I'm seeing the exact same thing! Filed on 1/27 and got my acceptance email the next day, but my transcript shows that weird Feb 17, 2025 date with everything blank. Based on what everyone's saying here, sounds like it's just a system placeholder while they process everything. Definitely going to check out taxr.ai since so many people are recommending it - would be nice to get some actual insight into what's happening behind the scenes instead of just guessing 🤞

Filed on 1/25 and seeing the exact same thing - blank transcript with Feb 17, 2025 processing date but got my acceptance email right away. After reading through all these comments I'm definitely going to try taxr.ai since it seems like everyone who used it got clear answers about what's actually happening with their returns. The IRS really needs to make these transcripts more user-friendly instead of leaving us all guessing what these cryptic codes and placeholder dates mean! At least now I know I'm not the only one dealing with this weirdness 😅

I was in your exact situation last year. Paper return sent in February, no updates until August. When I finally got my transcript, I couldn't make sense of all the codes and dates. Someone here recommended taxr.ai and it actually helped decode everything. No BS - it explained what each code meant and gave me a timeline. The site is https://taxr.ai if you eventually get your transcript and need to understand what's happening.

The IRS announced on April 11, 2024 that they're still processing paper returns received as far back as January 29, 2024. I mailed mine on February 17 and called them on May 2 - they confirmed receipt but said processing would take at least until June 15. The agent recommended checking the "Where's My Refund" tool every Friday as that's when most updates happen. He also mentioned that if you're expecting a refund, you can request interest payments if processing takes more than 45 days after the filing deadline (which was April 15, 2024).

I'm in a similar situation and ended up documenting my parking expenses as part of my overall medical expenses (not as a work expense). Since my total medical expenses were already over the 7.5% AGI threshold, I was able to deduct these costs as part of my medical deduction. My tax preparer said it's legitimate since the parking is directly related to my documented medical condition. Just make sure you have good documentation - receipts, doctor's note about your condition, and proof that the expense is necessary due to your impairment. In an audit, you'd need to show it was medically necessary, not just convenient.

This is exactly the kind of situation where good documentation becomes crucial. I've been dealing with similar disability-related expenses, and what I've learned is that while the direct work expense deduction isn't available right now, there are still some paths forward. First, definitely keep detailed records of everything - receipts, medical documentation about your condition, correspondence with your employer about the accommodation request (or lack thereof). Even if you can't use these deductions now, having everything organized will be invaluable when the rules potentially change after 2025. Second, consider the medical expense angle that others mentioned. If your total medical expenses exceed 7.5% of your AGI, transportation costs that are medically necessary can sometimes qualify. The key is proving medical necessity rather than just work convenience. Finally, I'd strongly encourage you to push back on your employer's accommodation stance. A shuttle that runs every 30 minutes isn't a reasonable accommodation if it prevents you from doing your job effectively. You might be surprised how quickly they find closer parking spots when presented with the actual legal requirements rather than their interpretation of them. The tax situation is frustrating, but don't let that be the only avenue you explore. Your employer has obligations here too.

its probably because of the EIC, they always verify those. welcome to the club lol

Based on your transcript, the 570/971 codes are actually pretty standard for returns with EIC claims. The IRS routinely reviews these to verify eligibility - it's not necessarily a red flag, just part of their process. What's interesting is that your transcript shows all your credits (806, 766, 768) dated for April 15th, which suggests the system has already calculated your expected refund amount. This is usually a good sign that the review is more procedural than investigative. The timeline looks normal too - processed March 4th with immediate 570/971 codes. Most EIC reviews I've seen resolve within 2-3 weeks, so you should hopefully see movement by late March. Keep checking your transcript weekly for updates, and definitely watch for that 971 notice in the mail. It'll tell you exactly what they need (if anything) or just confirm they're doing a routine review.

Has anyone else noticed that tax software doesn't handle this situation very well? I tried entering $0 income with expenses in TurboTax last year and it kept giving me warnings about potential audit flags.

I'm dealing with a similar situation as a freelance consultant - had several business expenses in 2020 but very little income due to the pandemic. From what I've researched and discussed with other self-employed folks, you definitely can and should claim those legitimate business expenses even with zero income. The key things to remember: keep all your receipts and documentation organized, make sure the expenses were genuinely for business purposes (which yours clearly were - license, insurance, conference, supplies are all standard business costs), and don't let the software warnings scare you. A net loss from a business is completely normal and legal, especially during 2020. One tip that helped me - when entering everything in the tax software, I made notes in the description fields explaining the business purpose of each expense. It helps create a clear paper trail showing these were legitimate business costs, not personal expenses you're trying to write off.