Has anyone tried writing off the mileage driving between client homes instead? I found that to be much more straightforward and actually worth more in deductions than trying to deal with all these meal expense complications. Last year I tracked over 8,000 miles just driving between pet sitting clients and that deduction was worth waaaaay more than my meal expenses would have been.

Great discussion everyone! As someone who's been dealing with similar tax questions for my small business, I wanted to add that documentation is absolutely key regardless of which deductions you pursue. For meals specifically, even if you do qualify for the travel deduction, the IRS requires you to keep records showing the business purpose, date, location, and amount of each expense. A simple spreadsheet noting which client you were serving and why the meal was necessary for business can make all the difference if you're ever questioned. I also second what others have said about mileage - it's often a bigger deduction and much clearer cut. Don't forget you can also deduct other business expenses like pet supplies, cleaning supplies for client homes, phone bills (business portion), and even professional liability insurance if you carry it. Sometimes focusing on these more straightforward deductions gives you better results than trying to navigate the gray areas around meal expenses.

Has anyone here used the Marcus app to see their interest breakdown by account? I found that if you go to Documents > Tax Documents in the app, it actually shows the interest earned for each account separately, which made it easier for me to verify the total matches what's on the 1099-INT before I entered it in my tax software.

Great question! I went through this exact same situation with my Marcus accounts last year. Yes, you should definitely add up all the Box 1 amounts from all five accounts - that's your total taxable interest income from Marcus that needs to be reported. A few additional tips from my experience: 1. Make sure to cross-reference the account numbers listed on your 1099-INT with your actual Marcus accounts to ensure nothing was missed 2. The interest from your 2026 CD is indeed taxable for 2024 if it was credited to your account during 2024, even though you can't access the principal without penalty 3. Keep a copy of your 1099-INT and consider creating a simple spreadsheet showing the breakdown by account - this can be helpful if the IRS ever has questions One thing to watch out for: if you opened or closed any accounts during 2024, make sure those partial-year interest amounts are included too. Marcus is pretty good about including everything on the 1099-INT, but it's worth double-checking against your monthly statements. The manual addition approach is definitely the right way to go when the import function doesn't capture everything correctly!

For those wondering about the verification process, here's what to expect: Step 1: Go to IRS.gov and navigate to the Identity Verification Service Step 2: Choose to verify online with ID.me Step 3: Create or sign into your ID.me account Step 4: Verify your identity by uploading a photo ID Step 5: Complete a video selfie (this prevents fraud) Step 6: Confirm your personal information Step 7: Authorize ID.me to share your information with the IRS The system is designed to be secure while preventing fraudulent returns. Most people complete this in under 30 minutes, and your return processing typically resumes within 48 hours after successful verification.

Hey @dd94b24c0ab6! I totally understand your anxiety - I was in the exact same boat last month! 😅 The good news is that you're not alone in this. The IRS has been rolling out online notifications before the physical letters arrive, so what you're experiencing is actually pretty normal right now. I'd recommend logging into your IRS online account and looking for the identity verification prompt. You can safely proceed with the ID.me verification process even without the letter - it's completely legitimate and will actually get your return processed faster than waiting for the mail. One tip: make sure you have your previous year's tax return info handy, along with a valid photo ID. The process is pretty straightforward once you get started. Don't let the anxiety get to you - you've got this! 💪 Keep us posted on how it goes!

I legit just got my refund today and my tt152 disappeared 3 days ago! ur probably close!!

Girl don't stress too much! I've been through this exact same thing before and TT152 disappearing is usually actually a GOOD sign that your return is moving through the system. The generic "still being processed" message is super annoying but it doesn't mean anything bad necessarily. Since you filed 1/17 and got accepted 1/21, you're right in that normal processing timeframe. I'd give it maybe another week or two before calling - the phone lines are absolutely insane right now anyway. Try to check your transcripts if you can access them, that'll give you way more info than WMR! Hang in there bestie, your refund is probably coming soon! 💪

Speaking from experience here - make sure you double check if you had any expenses related to your Doordash work! You can deduct your mileage (which is usually the biggest deduction), a portion of your phone bill, insulated bags, etc. Those deductions could significantly reduce the taxable income and therefore what you owe.

Here's what you need to do step by step: 1. **File Form 1040-X (Amended Return)** for your 2023 taxes. You can do this electronically now, which is much faster than paper filing. 2. **Include Schedule C** to report your $735 Doordash income as business income. 3. **Include Schedule SE** to calculate self-employment tax (about 15.3% on the net earnings). 4. **Don't forget business deductions!** Track down any records you have for: - Mileage (65.5 cents per mile for 2023) - Phone usage percentage for business - Delivery bags, car washes, parking/tolls The penalties won't be massive given the small amount, but file ASAP since interest accrues over time. With $735 in income, you're probably looking at around $100-120 in additional taxes (before deductions), so penalties should be minimal. The key is acting quickly and showing good faith by voluntarily correcting the error. The IRS appreciates when taxpayers come forward on their own rather than waiting to be caught.