I was sort of in a similar situation, filed on 2/14 and transcript showed nothing until just yesterday. It seems like the IRS might be processing returns in somewhat random batches this year. Once my transcript finally updated, I got my refund deposited within 48 hours. So it might just suddenly appear for you too without warning. The wait is definitely stressful when you're counting on that money though.

I'm also in Mountain time (Denver area) and filed 2/10 - been stuck with "no tax return filed" on transcripts until just this morning when it finally showed up! Got my DDD for 3/13. So your theory about time zones might have some merit, or maybe we're just in a later processing batch. Either way, hang in there - seems like Mountain time filers are starting to see movement this week. Have you tried checking your transcripts early morning vs evening to see if there's a pattern to when updates appear?

Don't forget that your self-employment taxes (the extra Medicare and Social Security taxes you pay as both employer and employee) are calculated on your NET income from Doordash - meaning AFTER expenses. So keeping good records of all business expenses is super important!!! I made the mistake of not tracking my expenses properly my first year and ended up paying wayyy more in SE taxes than I needed to.

Great question! I was in a similar situation when I started doing gig work alongside my regular job. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier - consider opening a separate business checking account for your Doordash earnings. It makes tracking so much cleaner when you're dealing with both W-2 and 1099 income. Also, don't wait until tax season to start organizing everything. I set up a simple spreadsheet to track my weekly earnings and expenses from the beginning, which saved me tons of stress later. The IRS expects you to treat your gig work like a real business, so keeping good records from day one is crucial. One last tip - if you end up owing more than $1,000 in taxes from your Doordash income, you might want to consider having extra taxes withheld from your W-2 job instead of doing quarterly payments. Sometimes it's easier to manage that way, especially when you're just starting out and aren't sure how much you'll earn.

Has anyone actually checked whether this reduces ur AGI? Because if it does that's even better than just reducing taxable income, since it could help with other income-based stuff like IRMAA or ACA subsidies.

This is such a valuable thread! I work in employee benefits and can confirm this is a legitimate but underutilized tax strategy. One thing I'd add for anyone considering this - make sure to coordinate with your HR department when making the beneficiary change. Some employers process these changes quarterly rather than immediately, so you'll want to confirm the effective date to ensure you qualify for the full year exclusion. Also, if you're married, discuss this with your spouse since you're giving up the life insurance benefit that would normally go to them. The documentation Carmen mentioned is key - your employer should provide a statement or notation showing the imputed income amount that's being excluded. Keep this with your tax records along with proof of the beneficiary designation and the charity's 501(c)(3) status.

Ugh, I'm going through the exact same thing! Filed my CT return in late February and it's been stuck on "Under Review" for 7 weeks now. It's so nerve-wracking when you're counting on that money. I actually called the DRS office yesterday and after waiting 90 minutes (!) they told me that "Under Review" can mean anything from routine verification to them needing additional documentation. The rep said they're really backlogged this year and to expect 10-12 weeks total processing time. Apparently if they need anything from you, they'll send a letter, so no news is kinda good news? Still super frustrating though - my federal came back in like 2 weeks! 😤

Just got off the phone with CT DRS after a 2+ hour wait (I called at 8am sharp when they opened). Rep told me they're currently processing returns filed in early February, so if you filed mid-to-late February you're probably still a few weeks out. She also mentioned that anything involving Schedule CT-1040EZ or certain tax credits automatically goes into extended review. The good news is once it moves from "Under Review" to "Approved" the deposit usually hits within 3-5 business days. Hang in there everyone - sounds like we're all in the same boat! 🚤

Just a heads up - make sure your bank knows exactly what you're doing. Some banks require additional documentation beyond just the EIN to link a business name to your account. My credit union wanted to see the DBA filing AND the EIN before they would accept checks with my business name.

Great advice from everyone here! Just to add one more tip - when you get your EIN, write it down in multiple places and take a screenshot of the confirmation page. The IRS doesn't mail you a physical document anymore, so that online confirmation is your only proof until you start filing tax returns with it. Also, once you have your EIN, you can call your bank ahead of time to ask exactly what documents they'll need to update your account for business name deposits. Some banks are more flexible than others, and it's better to know their specific requirements before you show up with the check. The whole process really is pretty straightforward once you know the steps - EIN online (15-20 minutes), DBA at county level (varies by location), then coordinate with your bank. You should be able to get that check deposited within a few days if you stay on top of it!