I'm dealing with a similar situation but with a 1099-MISC from Meta showing $1,850 when I only sold maybe $400 worth of old electronics and clothes. What's really frustrating is that I kept all my transactions in cash specifically to avoid any payment processing complications. Has anyone had success disputing these directly with the IRS instead of trying to get Meta to fix it? I've read that you can attach a statement to your return explaining the discrepancy, but I'm worried about triggering an audit. My tax preparer suggested just reporting the full amount and taking deductions for my cost basis, but that seems like I'm admitting to income I never actually received. Also, for those who got corrected forms - how long did the whole process take? I'm already cutting it close to the filing deadline and don't want to request an extension if I don't have to.

I went through this exact situation last year and want to share what worked for me. Meta reported $2,800 on a 1099-MISC when my actual Marketplace sales were around $650 in cash transactions for old furniture and household items. Here's what I learned from my experience: **First, don't panic about the audit risk.** The IRS is well aware that marketplace platforms have been having reporting issues since the new $600 threshold kicked in. As long as you document your actual sales in good faith, you're doing everything right. **Document everything you can remember.** I created a simple spreadsheet listing what I sold, approximate dates, and sale amounts. Even rough estimates are better than nothing. Include any Facebook messages, photos of items you sold, or even just notes in your phone about meetups. **You have two main paths forward:** 1. Try to get Meta to issue a corrected 1099 (worth attempting but don't count on it) 2. File your return with proper documentation explaining the discrepancy **For filing, I used Schedule D and Form 8949** to report the actual sales as capital transactions. Since these were personal items, most had a higher cost basis than sale price, resulting in little to no taxable gain. I attached a clear statement explaining that Meta's 1099 was incorrect and provided my documented actual sales. The IRS accepted my return without any issues. The key is being transparent and showing you made a good faith effort to report accurately. Don't let Meta's mistake cause you to overpay taxes on income you never received!

I went through this exact same confusion last year! You definitely should NOT use your employer's EIN on Form 843 - that field is for YOUR identification number. Since you're filing as an individual, you need to use your Social Security Number (SSN). I made the same mistake initially and had to resubmit the form, which delayed my refund by about 2 months. The IRS sent me a letter asking for clarification, but it would have been much faster to just get it right the first time. For the explanation section, be as detailed as possible. Include specific dates, reference any IRS publications or regulations that support your case, and clearly explain why you believe the fee was charged in error. Attach copies of all supporting documentation - bank statements, correspondence, whatever proves your point. The more evidence you provide upfront, the less likely they'll need to request additional information later. Good luck with your refund request! The process can be slow but if you have a valid case and complete documentation, you should get your money back.

Just want to echo what everyone else has said about using your SSN instead of your employer's EIN - that's definitely the right move. I actually work for a tax preparation service and see this mistake pretty frequently on Form 843s. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that when you're explaining the error in Section 4, it really helps to be specific about WHY you believe the fee was charged incorrectly. Don't just say "this fee was wrong" - explain the circumstances that led to the fee, what you think should have happened instead, and cite any relevant tax code or IRS guidance if you can find it. For your $375 fee, make sure you include copies of any correspondence you received about the original charge, payment records showing when/how you paid it, and any documentation that supports your position that it was charged in error. The IRS processors appreciate when everything is organized and clearly presented. Also, keep copies of everything you submit! If they need additional information later, you'll want to reference exactly what you already provided.

I know this is stressful, but the good news is the IRS is actually NOTIFYING you that someone accessed your transcript. That's the security system working! Years ago they didn't even send these notices and third parties could access your info without you knowing.

I had this exact same panic when I got one of these letters last month! Turns out it was completely legitimate - my credit union had requested it as part of a routine review for a credit line increase I had applied for weeks earlier and completely forgotten about. The key thing is don't ignore it, but also don't assume the worst. Call that IRS number that Liv mentioned (1-800-908-4490) and they'll tell you exactly who requested it and when. In my case, the representative was really helpful and explained that these notifications are actually a good security feature - it means no one can access your tax information without you being informed. If you can't get through on the phone (those lines can be brutal), you can also request a copy of your Account Transcript online through the IRS website, which will show you a record of who accessed your information. Just make sure you're on the official IRS.gov site, not some third-party service.

I filed on February 2nd, 2024 and my transcript was completely unavailable until February 23rd. Then suddenly on February 24th it showed all processing codes at once! Received my direct deposit on March 1st. So exactly 22 days from filing to transcript update, and 28 days total to getting my money. I was checking obsessively because I needed to pay tuition by March 5th. Made it just in time! Hope yours updates soon - the wait is so stressful when you have important financial decisions riding on it.

I'm in a similar situation - filed as single for the first time after my divorce was finalized in late 2023. Filed on February 8th and my transcript has been showing "N/A" this entire time, which is nerve-wracking when you're trying to budget for a fresh start. From what I've gathered reading through everyone's experiences here, it seems like status changes really do add extra processing time. I've been using the IRS2Go app to check WMR status daily (probably obsessively), but it's still just showing "Return Received" like yours. The uncertainty is the worst part when you're planning major life changes. Thanks for posting this - it's reassuring to know I'm not the only one dealing with post-divorce filing complications and tight timelines for housing decisions.

Slightly off topic but related - if ur claiming the home office deduction make sure it's a space used EXCLUSIVELY for business. My friend got absolutely slammed in an audit because he had a treadmill in his "home office" and the IRS said that made it a mixed-use room. They disallowed his home office deduction AND then disallowed his mileage because without the home office, his home wasn't his principal place of business anymore!

Great discussion everyone! As someone who went through this exact confusion last year, I want to add that the IRS Publication 463 (Travel, Gift, and Car Expenses) is your friend here. It clearly states that transportation expenses between your principal place of business and temporary work locations are deductible. The key distinction is "temporary" vs "regular" work locations. If you're going to the same client site every day for months, it might be considered a regular work location and the rules change. But for occasional client meetings and project work, you're golden on the round trip deductions. Also, don't forget that if you're self-employed, you'll use Schedule C-EZ or Schedule C to claim these deductions, and the mileage goes on line 9 (car and truck expenses). Keep those records organized - the IRS loves to audit mileage deductions because they're often poorly documented!