If ur parents still claim u as a dependent make sure to check that box when filing!!! I messed this up last year and both me and my parents got letters from the IRS cuz we filed conflicting returns. Total nightmare to fix

Definitely file! I was in almost the exact same situation my sophomore year - made about $5,200 working at the campus library. Even though you're not required to file with income under the standard deduction, you'll almost certainly get money back from any federal taxes that were withheld from your paychecks. Check your W-2 in box 2 to see what federal taxes were taken out - that's money you can get back! Plus, as a student, you might qualify for education credits even with low income. The American Opportunity Credit can give you up to $1,000 as a refundable credit. I'd recommend using one of the free filing options like IRS Free File or FreeTaxUSA since your situation is straightforward. Make sure you have your W-2 and your 1098-T form from your school (should be in your student portal). The whole process took me maybe 30 minutes and I got back around $400 that I wasn't expecting! Also definitely coordinate with your parents about whether they're claiming you as a dependent - you can still file and get refunds even if they claim you, but you need to mark the dependent box correctly to avoid issues with the IRS.

This happens pretty often. Column Tax (or any tax software) submits your return, but the IRS takes time to fully process it. In addition to checking your online account, have you tried using the "Where's My Refund" tool on the IRS website? I know you're not expecting a refund, but sometimes that tool updates with processing information before the account balance does.

I went through this exact same situation last year and it was nerve-wracking! The processing delay is completely normal - my balance didn't show up for almost 3 weeks after filing. What really helped me was keeping a copy of my tax return and the acceptance confirmation from Column Tax as backup documentation. One tip that saved me stress: if you're worried about missing the deadline, you can always make a payment toward your estimated balance even before it shows up in your account. The IRS will apply it correctly once your return is fully processed. You can use Form 1040-V (payment voucher) or make an estimated payment online using EFTPS. This way you're covered if there are any delays in setting up the formal payment plan. The key thing to remember is that as long as you take some action before April 15th - whether that's setting up a payment plan, making a partial payment, or even just documenting your attempts to contact the IRS - you'll be in a much better position if any penalty questions come up later.

guys i think i figured it out. we need to sacrafice a goat under the full moon while chanting the tax code. Works everytime 60% of the time 🐐🌕📜

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed in February, got the 570 code after identity verification in March, and it's been radio silence ever since. The waiting is absolutely killing me because I really need that refund. I've been checking my transcript obsessively but nothing changes. It's so frustrating that they can just hold our money hostage like this with zero communication. Thanks for posting this - at least I know I'm not alone in this nightmare!

For the specific question of "Should I claim my kids on my W4" - YES, you should still claim them. The issue isn't whether to claim them but HOW you claim them on the new W4 form. The W4 form changed significantly in 2020. It no longer uses "allowances." Instead, for children, you need to: 1. Check the box in Step 2(c) if you have more than one job 2. In Step 3, enter the amount of the Child Tax Credit you expect to qualify for As your income rises, you may not qualify for the full child tax credit, so you'll need to adjust Step 3 accordingly. This is probably why your withholding got messed up - the old W4 calculations don't work well with the new system, especially when your income changes significantly.

This is a really comprehensive discussion! I just want to add one more perspective as someone who went through a similar situation recently. The combination of income increases and the end of pandemic-era tax credits creates a "perfect storm" for shrinking refunds. What helped me was thinking about it differently - instead of focusing on the refund amount, I started tracking my effective tax rate and total tax liability. When I calculated it out, even though my refunds got smaller, my actual tax burden as a percentage of income stayed reasonable. The key insight was that those large early refunds were essentially interest-free loans I was giving to the government. Now I aim for a smaller refund (around $1,000-2,000) by adjusting my withholding. This way I keep more money in my paycheck throughout the year instead of waiting for a big refund. The IRS Withholding Estimator tool mentioned by others is invaluable for this - I update my W4 every time my income changes significantly. One last tip: if you're still confused after using online tools, consider consulting with a tax professional for one session. They can review your specific situation and help you set up withholding that works for your income trajectory.

guys i think the irs is just playing 4d chess with us. theyre probly using our refunds to fund their next pizza party 🍕🤡

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Transaction code 570 since March and I did my ID verification in April too. The waiting is absolutely killing me. One thing that helped me was checking my account transcript online - it sometimes shows more details than the "Where's My Refund" tool. Also, I've heard that if you haven't heard anything after 9 weeks from your ID verification date, you should definitely call. The automated system sometimes has different info than what shows online. Hang in there! 🤞