I went through this exact nightmare last year! Those codes basically mean the IRS hit the pause button on your refund while they double-check something. The 971 code is supposed to mean they sent you a letter explaining what they need, but honestly their mail system is trash - I never got mine either. Since you mentioned switching jobs and claiming EIC for the first time, that's 100% what triggered this. Their computer system sees "income change + new credit claim" and automatically flags it for human review. It's super common but incredibly frustrating when you're waiting for your money. Here's what I learned the hard way: don't just sit and wait for that mysterious letter. After 3 weeks of nothing, I called the IRS directly (used one of those callback services to avoid the hold time hell) and the agent told me exactly what they needed - just income verification from my employers. Once I provided that, my refund was released within a week. The key is getting a real person on the phone who can actually see what's holding up your return. The transcript codes tell you there's a problem but not what KIND of problem. Save yourself weeks of anxiety and just call them!

I'm in the EXACT same boat - filed in February, got those dreaded 570/971 codes in March, and still waiting! The lack of clear communication from the IRS is maddening. Based on everything I've read here and my own research, it sounds like your first-time EIC claim combined with the income increase definitely triggered an automatic review. The IRS computer flags these patterns as potentially fraudulent (even though you're totally legit) and puts a human review hold on your refund. The 971 code means they supposedly mailed you a notice, but like half the people here, you probably won't get it or it'll arrive super late. The 570 code is the actual freeze on your refund while they verify your income against what your employers reported to them. From what I've seen, you have a few options: 1. Keep waiting for the notice (could be weeks or months) 2. Call the IRS directly (good luck getting through) 3. Use one of those callback services people keep mentioning 4. Wait it out and hope it resolves automatically I'm probably going to try calling soon because this waiting game is killing me. My bills don't care that the IRS is "processing" my return! Keep checking your transcript for code 571 - that means the hold has been released. Once you see that, your refund should process within 1-3 weeks. Hang in there! 💪

I was in the same boat as you last month - expired license and couldn't use ID.me. Calling that verification number was like trying to win the lottery, but I finally got through on my fifth attempt. The trick is to call right when they open at 7am. It's like trying to get concert tickets the moment they go on sale. I got my identity verified and my refund showed up 16 days later. Hang in there!

I went through this exact same nightmare in January! My license had expired right before I needed to verify, and ID.me was a complete dead end. Here's what worked for me: Call 800-830-5084 at exactly 7:00 AM your local time - I'm talking have your phone ready to dial the second the clock hits 7. I tried calling later in the day multiple times and gave up after 60+ minute waits, but the 7 AM call got me through in under 20 minutes. Have these ready: your SSN, filing status, exact AGI from your 2022 and 2023 returns, and your address from those returns. They also asked me about a previous address from like 5 years ago (super random but they have access to credit bureau info). The whole verification took about 25 minutes, and they gave me a confirmation number at the end - definitely write that down! My refund was released exactly 19 days after the call, even though they said it could take up to 9 weeks. Good luck with your apartment application - the timing stress is real!

This thread has been incredibly eye-opening and validating. I'm dealing with a similar situation at a smaller CPA firm where I started two months ago. Like the original poster, I was basically given a desk and told to "figure it out" during my first week. What's been most frustrating is that when I do ask questions, I get responses like "just do what we did last year" without any explanation of WHY certain decisions were made or what regulations we're following. I've been making errors on returns and then getting criticized for not being "detail-oriented enough" when the real issue is that I don't understand the underlying concepts. The resources mentioned here (especially the software vendor training) are things I never would have thought to pursue on my own. It's concerning that firms aren't proactively offering these basic supports to new hires. I'm definitely going to start documenting my requests for training and the responses I receive. Has anyone had experience bringing up these training deficiencies during performance reviews? I have one coming up next month and I'm trying to figure out how to advocate for better support without sounding like I'm making excuses for my mistakes.

What you're experiencing is absolutely unacceptable and unfortunately more common than it should be. I've been working with tax professionals for over a decade, and proper training isn't just about employee satisfaction - it's about protecting clients and maintaining professional standards. The fact that your firm is criticizing your productivity while providing zero structured training is backwards. Tax preparation requires understanding complex regulations, and expecting someone to learn proprietary procedures by osmosis is setting everyone up for failure. Here's what I'd recommend: 1. Start documenting every request for guidance and the responses you receive 2. Reach out directly to your tax software vendor - most offer comprehensive training programs 3. Consider joining professional organizations like NATP or NAEA for continuing education resources 4. Begin networking and job searching, but try to stay through busy season if possible The IRS takes preparation quality seriously, and firms that don't invest in proper training are essentially gambling with their clients' financial well-being. You deserve better support, and there are firms out there that understand training is an investment, not an expense. Don't let this experience sour you on the profession - there are quality firms that actually develop their people properly. Your concerns about accuracy show you have the right mindset for this work.

Does anyone know if taxes from self-employment can be paid in installments if I can't afford to pay the full amount right now? I'm in a similar situation with about $580 due on gig work.

This is a really common confusion that trips up a lot of people! You've discovered one of the trickier aspects of the tax system - self-employment taxes work completely separately from regular income taxes. Even though your total income falls below the standard deduction (meaning $0 federal income tax), that DoorDash income is still subject to self-employment tax, which covers Social Security and Medicare contributions. Since you were essentially your own employer with DoorDash, you have to pay both the employee AND employer portions of these taxes - that's where the 15.3% rate comes from. The good news is you can potentially reduce this by claiming business deductions on Schedule C. Track down any records you have of: - Miles driven for deliveries (this is usually the biggest deduction) - Phone expenses related to the DoorDash app - Any equipment you bought for deliveries - Car maintenance/repairs during the time you were driving Even if you can only claim half the miles you actually drove, it could save you $100+ on your tax bill. Don't feel bad about not knowing this - the tax system doesn't make it obvious that gig work has different rules!

I'm still confused about one thing - is the GSTT calculated on the amount AFTER the gift tax is paid or on the original amount? For example, if I'm giving $1M to my grandson and I've used up all exemptions: 1) Do I pay 40% gift tax ($400k) and then 40% GSTT on the remaining $600k ($240k) for a total of $640k tax? OR 2) Do I pay 40% gift tax ($400k) and 40% GSTT on the full $1M ($400k) for a total of $800k tax? The difference is huge!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm dealing with a similar situation where my elderly father wants to set up education funds for his great-grandchildren, and we were completely shocked when our attorney mentioned the potential for 80% combined taxation. One thing I learned from our estate planning attorney that might help others: if you're making direct payments for education or medical expenses, those payments don't count as taxable gifts at all - no gift tax AND no GSTT - as long as you pay the institution directly instead of giving the money to the family member. So instead of giving your grandchild $50,000 for college (which would trigger both taxes if exemptions are used up), you can pay $50,000 directly to the university with zero tax consequences. Same with medical bills - pay the hospital or doctor directly. It's not a complete solution for large wealth transfers, but it's at least one way to help the younger generations without getting hammered by taxes. We're now structuring my father's gifting strategy around maximizing these direct payments plus the annual exclusions before considering any larger transfers that would trigger the double taxation nightmare.