Just be careful about missing the deadline! I filed late last year and got hit with penalties - $50 per form for filing less than 30 days late, and it goes up if you're even later. Super frustrating expense for a small business.

I was in the exact same boat last year! The IRS does offer penalty relief under their "reasonable cause" provision if you can show that the late filing was due to circumstances beyond your control. In your case, the fact that you ordered the forms in December but they never arrived due to supply chain issues could qualify. If you do end up filing late, make sure to keep documentation of when you ordered the forms and any correspondence about delivery delays. When you file, include a statement explaining the situation with Form 8809 (Request for Extension of Time to File Information Returns) or attach a letter of explanation. That said, with the electronic filing options mentioned above, you might still be able to make the deadline. The March 31st extension for electronic filing could be a lifesaver here - gives you an extra two months compared to paper filing!

Same here! Filed Jan 27th and just got the PATH message today. From what I've read, it's actually a good thing - means they're processing it and we should see movement mid-February. The waiting is the worst part though! At least we know it's moving through the system 🤞

PATH message is definitely a good sign! It means your return is in the system and being processed. I got the same message last year around this time and ended up getting my refund right on schedule in late February. The IRS just has to wait until after Feb 15th to release refunds with certain credits. Keep checking your transcript for that sweet 846 code - that's when you'll know your deposit date! Hang in there, we're all in the same waiting boat 🚢

I just went through this exact situation last tax season! My employer has a similar wellness program where we get cash bonuses for activity goals. After doing a lot of research and talking to my tax preparer, here's what I learned: The wellness rewards are definitely taxable income (which you already know), but unfortunately the Fitbit purchase isn't deductible as an employee expense anymore due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act changes. However, I'd strongly recommend checking with your HR department about reimbursement options. Many companies have wellness stipends or equipment allowances that they don't advertise well. My company ended up having a $200 annual wellness reimbursement that I never knew about - it was buried in our benefits documentation. Also, if you have an HSA, you might be able to use those funds if your doctor writes a Letter of Medical Necessity stating the device is needed for a specific health condition (like monitoring heart rate for a cardiac condition). This is a long shot for general wellness use, but worth exploring if you have any documented health issues. The bottom line is that trying to deduct it on your taxes probably won't work, but there are other avenues through your employer or HSA that might help offset the cost.

I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation! My company requires us to use fitness trackers for their wellness program, and I had to buy an Apple Watch specifically for it since my old basic fitness tracker wasn't compatible with their app. One thing I discovered that might help - check if your company participates in any "lifestyle spending accounts" or "wellness accounts" through your benefits provider. These are separate from HSAs/FSAs and are specifically designed for wellness-related purchases. My company offers a $300 annual allowance through Lifestyle Spending Account that covers fitness trackers, gym memberships, and other wellness expenses. Also, even though the fitness tracker itself isn't tax deductible, make sure you're keeping detailed records of all your wellness program participation. Some companies offer additional tax-advantaged benefits for employees who consistently meet wellness goals - like premium discounts on health insurance or contributions to HSAs that you might not be aware of. The tax situation is frustrating, but there are definitely workarounds if you dig into all your available benefits!

Great question! I was in a similar situation last year. Yes, you absolutely need to report ALL income even without 1099s - the IRS expects you to report every dollar earned regardless of the forms you receive. Here's what I learned: You'll file a Schedule C for self-employment income and report your combined $1,640. The good news is you can deduct business expenses like mileage (67 cents per mile for 2025), phone usage, delivery bags, etc. These deductions can significantly reduce your tax liability. Don't forget you'll also need to file Schedule SE for self-employment tax (about 15.3% on your net earnings). One tip: Keep detailed records of everything - your app payment summaries, mileage logs, and receipts for any business expenses. The IRS may not require 1099s from the companies, but they still expect accurate reporting from you. Most tax software can handle this, but make sure to select the self-employment/business income sections when filing. You've got this!

Just want to add another perspective here - I've been doing gig work for about 3 years now and learned this lesson the hard way my first year. Even though you didn't get 1099s, you absolutely must report that income. The IRS has ways of tracking payments from these platforms even when they don't issue forms. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier: start a simple spreadsheet right now to track everything for next year. Include date, platform, gross earnings, miles driven, and any expenses. It makes tax time SO much easier. Also, don't forget about other potential deductions beyond mileage - things like phone accessories (car mounts, chargers), insulated delivery bags, even a portion of your car insurance if you use your vehicle primarily for gig work. Every little bit helps reduce that tax burden! The self-employment tax can be a shock the first time (15.3% is no joke), but proper deduction tracking can really minimize the impact. Better to be safe and report everything correctly than deal with IRS issues later.

I tracked my refund exactly through this process last month. IRS issued my refund on March 3rd at 12:01am (according to my transcript). SBTPG received it on March 4th at 9:42am. They processed it and sent it to my bank by 4:15pm that same day. My bank posted the funds at 2:27am on March 6th. So exactly 3 days, 2 hours and 26 minutes from IRS issuance to money in my account. SBTPG took $39.95 for the refund transfer fee plus my preparation fees of $219. The rest came through without issues.

Thanks for all the detailed responses everyone! This really helps clarify the process. So just to make sure I understand - when WMR shows "refund issued" that means it's going to SBTPG first, not directly to my bank account. Then I should expect an additional 2-4 business days for SBTPG to process and transfer to my actual bank. I'll check my tax preparer's website to see if they have an SBTPG tracking option like some of you mentioned. Really appreciate the step-by-step breakdown and the real timeline examples!