Lots of good tax advice here, but practical payment advice - if you really can't afford to pay that $500 right now, file your return on time anyway and apply for a payment plan with the IRS. The failure-to-file penalty is much worse than the failure-to-pay penalty. The IRS website lets you set up an installment agreement online if you owe less than $50,000. You can stretch payments out over several months and the setup fee is fairly small.

Hey Grace! I went through almost the exact same thing last year as a PhD student. That $500 you owe is definitely self-employment tax on your tutoring income, like others mentioned. One thing that really helped me was keeping better records of ALL my tutoring-related expenses throughout the year. I was able to deduct things like: - Gas/mileage to tutoring locations - Books and materials I bought for sessions - Even a portion of my phone bill since I used it to coordinate with students - Home office expenses if you tutor from home For next year, consider making quarterly estimated tax payments on your self-employment income - it spreads out the pain and you won't get hit with a big bill at once. The IRS has a simple online calculator to figure out how much to pay each quarter. Also, don't beat yourself up about not knowing this! Graduate programs are terrible at explaining the tax implications of side work. Most of us learn this stuff the hard way.

I'm dealing with this exact same situation and it's driving me crazy! Filed January 31st with EITC and have had 570 code dated March 8th and 971 code dated March 16th on my transcript for weeks now. Like many of you, I haven't received the actual notice yet which is super frustrating. What's really helpful reading through all these comments is seeing that this seems to be a widespread issue this year, not just something specific to my return. The information about 30% more reviews this year really puts things in perspective - no wonder so many of us are stuck waiting. I've been checking my transcript daily hoping to see a 571 code pop up, but after reading everyone's experiences, I'm trying to be more patient. The timeline of 45-60 days from the 570 date that the IRS agent mentioned to @Ethan Campbell would put me at early to mid-May, which honestly feels like forever when you're counting on that money. One thing I'm curious about - has anyone who got their refund released after these codes noticed if the amount was adjusted at all? I'm wondering if some of these reviews result in changes to the refund amount, or if they typically just verify and release the original amount. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this thread has been more helpful than hours of googling IRS codes!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Filed February 5th with EITC and got 570 code on March 14th and 971 code on March 21st. I've been checking my transcript obsessively every day hoping to see some movement. What really resonates with me is hearing about the 30% increase in reviews this year - that explains why so many PATH filers are dealing with these codes. I was starting to think I made some major error on my return, but it sounds like this is just the new normal for EITC claims. The most frustrating part is not knowing whether they need something from me or if it's something they're handling internally. I haven't received the 971 notice yet either, which seems to be a common theme here. Part of me wants to call the IRS, but based on what others have shared, it sounds like the agents basically tell you the same thing - wait 45-60 days and see what happens. I'm really hoping to see a 571 code appear soon. This refund was supposed to help with some unexpected medical bills, so the delay is causing real financial stress. But reading everyone's experiences here gives me hope that this will eventually resolve itself. Thanks for creating this space where we can all commiserate and share information!

I'm a bit worried about calling again... do you think it's possible that calling multiple times could somehow flag my account or make things worse? I really need this refund soon but I'm concerned about doing something that might delay it even more...

No, calling multiple times won't flag your account or delay your refund - that's a common worry but it's not how their system works. Each call is handled independently and they actually expect people to call for updates, especially during tax season. The IRS systems track your return status based on processing stages, not how often you call. If anything, calling might help identify issues faster like what happened with Anastasia. Just be polite with the agents since they're dealing with stressed taxpayers all day. Your refund timeline is determined by the processing center, not the phone representatives.

Just a heads up from someone who's been there - regardless of which route you choose, you should really get your EIN asap. I waited until the last minute when we needed to open a bank account for a fundraiser, and the EIN application process took longer than expected. Getting an EIN is free and relatively simple through the IRS website: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online

Another option worth considering is operating as an unincorporated association initially while you build up funds. You can still get an EIN and open a bank account without formal 501(c)(3) status. The downside is that donations won't be tax-deductible for donors, but for small school fundraisers like restaurant nights, this might not matter much. If you do go this route temporarily, make sure to keep detailed records of all income and expenses. Once you've raised enough to cover the filing fees (either $275 for 1023-EZ or $600 for full 1023), you can then apply for formal tax-exempt status. The IRS allows you to request retroactive recognition back to your formation date if you apply within 27 months of incorporating. This gives you time to see how much funding you actually receive and whether the investment in formal 501(c)(3) status makes sense for your organization's size and goals.

Welcome to the IRS waiting game club! 😅 As someone who's been through a similar situation, that 290 code with $0.00 is definitely what you want to see - it means they've finished their review and found no issues with your return. The November 4th date is likely when they officially closed the examination. With a refund that size, they probably just wanted to make sure everything checked out perfectly. Based on other cases I've seen here, most people get their refunds within 2-3 weeks after the 290 posts. Keep checking your bank account and WMR - you should see movement soon! That's a life-changing amount of money, so I totally get why the wait has been so stressful. Hang in there! 🤞

As a newcomer to this community, I'm amazed at how knowledgeable everyone is about these IRS codes! Reading through all these responses about the 290 code has been incredibly educational. Anna, your situation sounds incredibly stressful but it really does seem like you're finally at the finish line. Seven months is such a long time to wait, especially for that amount of money. I'm curious - have you noticed any changes in your Where's My Refund tool since the 290 code appeared on November 4th? Sometimes WMR updates a few days after the transcript shows movement. Really hoping you get some good news soon! This community seems like such a great resource for navigating these complicated IRS processes. 🤞