FYI - there's another situation where you need to file Schedule B regardless of the amount of interest or dividends: if you have any foreign accounts. I found this out the hard way after getting a notice from the IRS. Even if you only have $5 of interest total, if any of it came from a foreign bank account, you still need to file Schedule B and check that box in Part III.

Just wanted to add another important detail that I learned when I had to file Schedule B for the first time - you need to list ALL payers of interest and dividends on Schedule B, not just the ones that put you over the threshold. So even if you have 10 different accounts contributing small amounts that together exceed $1,500, you have to list every single payer on the form, including their name, address, and the amount they paid you. It can make for a pretty long form if you have accounts scattered across multiple banks and brokerages. The IRS uses this information for matching purposes - they want to see that what you're reporting matches up with all the 1099-INT and 1099-DIV forms they received about you. Missing even a small payer can trigger a notice later on.

Yall need to chill lmao its only been 2 days since u filed

anyone else's WMR still saying processing? getting nervous ngl

Print your name and social security number on EVERY SINGLE PAGE of your amended return and attachments!!! I work at an accounting firm and you wouldn't believe how often pages get separated during processing. Also, secure everything with a paperclip, not staples (many state agencies specifically request no staples).

One more critical tip that saved me last year - when you're filling out the certified mail form at the post office, make sure to write "TAX DOCUMENT - AMENDED RETURN" in the description section. This helps postal workers handle it with extra care and can be useful if you ever need to reference the mailing for any reason. Also, I'd recommend going to the post office during off-peak hours (mid-morning on weekdays if possible) when the staff has more time to help you get everything filled out correctly. The certified mail process has several steps and it's easy to miss something when they're rushing during busy periods. Keep that certified mail receipt in a safe place with your tax records - the IRS and state agencies sometimes ask for proof of mailing date years later, especially if there are any questions about meeting deadlines. I scan mine and keep digital copies too, just in case!

One thing I'd add is to consider documenting the business purpose for each batch of chickens processed in your barn. Even though you're paying fair market value for personal-use chickens, having clear records showing that 95% of your processing is for business customers helps establish the barn's primary business use. I keep a simple log showing customer orders vs. owner purchases - it's been helpful when discussing deductions with my accountant. Also, make sure your LLC's operating agreement specifically addresses member purchases if it doesn't already. Some agreements require board resolutions or specific approval processes for related-party transactions, even at fair market value.

Another consideration is timing - make sure you're documenting these personal purchases in real-time, not retroactively at year-end. The IRS looks favorably on contemporaneous records vs. reconstructed transactions. I'd also suggest taking photos of the chickens you're purchasing for personal use along with the receipt, similar to how restaurants document inventory. This creates a visual record that supports your documentation. One more tip: consider having your LLC send you a 1099-NEC if your annual personal purchases exceed $600, just like they would for any other customer. It shows you're treating yourself exactly like an arm's length customer, which strengthens your position that these are legitimate business transactions rather than disguised personal use of business assets.

This might be a dumb question, but is there any tax software that would help catch if I'm missing big deductions or credits? I usually use FreeTaxUSA but I'm wondering if maybe I should switch to something else?

The key thing to understand is that a refund isn't "found money" - it's just getting back your own money that you overpaid throughout the year. Those massive refunds usually mean someone had way too much withheld from their paychecks or qualify for refundable credits. If you're consistently owing money, it actually means your withholding is pretty accurate to what you actually owe. You could artificially create a big refund by having more taxes withheld from each paycheck, but then you're just giving the government an interest-free loan all year. The real question isn't "how do I get a bigger refund" but "am I paying the right amount of tax?" If you're not missing legitimate deductions and credits, owing a small amount or getting a small refund is actually the ideal situation - it means you kept your money in your pocket all year instead of lending it to the IRS.