The refund date is definitely the processing/issue date, not the delivery date. I've been dealing with this for years as a tax preparer, and here's what I tell my clients: expect your check 10-14 days after that date during normal times, potentially longer during peak season. The IRS processes the refund on 3/15, but the actual check printing and mailing can take 2-3 additional business days. Then you're at the mercy of USPS delivery times. I always recommend clients plan for the longer timeframe to avoid disappointment. If you need more precise timing for cash flow planning, you might want to consider direct deposit for future years - it's typically available within 1-2 business days of the refund date.

From my experience working in government finance, the 3/15 date is definitely when the IRS processes and authorizes your refund for payment - think of it as the "ship date" rather than delivery date. The Treasury typically prints and mails checks within 2-3 business days after that date, so your check would likely be mailed around 3/17-3/19. Then factor in 5-10 business days for USPS delivery depending on your location. I'd plan for receiving it between 3/24 and 4/1 to be safe. One thing I've noticed is that checks from the Kansas City processing center tend to arrive faster than those from other regions, but there's no way to know which one handles your refund. If you're doing detailed cash flow planning, I'd honestly recommend switching to direct deposit next year - the timing is so much more predictable for business planning purposes.

Has anyone noticed that FreetaxUSA sometimes doesn't recognize the supplemental tax withholding from RSUs correctly? I had to manually add my state withholding amounts because they weren't pulling in properly from my W-2 entry.

Great thread! I'm dealing with a similar RSU situation in FreetaxUSA. One thing I discovered that might help others - if you have RSUs that vested in multiple tranches throughout the year, FreetaxUSA has a "batch entry" feature in the Capital Gains section that can save you a lot of time. Instead of entering each sale transaction individually, you can group transactions with the same acquisition date and cost basis. This is especially helpful if you had quarterly vestings and multiple same-day sales. Just make sure your total proceeds and cost basis match what's on your consolidated 1099-B. Also, for anyone wondering about ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Plan) transactions - those follow different rules than RSUs and have their own section in FreetaxUSA under "Other Income." Don't mix them up with your RSU reporting!

I'm wondering if I should be worried. I made about $1800 babysitting last year and didn't report it... is the IRS gonna come after me now?

As someone who's been through this exact situation, I can confirm you're on the right track! Yes, you absolutely need to report that $2700 as self-employment income on Schedule C, even without a 1099. The IRS considers all income taxable regardless of whether you receive forms. A few tips from my experience: - Keep detailed records of all your babysitting-related expenses (mileage, supplies, etc.) - they add up quickly - You'll owe self-employment tax (about 15.3%) on your net profit after expenses - Since you earned over $600, you should consider making quarterly estimated tax payments going forward to avoid underpayment penalties next year - The family should have given you a 1099-NEC since they paid you over $600, but their oversight doesn't change your reporting obligation Don't stress too much - this is a common situation and as long as you report everything honestly, you'll be fine. The IRS actually appreciates when people proactively report income that might otherwise go unreported!

Has anyone else noticed how tax identity theft has gotten so much worse in the last couple years? My neighbor had someone file a fake return with her info last year and it took her like 8 months to get her actual refund. The IRS is completely overwhelmed with this stuff.

This is definitely a red flag. I've been preparing taxes for over a decade and there's absolutely no legitimate reason a tax preparer needs physical copies of social security cards. The SSN itself is sufficient for all tax preparation purposes, including e-filing and identity verification with the IRS. The explanation about "security purposes in case someone tries to fraudulently use your SSNs" doesn't make sense either - having copies of your cards wouldn't prevent or help with identity theft, and actually creates MORE risk by having those documents stored in their files. I'd strongly recommend finding a new preparer. A legitimate tax professional should be able to clearly explain why they need any document, and getting defensive when questioned is another warning sign. Trust your instincts on this one.

Random question - has anyone used TurboTax to file with Form 4852? Their software seems confused when I try to report that I received a 1099 but am disputing it with a 4852. It keeps calculating taxes on the disputed amount no matter what I do.

I went through something very similar two years ago with a former client who issued a fraudulent 1099-NEC after we had a contract dispute. Here's what worked for me: 1. File Form 4852 as others suggested, but make sure to attach a detailed written statement explaining the situation. Include dates, communications with your attorney, and any evidence that you performed no work for them during the tax year. 2. Consider filing Form SS-8 if there's any question about whether you were actually an employee vs. contractor - this can help establish that no legitimate working relationship existed during the tax period. 3. Keep copies of everything and send your return via certified mail. The IRS processed mine without issue, but it did take about 6-8 weeks longer than usual. 4. Document everything with timestamps - when you received the 1099, when your attorney contacted them, their lack of response, etc. This creates a clear timeline showing you acted in good faith to resolve the issue. The key is being proactive and thorough with your documentation. The IRS deals with fraudulent information returns more often than you'd think, so they have processes in place to handle legitimate disputes like yours.