Has anyone tried calling the IRS e-file help desk directly? The number is 866-255-0654. They have specific agents who deal with e-file rejections and can often tell you exactly what AGI is in their system. I had to use this last year when my return kept getting rejected.

I went through this exact same frustration last year! After trying everything - the correct AGI, entering "0", calling multiple IRS numbers - what finally worked for me was requesting a "Verification of Non-filing Letter" from the IRS website. Even though I HAD filed, the letter showed what AGI the IRS had on record for me, and it was different from what was on my copy of the return by about $150. Apparently when they processed my paper return, they made some adjustment that I was never notified about. Once I used the AGI from that verification letter, my e-file went through immediately. You can request it online through your IRS account at irs.gov - it's free and usually available within 24 hours. Just look for "Get Transcript" and select "Verification of Non-filing Letter" even though you did file. It sounds backwards but it shows the AGI they have on record. This might be faster than trying to get through to an agent on the phone, especially during tax season when their lines are slammed.

Does anyone know if I can write off part of my internet bill? I use my phone's hotspot sometimes while waiting for orders, plus I need internet at home to check earnings, do taxes, etc. Also, what about my Netflix subscription since I watch it while waiting for orders at restaurants? lol worth a shot

As someone who's been doing gig work for a few years, I want to emphasize something important about the home office deduction that I learned the hard way. Even if you qualify for it, you need to be really careful about documentation because gig workers get audited more frequently than W-2 employees. The IRS will want to see proof that your space is used "exclusively and regularly" for business. This means taking dated photos of your setup, keeping a log of business activities performed in that space, and being able to show that NO personal activities happen there - not watching TV, not personal computer use, nothing. Also, if you're renting, make sure your lease doesn't prohibit business use of the apartment. Some landlords have clauses about this, and technically running a business (even gig work) from a residential space could be a lease violation in some cases. Just something to check before claiming that deduction! For your specific situation driving 50-80 hours weekly, focus on the solid deductions first - mileage, phone percentage, delivery bags, etc. The home office thing is trickier and might not be worth the audit risk unless you have a really clear dedicated space.

Has anyone tried requesting penalty abatement through the IRS website or by mail instead of calling? I've been trying to get through on the phone for days with no luck.

Based on your situation, I'd strongly recommend trying for First Time Penalty Abatement first before going the reasonable cause route. Since you mentioned this is your first time ever being late and you've always been diligent about paying on time, you likely qualify automatically. The beauty of First Time Penalty Abatement is that you don't need to prove anything about the family emergency or bank account mix-up - they just check their records to confirm you have a clean compliance history for the past 3 years. If you qualify, they can remove the penalty right on the spot during your call. If for some reason you don't qualify for First Time Penalty Abatement, then you can fall back to the reasonable cause argument with all the details about your family situation and the honest mistake. But definitely start with the easier option first - just call and specifically ask "Do I qualify for First Time Penalty Abatement?" Given that this could save you $750, it's absolutely worth the phone call. And don't let the penalty stress you out too much - the IRS does have these provisions specifically for situations like yours where good taxpayers make honest mistakes.

Has anyone had luck filing through something besides TurboTax? This is my 3rd year with refund delays using them and im starting to wonder if its part of the problem. Maybe direct filing with the IRS is better?

I'm going through the exact same thing! Filed in early March and still nothing. One thing that really helped me was calling the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) at 1-877-777-4778. They're a separate division within the IRS that helps when you've been waiting an unreasonably long time for your refund. You qualify for their help if it's been more than 21 days since you e-filed and you haven't received your refund or any communication about why it's delayed. They can actually look into your specific case and sometimes get things moving faster than the regular IRS customer service. Also, if you're experiencing financial hardship because of the delay (like you mentioned with bills), make sure to tell them that when you call. They prioritize cases where people are facing real consequences from the delay. Worth a shot before trying some of the paid services others mentioned!

Just wanted to add a quick tip that helped me when I was in a similar situation - if your company uses ADP like you mentioned, there's often a "pending" status that shows up even when your W4 change goes through successfully. The system sometimes takes 24-48 hours to update the display, but the actual change might already be processed on the backend. You can check with your next paycheck to see if the withholding changed, or call your HR department to confirm the status. I was worried my change didn't go through for a whole week until I realized it was just a display lag in the system. Also, since you mentioned you're counting on maximizing your summer earnings - once you get the exempt status sorted, you might want to track your total earnings throughout the summer to make sure you stay under the standard deduction threshold. That way you can avoid any surprises at tax time next year!

I went through this exact situation last year with my summer internship! The good news is that yes, you can absolutely submit a new W4 to correct this - it's not permanent and employers deal with these changes regularly. Here's what worked for me: I went directly to HR with a printed, corrected W4 form rather than relying solely on the online system. I explained that I had made an error on my initial form and needed to claim exempt status. They processed it within a few days and my next paycheck had zero federal withholding. Unfortunately, you won't get the money already withheld back directly - that will come as part of your tax refund when you file next year. But the bright side is if you truly qualify for exempt status (which it sounds like you do based on your summer earnings expectations), you'll get all of that federal withholding back as a refund. One important thing to remember: if you file as exempt, you'll need to submit a new W4 by February 15th next year to maintain that status, otherwise it automatically reverts to maximum withholding. Also, don't forget that Social Security and Medicare taxes (7.65%) will still be withheld regardless of your exempt status - that's totally normal. Go talk to HR in person with a corrected form - they should be able to help you get this sorted quickly!