Don't wait for transcript updates - call the IRS verification hotline directly at 800-830-5084 to confirm your verification was processed correctly. Sometimes the online system doesn't sync properly, and you can lose weeks waiting for something that's stuck. Ask specifically if there are any other holds on your account besides the identity verification. If they say it's clear, request they expedite the release of your refund due to financial hardship if that applies to you.

I went through this exact process about 3 weeks ago and can share my timeline. After ID.me verification, it took exactly 9 business days for my transcript to show any movement. The key thing I learned is that the IRS systems update overnight, typically between 12am-6am EST, so checking first thing in the morning is most productive. One thing that helped me track progress was setting up IRS account notifications - they'll email you when there are transcript updates instead of you having to check manually every day. Also, don't panic if you see a 570 code appear first - that's actually a good sign that your verification went through and they're now processing your return. The 571 code (hold release) usually follows within 3-5 business days after that. My advice: check Wednesday and Friday mornings like Maya suggested, but don't stress about daily checking. The system will update when it updates, and constantly refreshing won't speed it up!

I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation! My 16-year-old just started umpiring baseball games and I'm driving him all over the place. After reading through all these responses, it sounds like the consensus is that the minor should claim the mileage deduction on their Schedule C since they're the independent contractor, even though we parents are doing the actual driving. I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences - especially the suggestion about keeping detailed mileage logs with dates, destinations, and business purpose. That seems to be the key regardless of which approach you take. One question for those who've been through this: do you track mileage from home to the game location, or do you need to establish a separate "business location" for your kid's contractor work? I'm wondering if driving from our house counts as commuting (which isn't deductible) or if it's considered business travel since the games are at various locations.

This thread has been really helpful! I'm in a similar situation with my 15-year-old who does social media management for local businesses as an independent contractor. I've been driving him to client meetings and photo shoots all over town. Based on what everyone's shared here, it sounds like the cleanest approach is for my son to claim the mileage deduction on his Schedule C since he's the contractor earning the income. The key seems to be maintaining detailed records - I've started a simple spreadsheet tracking date, destination, business purpose, and mileage for each trip. One thing I want to add that might help others: I checked with our insurance company about all this business-related driving, and they said as long as my son isn't the one driving and it's occasional transport for his work, our regular auto policy covers it. But they recommended documenting that it's related to his independent contractor work rather than regular family activities, just in case there's ever a claim. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's nice to know other parents are navigating these same unusual tax situations!

One thing to keep in mind is that you'll also need to make sure your S corp is paying you reasonable compensation through payroll (W-2 wages) if you're providing services to earn that 1099-NEC income. The IRS expects S corp shareholders who work in the business to take a reasonable salary before taking distributions. Since you're actively earning this income through your services, you can't just take it all as distributions - some portion needs to go through payroll with proper withholdings. This is a common oversight that can trigger IRS scrutiny.

Great question! Yes, you're handling this correctly. When the 1099-NEC is issued directly to your S corporation with the business name and EIN, that income should be reported on your Form 1120-S as business income. This is actually the proper way it should work once you've incorporated. One additional thing to consider - make sure you're tracking any business expenses related to earning that income so they can be deducted on the corporate return. Also, since you're actively providing services to earn this income, remember that you'll need to pay yourself reasonable compensation through payroll (W-2 wages) before taking any distributions. The IRS expects S corp shareholders who work in the business to receive reasonable W-2 wages for their services. It sounds like your clients are now properly issuing 1099s to your business entity rather than to you personally, which simplifies your tax situation going forward!

I'm going through something very similar with my stepmother's estate. She passed in 2022 and I just received five 1099-C forms totaling about $7,300, all in her name with her SSN for debts cancelled in 2024. After reading through everyone's experiences here, I feel much more confident about not reporting these on the estate tax return. The consistent advice from multiple people who've successfully handled this situation is really reassuring - debt cancelled after death simply isn't taxable income to either the deceased or their estate. What I'm taking away from this discussion is the importance of good documentation. I'm going to create a file with copies of all the 1099-C forms, a brief memo explaining why they're not being reported (citing IRS Publication 4681), and a timeline clearly showing her death date versus when each debt was cancelled. This creates a solid paper trail in case there are ever any questions. The point about creditors being required to issue these forms regardless of tax implications really helped clarify things for me. They're just following their reporting requirements, but that doesn't create any tax obligation for us as executors. For anyone else dealing with this situation - don't stress about it. Keep good records, document your reasoning, and remember that multiple tax professionals and experienced executors have confirmed this is the correct approach. The fact that we're all asking questions and being thorough shows we're handling our executor duties responsibly.

I'm also dealing with this situation right now with my father's estate. He passed in 2019 and I just received two 1099-C forms totaling about $3,100 in his name with his SSN for debts that were cancelled in 2023. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful and reassuring. The consistent theme from everyone who's been through this is clear: debt cancelled after death isn't taxable income to either the deceased person or their estate, especially when the estate is insolvent like yours. What I found most helpful was understanding that creditors are legally required to issue these 1099-C forms regardless of whether they create any tax obligations for us. They're just following their reporting requirements, but that doesn't mean we automatically owe taxes on cancelled debt after death. I'm going to follow the documentation approach that multiple people have recommended: keep copies of all the 1099-C forms, create a brief memo explaining why they're not being reported (referencing IRS Publication 4681), and maintain a clear timeline showing the death date versus when the debts were actually cancelled. The advice about potential automated IRS notices is also really valuable - knowing that their computer systems might flag a "mismatch" but that it's easily resolved with a simple explanation takes a lot of the worry away. As fellow executors dealing with grief and overwhelming responsibilities, it's such a relief to see so many people who've successfully navigated this exact situation. You're definitely handling this correctly by being thorough and seeking guidance!

Question for people using their apartments for filming: how are you handling the "exclusive use" requirement for home office deductions? I film in my living room but obviously also use it for personal stuff, so I don't think I can claim it?

As someone who just went through this exact situation last year, here are the key things that would have saved me a lot of stress: 1. **Start tracking everything NOW** - Create a simple spreadsheet with all your TikTok payments, brand deals, and business expenses. Don't wait until tax season. 2. **Open a separate business checking account** - Even if you're not forming an LLC, having all your creator income and expenses in one account makes everything so much cleaner for taxes. 3. **Set aside 25-30% of each payment** - Put this in a separate savings account for taxes. Self-employment tax alone is 15.3%, plus regular income tax on top of that. 4. **You'll need to file Schedule C and Schedule SE** - Schedule C for your business income/expenses, Schedule SE for self-employment tax. TurboTax Self-Employed or similar software can handle this. 5. **For quarterly payments** - Use Form 1040ES. Your first payment for 2025 income is due April 15, 2025. Don't skip these or you'll get hit with underpayment penalties. The good news is once you get the system set up, it's really not that complicated. Just treat your TikTok like the business it is from day one!