Wanted to add that having a Schedule C loss is much more likely to increase audit risk than just having high expenses relative to income. If your deductions put you in a loss position for multiple years, that's when the hobby loss rules come into play. In your case with $5k income and $2.1k in mileage deductions, you're still showing a profit, so that's much less concerning from an audit risk perspective.

You're definitely overthinking this! As a fellow side business owner, I totally get the anxiety about audit risk, but the reality is that legitimate business expenses are exactly what you're supposed to deduct - regardless of the percentage. The IRS isn't sitting there calculating ratios and flagging returns that hit certain thresholds. What they care about is whether your expenses are: 1. Ordinary and necessary for your business 2. Properly documented 3. Actually business-related (not personal) Since you're already tracking everything with timestamps, locations, and business purpose, you're doing exactly what you should be doing. Don't leave money on the table by under-claiming legitimate expenses just because you're worried about some imaginary percentage rule. Your side business income is small relative to your W-2, you're showing a profit, and mileage is one of the most straightforward business deductions there is. Claim what you're entitled to!

Been there, done that. TBH the early refund option is basically a scam IMO. Last yr I had the same issue - DDD was 2/22, TT promised early deposit, nada happened until exactly 2/22. Called TT customer svc and they just read from a script about "banking partners" and "processing times." This yr I skipped the early option and just had my refund direct deposited - got it exactly on my DDD date. Save ur $$ next time and don't fall for the early deposit hype!

I'm dealing with the exact same situation! Filed through TurboTax on 2/1, got accepted same day, and have a 2/24 DDD but their 5-day early option completely failed. What's really annoying is that I specifically paid extra for this feature based on their marketing promises. I've been checking my account obsessively since Monday thinking maybe it would show up, but nothing yet. Called my bank (Chase) and they confirmed no pending deposits. The frustrating part is TurboTax's website just shows "Your refund is being processed" with no real timeline or explanation for why the early deposit didn't work. Has anyone with a 2/24 DDD actually received their deposit yet today? I'm trying to figure out if this is a widespread delay or if some people are getting theirs on schedule. Really hoping it shows up by tomorrow morning since that's the actual DDD date, but this whole experience has me questioning whether I'll use TurboTax again next year.

Be SUPER careful with ERTC claims right now! The IRS has been cracking down hard on what they consider "improper" claims. My business partner's company had their claim audited and they're now fighting penalties. Make sure you're actually eligible and have solid documentation.

I'm going through the exact same situation right now - filed my ERTC claim in February and it's been radio silence from the IRS ever since. The uncertainty is killing me because my business really needs that cash flow. From what I'm reading here, it sounds like the 6-9 month timeline that Luca mentioned is pretty accurate, which means I've still got several months to go. The lack of communication from the IRS is the worst part - you have no idea if your paperwork is sitting in a pile somewhere or if there's an issue that needs to be resolved. I'm definitely going to look into some of these tools people mentioned for getting status updates. At this point I just want to know that my claim is actually being processed and hasn't disappeared into the bureaucratic void. Has anyone else tried calling the IRS directly or is that just a waste of time?

Has anyone tried just asking for a copy of their quarterly 941 form? That's what employers use to report wages and taxes to the IRS each quarter. My previous restaurant manager showed me mine when I had a similar issue. Might be worth asking for that specifically.

One thing that's helped me is creating a simple daily tip log using a notes app on my phone. I record cash tips, credit card tips, and any tip-outs to other staff every single shift. Takes maybe 30 seconds but gives you solid documentation. Also, if your restaurant uses a POS system like Square or Toast, sometimes you can ask to see your individual sales reports that show the credit card tips tied to your transactions. This can help you verify if they're calculating your reported income correctly. Some managers are more willing to show you this data than full payroll reports since it's less sensitive information. The key is catching discrepancies NOW rather than waiting until January when your W-2 arrives. Fixing errors after the fact is a nightmare that can drag on for months.

Has anyone actually filed a 2020 return recently using TurboTax or other tax software? Do they still support returns from that tax year or do you have to file paper forms?

Adding to what others have said about the May 17, 2024 deadline - I want to emphasize that this is a hard cutoff date. The IRS doesn't make exceptions, even if you file just one day late. I learned this the hard way with an old return from 2018 where I missed the deadline by literally 3 days and lost out on a $800 refund. Also, make sure you have all your documents ready before you start filing. You'll need your 2020 W-2s, any 1099 forms, receipts for deductions, and possibly your prior year return for reference. If you're missing any employer documents, you can request wage transcripts from the IRS, but that takes time you might not have given how close the deadline is. One more tip - if you do file electronically, make sure to save confirmation that it was submitted before the deadline, just in case there are any questions later. Good luck getting your refund!