crazy is the complete lack of communication from FTB. I've called probably 15+ times and never gotten past that useless "high call volume" recording. It's like their phone system is designed specifically to prevent anyone from getting actual help. The randomness is what gets me most - some people get theirs in under a week while we're all stuck waiting a month+ with identical "issued" status. There's clearly something majorly broken in their system that they're not being transparent about. Going to try that buried chat option people mentioned since the phone system is completely hopeless. Really shouldn't have to become a detective just to get basic info about our own money! Thanks for posting this OP - at least now I know I'm not losing my mind and this really is a widespread CA FTB disaster. Hopefully we all see movement soon because this level of dysfunction is absolutely unacceptable! 😤

I'm currently on day 2 of my first 810 freeze (filed March 16th) and stumbling upon this thread feels like finding the holy grail of tax information! Like everyone else here, I'm a new homeowner who claimed mortgage interest ($10,750), property taxes ($3,850), and student loan interest ($2,100). Rita, your original post perfectly captures the anxiety so many of us new homeowners are feeling with our first 810 freeze. Your amounts are completely reasonable and mirror what everyone in this thread has shared. The $11,421 mortgage interest for a recent home purchase is totally normal, and your property taxes and student loan interest are right in the typical ranges we're all seeing. What's been incredibly valuable is this community's collective wisdom - especially NebulaNomad's Document Matching Program explanation and Kennedy's practical advice about checking transcripts only on Wednesday mornings. Understanding that this is just routine verification of our deductions against what our lenders reported transforms this from "something's wrong" to "system working as designed." At 9 days, you're tracking perfectly within that 14-21 day resolution window everyone's mentioned. I know the kitchen renovation delay is frustrating (we're holding off on landscaping expenses!), but based on all these shared experiences, it really seems like patience is the best approach during these first few weeks. This thread should honestly be required reading for any first-time homeowner dealing with tax refunds. The community knowledge here is infinitely more helpful than anything on the IRS website! 🏡

I'm currently on day 3 of my first 810 freeze (filed March 15th) and this thread has been absolutely incredible for understanding what's actually happening! Like so many others here, I'm a new homeowner who claimed mortgage interest ($11,100), property taxes ($3,300), and student loan interest ($2,000). Rita, your situation sounds completely normal based on all the experiences shared here. Your amounts are well within the typical ranges everyone's reporting, and at 9 days you're right in that standard 14-21 day processing window. The $11,421 mortgage interest is totally reasonable for a recent home purchase - actually very similar to what I and many others claimed. What's been most helpful is finally understanding this is just the Document Matching Program doing routine verification of our deductions against what our lenders reported to the IRS. As first-time homeowners claiming these deductions, we're all going through the same process - it's not a sign something's wrong, just standard procedure. I was already starting to check my transcript obsessively, but Kennedy's Wednesday morning strategy makes so much more sense. The consistency in everyone's timelines here is actually really reassuring - shows this is just normal processing, not cause for concern. For your kitchen renovation - I totally get the frustration! We've had to delay some furniture purchases too. But based on all these shared experiences, it sounds like patience during these first few weeks really is the best approach. Once these codes resolve, refunds typically deposit within 2-3 days. This community knowledge has been way more valuable than anything I found on official IRS resources. Thanks to everyone for sharing - we're all navigating this together! 🏠

Great discussion here! I'm a tax preparer and see this situation fairly often. You absolutely can claim the mortgage interest deduction since you're on the deed and made the payments. A few practical tips from my experience: 1) When you attach the explanatory statement, keep it simple - just state that you're claiming the mortgage interest shown on Form 1098 (provide the amount), that the 1098 shows your mother's name and SSN because she's the borrower, but that you have ownership interest in the property and paid 100% of the interest from your own funds. 2) The IRS form you want to reference in your statement is Publication 936, which specifically covers this scenario. It states that you can deduct interest you paid on a mortgage if you're liable for the debt and the loan is secured by your home. 3) Even though the loan is only in your mom's name, being on the deed creates what's called "beneficial ownership" which satisfies the IRS requirements for the deduction. Keep those bank statements organized by year - if you do get selected for review, the IRS will want to see proof of payment. But honestly, this is a pretty straightforward situation once you have the right documentation. The $360 is yours to claim!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! As someone who works in real estate finance, I see this exact scenario all the time - parent on loan, child on deed making payments. The advice here is spot on. One thing I'd add that might help for future years: consider having your mom refinance the mortgage to include you as a co-borrower if possible. This would put your name on the 1098 and eliminate the need for explanatory statements going forward. Your payment history over 8 years should help with qualifying, and it might even get you a better interest rate in today's market. That said, for this tax year, definitely claim that deduction with the documentation everyone's outlined. You've been paying that interest for years - no reason to leave $360 on the table just because of paperwork complexity!