URGENT FOR ANYONE WITH DELAYED REFUNDS: The IRS just updated their operational status page (https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-operations) yesterday noting a processing delay affecting direct deposits scheduled between 2/22-2/28! They're working through the backlog but not sending individual notifications. According to the TaxPro forum I follow, most affected refunds are being released this week in batches. Check the IRS2Go app for the most current status as the website updates less frequently. If you need to reach a human ASAP, call right when they open at 7am Eastern for shortest wait times.

I'm dealing with the exact same situation! Filed early, got accepted immediately, transcript shows DDD of 2/26, and still nothing in my account. What's really frustrating is that I planned my quarterly payment schedule around getting this refund by now. I called my bank twice to confirm there are no pending deposits, and they assured me nothing is coming through their system. Has anyone successfully gotten through to the IRS phone lines recently? I'm wondering if I should wait the full 21 days they recommend or if being self-employed gives me any priority for getting answers sooner. The uncertainty is killing me more than the actual delay at this point!

Anyone know if the IRS has a program for servers specifically? My tax guy mentioned something called the "Voluntary Disclosure Program" but wasn't sure if it applies to simple tip reporting issues.

I'm going through something similar right now and wanted to share what I've learned from my tax attorney. The most important thing is to act quickly but methodically. Here's what worked for me: 1. **Gather ALL your records** - bank statements, work schedules, even old pay stubs. You'd be surprised how much you can reconstruct from these. 2. **Calculate conservatively** - The IRS expects servers to report at least 8% of food sales as tips. If you can't prove exact amounts, use this as your baseline but try to be as accurate as possible. 3. **File Form 1040-X for each year** - Don't try to lump everything together. Each year needs its own amended return. 4. **Write a clear explanation** - Include a statement explaining this was an honest mistake, not intentional fraud. The IRS appreciates transparency. For your mortgage situation, consider asking your lender about a "bank statement loan" program if they offer it. Some lenders will accept 12-24 months of bank statements showing regular deposits instead of tax returns for self-employed or commission-based workers. The amendment process typically takes 3-4 months, so your 45-day timeline might be tight. But being proactive about fixing this now is absolutely the right move. Good luck!

One more thing to consider - the deadline for filing 1099s with the IRS is January 31, which is earlier than it used to be years ago. If this is your first time filing, don't get caught by surprise! Also, make sure you're collecting W-9 forms from vendors BEFORE you pay them, not scrambling to get them in January. I learned this the hard way when several of my vendors were impossible to reach when I needed their tax info.

This is such a common confusion for new S Corp owners! Your accountant is absolutely right about the 1099 requirement. I went through the exact same thing my first year and was shocked to learn about all the paperwork involved. One tip that really helped me: create a vendor tracking spreadsheet at the beginning of each tax year. Include columns for vendor name, business structure (sole prop, LLC, corp), total payments, and whether a W-9 is needed. Update it quarterly so you're not scrambling in January. Also, don't forget that the penalties for not filing required 1099s can be pretty steep - up to $280 per form if you're really late. The IRS has been cracking down on this more in recent years, so it's definitely worth getting compliant even if other people in your industry aren't doing it properly. Your colleague who says she's never had to issue them is probably either working with mostly incorporated vendors (who don't need 1099s) or simply not complying with the requirement. Better to be safe and follow your accountant's advice!

Just to add another perspective - I've been reporting my feetfinder income for 2 years now. I use TurboTax to file and it actually makes it pretty easy to enter self-employment income. There's a whole section for it where you can list your business activities.

Hey! I've been dealing with similar self-employment income reporting for my online business. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you keep detailed records of when you receive payments, not just how much. The CRA considers income earned when you receive it, not when you do the work. Also, if you're using any equipment specifically for content creation (camera, lighting, props, etc.), those can be business expenses too. Just make sure you can prove they're used primarily for business purposes. For tracking everything, I use a simple spreadsheet with columns for date, amount, platform, and any related expenses. Makes tax time so much easier! And definitely start putting money aside for taxes now - even if it's just 20-25% of what you earn. You don't want to be scrambling to pay a big tax bill next April. The most important thing is to report it honestly. The CRA is pretty understanding if you're making a good faith effort to comply, but they don't like surprises!

This is my first time claiming these credits and tbh the waiting is stressing me out. Bills don't wait for the IRS to get their act together smh

Filed 1/26 with both EITC and CTC here. Same situation - TurboTax gave me the March 3rd estimate. I've been checking WMR obsessively but it just says "processing" still. At least we're all in this together! The PATH Act delay is so frustrating when you're counting on that money.